Comparison of oyster dredge tow times to monitor oyster abundance

Date

1989

Authors

Doerzbacher, J.F.
Meador, K.L.

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Coastal Fisheries Branch

Abstract

Number of Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) collected in 30-second oyster dredge tows was compared with number of eastern oysters collected in 1- minute tows in Galveston, Matagorda, East Matagorda, San Antonio, Aransas, and Corpus Christi Bays, and the lower Laguna Madre during March 1987. Overall, number of spat (5-25 mm shell length) and small oysters (26-75 mm) caught were comparable between times although significant deviations were found in individual bays. Market oysters (>=76 mm) were more abundant than expected in the 30-second tows suggesting that the dredge may be filling up before completion of the 1-minute tows. Therefore, 1-minute tows probably underestimate Eastern oyster relative abundance, especially when abundance is extremely great.

Description

10 pgs.

Keywords

American Oyster, spat, oysters, abundance, towing

Citation