Louisiana Sportfish Analysis
SPECKLED TROUT & REDFISH STATUS
TROUT MANAGEMENT - THE ANSWER
A brief history of Spotted Seatrout management in Louisiana. In 1984 the possession limit was reduced to a daily limit and a saltwater fishing license was required, a 12” recreational and 14” commercial minimum size limit went into effect in 1987, and in 1988 the recreational limit was reduced to 25.
Twelve inches was chosen because it allows 100% of the males and 50 - 75% of the females to reach sexually maturity before being harvested; thereby allowing each female the opportunity to replace itself. So why not have a larger minimum size, such as 13.5 inches?
In Louisiana, males do not reach a size of 14 inches until their third or fourth years. Since few specks live beyond age 3, and more than 70% of the total speckled trout population is age 3 or younger, very few males grow to larger sizes. This would result in a loss of recreational opportunity to harvest the males and could possibly cause a shift of harvest pressure to females. This minimum size change would also create 100,000 – 300,000 new discard mortalities.
Moving the creel limits assist fisheries managers in controlling effort; however, in the case of speckled trout, the 25-fish creel limit is of no real biological or effort reducing value. It is simply the number agreed upon in 1988. The intent of the 25-fish limit was social in nature. Its sole effect was to spread out the catch. Based on the current catch per trip estimates, the proposed 15-fish creel would yield the same result. If managers felt that a reduction if effort was needed, the creel limit would have to be lower than the proposed 15. After reviewing the latest assessment and management options its safe to say that unless it is reduced to below 10 the outcome would again be sampling reallocating or spreading out the harvest.
Marine stock enhancement should be fully investigated and implemented at a cost-effective level. Traditional methods (dart and pit tags) for calculating impacts of hatchery raised fish have generally demonstrated that they contributed approximately 7% - 15% to the fisheries. Modern genetic techniques, that can detect offspring in addition to directly released fish, are showing contributions at 25% - 50% levels. This is proactive management that exceeds the cost benefit ration especially when implemented as a public/private venture.
Conclusion: The minimum size limit of spotted seatrout remains at 12 inches, thereby achieving the original management goals and not increasing release induced mortality.
The creel limit should be decreased, at a minimum, to 10 or below. This alone will achieve the desired conservation benefit of 20% with zero added mortality.
The state should continue to evaluate other options such as: a robust education, encourage tag & release and stock enhancement programs. These types of programs affording invaluable insurance protection against stock depletion and when used in combination with traditional management practices, play a crucial role in mitigating environmental and human impacts with no added mortalities.
REDFISH & STATUS – THE ANSWER
The following provides a comprehensive analysis of the status and management of redfish (Red Drum) in Louisiana. It outlines the history of recreational redfish management, current slot limits, and creel regulations, and addresses challenges such as low recruitment rates linked to salinity levels. The document suggests adjustments to size and creel limits, emphasizes the importance of stock enhancement, and proposes a plan to stock 3 million redfish fingerlings annually for three years to address declining recruitment. The aim is to ensure the sustainability of the redfish population in Louisiana waters
A brief history of recreational Redfish management in Louisiana. In 1984 a recreational creel limit of 50 fish (combined with trout), 1 day possession & a maximum of 2 fish over 36 inches with no minimum size limit was established. Two years later (1986) the recreational size limit was adjusted to no more than 2 fish over 30 inches. In 1987 a recreational slot limit of 14 to 30 inches was established with no more than 2 fish over 30 inches. In 1988 the recreational slot limit was adjusted to 16 - 27 inches with no more than 1 fish over the slot and a creel limit of 5 & redfish were given gamefish status creating a moratorium on all commercial harvest, this was made permanent in 1991.
SOME FACTS 100% maturity in males by age 5 and females by age 6. That’s why the max slot is 27 inches. Redfish grow to about 8 inches by first spring and it takes 1.5 years (on average) to reach 16 inches. The minimum size is another arbitrary number that was used, mainly because it seemed like a nice size fish to harvest, just big enough.
Size limits (Slot) Increasing the min slot by 2 inches will make a bigger fillet however it creates more release mortalities (RM), 22% of total harvest or 13,000 fish additional mortalities. Decreasing the max slot to 25 will allow more fish to reach maturity (escape) with little added RM, a good thing, 8% of total harvest or 4,500 fish additional mortalities. Conclusion, it’s clearly a better move to decrease the max slot limit and leave the minimum slot limit at 16. The over slot limit is statistically insignificant. Creel Moving the creel creates no new RM & it’s the best way to control effort (other than seasons, which no one wants). A five fish creel is reasonable, going to 4 or 3 will have some effect on harvest but probably not what is projected. Some fish not harvested due to a lower creel will simply be harvested by another angle. This is very difficult to calculate. Conclusion, reducing the creel may have a positive conservation benefit & there are not negative effects, this is a matter of what the anglers are willing to accept.
Effort is growing and what we need to control. The Redfish stock is not overfished (depleted) but overfishing (depletion) is currently occurring. Why, salinity! Now let’s discuss recruitment! Low recruitment of juvenile red drum is also a problem, which can be supplemented by fish stocking. The current recruitment estimate is at the lowest level observed and has been declining since 1994. Conclusion, there is no doubt salinity drives juvenile recruitment. We need a better understanding and measurements of recruitment; more salinity recorders & marine shocking equipment will get us there.
Quick review
Allowing more fish to escape the slot is the goal here. So, reducing effort, better monitoring & stock enhancement are the answers. Size Limits Decrease minimum slot limit (really bad idea that’s why it was never proposed). Increase minimum slot limit (bad idea due to increased release mortality). Decrease maximum slot limit to 25 inches (the lower this is the more fish escape to the offshore breeding population). Creel Decrease creel to 4 (may have a slight benefit but most of those fish will be caught by other anglers). Decrease creel to 3 (see above but better than 4). Bull Reds No fish over slot (again, this one is statistically insignificant, more of a feel-good effort). One fish over slot (Economically & Socially here’s the answer). Two fish over slot (no need for 2). Here it is: 1. CREEL - 3 FISH 2. SLOT LIMIT - 16 to 25; 1 > 25. 3. A robust redfish stock enhancement program.
Rebuilding Plan
Nowhere in the Louisiana state constitution or any related rules (LA Titles 56 or 76) is it required to have a rebuilding timetable. Makes no sense, we are generally dealing with effort, salinity & mother nature.
Stock Enhancement
LDWFs Website states the most recent redfish stock assessment estimated there are approximately 4.5 million redfish in the state’s coastal waters. Because of declines in recruitment and escapement, around 1.5 million fingerlings would need to be stocked per year to correct that decline in recruitment. Latest advances in genetic tagging have taken stock enhancement program from one of feel-good to a legitimate management tool, with some states showing over 20% hatchery fish contribution to the fishery! This is a very attainable goal.
SUMMARY
To do this right, I’m recommending the state stock 3 million 2-inch fish per year for 3 years to match current decline @ $4 per fish or $12M per year for 3 years. From year 4+ we can switch to maintenance mode or stock 500,000 per year to match the annual recreational release mortality rate.
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