Abstract
Ages of margate, Haemulon album (n = 415) and black margate, Anisotremus surinamensis (n = 130) were determined using sectioned sagittal otoliths collected from the Southeastern United States Atlantic coast from 1979 to 2017. Opaque zones were annular, forming between January and June for both species, with peaks in occurrence of otoliths with opaque margins in April for margate and March for black margate. The observed ages for margate were 0–22 years, and the largest fish measured 807 mm TL (total length). Black margate ranged in age from 3 to 17 years, and the largest fish was 641 mm TL. Weight–length relationships were: margate, ln(W) = 2.88 ln(TL) − 10.44 (n = 1327, r2 = 0.97, MSE = 0.02), where W is total weight (grams, g); black margate, ln(W) = 3.02 ln(TL) − 11.10 (n = 451, r2 = 0.95, MSE = 0.01). Von Bertalanffy growth equations were Lt = 731 (1 − e−0.23(t+0.38)) for margate, and Lt = 544 (1 − e−0.13(t+2.61)) for black margate. After re-estimating black margate growth using a bias-correction procedure to account for the lack of younger fish, growth was described by the equation Lt = 523 (1 − e−0.18(t+0.0001)). Age-invariant estimates of natural mortality were M = 0.19 y−1 and M = 0.23 y−1 for margate and black margate, respectively, while age-varying estimates of M ranged from 2.93 −0.23 y−1 for fish aged 0–22 for margate and 7.20 − 0.19 y−1 for fish aged 0–18 for black margate. This study presents the first documentation of life-history parameters for margate from the Atlantic waters off the Southeastern United States, and the first published estimate of black margate life history parameters from any geographic region.
Highlights
Margate (Haemulon album Cuvier 1830) and black margate (Anisotremus surinamensis Bloch 1790)are large-sized members of the grunt family (Family Haemulidae), capable of attaining lengths of 750 mm and 600 mm, respectively
This study presents the first documentation of life-history parameters for margate from the Atlantic waters off the Southeastern United States, and the first published estimate of black margate life history parameters from any geographic region
One margate was collected from North Carolina and two from East Central Florida, with the remaining fish coming from Southeast Florida through the Dry Tortugas (n = 412, or 99%)
Summary
Margate (Haemulon album Cuvier 1830) and black margate (Anisotremus surinamensis Bloch 1790). The only current management restriction on black margate in the SEUS is a 100 pound possession bag limit in Florida state waters [12]. The only previous studies of the biology of either of these species were an age-growth study of margate from Jamaica that used scales as the ageing structure [13] and a study from Cuba using otoliths [14] While these two species are unlikely to become the subject of a stock assessment by the Southeast Data Assessment and Review (SEDAR), the process by which federally managed species are prioritized and assessed for stock assessments in the SEUS, basic life history information for use in other management efforts (e.g., ecosystem-based fishery management) is still needed. Our primary goal is to provide updated and comprehensive information on age-growth parameters and natural mortality rates for margate and black margate from the SEUS, filling an important gap for these data-limited species
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
