Document Type
Report
Department/Program
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Publication Date
1-1999
Series
Marine Resource Report No. 99-10; VSG-99-14
Abstract
In April 1996, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission approved a Tautog Fishery Management Plan (FMP) requiring states to systematically adopt a 14 in. (356 mm) TL minimum size limit. Release-mortality was assumed to be 25%. Between October and December 1997-1998, 299 tautog (235-520 mm TL; 9-20 in.) were caught using angling gear to estimate release mortality in Virginia's tautog fishery. Fishing occurred at shallow (3-10 m; 10-33 ft.) and deep (12-17 m; 39-56 ft.) water depths at temperatures between 9-l 8°C ( 48-64°F). Tautog were tagged, accumulated in aerated livewells, then returned to depth of capture in galvanized wire cages. Mean fish density per cage was six tautog and mean soak time per cage was 115 h (4.8 days). Releasemortality for tautog (n=5) for both years was 1.67%, all occurring in fish taken from deeper water. Mortality rates were comparable to rates reported in Connecticut waters (1994-98).
DOI
http://dx.doi.org/doi:10.21220/m2-j1hj-1p65
Keywords
Fisheries, Management, Virginia, Tautog
Funding
Virginia Saltwater Recreational Fishing License Funds (Virginia Recreational Fishing Development Fund) administered by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (Grant Number RF97-l 7)
Recommended Citation
Lucy, J. A., & Arendt, M. D. (1999) Exploratory Field Evaluation of Hook-Release Mortality in Tautog (Tautoga onitis) in Lower Chesapeake Bay, Virginia. Marine Resource Report No. 99-10; VSG-99-14. Virginia Institute of Marine Science, William & Mary. http://dx.doi.org/doi:10.21220/m2-j1hj-1p65
