Abstract

The cobia, Rachycentron canadum, is a coastal pelagic species that supports both recreational and commercial fisheries in the southeastern United States. Cobia exhibit seasonal migrations in the Gulf of Mexico and along the U.S. Atlantic coast, but the extent to which those fish migrate is not well-documented. This study was conducted to determine the seasonal movements and migratory behavior of cobia in southeastern U.S. waters in order to develop information pertinent to effective regional management of the cobia fishery. From 1988 through July 2007, participants in an angler-cooperative research program tagged and released 15,003 cobia ranging from Gulf waters off Texas to Atlantic waters off Virginia, and 962 (6.4%) of those fish were recaptured. Data indicate a general migratory trend of cobia over-wintering in south Florida coastal waters, followed by northerly movement in late winter and early spring along both coasts of the Florida Peninsula to spawning grounds in northern Gulf and central U.S. Atlantic coastal waters. A subsequent return to south Florida waters in late fall was common. Results of this research support the regional scale of cobia management currently implemented by the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils.

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