Abstract

Red snapper is an important recreational and commercial finfish in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Red snapper inhabit several different habitat types: low-relief artificial structures, toppled and standing oil and gas platforms, and natu-ral banks located on the mid-shelf and the shelf-edge. Red snapper populations are currently managed as a single stock both east and west of the Mississippi River. Nieland et al. (2007) reported a decline in ages of red snapper across the Louisiana commercial fishery indicating the population may be overfished and undergoing overfishing. The Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council has set of a goal of reaching maximum sustainable yield by 2032. This study will compare age structure of red snapper from both a low-relief artificial habitat and a natural shelf edge bank, respective-ly in the East Cameron Oil Lease Planning Area (n = 135) and at Bright Bank (n = 92). Otoliths were collected from red snapper at each habitat over a period of three years with quarterly research trips. The otoliths were sectioned and read using marginal increment analysis according to Beckman et al (1988). This study will address differences in size-at-age, weight-at-age, and the age distribution at each habitat. Previous studies have reported significant differences in age and growth parameters between artificial habitats and natural banks. This analysis will help define biological reference points as well as the quality and role of both habitats. Unbiased age estimates will give fishery managers tools to make in-formed decisions about the best methods to regulate the red snapper fisheries.

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