MARK R. FISHER, Coastal Fisheries Division, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, Texas 78744, USA
(512) 389-4333 (voice), (512) 389-4388 (FAX), mark.fisher@tpwd.state.tx.us

A sequential population analysis was performed to determine past and present conditions and trends of the spotted seatrout resource. An age-length key was used to assign ages by sex. Females grow faster and larger than males, with an L_¥ of 1,065 mm and 611 mm (41.9 inches and 24.1 inches) for females and males, respectively. Length at age is variable for both sexes. Spotted seatrout are weakly migratory, remaining in or near the same estuary during their adult life. Recreational landings of spotted seatrout were variable from May 1984-May 1996. Most (60%) of the harvest is taken by private boat anglers in bays and passes. Females comprised 70% of landings in 1995-1996. The female population almost doubled in size since 1984, while the male population almost tripled. Recruitment also increased for both sexes, as well as spawning biomass and number of older fish (age 5+). Unweighted transitional spawning potential ratios (SPR) for females have increased from 22% to 37% during 1984-94. Male SPR’s have also increased from 49% to 65% during the same time. Both sexes are currently at or within biological reference points used for assessing exploited populations (20% static SPR, F_max, F_0.1, F₂₀ and F₃₀), indicating they are not overfished, and are not currently subject to overfishing. A Beverton-Holt spawner-recruit relationship indicates recruitment and spawning biomass has been increasing through time. Because of the increased spawning biomass, recovery from a severe winter freeze should occur more rapidly than in 1984. Population growth is expected to continue, although at a slower rate. Unweighted transitional SPR is converging with static %SPR. Monitoring of the fishery should continue, as fishing mortality may increase.