Abstract

We reviewed state agency data for black drum commercial landings, recreational landings and pressure, and abundance. Texas commercial landings from 1981 to 2001 averaged 731 thousand kg with a high of 1.9 million kg in 1996, and increased five-fold for the period from 296 thousand kg to 1.14 million kg in 2001. Black drum commercial landings in the Upper Laguna Madre (ULM) for the twenty-year period 1982 - 2001 peaked at 916 thousand kg in 1996, and were significantly higher than landings for other embayments. Galveston Bay (37,042 ± 5,611 black drum) (mean ± SE) dominated coastwide recreational landings (88,754 ± 7,777), and fishing pressure (1.8 ± 0.061 million man-hours) in Texas from 1975 to 2002 averaging 4.8 million man-hours annually with a maximum of 6.4 million man-hours in 1999. ULM black drum abundance from fisheries-independent gill net catches (2.04 ± 0.28 black drum/hour) differed significantly from other embayments. Coastwide catch rates for black drum from 1976 to 2003 averaged 7.9 fish/hour peaking at 14.3 in 2001. Results were not indicative of detrimental impact of fishing mortality on populations or life-history attributes. However, these attributes and high commercial and recreational value distinguish black drum among finfish in Texas, and consequently, necessitate proper and watchful management.

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