Abstract

In northern Gulf of Mexico (nGOM) seagrass habitats, large and potentially unprecedented increases in the abundance of juvenile Gray Snapper (Lutjanus griseus), Lane Snapper (L. synagris), and other tropically-associated species have been recently documented (Fodrie et al. 2010). Their increased abundance reflects regional warming trends, and has resulted in higher numbers recruiting to offshore adult habitats (Marshak and Heck, In review). Additionally, recent successful invasion by Indo-Pacific Red Lionfish (Pterois volitans) into the nGOM has occurred (Dahl and Patterson 2014), and together with tropically-associated snappers, these factors could affect nGOM reef fishes and juvenile Red Snapper (L. campechanus), potentially including competitive exclusions. The objectives of our study were to investigate the distribu-tion, abundance, and spatiotemporal associations of juvenile and early adult tropically-associated snappers, and other numerically abundant fishes in nGOM offshore habitats using chevron traps, and examine their trends over time in commer-cial and recreational landings data.

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