243
8 Fishery and Biological Implications of Fishing Spawning Aggregations…
prohibited during spawning times (Being Yeeting personal communication 2009).
Where this recreational fi shery developed, there were confl icts with locals wanting
to maintain it as a food source. However, after public consultation, more than 90%
of the community agreed that it was a worthwhile resource to protect and use as a
basis for tourism. In the Gulf of California, the endemic Gulf grouper, Mycteroperca
jordani , is a prized target of recreational anglers and spearfi shers, and sportfi shing
tournaments are still held during the spawning season despite dwindling numbers of
fi sh (Sala et al. 2003 ; Saenz-Arroyo et al. 2005 , BE personal observation). Kelp
Bass ( Paralabrax clathratus ) and Barred Sand Bass ( P. nebulifer ) have consistently
ranked top among species targeted by recreational fi sheries of southern California,
USA, over the past three decades (Dotson and Charter 2003 ) , with 70–80% of
annual landings and the highest fi shing effort occurring during the summer months
when both species form spawning aggregations. Although banned from commercial
harvest, no specifi c management of aggregation sites or periods exist for the recreational fi shery of either species, and landings of both have declined signifi cantly
over the last 5–10 years (Fig. 8.2 ).
Fig. 8.2 ( a , b ) Barred Sand Bass, Paralabrax nebulifer , have consistently ranked as one of the top
two recreational fi sheries of Southern California for more than three decades (Love et al. 1996 ;
Dotson and Charter 2003 ) . The species forms massive spawning aggregations over offshore sandfl ats from May to August, with a peak in July (Turner et al. 1969 ; Love et al. 1996 ) . While all commercial catch has been banned since WWII, its aggregations are not managed. However, the
recreational fi shery is managed by a 12-inch minimum size limit and a 10-fi sh per day bag limit
(combined daily limit for the 3 Paralabrax spp. that co-occur). Catch- circle and solid line (Drawing:
© Larry Allen)
0.0000
0.5000
1.0000
1.5000
2.0000
2.5000
0
1,000,000
2,000,000
3,000,000
4,000,000
5,000,000
6,000,000
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
CPUE (#fish per angler trip)
Catch (#fish)
a
8 Fishery and Biological Implications of Fishing Spawning Aggregations…
prohibited during spawning times (Being Yeeting personal communication 2009).
Where this recreational fi shery developed, there were confl icts with locals wanting
to maintain it as a food source. However, after public consultation, more than 90%
of the community agreed that it was a worthwhile resource to protect and use as a
basis for tourism. In the Gulf of California, the endemic Gulf grouper, Mycteroperca
jordani , is a prized target of recreational anglers and spearfi shers, and sportfi shing
tournaments are still held during the spawning season despite dwindling numbers of
fi sh (Sala et al. 2003 ; Saenz-Arroyo et al. 2005 , BE personal observation). Kelp
Bass ( Paralabrax clathratus ) and Barred Sand Bass ( P. nebulifer ) have consistently
ranked top among species targeted by recreational fi sheries of southern California,
USA, over the past three decades (Dotson and Charter 2003 ) , with 70–80% of
annual landings and the highest fi shing effort occurring during the summer months
when both species form spawning aggregations. Although banned from commercial
harvest, no specifi c management of aggregation sites or periods exist for the recreational fi shery of either species, and landings of both have declined signifi cantly
over the last 5–10 years (Fig. 8.2 ).
Fig. 8.2 ( a , b ) Barred Sand Bass, Paralabrax nebulifer , have consistently ranked as one of the top
two recreational fi sheries of Southern California for more than three decades (Love et al. 1996 ;
Dotson and Charter 2003 ) . The species forms massive spawning aggregations over offshore sandfl ats from May to August, with a peak in July (Turner et al. 1969 ; Love et al. 1996 ) . While all commercial catch has been banned since WWII, its aggregations are not managed. However, the
recreational fi shery is managed by a 12-inch minimum size limit and a 10-fi sh per day bag limit
(combined daily limit for the 3 Paralabrax spp. that co-occur). Catch- circle and solid line (Drawing:
© Larry Allen)
0.0000
0.5000
1.0000
1.5000
2.0000
2.5000
0
1,000,000
2,000,000
3,000,000
4,000,000
5,000,000
6,000,000
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
CPUE (#fish per angler trip)
Catch (#fish)
a