1 About this document

This is a prototype of an automatic report that documents how the user specified the operating model and their various justifications.

2 Introduction

1. Describe the history and current status of the fishery, including fleets, sectors, vessel types and practices/gear by vessel type, landing ports, economics/markets, whether targeted/bycatch, other stocks caught in the fishery. Commercial fisheries typically landed less than 100,000 lbs/yr in each state prior to the 1980s. Purse seines began increasing catches in the early 1980s, dramatically increasing catches. In the mid-1980s, market demand increased with the sale of ‘blackened redfish’, with catches exceeding 10 million lbs. The commercial fisheries in the EEZ and most states was then closed due to concerns of overfishing. The fishery is now completely dominated by the recreational fishery and bycatch, primarily in the shrimp fishery, although a limited commercial fishery still exists in Mississippi waters. Fish are captured in all GOM states and recreational fishing effort is increasing. The population appears to be currently (as of 1997) overfished and experiencing overfishing (Red drum stock assessment 2000).

2. Describe the stock’s ecosystem functions, dependencies, and habitat types. Juvenile, subadult and adult red drum inhabit estuaries along the coast; adults are also found in the EEZ. Young (<50mm) red drum feed largely on copepods, shifting to mysids. After 50mm, red drum feed on other fish, crustaceans and shrimp; the relative proportion of each in the diet is determined by availability (Red drum FMP.pdf).

3. Provide all relevant reference materials, such as assessments, research, and other analysis. Red Drum FMP 1986.pdf Red Drum amend 01 1987.pdf Red Drum amend 02 1988.pdf Red Drum amend 03 1992.pdf Red Drum stock assessment 2000.pdf (Porch 2000)

3 Fishery Characteristics