Life history and fishery of the red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) in the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico: 1970-1974.
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Trawl-caught snappers were taken between 5.5 and 82.3 m (3 and 45 fm). The highest catch per effort was in 29.3-45.7 m (16.25 fm) off Freeport-Galveston, Texas. Hook-and-line caught snappers were taken on reefs located in 13.7 to 146.3 m (7.5 to 80 fm) of water. Snappers exhibited a seasonal inshore-offshore movement and were not confined to rough bottom areas. Peak spawning occurred in June and July. Snappers grew approximately 200 mm (FL) during the first year and 60 to 90 mm in succeeding years. Young red snappers feed primarily on invertebrates; adults feed on vertebrates. Catch per effort and total effort by commercial fishermen have declined, while sports fishing for the species has increased. Shrimp fishermen marketed the larger snappers captured in trawls and discarded the smaller ones. The pressures applied to the fishery have adversly affected commercial landing on the Texas coast.