Mortality of Spotted Seatrout Released from Gill-Net or Hook-and-Line Gear in Florida

Abstract

We investigated short-term (48-h), postrelease mortality of spotted seatrout Cynoscion nebulosus caught in “run-around” gill nets or by hook and line in Tampa Bay, Florida, during October 1991–February 1993. Overall mortality of spotted seatrout caught by and released from hook and line was 4.6% and was influenced significantly by hooking location. More than 25% of gut-hooked fish died after release, whereas less than 2% of fish hooked in the eye, gill arch, jaws, or inside the mouth died. Overall mortality of fish captured in gill nets was 28.0% and was influenced significantly by water temperature. Mean mortalities were 10–40% at water temperatures of 16–23°C, and 47–69% at 28–31°C. In our study, fish captured in gill nets were more likely to die after release than were fish caught by hook and line. However, in absolute terms the number of spotted seatrout that died in Florida during 1992 after release from gill nets was about two orders of magnitude less than the number that died after release from hook and line. Under high levels of fishing effort, the mortality of released fish may substantially reduce the benefits of creel or harvest restrictions.