Abstract

Yellowtail snapper, Ocyurus chrysurus, is a” important reef fish in the western Atlantic Ocean supporting year round recreational and commercial fisheries. Primarily fished with hand lines and hook-and-line gear, the main fishery for the species in the United States occurs off southeast Florida and the Florida Keys. About 86% of the U. S. commercial landings since 1962 have come from Monroe County, Florida. Commercial and recreational landings throughout the fisheries harvesting the species increased from 1962 through 1993 and then decreased through 1996. Since 1988, the proportion of the total catches of the species that has been caught by the commercial fishery has increased significantly. Total landings of the commercial and recreational yellowtail snapper fisheries in 1996 were 39% and 82%, respectively, below the maximum levels observed over the period 1962 through 1996. Commercial CPUE levels for yellowtail snapper in 1996 for the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico showed a decline of 82% and 52%. respectively. Declining relative effort trends for the species were observed since 1991 and 1994 for the recreational and headhoat fisheries, respectively, along with declining catch estimates. We summarize know” biological information, published life history parameters, and historical landings from commercial dealers, headboats, charterboats, private boats, and shore fishers. Identification of major landings areas and trends, seasonality patterns in catch, and CPUE trends in this report are important research components in future yellowtail snapper stock assessments.

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