£Lmf{ NOAA's Estuarine Living Marine Resources Program Distribution and Abundance of Fishes and Invertebrates in Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries of\l Mississippi May 1991 U. S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Ocean Service \ NOAA's Estuarine Living Marine Resources Program In June 1 985, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) began a program to develop a com- prehensive information base on the life history, relative abundance and distribution of fishes and invertebrates in estuaries throughout the Nation (Monaco 1986). The Estuarine Living Marine Resources (ELMR) program is conducted jointly by the Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) Division of the Office of Ocean Resources Conservation and Assessment (ORCA) and laboratories of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). Currently, the R. Adams (Hammond), OR; Galveston, TX; Beaufort, NC; and Oxford, MD laboratories are compiling information forthe contiguous West Coast, Gulf of Mexico, Southeast, and Northeast regions. Additional data for the Northeast are being compiled by the Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences. To date, the program has compiled data for 1 1 5 species found in 83 estuaries. Seven reports are available free upon request (see below). Three salinity zones as defined in Volume 1 of NOAA's National Estuarine Inventory Data Atlas (NOAA 1985) provided the spatial framewori< for organizing information on species distribution and abundance within each estuary. These salinity zones are tidal fresh (0.0 to 0.5 ppt), mixing (0.5 to 25 ppt), and seawater (>25 ppt). The primary data developed for each species include spatial distribution by salinity zone, temporal distribution by month, and relative abundance by life stage, e.g., adult, spawning, juvenile, larva, and egg. In addition, a detailed estuarine life history summary is written for each species. Additional information on this or other programs of NOAA's Strategic Environmental Assessments Division is available from: Strategic Environmental Assessments Division Office of Ocean Resources Conservation and Assessment National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 6001 Executive Blvd., Rm. 220 Rockville, Maryland 20852 FTS/Comm. (301) 443-0453/8921 Reports available from NOAA's Estuarine Living Marine Resources program include: Monaco, M. E., et al. 1 989. Distribution and abundance of fishes and invertebrates in Texas estuaries. ELMR Rpt. No. 3. Strategic Assessment Branch, NOS/NOAA. Rockville, MD. 107 p. Monaco, M. E., et al. 1990. Distribution and abundance of fishes and invertebrates in west coast estuaries. Volume I: Data Summaries. ELMR Rpt. No. 4. Strategic Assessment Branch, NOS/NOAA. Rockville, MD. 240 p. Bulger,A.J.,etal. 1990. A proposed estuarine classification: analysis of species salinity ranges. ELMR Rpt. No. 5. Strategic Assessment Branch, NOS/NOAA. Rockville, MD. 28 p. Williams, C. D. , et al. 1 990. Distribution and abundance of fishes and invertebrates in eastern Gulf of Mexico estuaries. ELMR Rpt. No. 6. Strategic Assessment Branch, NOS/NOAA. Rockville, MD. 105 p. Czapla, T. C, et al. 1 991 . Distribution and abundance of fishes and invertebrates in central Gulf of Mexico estuaries. ELMR Rept. No. 7. NOAA/NOS Strategic Environmental Assessments Division, Rockville, MD. 82 p. Emmett, R. L., et al. In preparation. Fishes and invertebrates in west coast estuaries. Vol II: life history summaries. ELMR Rept. No. 8. NOAA/NOS Strategic Environmental Assessments Division, Rockville, MD. Nelson, D. M., et al. In preparation. Distribution and abundance of fishes and invertebrates in southeast estuaries. ELMR Rept. No. 9. NOAA/NOS Strategic Environmental Assessments Division, Rockville, MD. = 5S^^ Ln J 3- m HO D IT BL/W o =• HI o □ □ ^^^ ^m Distribution and Abundance of Fisfies and Invertebrates in Central Gulf of IVIexico Estuaries Project Team Thomas E. Czapla and Mark E. Pattillo Galveston Laboratory Fishery Ecology Division Southeast Fisheries Center National Marine Fisheries Service Galveston, TX 77551 David M. Nelson* and Mark E. Monaco Strategic Environmental Assessments Division** Office of Ocean Resources Conservation and Assessment National Ocean Service Rockville, MD 20852 ELMR Report Number 7 May 1991 »>*£jj22^ ''^^^M^Sfat^^ * Contact for copies of this report. ** Formerly Strategic Assessment Branch This report should be cited as: Czapla, T. C, M. E. Pattillo, D. M. Nelson, and M. E. Monaco. 1991 . Distribution and abundance of fishes and invertebrates in central Gulf of Mexico estuaries. ELMR Rept. No. 7. NOAA/NOS Strategic Environmental Assessments Division, Rockville, MD. 82 p. Contents Introduction 1 Study Rationale 1 Data Collection and Organization 2 Selection of Estuaries 2 Selection of Species 3 Species Life History Summaries 4 DataSfieets 4 Data Verification 5 Results of Study 6 Data Summaries 6 Seasonal Comparisons 6 Quantitative Abundances 6 Data Content and Quality 11 Variability in Space and Time 12 Abundance Data 12 Salinity and Species Abundance 12 Life History Notes 12 Use of ELMR Data 14 Classifying and Comparing Estuaries 14 Linkages to Marine Ecosystems 14 Concluding Comments 1 5 Acknowledgements 15 Literature Cited 15 Data Summary Tables 1 7 Spatial distribution and relative abundance 19 Temporal distribution 27 Data reliability 49 Appendices 57 Appendix 1 . National Estuarine Inventory fvlap of the Barataria Bay 59 Appendix 2. Table of references and personal communications 61 Appendix 3. Personal communications 71 Appendix 4. References 73 List of Figures Figure 1 . ELMR study regions and regional research labs. Figure 2. Major steps taken to complete the Central Gulf of Mexico study. Figure 3. ELMR Central Gulf of Mexico estuaries and associated salinity zones. Figure 4. Example of a species/estuary data sheet: bay anchovy in Barataria Bay. Figure 5. Number of species in Central Gulf estuaries by salinity zone, life stage, and month Figure 6. Numbers of species in tidal fresh zone, by season and estuary. Figure 6 (continued). Numbers of species in mixing zone, by season and estuary. Figure 7. Mean number of species as larvae (averaged across estuaries), by month and salinity zone. Figure 8. Comparison of ELMR estuaries with LDWF Coastal Study Areas and GCRL Mississippi Sound stations. Figure 9. Monthly mean abundances caught in trawls in LDWF Coastal Study Areas and Mississippi Sound. a. brown shrimp b. spot List of Tables Table 1 . ELMR species list for the central Gulf of Mexico. Table 2. Spatial distribution and relative abundance. Tables. Temporal distribution. Table 4. Data reliability. Since life stages of many species use both estuarine and marine habitats, information on distribution, abundance, temporal utilization, and life history characteristics are needed tounderstandthe coupling of estuaries and nearshore/offshore areas. To date, a national, comprehensive, and consistent data base of this type does not exist. Consequently, there is a need to develop a program which integrates the disparate information on marine and estuarine species and their associated habitats into a useful, comprehensive, and consistent data base. The ELM R program was designed to help fulfill this need by developing a uniform nationwide data base on selected estuarine species. Results will complement NOAA efforts to have a national estuarine assessment capability (NOAA 1985) and also oceanic fishery sampling programs (Sherman and Alexander 1 985). Compiling this information also identifies information gaps and assesses the content and quality of existing estuarine fisheries data. Data Collection and Organization Figure 2 summarizes the major steps taken to collect and organize information on the distribution and abundance of fishes and invertebrates in Central Gulf of Mexico estuaries. The initial steps were selection of the estuaries and species to be studied. Selection of Estuaries. Estuaries in the Central Gulf of Mexico were initially selected from the National Estuarine Inventory (NEI) Data Atlas - Volume 1 (NOAA 1985) and NEI Supplelment 3 (Shirzad et al. 1989). The nine estuaries (Figure 3) selected forthe Central Gulf of Mexico are: 1. Mississippi Sound 2. Lake Borgne 3. Lake Pontchartrain 4. Breton/Chandeleur Sounds 5. Mississippi River 6. Barataria Bay 7. Terrebonne/Timbalier Bays 8. AtchafalayaA/ermilion Bays 9. Calcasieu Lake Data on spatial and temporal distributions of species were developed and organized based on the tidal fresh (0.0 too. 5 parts perthousand(ppt)), mixing (0.5 to 25.0 ppt), and seawater (>25.0 ppt) zones delineated for each estuary in the NEI . Not all salinity zones are represented in each estuary of the Central Gulf of Mexico (Figure 3). The lack of seawater zones in some estuaries is primarily due to freshwater inflow from the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers. A representative map (Barataria Bay) from the NEI Supplement 3 (Shirzad et al. 1989) is shown in Appendix 1. Figure 2. Major steps taken to complete the Central Gulf of Mexico study. Outputs National Estuarine Inventory Data Atlas ■^ Nine Estuaries ■^ Compile Estuary Inforrnation Select Species -> 43 Speaes ^ Develop Life History Summaries \y Prepare Species/Estuary Data Sheets /\ Peer Review Data Verification ■^ -) spatial Distribution ■^ Temporal Distribution Microcomputer Database ^ Relative Abundance ^ Data Reliability Compiling consistent data nationwide limits the amou nt of information that may be compiled for each species and estuary. Also, it would be time and cost prohibitive to map each species by life stage for each estuary (Monaco 1986). This framework enables a consistent compilation and organization of available information on the distribution of fishes and invertebrates in estuaries. Although necessary forthis study, the NEI Data Atlas (NOAA 1 985) does not contain sufficient information on some physical parameters that affect species distributions. Additional information was compiled on geological history, bottom type, watertemperature, tidal and freshwater circulation, and water quality to help understand the reported distribution of organisms. These additional data helped filter out seasonal anomalies and reports of unusual species distributions. Therefore, the information developed represents a species usual spatial and temporal distributions. Selection of Species. Four criteria were used to identify 43 species that had enough available information for inclusion in the ELMR data base. The four criteria were: 1 ) Commercial value - determined by review of catch data and value statistics from NMFS and state agencies (e.g.. Gulf menhaden, Brevoortiapatronus, and shrimp, Penaeus species) 2) Recreational value - defined as a species that recreational fishermen specifically try to catch that may or may not be of commercial importance. Recreational species were determined by consulting regional experts and NMFS reports, e.g., spotted seatrout, Cynoscion nebulosus, and red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus. 3) Indicator species of environmental stress - identified from the literature, discussions with fisheries experts, and from monitoring programs such as NOAA's National Status and Trends Program (NOAA 1984). These species (e.g., American oyster, Figure 3. ELMR Central Gulf of Mexico estuaries and associated salinity zones. Estuarv 1. Mississippi Sound 2. Lake Borgne 3. Lake Pontchartrain 4. Breton/Chandeleur Sounds 5. Mississippi River 6. Barataria Bay 7. Terrebonne/Timballer Bays 8. AtchafalayaA/ermilion Bays 9. Calcasieu Lake Salinity zones present |T| M|S| It iMl* 1 l» |M|* 1 1* 1 M|S| It ImI* 1 jTi M|S| |T| M|S| It ImI* 1 It ImI* 1 Legend: T = Tidal fresh zone M = Mixing zone S = Seawaler zone * = Salinity zone not present Crassostrea virginica, and Atlantic croaker, Micropogonias undulatus) are molluscs or bottom fishes that consume benthic invertebrates or have a strong association with bottom sediments. Their physiological disorders , rrwrphological abnormalities, and bioaccumulation of contaminants, such as heavy metals, indicate episodes of environmental pollution and/or stress. 4) Ecological value - based on several attributes, including trophic level, relative abundance, and evidence of its importance as a key predator or prey species, e.g., bay anchovy, Anchoa mitchilli. Table 1 . ELMR species list for the central Gulf of Mexico Scientific name Common name Argopecten irradians Crassostrea virginica Rangia cuneata Mercenariaspedes Lolliguncula brevis Penaeus aztecus Penaeus duorarum Penaeus setiferus Palaemonetes pugio Panulirus argus Menippe adina Callinectes sapidus Carcharhinus leucas Megalops atlanticus Alosa alabamae Brevoortia patronus Brevoortia smittiii Dorosoma cepedianum Anctioamitctiilli Arius felis Cyprinodon variegatus Fundulusgrandis Menidia species Centropomus undecimalis Pomatomus saltatrix Caranx crysos Caranx hippos Trachinotus carolinus Lutjanus griseus Archosargusprobatocephalus Lagodon rhomboides Bairdiella ctirysoura Cynoscion arenarius Cynoscion nebulosus Leiostomus xanthurus Micropogonias undulatus Pogonias cromis Sciaenops ocellatus Mugilcephalus Gobiosoma robustum Scomberomorvs maculatus Paralichthys albigutta Paralichthys lethostigma bay scallop American oyster common rangia hard clam bay squid brown shrimp pink shrimp white shrimp grass shrimp* spiny lobster gulf stone crab blue crab bullshari< tarpon Alabama shad gulf menhaden yellowfin menhaden gizzard shad bay anchovy hardhead catfish sheepshead minnow gulf klllifish Atlantic silversides snook bluefish blue runner crevalle jack Florida pompano gray snapper sheepshead pinfish silver perch sand seatrout spotted seatrout spot Atlantic croaker black drum red drum striped mullet code goby Spanish mackerel gulf flounder southern flounder Species Life History Summaries. A concise life history summary was written for each species to provide an overview of how and when species use estuaries and what specific habitats they use. The summaries feature species-specific life history characteristics that relate directly to estuarine spatial and temporal distribution and abundance (e.g. , many molluscs have particular salinity and substrate preferences). The summaries emphasize estuarine ecology, in s/fu salinity and temperature ranges vital to each species, and life history information for estuarine-dependent life stages. Information for the species life history summaries was gathered primarily from published and unpublished literature. Life history summaries for the Gulf of Mexico will be available as a separate publication (Pattillo et al., in prep.). Examples are included in the Texas and Eastern Gulf of Mexico reports (Monaco et al. 1 989; Williams etal. 1990). Data Sheets. A data sheet was developed for each species in each estuary to enable quick data compilation and presentation. Figure 4 shows the data sheet for bay anchovy, Anchoa mitchilli in Barataria Bay. Data sheets were developed by project staff and reviewed by local experts. Data compiled foreach species/ life stage included: 1)the salinity zone it occupies (seawater, mixing, or tidal fresh); 2) its monthly distribution in those zones; and 3) its relative abundance in the zones. The ELMR data sheets were entered into a microcomputer data base management system. The relative abundance of a species was classified using the following categories: • Not present: species or life stage not found, questionable data as to identification of species, and/or recent loss of habitat or environmental degradation suggests absence. • No information available: no existing data available, and after expert review it was determined that even an educated guess would not be appropriate. • Rare: species is present but not frequently encountered. • Common: species is generally encountered but not in large numbers; does not imply an even distribution over a specific salinity zone. • Abundant, species is often encountered in substantial numbers relative to other species. *daggerblade grass shrimp • Highly abundant: species is numerically dominant relative to other species. Adults were defined as reproductively mature individuals, juveniles as immature but otherwise similar to adults, and spawning adults as those releasing eggs and sperm. There were a few exceptions to these defined life stages, such as parturition (livebearing) in bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas), and mating in crabs. For well-studied species such as shrimp, quantitative data were used to estimate abundance levels. For many species, however, reliable quantitative data were limited. Therefore, regional and local experts were consulted to estimate relative abundance based on the above criteria. These data represent species relative abundance levels within a specific estuary. Relative abundance levels across a suite of estuaries in the Central Gulf of Mexico have not been determined. Data Verification. Approximately two years were required to develop the 396 data sheets (Figure 4) and consult with regional and local experts. Each data sheet was reviewed during consultations or by mail. These consultations complemented the published and unpublished literature and data sets compiled by NOAA. Eighteen scientists and managers at eleven institutions or agencies were Figure 4. Example of a species/estuary data sheet: bay anchovy in Barataria Bay. Scientific name: Common name: Estuary name: Anchoa mitchilli Bay anchovy Barataria Bay Region: Central Gulf of Mexico State: Louisiana Investigator: T. E. Czapla / reviewed Salinity zone Relative abundance by month Life stage jfmamjj ason|d R Tidal fresh 0.0 - 0.5 ppt Adults 2 Spawning 2 Juveniles ■■■■■■■■■■■ ■ ■■ : ^r:^^ :K.«^----;;;| 2 Larvae 2 Eggs 2 Mixing 0.5 - 25.0 ppt Adults ii^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^KSSSSSSSSm Spawning m 1 IMSfffSllf^^S^^S^^^^. S8888S^ ^^^ Larvae B Eggs ^p Seawater >25.0 ppt Adults pTyr^ H Spawning Im Juveniles il^^^g ^saggg^s^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ *jiai Larvae ^^^^5 Eggs ^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^f«^l^^ m 1 ^1 ixnx) tjj 1 ^^^ ^^^^^■»5 ..^JiiisA Legend: Relativ 'e Abundance ent 1 It bundant Data Reliability (R): = Not Pres 1 = Highly Certain 2 = Moderately Certain 3 = Reasonable Inference = Rare :::■:::■:::;:;:;■■■■:::■: = Commor ^ 11= Abundar ^B 1= Highly A 1 consulted. Local experts were especially helpful in providing estuary/species-specific information . They also provided additional references and contacts, and identified additional species to be included in the ELMR data base. The names and affiliations of these experts are listed in Appendix 3. The Louisiana Department of Fish and Wildlife (LDFW) served as a primary source of data and reviewers of the data sheets because of their extensive estuarine fishery data base and knowledge. Additional consultation and review was provided by experts from colleges and universities with estuarine research and academic programs. Results Data Summaries. The information compiled for each species and estuary (387 data sheets) was organized in three data summaries (pp. 17-56). Tables 2 and 3 provide graphic presentations of the spatial and temporal distributions and relative abundance by life stage for each species by estuary. The information shown represents the usual distribution of a species in a particular estuary. Table 4 ranks the relative reliability of the information presented for each species and estuary. Spatial distribution and relative abundance. Table 2 (pp. 19-26) summarizes the distribution and relative abundance for each species by life stage and each estuary by salinity zone. The highest level of abundanceduringtheyearin each estuary is depicted. Temporal distribution. Table 3 (pp. 27-48) summarizes thetemporal distribution of each species by month and life stage for each estuary. This table combines data over the three salinity zones, showing the highest level of abundance for a particular life stage by month. Seasonal Comparisons. To examine seasonal trends, the numbers of species ranked as "common" or greater were counted for each life stage by month and by salinity zone (Figures 5, 6 and 7). In Figure 5, the number of species was averaged across estuaries and plotted by month. In Figure 6, the numberof species was averaged across months and within seasons, allowing a comparison of estuaries. The seawater zone is not represented because less than half of the central Gulf of Mexico estuaries had this zone present. Although not a statistical analysis of abundances, these summaries do provide insights into the seasonal distribution of selected species in these estuaries: • Fewer species utilize the Central Gulf of Mexico estuaries duhng the winter than during any other season. Estuarine utilization by all life stages is highest in the summer and fall (Figures 5 and 6). • Juveniles and adults utilize the estuaries more than any other life stages (Figures 5 and 6). • Spawning is important during the spring and summer in the tidal fresh and during the spring and fall in the mixing zone. The summer season supports the greatest number of juveniles and adults in many of these estuaries (Figures 5 and 6). • Although larvae are present throughout the year, the number of species with larvae is fairly consistent from April to September for all salinity zones. Minor peaks occur in April in the tidal fresh zone. May in the seawater zone, and September in the mixing zone (Figure 7). • The Mississippi River appears to have fewer species than theother estuaries (Figure 6). However, this is the only true riverine system in the Central Gulf of Mexico, and its riverine fauna is probably not well represented by the ELMR species list. Quantitative Abundances. Louisiana is one of the few states with an ongoing comprehensive fish monitoring program in coastal estuaries. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries began its program in the early 1970's and has continually expanded it. The state of Mississippi has a similar ongoing monitoring program for Mississippi Sound, also initiated in the early 1970's. Both monitoring programs use bag seine, otter trawl, plankton and/or gill net equipment to estimate abundances of fishes and invertebrates. These long-term monitoring programs make it possible to compare the relative abundance of selected species across central Gulf of Mexico estuaries. The annual catch records can be monitored to witness or avoid crashes of particular fisheries, and allow state and federal managers to modify existing regulations as necessary. The data presented in this section were developed from electronic data provided by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) and the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL) in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. The study locations are shown in Figures for LDWFCoastal Study Areas (l-VII) and GCRL's Mississippi Sound study area with the comparable ELMR estuaries . Analyses of data from the 1 6 ft otter trawls is presented because the trawls are the most common method routinely used by both state agencies. Because of gear bias in catch, the fish caught are primarily juveniles of large species and adults of small species. The data were analyzed Figure 5. Number of species* in Central Gulf estuaries by salinity zone, life stage, and month. Tidal fresh zone Q. n E 3 C C CO o Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Month Dec Mixing zone o Oi a. (A 0) E 3 C C re 0) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Month Dec Seawater zone Q. 0) E C C re Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Month Dec *number of species with relative abundance of common or greater (Table 3). 7 Legend: Adults I Juveniles Spawning V//////////A Larvae o C\J o Q. CO re < C E E CO re re c CL CO J3 I O 0) Q 0) ■D c CD cn CD 8 in C5 (fl to T) C OJ c: o w CO a> CO >. o N o> c "x E c CO c o E E o o CO ra CO o o Q Q. (0 (O cu Si E 3 T3 O 3 8 3 en s> m u CM ?! o CJ o in tS T— E 3 o in m o CO C^ o m _1 ri *" E 3 o Z CO 3 to UJ a. Q. en . (O 0) en a> c (B O _l CD c (0 O v> -o c o CD W c o Q. Q- ■(/) « __ (O m .<2 > Sir re re re m CQ >. i| -S « £ X) m CO o CO m in .5 CM O (D Q- re c < > E c CO Q. in CO o CO (0 in .S CM o (D Q. O U) CM ,_ O in 3 (0 "• m oJ3 in CO o CO tn in ® CM o a> „ a. O CO CM .^ O in 5 E o ^ in o 0) CO CO > O Q. CO u. 3 < I C 3 I— E E 3 CO CO O) c Q. cu LL I O Q) Q 2 c t T3 (D cn 0) Figure 7. Mean number of species as larvae (averaged across estuaries), by month and salinity zone. 15 -1 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Month Legend: Tidal fresh zone Mixing Zone Seawater Zone for mean monthly catches by 1 0 minute trawls. This quantitative information supplements the relative abundance rankings of the ELM R species compiled in this report. Only a few species are used to show comparisons between estuarine systems along the Central Gulf of Mexico coast. ELMR data are comparable between estuarine systems only when state agency quantitative databases are available to enhance the ELMR data. Without consistent quantitative data, comparisons between salinity zones and species are only feasible within an estuarine system. Brown shrimp (Penaeus aztecus) and spot (Leiostomus xanthurus) were selected to represent a portion of the data from LDWF and GCRL which were made available to ELMR. The mean monthly commercial catch of brown shrimp usually peaked from Mayto July (Figure9a). Comparison of estuarine systems shows that CSA VII (Calcasieu Lake) has tfie highest peak abundance of brown shrimp, while the other systems all peak about the same time, but at lower levels. Spot usually peaked in March (Figure 9b). The highest relative atDundance of spot was in Mississippi Sound. Figure 8. Comparison of ELMR estuaries with LDWF Coastal Study Areas (l-VII) and GCRL Mississippi Sound (MS) stations. 10 Figure 9. Monthly mean abundances of brown shrimp and spot caught in trawls in LDWF Coastal Study Areas (l-VII) and GCRL Mississippi Sound (MS) stations. a. brown shrimp i is S 3 c E & E 3 C C Months b. spot 1 2 900^ E C Months Coastal Study Area Data Content and Quality An important aspect of the ELMR program, especially since it is based primarily on published and unpublished literature and consultations, is to determine the quality of available data. For many species, gearselectivity, difficulty in identifying larvae, and difficulty in sampling various habitats has limited the amount of reliable information. Therefore, a deliberate effort was made to assess the overall reliability of the data base so that it could be used appropriately. Estimates of the reliability of the distribution and abundance information organized by species, life stage, and estuary are presented in Table 4 (pp. 49- 56) of the Data Summary Tables section. Data reliability was classified using the foltowing categories: Highly certain: Considerable sampling data available. Distribution, behavior, and preferred habitats well documented within an estuary. Moderately certain: Some sampling data available for an estuary. Distribution, preferred habitat, and behavior well documented in similar estuaries. Reasonable inference: Little or no sampling data available. Information on distributions, ecology, and preferred habitats documented in similar estuaries. The quality and quantity of available data vary by species, life stage, and estuary. For example, a large amount of information is availableon shrimp because they are highly valued both commercially and recreationally . For most species, the least amount of information available and poorest quality of data are forthe spawning, egg, and larval life stages. Except for a few species (e.g. , brown shrimp), very little data has been generated on particular habitat preferences and environmental ranges. This is particularly true for the smaller forage and/or non-commercial fishes and invertebrates. Gear selectivity, inability to correctly identify larval stages, and difficulty of sampling various habitats limits the development and reliability of this information. In addition, life history data are lacking on some of the commercially important sciaenid and pelagic species. Data reliability was also based on the number of studies conducted on a species within an estuary and whether they represented a time-series data set or were designed to identify and quantify a species' particular life stage. For example, LDWF used different gear types to sample various habitats accurately (Barrett etal. 1978). These data are more reliable due to sampling of specific habitats with consistent and efficient gear. In the case of limited studies, information was occasionally inferred. An opportunity exists to refine the data presented based on additional reviews. 11 Given that the amount and quality of available information varies by species, by life stage, between estuaries, and even within an estuary, considerable scientific judgment is required to derive or infer spatial and temporal distributions from existing data and available literature. Unfortunately, even the most informed judgment is far from perfect due to the complexity of estuarine systems. Consequently, information on the level of certainty associated with each data element must be presented when synthesizing multiple data sets (Table 4). Appendices 2, 3, and 4 provide a complete summary of the personal communications and primary references used so that readers can track and obtain additional information efficiently. Variability in Space and Time. Species data were organized according to the salinity zone boundaries developed for each estuary in the NEI data atlas- Volume 1 (NOAA 1985) and NEI Supplement 3 (Shirzad et al. 1 989) . However, division of an estuary on the basis of salinity is highly variable due to the many interacting factors that affect salinity, such as variations in freshwater inflow, wind, and tides. To compile information on species distribution according to these zones, it is assumed that if a particular salinity zone expands or contracts, the distribution of a mobile species in that zone will correspond to the shift. For example, if increased freshwater inflow shifts the tidal fresh zone further down the estuary, the distribution of a species confined to that zone increases to include the new area. If a species occurs over a wide salinity range, a shift may or may not occur. This information was combined with additional habitat parameters, such as bottom type, to develop species distributional data. The final placement of species in a salinity zone was ultimately determined by where they have actually been observed or captured. Temporal distributions are often dependent on annual climatic conditions and water currents. Monthly distributional patterns were derived based on the consistent presence of a life stage within a particular month. If a species is only present in an estuary in unusual years (e.g. , drought), it was not portrayed as part of that species' spatial or temporal distribution. However, if a species is usually there, even during a restricted time period, it was considered present for the specific month(s). Greater temporal resolution, such as on a biweekly rather than on a monthly basis, was not possible. Abundance Data. Except for a relatively few important commercial or recreational species, little or no quantitative information is available to determine relative species abundance for a large number of organisms across estuaries. Therefore, an attempt was made to determine only the relative abundance of a species compared to other species within an individual estuary. For well studied species, e.g., juvenile sciaenids or juvenile penaeids, quantitative data were used to estimate abundance within an estuary. However, in most cases the final level of abundance assigned to a species was determined by asking regional and local experts for opinions based on their knowledge of individual species within an estuary. This effort complemented the quantitative studies, and greatly increased the relialDility of the abundance information. It is important to note that the LDWF has a quantitative computerized data base on the distribution and abundance of several species found in Louisana estuaries. The published information from this data base was a component used to develop the relative abundance information shown in this report. The relative abundance information shown in the data summaries of this report is the best that could be synthesized from the LDWF reports, other studies, and expert reviews. Salinity and Species Abundance. The Mississippi Riverdivides the Central Gulf of Mexico boXh physically and biologically. The estuaries east of the Mississippi River (Mississippi Sound and Breton/Chandeleur Sounds) generally have less freshwater inflow, higher salinities, lowerturbidity, more seagrass habitat, and are moreopentothe Gulf of Mexicothan the Louisiana estuaries from theMississippi Riverwestward (Perrett et al. 1 971 ). The lowest salinities and highest turbidity are found in the estuaries directly affected by the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers. However, allot the Louisiana estuaries have relatively low salinities because of the enormous amount of freshwater inflow from the large continental drainage. The effect of varying salinity regimes is often reflected in the distribution and abundance of estuarine and marine species. Life History Notes. Because of the complex life histories of some species, the following comments are provided to clarify and supplement the infomnation presented in the data summary tables. invertebrates. Sessile invertebrates, such as clams and oysters, usually have a patchy rather than a uniform distribution. Therefore, the areal distribution of these organisms may be overestimated, but the salinity zones of colonization are identified. Specific areas may contain acceptable salinities, but suitable bottom habitat forcolonization may not exist. Specific habitat requirements and life history characteristics of a number of invertebrate species are provided below; 12 • Bay scallop: Usually associated with seagrass beds and salinities greater than 25 ppt. • Rangia: All life stages occur in salinities below 25 ppt. • Hard clam: Most life stages occur in salinities above 20 ppt. • Bay squid: The lower lethal salinity limit is 1 7.5 ppt, and bay squid actively avoid salinities that are lowerthan this. Therefore, thedistribution of juveniles and adults will only be from the lower margin of the mixing zone to the seawater zone, and out to the nearshore shelf waters of the Gulf of Mexico. • Penaeid shrimp: Postlarvae and juveniles are the critical life stages utilizing the estuaries. Adults generally move to nearshore spawning grounds, where spawning, egg development, and most of the larval development occur. • Grass shrimp: Fertilized eggs are held on the female's pleopods until hatching. • Spiny lobster. Spiny lobsters are found in the Gulf of Mexico estuaries of southern Florida and southern Texas. Juveniles do not mature to adult stages until 6-8 years of age. • Stone crabs: Usually found in salinities greater than 20 ppt. Males are typically located in nearshore waters, but migrate into the estuaries for mating. Williams and Felder (1986) have distinguished two separtate species in the Gulf of Mexico. The Florida stone crab, Menippe mercenaria, occurs from Florida Bay to Appalachicola Bay, and the Gulf stone crab, M. adina is found from Suwannee River to the Yucatan Penisula. M. mercenaria'is not included in this report because it does not occur in the Central Gulf of Mexico estuaries. • Bluecrab: Mating usually takes place in the low salinities of the tidal fresh to the upper region of the mixing zone. After mating, females move to the seawater zone, while males often remain in the upper reaches of the estuary. Females brood the eggs (sponge females), and larvae are released in higher salinities. Development through the late zoeal stages occurs offshore. Megalopae are transported back into the estuary and disperse throughout the salinity zones. As they approach maturity, blue crabs seek lower salinities. Fishes. Aggregating species by salinity zone uses a fundamental habitat parameter. However, a combination of habitat characteristics, such as bottom type, water temperature, and bathymetry, would nrore accurately indicate species spatial and temporal distributions. Specific habitat requirements and life history characteristics of a number of fishes are presented here: • Bull shark: Development of eggs and larvae are internal, and parturition results in pups of juvenile size (75 cm TL). Therefore, only juveniles and adults (> 2220 cm TL) are found in the estuaries. Fishing gear usually limits the ability to take large sharks. Based on the sizes of sharks captured, it may be inferred that parturition is occurring within the estuaries. • Tarpon: Spawning, egg and larval stages occur well off shore. Juveniles use the estuaries as a nursery ground, often seeking waters of low dissolved oxygen and low salinity. • Alabama shad: Not found west of the Barataria Bay barrier islands in Louisiana. • Menhaden: Juveniles are the predominant life stage utilizing the estuaries. Spawning occurs from the coastline to six miles offshore. Gulf and yellowfin menhaden may hybridize where their ranges overlap. • Gizzard shad: Large juveniles and adults are found in the estuaries, but adults must return to freshwater to spawn. In large rivers there is a migration or "spring ain" up the river. Large juveniles that are washed into bays with floods can mature to adulthood, but their upstream migration may be impeded by waterway restrictions. • Hardhead catfish: Eggs and larvae are brooded in the mouths of adult males; therefore, their distribution is determined by the adult population. • Bluefish: Juveniles and adults are the principal life stages found in estuaries. Adults may ascend rivers into brackish waters. Spawning and development of eggs and larvae occur offshore. • Crevalle jack and blue runner. Juvenile and adult stages occur in estuaries, but other life stages are usually offshore. • Florida pompano: Typically found in nearshore surf and inlet waters, but juveniles and adults do enterthe bays. Spawning, eggs, and larvae are 13 usually offshore. • Gray snapper. Juveniles are typically associated with vegetatbn in estuaries, particularly seagrass beds and mangroves. Adults, spawning, eggs, and larvae are usually offshore. • Sheepshead: Spawning occurs in nearshore and inlet waters. Larvae are transported towards the estuaries, but usually juvenile size is reached before they enter. • Pin fish: Juveniles are the predominant life stage within estuaries. Adults, spawning, and eggs are usually offshore. Larvae are transported to inlets, but usually attain juvenile size before they enter bays. Subadults and adults may remain in some bays before migrating out to spawning grounds. • Sciaenids: Most sciaenids move to nearshore or offshore waters for spawning, although some may spawn in passes . Larvae may be transported toward estuaries, but may attain juvenile size before they enter. Juveniles develop in the nursery habitats of the bays, then migrate out as subadults. Since some of these species have rather long life spans, several years may be spent in the estuaries as juveniles. As temperatures drop in the winter, they move into deeper waters. • Striped mullet. Estuarine habitat is primarily used by juveniles and adults. They spawn offshore or near passes, and larvae move inshore and into estuaries. • Codegoby. Usually associated with seagrasses and higher salinities. • Spanish mackerel. Juveniles and aduttsoccurin estuaries, but other life stages are pelagic and primarily offshore. • Flounders. Previously identified gulf flounder have been re-examined and re-identified. Dr. Thompson (pers. comm.) considered most of the specimens to have been southern flounder, reducing the estimated abundance of gulf flounder in Louisiana estuaries. Spawning, eggs, and larvae are in nearshore waters. Juveniles and larvae migrate into bays for growth and development. Gulf flounder appear to be less likely to ascend into lower salinity water, typically remaining in salinities greater than 20 ppt. Southern flounder are widely distributed. Juveniles and adults migrate according to temperature, creating "fall runs" to the offshore waters. Use of ELMR Data Classifying and Comparing Estuaries. Although the qualitative nature of the distribution data precludes statistical comparisons of species abundances among estuaries, comparisons can be made using data on the presence/absence of species in salinity zones. This information, combined with the spatial and temporal distribution data, is the strength of the data base. Estuaries can be loosely categorized by their physical and chemical characteristics and their associated species assemblages. The relative importance of individual estuaries to specific species may also be determined. The species found in an estuary are sensitive indicators of both the mean and extreme environmental conditions within that estuary. Estuaries can be classified by the number of species present and by whether the fauna are primarily marine, estuarine, or freshwater. Species assemblages may correlate with physical characteristics, such as txDttom substrate, vegetation, and areal and temporal characteristics of salinity zones. The information on species presence/absence or other attributes can be used to determine the faunal similarities and differences among estuaries. A comparison of estuaries and associated species can identify differing factors among those estuaries that might account for shifts in species distribution and relative abundance, helping to define ecological variables controlling species distributions. For example, a species may show differing salinity ranges among estuaries, suggesting that some otherfactor, such as temperature, competition, or predation may be regulating its distribution. Linkages to Marine Ecosystems. Estuaries are home to many aquatic species year-round ; however, a large number of species only use estuaries for specific parts of their life histories and spend the rest offshore. Most of these latter species fall into four general categories: 1) diadromous species, which use estuaries as migration corridors and, in some instances, nursery areas; 2) speciesthat use estuaries for spawning, often at specific salinities; 3) species that spawn in marine waters near the mouths of estuaries and depend on tidal- and wind-driven currents to carry eggs, larvae, or early juveniles into estuarine nursery areas; and 4) species that enter estuaries during certain times of year to feed on abundant prey. The importance of an estuary can be assessed by the intensity with which species use 14 estuarine habitats. Importance can be estimated both by the number of species present as well as the density of specific life stages in estuaries relative to offshore habitats. These data may assist in identifying adverse effects of estuarine degradation on offshore populations. The presence or absence of members of a set of pre- selected species or species with specific life history strategies can be used to rank the importance of an estuary to these species on a regional basis. For example, if the species group is defined as anadromous fishes that are commercially important offshore, the strength of the off shore-estuarine linkage for each estuary can be established. This can be used to identify estuaries needing special attention or management. Data sets developed in other NOAA programs will enable regional assessments with consistent species information from the head- of-tide in estuaries tothe continental shelf. Integration of biological and physical data will significantly improve our ability to identify and define the biological linkages and physical interchanges between estuarine and shelf habitats. Concluding Comments This report is part of an effort to capture the Nation's data on fishes and invertebrates in estuaries (see inside front cover). This research is one step in developing an information base to bridge the gap between site-specific estuarine problems and formulating regional management strategies. Filling this gap is more important than ever, as it becomes clear that cumulative effects of small changes in many estuaries may have a total systemic effect throughout the Nation's estuaries and coastal ocean. Compiling and organizing fragments of estuarine information is a difficult task, but is necessary to effectively manage the nation's estuaries. Although the knowledge available to conserve and protect estuaries continues to be limited, the ELMR data base will allow comparisons among species, groups of species, specific life stages and times of year within an estuary, or by geographic regions. When combined with other data sets, the ELM R data base will enable development and testing of ecological hypotheses and identify gaps in our knowledge of estuarine fishes and invertebrates. Acknowledgements Wethankthoseindividualsthat provided information and reviewed the data in this report. Without their efforts a study of this magnitude and complexity would not be possible. In addition, we thank the many other scientists and managers who provided contacts and references. Literature Cited Barrett, B.B., J.L. Merrell, T.P. Morrison, M.C. Gillespie, E.J. Ralphand J. F.Burdon. 1978. Astudy of Louisana's major estuaries and adjacent offshore waters. Tech. Bull. 27, Louisiana Dept. Wildl. Fish., New Orleans, LA. 197 p. Darnell, R.M., R.E. Defenbaughand D. Moore. 1983. Northwestern Gulf shelf bio-atlas. Open File Report No. 82-04. Minerals Management Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Regional Office, Metairie, LA. 438 p. Emmett, R. L., S. L. Stone, S. A. Hinton, and M. E. Monaco. In press. Fishes and Invertebrates in West Coast Estuaries Vol. 2: Species Life History Summaries. ELMR Rept. No. 8. NOAA/NOS SEA Division, Rockville, MD. 300 p. Gunter, G. 1967. Some relationships of estuaries to the fisheries of the Gulf of Mexico. In: G.H. Lauff (editor), Estuaries, pp 621-638. Amer. Assoc. Adv. Sci. SP. Publ. No. 83, Washington, D.C. 757 p. Hammerschmidt, P.C, and L.W. McEachron. 1986. Trends in relative abundance of selected shellfishes along the Texas coast: January 1 977 - March 1 986. Tex. Parks Wildl. Dept., Coast. Fish. Branch, Mgmt. Data Sen, No. 108: 149 p. Joseph, E.B. 1973. Analysis of a nursery ground. In: A.L. Pacheco (editor). Proceedings of a Workshop on Egg, Larval, and Juvenile stages of Fish in Atlantic Coast Estuaries. Pp. 1 18-1 21 . Mann.K.H. 1982. Ecology of Coastal Waters. Univ. California Press, Los Angeles, CA. 322 p. Monaco, M.E. 1986. National Estuarine Inventory: Living marine resourcescomponent, preliminary West Coast study. Ocean Assessments Division, NOS/ NOAA. Rockville, MD. 33 p. Monaco, M.E., T.E. Czapla, D.M. Nelson and M.E. Pattillo. 1989. Distribution and abundance of fishes and invertebrates in Texas estuaries. ELMR Rpt. No. 3. Strategic Assessment Branch, NOS/NOAA. Rockville, MD. 107 p. 15 NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Personal Communications Administration). 1985. National Estuarine Inventory: Dr. B. Thompson, Ichthyologist, Louisiana State Data Atlas. Volume 1 . Physical and Hydrologic University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Characteristics. Strategic Assessment Branch, NOS/ NOAA. Rockville, MD. 103 p. NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). 1988. Bering, Chukchi and Beaufort Seas Stategic Assessment: Data Atlas. Strategic Assessment Branch, NOS/NOAA. Rockville, MD. 135 p. Odum,W.E., and E.J. Heald. 1975. The detritus- based food web of an estuarine mangrove community . In: L.E. Cronin (editor), Estuarine Research. Academic Press, New York, NY. Pp 265-286. Pattillo, M.E., T. E. Czapla, M.E. Monaco, and DM. Nelson. In preparation. Fishes and invertebrates in Gulf of Mexico estuaries: life history summaries. Strategic Environmental Assessments Division, NOS/ NOAA. Perret, W.S., B.B. Barrett, W.R. Latapie, J.F. Pollard, W.R. Mock, G.B. Adkins, W.S. Gaidry, and C.J. White. 1971. Cooperative Gulf of Mexico estuarine inventory and study, Louisiana, Phase 1, Area description. Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, New Orleans, LA. 27 p. Sherman, K., and L.M. Alexander (editors). 1985. Variability and Management of Large Marine Ecosystems. Amer. Assoc. Adv. Science Selected Symposium 99. AAAS, Washington, D.C. 319 p. Shirzad, F. F., C. J. Klein III, and S. P. Orlando. 1 989. Revised physical and hydrologic characteristics for the Mississippi delta region estuaries. NEI Supplement 3. NOAA/NOS Strategic Assessment Branch, Rockville, MD. Weinstein, M.P. 1979. Shallow marsh habitats as primary nurseries for fishes and shellfish. Cape Fear River, North Carolina. Fish. Bull. 77: 339-357. Williams, A.B., and D.L. Felder. 1986. Analysis of stone crabs: Menippe mercenaria (Say), restricted, and previously unrecognized species described (Decapoda: Xanthidae). Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. 99: 517-543. Williams, CD., D.M. Nelson, M.E. Monaco, S.L. Stone, C. lancu, L. Coston-Clements, L.R. Settle and E.A. Irlandi. 1990. Distribution and abundance of fishes and invertebrates in eastern Gulf of Mexico estuaries. ELMR Rpt. No.6. Strategic Assessment Branch, NOS/NOAA. Rockville, MD. 105 p. 16 Data Summary Tables Table 2. Spatial distribution and relative abundance Table 3. Temporal distribution Table 4. Data reliability In each data summary table, species are listed in a phylogenetic order, as in Table 1 . Estuaries are listed in a east to west order, from Mississippi Sound, MS, to Calcasieu Lake, LA. At the beginning of each data summary table is an index table showing the page location of each species and estuary within the data summary. 17 Table 2. Spatial distribution and relative abundance Index to Table 2. Page location of spatial distribution table for each species and estuary. Common and Scientific Name Bay scallop (Argopecten irradians) American oyster {Crassostrea virginica) Common rangia {Rangia cuneata) Hard clam {Mercenaria species) Bay squid (Lolliguncula brevis) Brown shrimp (Penaeus aztecus) Pink shrimp {Penaeus duorarum) White shrimp {Penaeus setiferus) Grass shrimp {Palaemonetes pugio) Spiny lobster {Panulirus argus) Blue crab {Callinectes sapidus) Gulf stone crab (Menippe adina) Bull shart< {Carcharhinus leucas) Tarpon {Megalops atlanticus) Alabama shad {Alosa alabamae) Gulf menhaden {Brevoortia patronus) Yellowfin menhaden {Brevoortia smithlj Gizzard shad {Dorosoma cepedianum) Bay anchovy {Anchoa mitchilli) Hardhead catfish {Arius feli^ Sheepshead minnow {Cyprinodon variegatus) Gulf kllllfish {Fundulus grandis) Atlantic silversldes {Menidia species) Snook {Centropomus undecimalis) Blueflsh {Pomatomus saltatrix) Blue runner {Caranx crysos) Crevalle jack {Caranx hippos) Florida pompano {Trachinotus carolinus) Gray snapper {Lutjanus griseus) Sheepshead {Archosargus probatocephalus) PInfish {Lagodon rliomtxjides) Silver perch {Bairdiella chrysoura) Sand seatrout {Cynoscion arenarius) Spotted seatrout {Cynoscion nebulosus) Spot {Leiostomus xantiiurus) Atlantic croaker {Micropogonias undulatus) Black drum {Pogonias cromis) Red drum {Sciaenops ocellatus) Striped mullet {Mugil cephalus) Code goby {Gobiosoma robustum) Spanish mackerel {Scomberomorus maculatus) Gulf flounder {Paraliclittiys albigutta) Southern flounder {Paralichthys lethostigma) p. 20 p. 21 p. 22 p. 23 p. 24 p. 25 p. 26 19 Table 2. Spatial distribution and relative abundance Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Mississippi Sound Lake Borgne Lake Pontchartrain Breton/ Chandeleur Sounds Mississippi River Barataria Bay Terrebonne/ Timbalier Bays Atchafalaya/ Vermilion Bays Calcasieu Lake Species/Life Stag a T M S T M • * M * • M S T M • T M S IMS T M • T M • Bay scallop A S O n o n V V Argopecten ,1 n n V irradians L E o o o O V V American oyster A S o • V • O O O O ® ® ® ® V V ® ® o o V ® ® o o ® ® O O Crassostrea J o V O o ® ® V V ® o V ® o ® O virgmica L E • • o O O o o ® ® ® ® V ® ® o o ® ® o o • ® O O Common rangia A o ® ® ® O O 0 ® ® ® O O V O S o ® ® ® O O o ® O ® O O V O Rangia J o ® ® ® O o o ® ® ® O o V O cuneata L o ® ® ® O o o ® O ® O o V O E o ® ® ® O o o ® O ® O o V O Hard clam A S V V o o O o o O O o o V Mercenaria J V o O o O o V V species L E V o o O o o o o o Bay squid A S • ® • • ® o 0 o o o o o o O Lolliguncula J • • ® n n n n n n n o O brevis L E o o • ® Brown shrimp A S V • • o ® o Penaeus J V • • V • ® ® o o o • • o • • V • o • aztecus L E o • • ® • o • • ® ® T M S T M * • M * • M S T M * T M S T M S T M • T M * Mississippi Sound Lake Borgne Lake Pontchartrain Breton/ Chandeleur Sounds Mississippi River Barataria Bay Terrebonne/ Timbalier Bays Atchafalaya/ Vermilion Bays Calcasieu Lake Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Relative Abundance • Highly Abundant ® Abundant o Common V Rare Blank Not Present Salinity Zone T - Tidal Fresh M - Mixing S - Seawater * - Salinity zone not present Life Stage A - Adults S - Spawning adults J - Juveniles L - Larvae E - Eggs 20 Table 2, continued. Spatia distribution and relative abundance Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Mississippi Sound Lake Borgne Lake Pontchartrair Breton/ Chandeleur Sounds Mississippi River Barataria Bay rerrebonne/ Timbalier Bays Atchafalaya Vermilion Bays Calcasieu Lake Species/Life Stage T M S T M • • M • * M S T M • T M S T M S T M • T M * Pink shrimp A S O O n O o Penaeus J n n V V O ® O o V V V duorarum L E O o o O o White shrimp A S V ® • o ® ® o o ® o o o O ® O O Penaeus J V • • (S) • • O O O O • • O ® ® O • O • setiferus L E V ® o o o o O O ® • o ® • Grass shrimp A o ® o V O O ® O O ® ® ® ® ® ® ® • S V o o O O ® O O ® ® ® ® ® ® ® • Palaemonetes J V o o V o O ® O O ® ® ® ® ® ® ® • pugio 1 V o o o o ® O O ® ® ® ® ® ® ® • E V o o o o ® O O ® ® ® ® ® ® ® • Spiny lobster A S J Panulirus V argus L E Blue crab A V • • • ® ® ® O o O ® o O ® ® O ® O • M (S) • O o ® o O o o O O ® O ® u u Callinectes J n • o V o ® ® O o o ® o O ® o O ® o • sapidus L S V • ® • • V ® o ® ® o o ® o ® ® o ® • ® ® o Gulf stone crab A S o o o o V o o o o V V V o V V Menippe J n n V V n n n o o V o V o adina L E o o o o o o T M S T M • * M • • M S T M * T M S T M S T M * T M • Mississippi Sound Lake Borgne Lake Pontchartrair Breton/ Chandeleur Sounds Mississipp River Barataria Bay Terrebonne/ Timbalier Bays Atchafalaya Vermilion Bays Calcasieu Lake Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Relative Abundance • Highly Abundant ® Abundant o Common V Rare Blank Not Present Salinity Zone T - Tidal Fresh M - Mixing S - Seawater * - Salinity zone not present Life Stage A - Adults S - Spawning adults J - Juveniles L - Larvae E - Eggs M - Mating 21 Table 2, continued. Spatial distribution and relative abundance Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Mississippi Sound Lake Borgne Lake Pontchartrair Breton/ Chandeleur Sounds Mississippi River Barataria Bay Terrebonne/ Timbalier Bays Atchafalaya/ Vermilion Bays Calcasieu Lake Species/Life Stagi i T M S T M • • M * • M S T M * T M S T M S T M • T M * Bull shark A M O O o o O O O O ® V V V V o V O O V V Carcharhinus J n n n n n O O o V V V V V V O O O V V leucas P O o V V V V V V V V Tarpon A S V o o V o O o V V V V Megalops ,1 V V n V n n V atlanticus L E V o o Alabama shad A S ® ® o V o 0 V Alosa J ® o V o o V alabamae L E ® ® Gulf menhaden A S • • ® ® • ® ® Brevoortia J • • ® ® • • • ® ® o ® • o ® ® • • O • patronus L E • ® ® • ® o o O O o ® Yellowfin A V V V menhaden S 1 V >/ Brevoortia smithi L E Gizzard shad A S ® ® o V • 0 o o O o o o o o o O o o O O o o Dorosoma J n n V • • n n ® n n o o o o 0 o cepedianum L E o o o o 0 T M S T M * • M • • M S T M • T M S T M S T M * T M • Mississippi Sound Lake Borgne Lake Pontchartrain Breton/ Chandeleur Sounds Mississippi River Barataria Bay Terrebonne/ Timbalier Bays Atchafalaya; Vermilion Bays Calcasieu Lake Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Relative Abundance • Highly Abundant ® Abundant o Common V Rare Blank Not Present Salinity Zone Life Stage T ■ Tidal Fresh A • Adults M - Mixing S - Spawning adults 8 - Seawater J - Juveniles * - Salinity zone not present L - Larvae E - Eggs M - Mating P - Parturition 22 Table 2, continued. Spatial distribution and relative abundance 1 Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Mississippi Sound Lake Borgne Lake Pontchartrain Breton/ Chandeleur Sounds Mississippi River Barataria Bay Terrebonne/ TImbalier Bays Atchafalaya Vermilion Bays Calcasieu Lake Species/Life Stage T M S T M * * M • * M S T M * T M S T M S T M • T M * Bay anchovy A S • ® • • ® • • ® ® o o O • ® O • • O • O Anchoa J O ® ® • ® o O • O • O • O mitchilli L E V o O • o o • ® ® o o ® ® • • O O Hardhead catfish A • • o O ® O o • • O ® ® o ® O ® S ® ® V O O O o ® ® O ® O O O Arius J ® ® o o ® ® ® o ® • • O ® ® o O O ® felis L o o V O O O o ® ® o ® O O O E o o V O o O o ® ® o ® O O O Sheepshead A o ® o o O o O o O ® O ® • O O O o O O o minnow S V o o o O o O o o ® ® ® O O O o O O o Cyprinodon J V o o o O o O o o ® O ® ® O O O o ® o ® variegatus L ^ o o o O o O o o ® ® ® O O O u u u u E V o o o O o O o o ® ® ® O O O o o o o Gulf killifish A S o o ® o o o ® O o o o 0 V ® ® O ® O O o ® ® o o o Fundulus J V o o o O o o V ® o o o o o ® o ® grandis L E o o O O o o o o ® ® V ® ® V o o Atlantic silversides A ® • ® ® ® ® o o V ® ® ® o ® ® ® ® o ® S • • • ® ® ® o o ® ® ® ® ® o o o ® Menidia species J ® o o ® ® ® o o V ® • • o ® ® ® ® o ® L E o o o o o o ® ® ® ® ® ® o o o o ® ® ® ® ® ® ® ® ® ® o o o o o o ® ® Snook A S vJ V Centropomus undececimalis L E T M S T M * • M * * M S T M • T M S T M S T M * T M • Mississippi Sound Lake Borgne Lake Pontcharlrain Breton/ Chandeleur Sounds Mississippi River Barataria Bay Terrebonne/ TImbalier Bays Atchafalaya/ Vermilion Bays Calcasieu Lake Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Relative Abundance • Highly Abundant ® Abundant O Common V Rare Blank Not Present Salinity Zone Life Stage T ■ Tidal Fresh A - Adults M - Mixing S - Spawning adults S - Seawater J - Juveniles * - Salinity zone not present L - Larvae E - Eggs 23 Table 2, continued. Spatial distribution and relative abundance Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Mississippi Sound Lake Borgne Lake Pontchartrair Breton/ Chandeleur Sounds Mississippi River Barataria Bay Terrebonne/ Timbalier Bays Atchafalaya Vermilion Bays Calcasieu Lake Species/Life Stage T M S T M * • M * * M S T M * T M S T M S T M • T M • Bluefish A S J o V Pomatomus n V V -4 V n V V V V saltatrix L E Blue runner A S O o ® Caranx J O ® o V crysos L E O ® ® Crevalle jack A S V o o o o O o V Caranx hippos J L E V O o o o O O O O o o O o o o O O o Florida A V o V pompano S o o Trachinotus J V ® o o o o < o V o carolinus L E o o u o Gray snapper A c Lutjanus J o o o o V V V gnseus L E Sheepshead A S O o o o O O O o 0 V o O ® ® 0 ® ® O o V V Archosargus J V o o 9i n n n n n n o n O ® ® o o V o probatocephalus L E o o o T M S T M * • M * * M S T M • T M S T M S T M • T M * Mississippi Sound Lake Borgne Lake Pontchartrain Breton/ Chandeleur Sounds Mississippi River Barataria Bay Terrebonne/ Timbalier Bays Atchafalaya/ Vermilion Bays Calcasieu Lake Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Relative Abundance • Highly Abundant ® Abundant o Common V Rare Blank Not Present Salinity Zone T - Tidal Fresh M - Mixing S - Seawater * - Salinity zone not present Life Stage A - Adults S - Spawning adults J - Juveniles L - Larvae E - Eggs 24 Table 2, continued. Spatial distribution and relative abundance Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Mississippi Sound Lake Borgne Lake Pontchartrain Breton/ Chandeleur Sounds Mississippi River Barataria Bay Terrebonne/ Timbalier Bays Atchafalaya Vermilion Bays Calcasieu Lake Species/Life Stag 3 T M S T M * • M • • M S T M * T M S T M S T M * T M • Pinflsh A S V • o n O ® O V O Lagodon rhomboides J L E V • ® o o o O ® ® O o O V O ® ® ® O V O Silver perch A S V • O v V V • O O O o O O ® ® O o o Bairdiella J o • V V • O O o O O ® ® ® O O O chrysoura L E o o V V o o ® ® o o Sand seatrout A S ® • • o • • o O O o O o O o V o o Cynoscion J o • o o ® ® O o • ® ® ® ® ® ® ® arenarius L E o • o o o o Spotted seatrout A S ® ® ® ® O ® ® O O ® O ® ® V O O o o V O O ® o ® o V o o Cynoscion J ® ® o ® O O o ® V O o V ® o o V o nebulosus L E ® ® ® ® ® ® O O o o O O o o O O o o o o o o Spot A S o • • ® V o O o o ® O o Leiostomnus J ® • o o • O ® ® ® o ® • o ® ® ® ® V o xanthums L E • • • V • O ® ® Atfantic croaker A S o • ® ® ® o o 0 0 o Micropogonias undulatus J L E D O • • ® o o o ® V • ® • ® ® • o • O • ® O • ® ® • • o o • T M S T M • • M * • M S T M * T M S T M S T M * T M * Mississippi Sound Lake Borgne Lake Pontchartrain Breton/ Chandeleur Sounds Mississippi River Barataria Bay Terrebonne/ Timbalier Bays Atchafalaya/ Vermilion Bays Calcasieu Lake Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Relative Abundance • Highly Abundant ® Abundant o Common >/ Rare Blank Not Present Salinity Zone T - Tidal Fresh M - Mixing S - Seawater * - Salinity zone not present Life Stage A - Adults S - Spawning adults J - Juveniles L - Larvae E - Eggs 25 Table 2, continue Jd. Spatial distribution and relative abundance Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Mississippi Sound Lake Borgne Lake Pontchartrain Breton/ Chandeleur Sounds Mississippi River Barataria Bay Terretwnne/ Timbalier Bays Atchafalaya Vermilion Bays Calcasieu Lake Species/Life Stag* 3 T M S T M * * M • • M S T M * T M S T M S T M * T M * Black drum A S O O o o V O O O ® V O V O ® O ® o O O Pogonias J n n V n n o- ® V n V O o O o V O O cromis L E O O o o V V o o Red drum A S O o o o ® ® V V o V V V Sciaenops J V n n ® n ® ® n O o o o V o o o O ® ocellatus L E ® o o o o Striped mullet A S O • • • o • o ® ® o ® V o o O O o ® O Mugil J n (i) (» n ® ® n n n ® V o ® O ® ® ® ® V ® cephalus L E • ® ® V o o Code goby A S o o o o o • o o V Gobiosoma J o o ® o V robustum L E o o o o • • o o Spanish mackerel A S ® o o V V Scomberomorus J V n n V V n n V n n n n O o O maculatus L E V Gulf flounder A S V o o Paralichthys ,1 V n V V albigutla L E V o o Southern flounder A V ® ® V o o ® ® ® o ® o ® O o o Paralichthys lethostigma S J L E V ® ® ® o ® o V o o o o ® o ® o o o o o ® T M S T M • * M * • M S T M * T M S T M S T M • T M • Mississippi Sound Lake Borgne Lake Pontchartrain Breton/ Chandeleur Sounds Mississippi River Barataria Bay Terrebonne/ Timbalier Bays Atchafalaya/ Vermilion Bays Calcasieu Lake Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Relative Abundance • Highly Abundant ® Abundant o Common V Rare Blank Not Present Salinity Zone T - Tidal Fresh M - Mixing S • Seawater * - Salinity zone not present Life Stage A - Adults S - Spawning adults J - Juveniles L - Larvae E - Eggs 26 Table 3. Temporal distribution and relative abundance Index to Table 3. Page location of temporal distribution table for each species and estuary. Common and Scientific Name Bay scallop (Argopecten irradlans) American oyster {Crassostrea virginica) Common rangia (Rangia cuneata) Hard clam (Mercenaria species) Bay squid {Lolliguncula brevis) Brown shrimp {Penaeus aztecus) Pink shrimp {Penaeus duorarum) White shrimp (Penaeus setiferus) Grass shrimp (Palaemonetes pugio) Spiny lobster {Panulirus argus) Blue crab [Callinectes sapidus) Gulf stone crab {Menippe adina) Bull shark {Carcharhinus leucas) Tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) Alabama shad {Alosa alabamae) Gulf menhaden (Brevoonia patronus) Yellowfin menhaden {Brevoortia smithi) Gizzard shad {Dorosoma cepedianum) Bay anchovy {Anchoa mitchill/j Hardhead catfish {Arius feli^ Sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus) Gulf killifish {Fundulus grandis) Atlantic silversides (Menidia species) Snook (Centropomus undecimalis) Bluefish {Pomatomus saltatrix) Blue runner (Caranx crysos) Crevalle jack (Caranx hippos) Florida pompano ( Trachinotus carolinus) Gray snapper (Lutjanus griseus) Sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus) Pinfish (Lagodon rhomboldes) Silver perch (Bairdiella chrysoura) Sand seatrout (Cynoscion arenarius) Spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) Spot (Leiostomus xanthurus) Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus) Black drum (Pogonias cromis) Red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) Striped mullet (Mugil cephalus) Code goby (Gobiosoma robustum) Spanish mackerel (Scomberomoms maculatus) Gulf flounder (Paralichthys albigutta) Southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma) p. 28 p. 31 p. 34 p. 37 p. 40 p. 43 p. 46 p. 29 p. 32 p. 35 p. 38 p. 41 p. 44 p. 47 p. 30 p. 33 p. 36 p. 39 p. 42 p. 45 p. 48 27 Table 3. Temporal distribution Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Estuary Mississippi Sound Lake Borgne Lake Pontchartrain Month JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND Species / Life Stage Bay scallop Argopecten irradians i I American oyster Crassostrea virginica Common rangia Rangia cuneata m Hard clam Mercenaria species A S J L E Bay squid Lolliguncula brevis A S J L E Brown shrimp Penaeus aztecus CD JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND Mississippi Sound Lake Borgne Lake Pontchartrain Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Relative Abundance ^^M Highly Abundant Abundant I I Common Rare Blank Not Present Life Stage A - Adults S - Spawning adults J - Juveniles L - Larvae E - Eggs 28 Table 3, continued. Temporal distribution Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Estuary Breton/Chandeleur Sound Mississippi River Barataria Bay Month JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND Species / Life Stage Bay scallop A S Argopecten j irradians ^ E American oyster A S Crassostrea j virginica \_ E |:i::i::iiiiii:iii::=li:::!:iiiiiii:liiiiiiiniii:-i!::ii!:| 1 1 li:iii:;iii):iiii:iiiii:::i;;;:;ii:l 1 1 l:::::::;:;;:::::;;::;::;:;:;::;:;:::;:::::::::::::::::^ 1 1 l:ii--i::;:;;:;:;;::-i-::l 1 i liiii-il-l-iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiH 1 ! Common rangia ^ S Rangia J cuneata \_ E 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 J Hard clam ^ S Mercenaria J species |_ E 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Bay squid A S Lolliguncula j brevis . E 1 1 1 1 I 1 1 1 Brown shrimp A S Penaeus j aztecus . E 1 ii:!!i!!iiii!:l! 1 1 1 "■"■^^i- rn^^K;::::;;;; JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND Breton/Chandeleur Sound Mississippi River Barataria Bay Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Relative Abundance ^^M Highly Abundant (■■■■■■■■■■■■■I Abundant I I Common Rare Blank Not Present Life Stage A - Adults S - Spawning adults J - Juveniles L - Larvae E - Eggs 29 Table 3, continued. Temporal distribution Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Estuary Terrebonne/Timbalier Bays Atchalalaya/Vermilion Bays Calcasieu Lake Month JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND Species / Life Stage Bay scallop A S Argopecten j irradians |_ E American oyster A S Crassostrea j virginica \_ E t,,;,,,,,H:::::-.i:::::i:::i::::::iiiii:ii:i:iii:l l:::i;:::i;;::i;:::iiii:iiiiii:ii::i:::ii::;;i:::;l:iiiiiiil 1 1 lii:::=::i:iiiiii::iii;:ii:::i::i::j l::|::;:|::;:|::i:|::-::-i::i;;lill 1 1 (:::::;:::::;:::;...- liiiiiiiiil l::iii::-:::i:::::::i:i::iiiiii::::i:i::::::::i::iiiiiiiil 1 1 I'::- - -:: ;: :-j |::::: ::v'-v':-^B^BTTn 1 1 |ih:--..: -:.::::;; "i l:i-^-ii:. Hi-lill::!! 1 1 Common rangia A S Rangia J cuneata l E ,:;,,:,:::,::::::,:,=,,,n-:--:i:iiliiii-iH 1 1 1 1 1 J 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ! 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Hard clam ^ S Mercenaria j species L E Bay squid A S Lolliguncula j brevis , E 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Brown shrimp A S Penaeus j aztecus . E |;:.^^^H:^::,::! i:u::^:^unvm\mMMm^^mm 1-^^^--"' liiliiliii-:::- 1 1 ::i!ii:li:i:H;i 1 JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND Terrebonne/Timbalier Bays AtchafalayaA/ermilion Bays Calcasieu Lake Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Relative Abundance ^^1 Highly Abundant Omi Abundant I I Common Rare Blank Not Present Life Stage A - Adults S - Spawning adults J - Juveniles L - Larvae E - Eggs M - Mating 30 Table 3, continued. Temporal distribution Estuary Month Species / Lite Stage Pink shrimp Penaeus duorarum Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Mississippi Sound JFMAMJJASOND Lake Borgne JFMAMJJASOND Lake Pontchartrain JFMAMJJASOND White shrimp Penaeus setiferus A S J L E Grass shrimp Palaemonetes pugio A S J L E Spiny lobster Panulirus argus Blue crab Callinectes sapidus A M J L S Gulf stone crab Menippe adina JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND Mississippi Sound Lake Borgne Lake Pontchartrain Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Relative Abundance ■■ Highly Abundant {-■■••■■■■■■-■I Abundant I I Common Rare Blank Not Present Life Stage A - Adults S - Spawning adults J - Juveniles L - Larvae M - Mating E - Eggs 31 Table 3, continued. Temporal distribution Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Estuary Breton/Chandeleur Sound Mississippi River Barataria Bay Month JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND Species / Life Stage Pink shrimp A S Penaeus J duorarum ^ E 1 1 1 iliiiiliiiJ III 1 1 1 White shrimp A S Penaeus J setiferus i E 1 1 1 1 hiiibiiil h-iiiiiiiiiiiii 1 1 1 1 lllli^^i^ 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Grass shrimp ^ S Palaemonetes J pugio L E 1 1 1 |::::-:-:-:::::::i-i:i::i:i::|:::-:::::-ii.| 1 i 1 1 1 ii;;iiiiHii:;ii::iiiiii;ii;;:i 1 \ 1 1 t:::;;::::;:::::::;i:;::::::::::::::::::;::::::::::::::|::|| 1 i 1 1 1 ii:::-li:ii:i:::ili!:::l::::i 1 1 :!i:i!!!!:!!il!!!l!!:!:|!i!i::: 1 1 ! 1 1 Spiny lobster S Panulirus J argus i E Blue crab A M Callinectes j sapidus |_ S t::::::,H||:||:::::::::ii::::i:::HI|:iiii::i:;:i:i:i::::| 1 1 |i!!!li!!:ii:i!!i!i:i 1 1 1 1 t:::;::::,:;::::::::;:,:n|:,::=:::::::|:::::::::::::;i:| 1 1 |;;i;iiii;iii!iU!iiiiii:!iii;;;ii;ii;;i!iiiiHi;:;:;ii;ii; liiiiiilliilllH II 11 l:i::::::iii:i:ii:i:i 1 1 1 1 ;;::|ii.|::|::::::-n;-.-: 1 Gulf stone crab A S Menippe j adina E 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND Breton/Chandeleur Sound Mississippi River Barataria Bay Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Relative Abundance ^^M Highly Abundant 01111 Abundant I I Common Rare Blank Not Present Life Stage A - Adults S - Spawning adults J - Juveniles L - Larvae M - Mating E - Eggs 32 Table 3, continued. Temporal distribution Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Estuary Terrebonne/Tlmbalier Bays AtchafalayaA/ermlllon Bays Calcasieu Lake Month JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND Species / Life Stage Pink shrimp A S Penaeus j duorarum |_ E White shrimp A S Penaeus j setiferus \_ E H 1 1 m 1 1 1 :-••••::•:■•:::■:::::::: 1 ^^^STt;::;::::;:;:::::::::::::::::!:::::::::::::::::] ;:::i:li:li::ii^^^^iH 1 1 l:i:iiiii::iii:!il:i:::----! 1 ^^■"" Grass shrimp A S Palaemonetes j pugio |_ E t::|i:-::|l-:::::i::::ii::::i;:|-:-.--:::::::| I:;-:;:-:--:-:-:::-;-:;;::-) ' ' liiiili:i::i:i::::::::i:i::::;:::;:::::::i;:!j |:::::::::::";;:;:;:::::::::::;::::::::::::ij Spiny lobster A S Panulirus j argus |_ E Blue crab A M Callinectes j sapidus 1 S f 1 liiliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiilHiillHlHliiliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiHl ^^ -1 1 1 |!!!!!;!i!;;!li:!ii!!ii:i:!iii} 1 1 1 1 t::i:ilililHH-;illil|::!:i:!li!li;i:il;:i|::i!!lii|::| ^^^^BiH^^^^iliilM!!l:::lli:l!::l!!l r'^^H [:;ji;:;:;:;:::;;;i;;;;:|:;;:;;::|;;::|;|::::|:::::;:;:^ 1 1 Ihi^llilHIi::: 1 Gulf stone crab A S Menippe j adina . E 1 1 •••H 1 1 1 1 1 JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND Terrebonne/Timbalier Bays AtchafalayayVermilion Bays Calcasieu Lake Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Relative Abundance ^^1 Highly Abundant {■■■■■■■■■■■■■I Abundant I I Common Rare Blank Not Present Life Stage A - Adults S - Spawning adults J - Juveniles L - Larvae E - Eggs M - Mating 33 Table 3, continued . Temporal distribution Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Estuary Mississippi Sound Lake Borgne Lake Pontchartrain Month JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND Species / Life Stage Bull shark Carcharhinus leucas A M J P 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Tarpon Megalops atlanticus A S J L E 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Alabama shad Alosa alabamae A S J L E 1 =::;iili;;:|;::| 1 1 1 1 1 ll-liiiiiliiiJ 1 I..J!;!!!! 1 1 .. I 1;:":;:"|: .1 1 1 li-liiiiiiiii! Gulf menhaden Brevoortia patronus A S J L E 1 ^^^v— ' 1 1 ^;,:,,,,:^ 1 tiiiiiiii-nl 1 1 f''"'-'""^ 1 1 !!!!!!!l!!^^^!l!;:;i;: 1 ■■^^^'"''""'"'!!"'iiin:i;'i'|:':| ■:;:iliiHi 1 1 a r^^^^^^F^ 1 !i!!;;i;nl |.-ii:.i:|:-=-::::|i:i! 1 ■■-■m ^■■■■■Biii 1 1 Yellowfin menhaden Brevoortia smithi A S J L E Gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum A S J L E 1 .liimiHn'iil'il'I'iiilliiii 1 1 ^■- 1 1 1 l:iii::i::=:i::::::ii:iiii:i::l 1 1 1 y—\ 1 ;!;;;^^^^i;[| 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND Mississippi Sound Lake Borgne Lake Pontchartrain Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Relative Abundance ^H Highly Abundant ^■■■■■■■■■■■■■1 Abundant I I Common Rare Blank Not Present Life Stage A - Adults S - Spawning adults J - Juveniles L - Larvae E - Eggs M - Mating P - Parturition 34 Table 3, continued. Temporal distribution Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Estuary Breton/Chandeleur Sounci Mississippi River Barataria Bay Month JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND Species / Life Stage Bull shark A M Carcharhinus J leucas p 1 inlnhyihdn.. 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Tarpon A S Megalops j atlanticus ^ E H 1 Alabama shad A S Alosa J alabamae [_ E Gulf menhaden ^ S Brevoortia j patronus |_ E ■ ■ ' ' 1 1 1 Yellowfin A menhaden s Brevoortia "* smithi L E Gizzard shad A S Dorosoma , cepedianum E 1 1 1 1 \ 1 i:i:iili:::l:::;S; 1 ^ 1 i JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND Breton/Chandeleur Sound Mississippi River Barataria Bay Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Relative Abundance ^^M Highly Abundant {■■■■■■■■■■■■■I Abundant I I Common Rare Blank Not Present Life Stage A - Adults S - Spawning adults J - Juveniles L - Larvae E-Egg M - Mating P - Parturition 35 Table 3, continued. Temporal distribution Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Estuary Terrebonne/Timbalier Bays AtchafalayaA/ermilion Bays Calcasieu Lake Month JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND Species / Life Stage Bull shark A M Carcharhinus j leucas p H ^ ^ r I 1 Tarpon A S Megalops j atlanticus ^ E Alabama shad A S Alosa J alabamae \_ E Gulf menhaden ^ S Brevoortia j patronus |_ E iiiiiiiiiiiiiiii 1 ^I^^^^^^^Hi::i:;::ii;iiiiii:ii::il n 1 — 1 |:::::::::::::::::::::::| | ::::::::;:| Yellowfin A menhaden s Brevoortia ^ smithi L E Gizzard shad A Dorosoma . cepedianum E 1 1 1 1 1 III 1 1 1 1 1 III JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND Terrebonne/Timbalier Bays Atchalalaya/Vermilion Bays Calcasieu Lake Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Relative Abundance ^■1 Highly Abundant Emu Abundant I I Common Rare Blank Not Present Life Stage A - Adults S - Spawning adults J - Juveniles L - Larvae E - Eggs M - Mating P - Parturition 36 Table 3, continued. Temporal distribution Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Estuary Mississippi Sound Lake Borgne Lake Pontchartrain Month JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND Species / Life Stage Bay anchovy A S Anchoa j mitchilli 1 E 1 = ■ 1 !i!ii:;iii^^iii::;ii; i ^BB h-' ^^^:^i-J ^s 1 M f \ ;;;:;!;:!!^BH!"!!;;;! i 1 !!!!!l!!!!l!!rrTTT^Bt?n:ijj:|:;:;|:i:| | 1 ;;::-nn!l^ 1 Hardhead catfish A S Arius J fells L E i^H^^^ 1 i";i^HB:... 1 1 liiiiiyyH: 1 liiiiiiiii} 1 1 1 1 1 ::::;::;;:;:;::::::::::::: | l-iilii:ii:l:i=:: 1 1 iiMiili:--: 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 nz} 1 1 1 1 Sheepshead A minnow S Cyprinodon j variegatus \_ E {i!;!!!::;;::::::;:::;!;;;:;;!!":-::::::;:;:;;::::::::;:;;! 1 1 1 1 1 1 I r 1 1 n 1 1 1 1 1 1 i r 1 1 1 1 ^ ^ 1 1 1 1 Gulf kiliifish A S Fundulus J grandis |_ E 1 1 1 iiiili 1 1 1 1 1 n 1 1 -1 ^ 1 1 1 1 -I ^ 1 1 1 1 Atlantic siiversides A S Menidia "^ species L. E '^^^^^^r~i 1 1 1 t . ' 1 1 \ 1 ^ i ^ 1 ^ 1 1 1 1 Snook A S Centropomus j undececimalis . E JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND Mississippi Sound Lake Borgne Lake Pontchartrain Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Relative Abundance §■■ Highly Abundant mOl Abundant I I Common Rare Blank Not Present Life Stage A - Adults S - Spawning adults J - Juveniles L - Larvae E - Eggs 37 Table 3, continued. Temporal distribution Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Estuary Breton/Chandeleur Sound Mississippi River Barataria Bay Month JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND Species / Life Stage Bay anchovy Anchoa mitchilli ~~1 Hardhead catfish Arius felis m^^^m Sheepshead minnow Cyprinodon variegatus Gulf killifish Fundulus grandis Atlantic silversides Menidia species A S J L E mkm,M Snook Centropomus undececlmalis A S J L E JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND Breton/Chandeleur Sound Mississippi River Barataria Bay Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Relative Abundance ^^M Highly Abundant ^-■■■■■■■■■■■■1 Abundant I I Common Rare Blank Not Present Life Stage A - Adults 8 - Spawning adults J - Juveniles L - Larvae E - Eggs 38 Table 3, continued. Temporal distribution Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Estuary Terrebonne/Timbalier Bays AtchafalayaA/Grmilion Bays Calcasieu Lake Month JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND Species / Life Stage Bay anchovy Anchoa mitchilli A S J L E Hardhead catfish Arius felis A 8 J L E I i m Sheepshead minnow Cyprinodon variegatus Gulf killifish Fundulus grandis Atlantic siiversides Menidia species A S J L E Snook Centropomus undececimalis JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND Terrebonne/Timbalier Bays AtchafalayaA/ermilion Bays Calcasieu Lake Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Relative Abundance ■H Highly Abundant mi Abundant I I Common Rare Blank Not Present Life Stage A - Adults S - Spawning adults J - Juveniles L - Larvae E - Eggs 39 Table 3, continued . T emporal distribution Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Estuary Mississippi Sound Lake Borgne Lake Pontchartrain Month JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND Species / Life Stage Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix A S J L E 1 1 1 1 Blue runner Caranx crysos A S J L E 1 1 i \ 1 iii-:i::i:l H i 1 f Crevalle jack Caranx hippos A S J L E 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Florida pompano Trachinotus carolinus A S J L E 1 1 1 i-i-ii 1 1 1 1 1 Gray snapper Lutjanus griseus A S J L E Sheepshead Archosargus probatocephalus A S J L E 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ll::=!!===::i:if::::: 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND Mississippi Sound Lake Borgne Lake Pontchartrain Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Relative Abundance ■■ Highly Abundant Em Abundant I I Common Rare Blank Not Present Life Stage A - Adults S - Spawning adults J - Juveniles L - Larvae E - Eggs 40 Table 3, continued. Temporal distribution Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Estuary Breton/ChancJeleur Sound Mississippi River Barataria Bay Month JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND Species / Life Stage Bluefish A S Pomatomus j saltatrix |_ E —1 1 Blue runner A S Caranx j crysos \_ E 1 1 Crevalle jack A S Caranx j hippos L E 1 1 ., 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Florida ^ pompano S Trachinotus '^ carolinus L E 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Gray snapper A S Lutjanus j griseus ^ E 1 1 1 1 Sheepshead A S Archosargus , probatocephalus E 1 1 1 1 :::!:::::::l:::!i:::::::::!:::! 1 1 1 1 1 JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND Breton/Chandeleur Sound Mississippi River Barataria Bay Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Relative Abundance ■■ Highly Abundant EHil Abundant I I Common Rare Blank Not Present Life Stage A - Adults S - Spawning adults J - Juveniles L - Larvae E - Eggs 41 Table 3, continued. Temporal distribution Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Estuary Terrebonne/Tlmbalier Bays Atchafalaya/Vermilion Bays Calcasieu Lake Month JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND Species / Life Stage Bluefish A S Pomatomus j saltatrix [_ E .... Blue runner A S Caranx j crysos \_ E Crevalle jack A S Caranx j hippos i_ E 1 1 1 1 1 1 Florida ^ pompano S Trachinotus '^ carolinus L E 1 1 L.. _J 1 1 Gray snapper A 8 Lutjanus j griseus , E Sheepshead A 8 Archosargus j probatocephalus E III. HIIIIIIIMIIIll 1 1 ["■! ii":!!":!!"!l 1 1 JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND Terrebonne/Timbalier Bays Atchafalaya/Vermilion Bays Calcasieu Lake Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Relative Abundance ■■ Highly Abundant mill Abundant I I Common Rare Blank Not Present Life Stage A - Adults 8 - Spawning adults J - Juveniles L - Lan/ae E - Eggs 42 Table 3, continued Temporal distribution Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Estuary Mississippi Sound Lake Borgne Lake Pontchartrain Month JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND Species / Life Stage Pinfish Lagodon rhomboides A S J L E f""-!!!! ;:!^^^M:-'i!!l 1 !!l!l!!li!!ii!iMli|i 1 1 1 II II [!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!TT!rTT^^^^^BK!'|n:ni 1 ii::::|::l:::::| 1 1 iliiills-lil-- 1 iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin mm II II Silver perch Bairdiella chrysoura A S J L E ■! IM 1- 1 — 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 :::;:^:iii i 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Sand seatrout Cynoscion arenahus A S J L E 1 1 1 1 1 1 ^■^ immm — 1 1 ;:l::::::::::;:: | ^^^^"■\ 1 1 1 1 1 1 Spotted seatrout Cynoscion nebulosus A S J L E 1 1 1 1 1 j 1 ■ 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 i 1 1 1 1 1 ' j 1 1 1 1 Spot Leiostomnus xanthurus A S J L E f!!!:!!:!!i:i:| |ii!!li:::| 1 1 1 1 1 1 ■ — 1 Hi 1 ^^^^^^^^^^^ 1 1 1 ■ ::i:i 1- 1:- 1 1 1 Atlantic croaker Micropogonias undulatus A S J L E 1 ' " ^' 1 i 1 1 1 1 :t-^ 1 r— 1 till ^^^^^^^ ■ 1 ^^jiLi:^ 1 |_ ^m iiiii 1 1 iiiiii- imm 1 1 HiHiiiiiiiiiii JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND Mississippi Sound Lake Borgne Lake Pontchartrain Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Relative Abundance ^^M Highly Abundant ^^^ Abundant I I Common Rare Blank Not Present Life Stage A - Adults S - Spawning adults J - Juveniles L - Larvae E - Eggs 43 Table 3, continued . Ti smporal distribution Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Estuary Breton/Chandeleur Sound Mississippi River Barataria Bay Month JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND Species / Life Stage Pinfish Lagodon rhomboides A S J L E 1 1 1 1 1 ;i:ii:iii:|i=:i|::i::-:i- 1 Silver perch Bairdiella chrysoura A S J L E 1 1 1 1 1 • 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Sand seatrout Cynoscion arenarius A S J L E 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 :"":":^^^^ 1 iini-iiiilii::;;::::;!:-!!:"; 1 Spotted seatrout Cynoscion nebulosus A S J L E 1 mi-mmMmm 1 :ii--;:::i 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 liHhillliiiil: 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Spot Leiostomnus xanthurus A S J L E 1 1 1 iiiiiiiiii::::::;:::: 1 1 lililllliniiii::::::-:: 1 t-i:::i:::::i::::::==::-:::iil|::|:n;ii:::::::- ^^^V:::::;::||:n:i:l!::::::i:::ii:i:iiH;iii!! 1 :iiiii::l:i 1 1 Atlantic croaker Micropogonias undulatus A S J L E 1 1 ^g^^^^^^^,,,^^,,,^,,^ L '.^^^^^M liiiiiiiiiiii-iiil hiiiiiiiiiii:: JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND Breton/Chandeleur Sound Mississippi River Barataria Bay Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Relative Abundance ■■i Highly Abundant Em Abundant I I Common Rare Blank Not Present Life Stage A - Adults S - Spawning adults J - Juveniles L - Larvae E - Eggs 44 Table 3, continued. Temporal distribution Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Estuary Terrebonne/Timbalier Bays AtchafalayaA^ermilion Bays Calcasieu Lake Month JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND Species / Life Stage Pinfish A S Lagodon j rhomboides . E 1 1 1 li::::::ii-li:::;:ii:i:lli;|: 1 1 1 1 1 Silver perch A S Bairdiella j chrysoura \_ E 1 1 1 1 , 1 1 1 1 1 liiii!!:!;! 1 1 USiiii 1 1 1 1 f 1 1 1 1 Sand seatrout A S Cynoscion j arenarius [_ E 1 1 1 1 1 1 !=ii:!li:iili!!:i::i: 1 !n;ii!==ili-i:i:li:::li;::;i:::ii::--;:illl (:::::::::::::::::::;:::::::;::::::::::::::::] Spotted seatrout ^ S Cynoscion J nebulosus \_ E 1 iiiiiii!!!! 1 1 iiiiiiiii:: 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 iilliililiiil::! 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Spot A S Leiostomnus j xanthurus ^_ E 1 1 1 -n-ilillilllli..::::.. 1 1 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 1 1 Atlantic croaker A S Micropogonias , undulatus E J 1 tiiii-iiiniii::;:-! m-iism 1 1 JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND Terrebonne/Timbalier Bays AtchafaiayaA/ermilion Bays Calcasieu Lake Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Relative Abundance HH Highly Abundant (■■■■■■■—'I Abundant I I Common Rare Blank Not Present Life Stage A - Adults S - Spawning adults J - Juveniles L - Larvae E - Eggs 45 Table 3, continued . Temporal distribution Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Estuary Mississippi Sound Lake Borgne Lake Pontchartrain Month JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND Species / Life Stage Black drum Pogonias cromis A S J L E 1 1 ^ 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Red drum Sciaenops ocellatus A S J L E 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 isssiiHi-: 1 1 1 1 1 lillS-:i:ii|:: 1 II II Striped mullet Mugil cephalus A S J L E 1 rrrtm^grr. 1 r' ■ ■ 1 ^^ H ^^■.... 1 1 tH-iiiiiiiiiiiiiiininniiiiiiiiiliiliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiil hiiiii::::- 1 liiii-iiiii;! -ml ^■::::::::::::i |::::H t;:ii:i:i:i::n)i::i;iii| |i;iiii:::| Code goby Gobiosoma robustum A S J L E 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Mmimi 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 :::^:::::;;;:;;: 1 1 1 1 1 1 n;::»:;i;;;i;i 1 1 1 1 1 1 ;;;;:■;■::- 1 1 1 Spanish macl' 49 Table 4. Data reliability Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Mississippi Sound Lake Borgne Lake Pontchartrair Breton/ Chandeleur Sounds Mississippi River Barataria Bay Terrebonne/ Timbalier Bays Atchafalaya Vermilion Bays Calcasieu Lake Species/Life Stage Bay scallop A S D B B B ■ Argopecten J 11 B B irradians L E n B B ■ ■ American oyster A B B B B B n B B S D 11 B B B B B B Crassostrea J i] B B B B D B B virginica L D B B B B B B B E D B B B B B B B Connmon rangia A D B B B B B B D B S D B B B D B B D B Rangia J D B B B B B B D B cuneata L D B B B D B B D B E D B B B n B B D B Hard clam A D B ■ B D D D ■ S D B ■ B D n n ■ Mercenaria J D B ■ B D D D ■ species L D B ■ B D D D ■ E D B ■ B D a D ■ Bay squid A S B D B D 11 B B S D D ■ D D n B ■ Lolliguncula J D B D B D B B B brevis L D D ■ D D n B ■ E D D ■ D D n B ■ Brown shrimp A D B B ■ B ■ ■ ■ S ■ ■ ■ ■ B ■ ■ ■ Penaeus J D B B B B n B D aztecus L D D D B D n ■ D E 11 ■ ■ ■ B ■ ■ ■ Mississippi Sound Lake Borgne Lake Pontchartrain Breton/ Chandeleur Sounds Mississippi River Barataria Bay Terrebonne/ Timbalier Bays Atchafalaya Vermilion Bays Calcasieu Lake Central Gulf of Mexico ) Estuaries Reliability ■ Highly Certain B Moderately Certain D Reasonable Inference Life Stage A - Adults S - Spawning adults J - Juveniles L - Larvae E - Eggs 50 Table 4, continued. Data reliability ( [Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Species/Life Stage Mississippi Sound Lake Borgne Lake Pontchartrain Breton/ Chandeleur Sounds Mississippi River Barataria Bay Terrebonne/ Timbalier Bays Atchafalaya Vermilion Bays Calcasieu Lake Pink shrimp A D B ■ B D ■ ■ ■ S D ■ ■ ■ B ■ ■ ■ Penaeus J D B B B B B B ■ duorarum I 11 ■ ■ ■ B ■ ■ ■ E D ■ ■ ■ n ■ ■ ■ White shrimp A S D 11 B ■ B ■ D D D D B ■ B ■ D ■ Penaeus J 11 B B D B B B B D setiferus 1 11 ■ ■ D B D B B D E 11 ■ ■ D ■ D ■ ■ ■ Grass shrimp A S D D B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B Palaemonetes J D B B B B B B B B pugio L D B B B B B B B B E D B B B B B B B B Spiny lobster A S B 11 Panulirus J D argus L E D D Blue crab A M ■ B D B B D B B D D D D D Callinectes J ■ B B B B D D sapidus I 11 B B B B B D S 11 B B B D B B Gulf stone crab A S 11 11 B B B ■ B B B n n n n D D D Menippe J B B B B m n D D D adina 1 B B ■ B D D D D D E B B ■ m n n D D D Mississippi Sound Lake Borgne Lake Pontchartrain Breton/ Chandeleur Sounds Mississippi River Barataria Bay Terrebonne/ Timbalier Bays Atchafalaya Vermilion Bays Calcasieu Lake Central Gulf of Mexicc 3 Estuaries Reliability I Highly Certain B Moderately Certain n Reasonable Inference Life Stage A - Adults S - Spawning adults J - Juveniles L - Larvae E - Eggs M - Mating 51 Table 4 (continued). Data reliability Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Species/Life Stage Mississippi Sound Lake Borgne Lake Pontcfiarlrain Breton/ Chandeleur Sounds Mississippi River Barataria Bay Ten-ebonne/ Timbalier Bays Atchafalaya Vermilion Bays Calcasieu Lake Bull shark A M Carcharhinus j leucas p D S D ■ B ■ ffl D ■ ■ ■ B B ■ B D B ■ B D D ■ D D ■ D D D ■ D D D D D D Tarpon A S Meg a lops J atlanticus |_ E D D 11 D D B ■ B B ■ B ■ B ■ ■ D B B D B D n ■ D Alabama shad A S Alosa J alabamae \_ E D B D 11 B B ■ B ■ ■ B ■ B ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Gulf menhaden A S Brevoortia J patronus [_ E D D D D D B ■ B B ■ B ■ B □ ■ ■ D B ■ Yellowfin A menhaden S J Brevoortia smithi Z. m n D D D B ■ B ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Gizzard shad A S Dorosoma j cepedianum , E B B D D D B B B B B B ■ B ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Mississippi Sound Lake Borgne Lake Pontcfiarlrain Breton/ Chandeleur Sounds Mississipp River Barataria Bay Terrebonne/ Timbalier Bays Atchafalaya/ Vermilion Bays Calcasieu Lake Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Reliability H Highly Certain B Moderately Certain D Reasonable Inference Life Stage A - Adults S - Spawning adults J - Juveniles L - Larvae E - Eggs M - Mating P - Parturition 52 Table 4 (continue( J). Data reliability ( Dentral Gutf of Mexico Estuaries Mississippi Sound Lake Borgne Lake Pontchartrair Breton/ Chandeleur Sounds Mississippi River Barataria Bay Terrebonne/ Timbalier Bays Atchafalaya Vernnilion Bays Calcasieu Lake Species/Life Stage Bay anchovy A B B B B B B B B D S B B B B B B B B B Anchoa J D B B B B B B B D mitchilli L D B B B B B B B D E D B B B B B B B B Hardhead catfish A B B B B B D D D D S D B B B B B B D D Arius J D m B B B D D D D felis L D m B B B n D D n E D B B B B n n D D Sheepshead A B B B D B D D D D minnow S D B B D B D n D D Cyprinodon J D B B D B n B D D variegatus L n B B D B n n D D E D B B D B D n D D Gulf killifish A D B B D B B B D D S D D B D B n B B B Fundulus J D B B D B B B D D grandis L D D B D B D B D D E D D B D B D B B B Atlantic silversides A ■ B B D B D D D D S D B B D B B D n D J D B B D B D D D D Menidia 1 D B B D B B D D D species E D B B D B B D D D Snook A S B ■ D D Centropomus J ■ D undececimalls L E ■ ■ D D Mississippi Sound Lake Borgne Lake Pontchartrain Breton/ Chandeleur Sounds Mississippi River Barataria Bay Terrebonne/ Timbalier Bays Atchafalaya^ Vermilion Bays Calcasieu Lake Central Gulf of Mexicc 3 Estuaries Reliability H Highly Certain B Moderately Certain D Reasonable Inference Life Stage A - Adults S - spawning adults J - Juveniles L - Larvae E - Eggs 53 Table 4 (continued). Data reliability Central Gulf of Mexicx) Estuaries Species/Life Stage Mississippi Sound Lake Borgne Lake Pontchartrain Breton/ Ghandeleur Sounds Mississippi River Barataria Bay Terrebonne/ Timbalier Bays Atchafalaya Vermilion Bays Calcasieu Lake Bluefish A S Pomatomus J saltatrix [_ E D D D D D B ■ D B ■ B ■ ■ B D ■ Blue runner A S Caranx crysos J L E B B B D D ■ ■ B ■ ■ ■ Crevalle jack A S Caranx hippos J L E D D m D D B ■ B ■ ■ Florida ^ pompano S Trachinotus carollnus L E D D m D D B B B B B B ■ B D ■ Gray snapper " S Lutjanus J griseus \_ E B B B B B ■ ■ B ■ ■ ■ ■ B ■ ■ Sheepshead A S Archosargus j probatocephalus . E B B D ■ B D B n D B D B □ D D D D D D B D B B Mississippi Sound Lake Borgne Lake Pontcfiartrair Breton/ Ghandeleur Sounds Mississippi River Barataria Bay Terrebonne/ Timbalier Bays Atchafalaya Vermilion Bays Calcasieu Lake Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Reliability ■ Highly Certain B Moderately Certain D Reasonable Inference Life Stage A- Adults S - Spavifning adults J - Juveniles L - Larvae E - Eggs 54 Table 4 (continued). Data reliability Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Species/Life Stage Mississippi Sound Lake Borgne Lake Pontchartrain Breton/ Chandeleur Sounds Mississippi River Barataria Bay Terrelxjnne/ Timbalier Bays Atchafalaya Vermilion Bays Calcasieu Lake Pinfish A B B D ■ D ■ D D S 11 ■ ■ ■ B ■ ■ ■ Lagodon rhomboides J L 11 11 11 ■ H ■ B ■ B n B ■ D ■ ■ E 11 ■ ■ ■ B ■ ■ ■ Silver perch A S D H H D D D B D B D B B ■ ■ Bairdiella J D B D B B B D n chrysoura L D n D D D B ■ ■ E D D D D D B ■ ■ Sand seatrout A S ■ B D n B D B D n ■ ■ Cynoscion J D B n B B n D D arenarius L B D n D D n ■ ■ E B D D D D D ■ ■ Spotted seatrout A S B ■ B B B B B D B B D D B B D B D B Cynoscion nebulosus J L E ■ ■ B B B B B B B B D D B B B D D D B B B D B B D B B Spot A D B D D B B D S B ■ ■ ■ ■ B ■ Leiostomnus J D B B D B B B xanthurus L D B D ■ B ■ E B ■ ■ ■ B ■ Atlantic croaker A S B B B ■ ■ ■ B B ■ ■ Micropogonias undulatus J L D B B B B ■ ■ B B B B D B E D ■ ■ ■ B ■ ■ Mississippi Sound Lake Borgne Lake Pontchartrain Breton/ Chandeleur Sounds Mississippi River Barataria Bay Terrebonne/ Timbalier Bays Atchafalaya/ Vermilion Bays Calcasieu Lake Central Gulf of Mexicc D Estuaries Reliability ■ Highly Certain B Moderately Certain D Reasonable Inference Life Stage A - Adults S - spawning adults J - Juveniles L - Larvae E - Eggs 55 Table 4 (continued). Data reliability Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Species/Life Stage Mississippi Sound Lake Borgne Lake Pontchartrain Breton/ Chandeleur Sounds Mississippi River Barataria Bay Terrebonne/ Timbalier Bays Atchafalaya Vermilion Bays Calcasieu Lake Black drum A S Pogonias j cromis . E D B B B B ■ B B ■ B ■ B B D D D D B ■ B ■ ■ D D B B B B B ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Red drum A S Sciaenops J ocellatus l E D B D B B B ■ B ■ ■ B D B D D D D D B D ■ B D ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Striped mullet A S Mugil J cephalus |_ E ■ B ■ B B B ■ B B ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ D D ■ D ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Code goby A S Gobiosoma robustum L E B B B B B B D 1 D D D D D D D D D D D D n n D n D D D D D B B B B B Spanish mackerel A S Scomberomorus J maculatus ]_ E D D D D D B ■ B ■ ■ B ■ D B Gulf flounder A S Paralichthys j albigutta ■ E B B B D D ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Southern flounder A S Paralichthys j lethostigma E n B D D m B ■ B ■ ■ B D B D D Mississippi Sound Lake Borgne Lake Pontchartrain Breton/ Chandeleur Sounds Mississippi River Barataria Bay Terrebonne/ Timbalier Bays Atchafalaya/ Vermilion Bays Calcasieu Lake Central Gulf of Mexico Estuaries Reliability B Highly Certain B Moderately Certain D Reasonable Inference Life Stage A - Adults S - Spawning adults J - Juveniles L - Larvae E - Eggs 56 Appendices Appendix 1 . National Estuarine Inventory map of Barataria Bay Appendix 2. Table of references and personal communications Appendix 3. Personal communications Appendix 4. References 57 Appendix 1. National Estuarlne Inventory Map of Barataria Bay 3.25 Barataria Bay, LA BRETON AMD CHANDELEUR SOUNDS ^. ESTUARY LEGEND Salinity Zones Salinity Zone Boundaries Tidal fresh ( < 0.5 ppl ) [: Mixing ( 0.5 - 25.0 ppl ) Seawater ( > 25 ppl ) Low Variability + Moderate Variability ▲ High Variability Tide Gauges Head o( Tide EDA Boundary From NEI Supplement 3 (Shirzad et al. 1989). 59 Appendix 2. Table of references and personal communications Species Mississippi Sound Bay scallop Argopecten irradians 30 Demoran American oyster Crassostrea virginica 22.25,27,30,60,54,93.96 Demoran Common rangia Rangia cuneata 30, 136 Demoran Hard clam Mercenaria species 30 Demoran Bay squid Lolliguncula brevis 13, 19,30, 147,155, 176, 192 Warren Brown shrimp Peneaus aziecus 13. 19. 22, 28, 29, 30, 76, 93. 97, 145. 176. 192. 195, 196 Wan-en Pink shrimp Peneaus duorarum 19.28,29,30, 145,176,192 Wan-en White shrimp Penaeus setilerus 13, 19, 22, 28, 29, 30, 76, 93. 145. 176, 192, 196 Warren Grass shrimp Palaemonetes pugio 13,30,97.155,176,192 Wan-en Spiny lobster Panulirus argus Waller Blue crab Callinectes sapidus 13, 19, 22. 30. 136. 145. 147. 149, 176, 192 Warren Gulf stone aab Menippe adina 13,30 Bull shark Carcharhinus leucas 5,73,116, 155 Waller Tarpon Megalops atlanticus 155 Waller Alabama shad Alosa alabamae Wan-en Gulf menhaden Brevoonia palronus 5, 13, 19,30,61,93,97,145.148. 161,176, 192 Wan-en Yellowfin menhaden Brevoonia smilhii 30 Warren Gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum Warren Bay anchovy Anchoa mitchllli 13, 19, 22, 30, 58. 73, 97, 145. 146. 155, 161, 176, 192 Warren Hardhead catfish Arius felis 5,13, 19,30,58,73,97,99,145,161, 176, 190 Wan^en Sheepshead minow Cyprinodon variegatus 30.33.73.97, 145.176 Wan-en Gulf killifish Fundulus grandis 22.30,33,73,97.145 Wan^en Atlantic silversides Menidia spedes 13. 19. 30, 33, 73. 78. 145. 161. 176 Wan-en Snook Centropomus undecemalis Waller Bluefish Pomatomus sallatrix 5, 19,116,155.161 Waller Blue runner Camnx crysus 30,73,155 Wanen Crevalle jack Caranx hippos 5, 13, 19, 30. 73, 116, 145, 155, 161, 176, 192 Warren Florida pompano Trachinotus carolinus 5.19,30,145, 161,176 Warren Gray snapper Lutjanus griseus 19, 161 Warren Sheepshead Archosargus probatocephalus 5, 13, 19. 30, 61 , 73, 97, 1 16, 145, 161, 176. 192 Warren Pinfish Lagodon rtKxnboides 5, 19, 30. 73, 116, 145, 161, 176, 192 Wan-en Silver perch Bairdiella chysoura 5, 13.30, 73. 116. 145, 161, 176, 192 Wanen Sand seatrout Cynosdon arenarius 5, 13. 19,22,30,61.73,97, 116. 145. 155. 176, 192 Wanen Sponed seatrout Cynosdon nebulosus 5. 13. 19, 22, 30, 37. 61, 73. 93. 97. 116. 145, 176, 192 Wanen Spot Leiostomus xanthurus 5. 13, 19,30. 73,97, 116, 145, 161. 176, 192 Wanen Atlantic croaker Mcropogonias undulatus 5. 13, 19.22.30,61,73.93, 116. 140, 145, 176, 192 Wanen Black drum PoQonias cromis 5,13,19.22.25,30,61.93,116 Warren Red dnjm Sciaenops ocellatus 5, 19, 22, 30, 61, 73, 93, 1 16, 139, 145, 171 Wanen Striped mullet Mugll cephalus 5, 19, 22, 30, 61 . 73, 93, 97, 145. 161 . 176 Wanen Code goby Cobiosoma robustum 155 Wanen Spanish mackerel Scomberomorus maculatus 5. 13. 19. 30, 1 16, 145, 155, 161, 176, 192 Wanen Gulf flounder Paralichthys albigutta 19.30.73 Wanen Southern flounder Paraliahys lethostigma 5,13,19.30,61,73,116,145.161.192 Wanen Numbers conespond to references listed In Appendix 4. References, pp 73-82. Names correspond to individuals listed In Appendix 3. Personal Communications, p. 71. 61 Appendix 2, continued. Table of references and personal communications Species Lake Borgne Bay scallop Arpopeclen irradians Savoie, Sonlat American oyster Crassostrea virQinica 22, 27, 54, 93 Savoie, Soniat Common rangia Ranqia cuneata 69 Savoie, Sonlat Hard clam Mercenaha species Savoie Bay squid LolliQuncula brevis 13,30,69, 145 Savoie. Soniat Brown shrimp Peneaus aziecus 13,22,30,41,69,76,93, 145, 195, 196 Savoie. Sonlat Pink shrimp Peneaus duorarum 30,145 Savoie, Soniat While shrimp Penaeus setiterus 13,22,30,41,76,93,145, 196 Savoie, Soniat Grass shrimp Palaemonetes pupio 13,30,69 Savoie, Soniat Spiny lobster Panulirus arqus Savoie, Soniat Blue crab Calllnecies sapidus 13,22,30,41,69,145,147,149 Savoie, Soniat Gulf stone crab Menippe adina 13.30,41, 145 Savoie, Soniat Bull shark Carcharhinus leucas 5,69 Savoie Tarpon Megalops attanticus Savoie Alabama shad Alosa alabamae 41 Savoie Gull menhaden Brevoorlia palronus 5,13,22,30,41,69,93,145,162 Savoie Yellowfin menhaden Brevoorlia smithii Savoie Gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum 33,41,69, 126 Savoie Bay anchovy Anchoa mitchilli 13,22,30,41,69, 145, 165 Savoie Hardhead cattish Arius telis 5.13,30,41.69,145,162 Savoie Sheepshead minow Cvprinodon variegatus 30,69,145 Savoie Gult killifish Funduius grandis 30,69,145 Savoie Atlantic silversides Menidia species 13,30.41,69, 145 Savoie Snook Ceniropomus undecemalis Savoie Bluefish Pomaiomus saltalrix 5 Savoie Blue runner Caranx crysus Savoie Crevalle jack Caranx hippos 5,13,30.41,69,145 Savoie Florida pompano Trachinoius carolinus 5,30,69, 145 Savoie Gray snapper Lulianus griseus 30 Savoie Sheepshead Arctiosargus probatocephalus 4.5, 13,30,41,69, 145,162 Savoie Pinfish Lagodon rhomboides 5,30,41,69, 145, 162 Savoie Silver perch Bairdiella chysoura 5,30,41,69,145,162 Savoie Sand seatrout Cynoscion arenarius 4,5, 13,22,30,41,69,145,162 Savoie Spotted seatrout Cynoscion nebulosus 4, 5, 13, 22. 30, 41, 74, 145, 162, 172 Savoie Spot Leioslomus xanlhurus 5. 13,30,41, 141, 145, 162 Savoie Atlantic croaker Micropogonias undulalus 4.5, 13,22,30,41,74, 141, 145,162 Savoie Black drum Pogonias cromis 4,5, 13,22,41,69 Savoie, Soniat Red dnjm Saaenops ocellalus 5,22.30,41,69,145,189 Savoie Striped mullet Mugil cephalus 4,5,22,30,41,68,127,145 Savoie Code goby Gobiosoma robuslum Savoie Spanish mackerel Scomberomorus maculatus 5, 13.30,41,69,145 Savoie Gulf flounder Paralichlh^s albigutta Thompson Southern tlounder Paraliclhys lethosligma 4,5, 13,30,41.69,145,162 Savoie Numbers correspond to references listed in Appendix 4, References, pp 73-82. Names correspond to individuals listed in Appendix 3, Personal Communications, p. 71 . 62 Appendix 2. continued. Table of references and personal communications Species Lake Pontchartrain Bay scallop Arqopecten irradians Savoie, Soniat American oyster Crassostrea viroinica 54,56.121, 174,181.182 Savoie, Soniat Common rangia Ranqia cuneata 22,38,40,56.62,89,121,174. 179. 180.182 Savoie. Soniat Hard dam Mercenaria species Savoie. Soniat Bay squid Lolliouncula brevis 30.145 Savoie. Soniat Brown shrimp Peneaus aztecus 22.30.41.76,111, 145, 174, 182, 195,196 Savoie, Soniat Pink shrimp Peneaus duoranjm 30, 145, 174 Savoie. Soniat White shrimp Penaeus selilerus 22.30.38.40.41,76. 1 1 1, 127. 145. 174. 184,198 Savoie. Soniat Grass shnmp Palaemoneies puqio 30. 111. 127.174, 182 Savoie. Soniat Spiny lobster Panulirus arqus Savoie. Soniat Blue crab Callinecles sapidus 22.30.38.39,40.41, 111, 127, 145,174,182 Savoie, Soniat Gulf stone crab Menippe adina 30,41, 145 Savoie, Soniat Bull shark Carctiarhinus leucas 5,38,40,46,174 Savoie Tarpon Meqalops allanlicus 46, 174 Savoie Alabama shad Alosa alabamae 46, 100, 135 Savoie Gulf menhaden Brevoortia palronus 5,30.38,41,46,89.100, 111,145,173, 174,182 Savoie Yellowfin menhaden Brevoortia smithii Savoie Gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum 31 , 38, 40, 41, 46, 89, 100, 127, 135, 145, 168, 182 Savoie Bay anchovy Anchoa milchilli 22,31,38,40,41,46,89,100,111,135, 145,174,182 Savoie Hardhead catfish Arius lelis 5,30,38,40,41,46,89,100, 111, 116, 145,174, 182 Savoie Sheepshead minow Cyprinodon varieqatus 30,38,46, 145. 174. 182 Savoie Gulf killifish Fundulus qrandis 22.30.46.100.145,174,182 Savoie Atlantic silversides Menidia species 30, 38, 40, 41 , 46, 89, 100, 135, 145, 174, 182 Savoie Snook Cenlropomus undecemalis Savoie Bluefish Pomalomus sallatrix 5 Savoie Blue runner Caranx aysus Savoie Crevalle jack Caranx hippos 5.30.38.40.41.46. 100. 135. 145.174. 182 Savoie Florida pompano Trachmotus carolinus 5.46 Savoie Gray snapper Lutlanus qriseus 46 Savoie Sheepshead Archosarqus probatocephalus 4. 5. 31 . 38. 40, 41 , 46, 89, 100, 135, 145, 182 Savoie Pinfish Lagodon rhomboides 5, 30, 38, 40, 41, 46, 145, 174, 182 Savoie Silver perch Bairdiella chysoura 5,30,38,40,41,46,145,174,182 Savoie Sand seatrout Cynoscion arer\arius 4,5,22,30,38,40,41,46,89, 100, 111, 145, 174,182 Savoie Spotted seatrout Cynoscion nebulosus 4,5,22,30,38,40,41,46,89,93, 145, 174, 182 Savoie Spot Leiostomus xanltiurus 5,30,38,40,41,49,89, 145, 174,182 Savoie AllanDc croaker Micropoqonias undulatus 4, 5, 22, 30, 38, 40, 41, 46, 89, 93, 100, 1 1 1. 135, 145, 174, 182 Savoie Black daim Pogonias cromis 4, 5, 22, 30, 38, 40, 41, 46, 93, 100, 145, 174. 182 Savoie Red drum Sciaenops ocellatus 4.5.22.30.40.41,46,93, 145,174,182 Savoie Striped mullet MuQil cephalus 5, 22, 30, 38, 40, 41 , 46, 89, 93, 100, 127, 135, 145, 174, 182 Savoie Code goby Gobiosoma robustum 42,46 Savoie Spanish mackerel Scomberomorus maculatus 5,41,46, 174 Savoie Gulf flounder Paralichthys albiquna 182 Thompson Southern flounder Paralicthys lelhosliqma 4,5,30,38,40,41,46,89, 100, 120, 135, 145, 174, 182 Savoie Numbers correspond to references listed in Appendix 4, References, pp. 73-82. Names correspond to individuals listed In Appendix 3. Personal Communicarons, p. 71. 63 Appendix 2, continued. Table of references and personal communications Species Breton/Chandeleur Sounds Bay scallop Argopecten irradians 113, 142 Ancelet American oyster Crassostrea virginica 27, 53. 54. 93. 1 13, 142, 154. 177 Ancelet Common rangia Rangia ojneala 142 Ancelet Hard clam Mercenaha species 55, 113.142 Ancelet Bay squid Lolliguncula brevis 13,69.154 Ancelet Brown shrimp Peneaus aztecus 11, 12. 13,22,69,76.154. 195, 196 Ancelet Pink shrimp Peneaus duorarum 113 Ancelet White shrimp Penaeus setiferus 11, 12. 13,22,69.76, 154, 196 Ancelet Grass shrimp Palaemonetes puQio 69,113,154 Ancelet Spiny lobster Panulirus argus Ancelet Blue crab Callinecies sapidus 13.22,69.113.154 Ancelet Gulf stone aab Menippe adina 69. 113 Ancelet Bull shark Carcharhinus leucas 69, 94, 122 Ancelet Tarpon Megalops allanticus Ancelet Alabama shad Alosa alabamae Ancelet Gulf menhaden Brevoonia palronus 13,22.69,92,122.128,154,162 Ancelet Yellowfin menhaden Brevoonia smithii Ancelet Gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum 13,69, 122.126 Ancelet Bay anchovy Anchoa milchilli 13.22,69,122.128.154.162 Ancelet Hardhead carfish Arius telis 13,69, 122.128,154.162 Ancelet Sheepshead minow Cyprinodon vaneqatus 69, 122.128, 162 Ancelet Gulf killifish Fundulus qrandis 69, 122,128, 162 Ancelet Atlantic silversides Menidia species 69, 122,128 Ancelet Snook Centropomus undecemalis Ancelet Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix 128 Ancelet Blue runner Caranx crysus 80 Ancelet Crevalle jack Caranx hippos 13.69,80,84.122,128.154 Ancelet Flonda pompano Trachinolus carolinus 69,80, 128 Ancelet Gray snapper Lutjanus griseus 128 Ancelet Sheepshead Archosarqus probatocephalus 13,69,122.128.154.162 Ancelet Pinfish Lagodon rhomboides 69, 122.128, 154.162 Ancelet Silver perch Bairdiella chysoura 13,69.122,128.154,162 Ancelet Sand seatrout Cynosaon arenarius 13,22.69, 122,128. 154 Ancelet Spotted seatrout Cynosaon nebulosus 13,69. 122, 128, 154 Ancelet Spot Leiostomus xanlhurus 13.22,69, 122.128,154.162 Ancelet Atlantic croaker Micrqpogonias undulatus 13.22,69, 122. 128, 154, 162 Ancelet Black drum Poqonlas cromis 13,69,122.128,154 Ancelet Red drum Sciaenops ocellalus 21.69.122.128,189 Ancelet Striped mullet Muqil cephalus 69,122,126, 128.162 Ancelet Code goby Cobiosoma robuslum 128 Ancelet Spanish mackerel Scomberomorus maculatus 69. 122, 128, 154 Ancelet Gulf flounder Paralichlhys albiguna 128 Ancelet, Thompson Southern flounder Paraliahys lethosliqma 13,69,81,122,128.162 Ancelet Numbers correspond to references listed in Appendix 4, References, pp 73-82. Names correspond to individuals listed in Appendix 3, Personal Communications, p. 71 . 64 Appendix 2, continued. Table of references and personal communications Species Mississippi River Bay scallop Arqopecten irradians Ancelet American oyster Crassostrea viralnica 142 Ancelet Common rangia Rangia cuneata Ancelet Hard dam Mercenaria species Ancelet Bay squid LolliQunajla brevis Ancelet Brown shrimp Peneaus aziecvs 12,13,15,22,59,76, 168 Ancelet PinK shnmp Peneaus duorarum Ancelet White shrimp Penaeus setiterus 12,15,59,76,168 Ancelet Grass shrimp Pataemonetes puoio Ancelet Spiny lobster Panulirus arqus Ancelet Blue crab Callinectes sapidus Ancelet Gull stone crab Menippe adina Ancelet Bull shari( Carcharhinus leucas 122 Ancelet Tarpon Meqalops atlanlicus Ancelet Alabama shad Alosa alabamae Ancelet Gult menhaden Brevoonia palronus 86,87, 122,169, 175, 191 Ancelet Yellowtin menhaden Brevoonia smithii Ancelet Gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum 77, 122 Ancelet Bay anchovy Anchoa mitchilli 122 Ancelet Hardhead catfish Arius felis 122.129 Ancelet Sheepshead minow Cyprinodon variepalus 122, 134 Ancelet Gulf klllifish Fundulus grandis 122,134 Ancelet Atlantic silversides Menidia species 77,122 Ancelet SnooK Cenlropomus undecemalis Ancelet Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix Ancelet Blue runner Caranx crysus Ancelet Crevalle jack Caranx hippos 84,122 Ancelet Florida pompano Trachinotus carolinus Ancelet Gray snapper Lutjanus griseus Ancelet Sheepshead Archosargus probatocephalus 122 Ancelet Pinfish Lagodon rhomboides 122 Ancelet Silver perch Bairdiella chysoura 122 Ancelet Sand seatrout Cynoscion arenarius 122 Ancelet Spotted seatrout CYnoscion nebulosus 122, 169 Ancelet Spot Leioslomus xanthurus 85,86,122 Ancelet Atlantic croaker Micropogonias undulalus 86, 122. 169 Ancelet Black drum Pogonias cromis 122 Ancelet Red drum Sciaenops ocellalus 122 Ancelet Striped mullet Mugil cephalus 122 Ancelet Code goby Cobiosoma robustum Ancelet Spanish mackerel Scomberomorus maculalus 122 Ancelet Gulf flounder Paralichthys albigutta Ancelet, Thompson Southern flounder Paralicthys lethostigma 122 Ancelet Numbers correspond to references listed in Appendix 4, References, pp. 73-82. Names correspond to individuals listed In Appendix 3, Personal Communications, p. 71. 65 Appendix 2, continued. Table of references and personal communications Species Barataria Bay Bay scallop ArQopecten irradians Dameier , Schexnayder American oyster Crassostrea virginica I 23. 43.68. 93, 183 Dameier, Scnexnayder Common rangia Rangia cuneata 23. 153 Dameier. Schexnayder Hard clam Mercenaiia species Dameier, Schexnayder Bay squid LolliQuncula brevis 13 Dameier, Schexnayder Brown snrimp Peneaus azlecus 11, 12. 13, 14, 15,20,22,26,32,43,76,90,93. 117, 168. 170, 195, 196 1 Dameier, Schexnayder \ Pink shnmp Peneaus duorarum Dameier, Schexnayder White snrimp Penaeus setiterus 11, 12,13, 14, 15.20,22,26,32,43,76,93.168,196 Dameier, Schexnayder , Grass shrimp Palaemoneies puaio 13,26 . Dameier, Schexnayder 1 Spiny lobster Panulirus argus ! Dameier, Schexnayder Blue crab Callineaes sapidus 13,22,26,43,118,200 1 Dameier, Schexnayder ' Gulf stone crab Menippe adina 13 1 Dameier, Schexnayder 1 Bull shark 1 9. 46, 88 Carcharhinus leucas Dameier, Schexnayder Tarpon Megalops allanlicus 46, 88 I Dameier, Schexnayder Alabama snad Alosa alabamae 46,71,88 Dameier, Schexnayder Gulf menhaden Brevoonia palronus 9, 13.22.26.43,46,49, 57,71,86,87,88,90,95, 163, 164, 167. 169, 188, 191,200 Dameier, Schexnayder Yellowfin menhaden Brevoonia smilhii Dameier, Schexnayder Gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum 9, 13,26,46,57,88. 163, 164, 188,200 Dameier, Schexnayder Bay anchovy Anchoa miichilli 9.13,22,26,43,46,57,71,88,95, 164, 188 Dameier, Schexnayder Hardhead catfish Anus lelis 9.13,26,46,57,71.88,163,164 Dameier, Schexnayder 1 Sheepshead minow Cvprinodon vanegatus 9, 26, 43, 46, 57, 70, 71 , 88, 163. 164 Dameier, Schexnayder : Gulf killitish j9, 26, 43,46, 57, 70, 71,88, 163. 164 , Fundulus grandis 1 Dameier, Schexnayder ] Atlantic silversides Menidia speaes 9, 13,26,43,46.57,71,88, 163, 164,200 1 Dameier, Schexnayder Snook Cenlropomus undecemalis 91 1 Dameier, Schexnayder i Bluedsh Pomalomus saltatnx 26,46,57,71,88 ! Dameier, Schexnayder Blue runner Caranx crysus 71,80,88 Dameier, Schexnayder Crevalle jack Caranx hippos 9, 13,46,57,71.80,88,95.164 Dameier, Schexnayder Flonda pompano Trachinolus carolinus 6,9, 13. 17, 18,46,57,71,80.88, 164 Dameier, Schexnayder Gray snapper Lulianus griseus 9.46,88, 164 Dameier, Schexnayder Sheepshead Archosargus probaiocephalus 9, 13,26,46,49,57,67, 71.88, 163, 164 Dameier, Schexnayder Pinfish Lagodon rhomboides 9. 26, 46, 49, 57, 67. 71. 88. 163. 164 Dameier, Schexnayder Silver perch Bairdiella chysoura 9.13,26,46,57,71,88,95, 164 Dameier, Schexnayder Sand seatrout Cynosdon arenarius 9, 13, 22, 26, 43, 46, 49, 57, 71 , 88, 95. 154 Dameier, Schexnayder Sponeo seatrout Cynosoon nebulosus 9. 13,26,43,46,57,71, 88,95, 102. 104, 152, 163, 164, 169 Dameier, Schexnayder Spot Leioslomus xanthurus 9, 13,22.26,43,46,49,57,71,74.85,86,87,88,95,156, 163.164, 188 ; Dameier, Schexnayder Atlantic croaker Micropogonias undulalus 9. 13,22.26,43,46,49,57,71.74,86.85.87,88,95.156, 159. 164. 169, 188,200 Dameier, Schexnayder i Black dmm Pogonias cromis 9,26.46,50,71.88. 163, 164 Dameier, Schexnayder Red dnjm Sciaenops ocellatus 16, 26. 46. 49, 71, 88. 103, 152, 163, 164, 189 Dameier, Schexnayder Sinped mullet Mugil cephalus 9. 26, 43, 46, 49. 71. 88. 163, 164, 200 Dameier, Schexnayder Code goby Cobiosoma robuslum 46, 88 Dameier, Schexnayder Spanish mackerel Scomberomorus maculaius 9, 13,26,46,48,49,71,88, 164 Dameier, Schexnayder Gulf flounder ParalichthYS albiguna 71. 164 Dameier, Schexnayder, Thompson 1 Southern flounder Paraliclhys lelhostigma 9.13,26,46,57.71,72,88,95,164 1 Dameier, Schexnayder 1 Numbers correspond to references listed in Appendix 4, References, pp 73-82 Names correspond to individuals listed in Appendix 3. Personal Communications, p. 71 . 66 Appendix 2, continued. Table of references and personal communications Species Terrebonne/Timbalier Bays Bay scallop ArQopeaen irradians Adkins, Bourqeois. Guillory American oyster Crassostrea virainica Adklns, Bourqeois. Guillory Common rangia Rangia cuneata Adkins, Bourgeois, Guillory Hard dam Mercenaria species 63 Adkins, Bourqeois, Guillory Bay squid Lolliguncula brevis 3,13 Adkins, Bourqeois, Guillory Brown shrimp Peneaus aztecus 3,11, 12, 13,22,63,76,90, 195, 196 Adkins, Bourqeois, Guillory Pink shrimp Peneaus duoranim 3,11.13 Adkins, Bourqeois, Guillory White shrimp Penaeus setiterus 3,11,12, 13,22,76,131,196 Adkins, Bourqeois, Guillory Grass shrimp Palaemoneles puQio 3,13 Adkins, Bourqeois, Guillory Spiny lobster Panulirus argus Adkins, Bourqeois, Guillory Blue crab Callinecies sapidus 1,2,3,13,22,63 Gulf stone crab Menippe adina 2,3 Adkins, Bourqeois, Guillory Bull shark Carchartiinus leucas 2.4 Adkins, Bourqeois, Guillory Tarpon Megalops atlanlicus Adkins, Bourqeois, Guillory Alabama shad Alosa alabamae Adkins, Bourqeois, Guillory Gulf menhaden Brevoorlia palronus 2,3,13,22.90,146 Adkins, Bourgeois, Guillory Yellowfin menhaden Brevoortia smithii Adkins, Bourqeois, Guillory Gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum 2,3,13,146 Adkins, Bourqeois, Guillory Bay anchovy Anchoa mitchilli 3,13,22. 146 Adkins, Bourqeois, Guillory Hardhead catfish Anus lelis 2,3,4. 13,146 Adkins, Bourqeois, Guillory Sheepshead minow Cypnnodon variegatus 3 Adkins, Bourqeois, Guillory Gulf killifish Fundulus grandis 3 Adkins, Bourqeois, Guillory Atlantic silversides Menidia species 3 Snook Cenlropomus undecemalis Adkins, Bourqeois, Guillory Bluefish Pomatomus sallatrix 2,3,4,146 Adkins, Bourqeois, Guillory Blue runner Caranx aysus 4 Adkins, Bourgeois, Guillory Crevalle jack Caranx hippos 2,3,4,13,146 Adkins, Bourgeois, Guillory Florida pompano Trachinotus carolinus 2,4 Adkins, Bourqeois, Guillory Gray snapper Lutianus griseus 3,4 Adkins, Bourqeois, Guillory Sheepshead Archosargus probatocephalus 2,3,4 Adkins, Bourqeois, Guillory Pinflsh Lagodon rhomboides 2,3,4,13 Silver perch Bairdiella chysoura 2,3,13,146 Adkins, Bourqeois, Guillory Sand seatrout Cvnoscion arenarius 2,3,13,22,146 Spotted seatrout Cynoscion nebulosus 2,3,4, 13, 146 Adkins, Bourqeois, Guillory Spot Leiostomus xanthurus 2,3,4, 13,22, 146 Adkins, Bourqeois, Guillory Atlantic croaker Miaopogonias undulatus 2,3.4, 13,22, 146 Adkins, Bourqeois. Guillory Black drum Pogonias cromis 2.3 Adkins, Bourqeois, Guillory Red drum Sdaenops ocellatus 2,3,4,189 Adkins, Bourqeois, Guillory Striped mullet Mugil cephalus 2,3, 13 Adkins, Bourgeois, Guillory Code goby Cobiosoma robustum Adkins, Bourqeois, Guillory Spanish mackerel Scomberomonjs maculatus 2,3,4,146 Adkins, Bourgeois, Guiilory Gulf flounder Paralichthys albiguna Adkins, Bourgeois, Guillory, Tfiompson Southern flounder Paralicthys lethostigma 2.3,4, 13,146 Adkins, Bourgeois, Guillory Numbers correspond to references listed in Appendix 4. References, pp. 73-82. Names correspond to individuals listed in Appendix 3, Personal Communications, p. 71 67 Appendix 2. continued. Table of references and personal communications Species Bay scallop Araooecten irradians Atchiafalaya/Vermilion Bays 'Juneau, D. Rogers American oyster Crassostrea virginica 93 , Juneau. D. Rogers Common rangia RanQia cuneata Hard dam Mercenana spedes 52.82,83. 112, 125 Juneau, D. Rogers Juneau, P. Rogers Bay sguid LolliQunajla brevis 13. 119 Juneau, D Rogers Brown shnmp Peneaus aztecus 11, 12, 13,22,51,52,76, 101, 105, 110, 119. 120, 125, 160, 193, 194 I Juneau, D. Rogers Pink shnmp Peneaus duoranim I Juneau, D. Rogers Whitf shrimp P ;naeus senlerus 111,12, 13,22,51,52,76,101, 105, 119, 120, 125, 131, 160, 193, 194. 196 j Juneau, P. Rogers Grass shnmp Palaemoneles puQio 13, 105, 114. 119, 125. 160, 193, 194 Juneau, P. Rogers Spiny lobster Panulirus argus Blue crab Callinecies sapidus Juneau, P Rogers 13,22,51,52, 105, 114, 119, 125. 143, 160, 193, 194 Juneau, P. Rogers Gulf stone aab Menippe adina 13, 119 Juneau, P. Rogers Bull shark Carcharhinus leucas 24.46, 138 Juneau, P. Rogers Tarpon Meqalops arlanticus 138 Juneau, P. Rogers Alabama shad Alosa alabamae Juneau. P. Rogers Juneau. u. nuyt;r:> 13, 22, 44, 45, 46, 47, 51, 52, 114. 119, 125, 138, 144. 160. 178, 193, 194 Juneau, D. Rogers Gulf menhaden Brevooma palronus Yellowfin menhaden Brevooma smithii 138 Juneau, P. Rogers Gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum 13, 46, 52, 79, 105, 114, 119. 125, 126, 138. 144, 178, 193, 194 Juneau, 0. Rogers Bay anchovy Anchoa milchilli 13, 22.46, 52, 105, 114, 119, 125, 138, 144, 160, 178, 194 Juneau, P. Rogers Hardhead catfish Anus tells 13. 46, 52. 105, 119. 125, 138, 144, 178. 193. 194 Juneau, P. Rogers Sheepshead minow Cypnnodon vahegatus 46, 105, 114, 119, 138, 160, 178, 193,194 Juneau, P. Rogers GulfKillifish Fundulus qrandls 46, 105. 114, 119, 138, 160. 178. 194 Juneau, D. Rogers Atlantic silversides Menidia species 46, 105, 114, 119, 138, 144, 160, 178, 193, 194 Juneau, P. Rogers SnooK Centropomus undecemalis Juneau, P. Rogers Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix 115. 178 Juneau, P. Rogcirs Blue runner Caranx crysus 115 Juneau, P. Rogers Crevalle jacK Caranx hippos 46,51, 105, 114, 119, 138, 144, 178. 194 Juneau, P. Rogers Florida pompano Trachmotus carollnus 138, 178 Juneau, P. Rogers Gray snapper Lurjanus griseus 178 Juneau, P. Rogers Sheepshead Arctiosarpus probatocephalus 13,46.51,52, 114,105, 119, 120, 138. 144. 178, 193, 194 Juneau, P. Rogers Pintish Lagodon rnomboides 46, 52. 105. 114, 119, 125. 138, 144, 178. 193. 194 Juneau, P. Rogers Silver perch Bairdlella chysoura 13. 46. 105. 114. 119. 125. 138. 144. 178. 194 Juneau. P. Rogers Sand seatrout Cynosaon arenarlus 13.22.46.51.52. 105, 114. 119, 120, 125, 138, 144, 160. 178. 194 Juneau. D Rogers Sponed seatrout Cynosaon nebulosus 13.46.51,52, 105, 109, 119, 125, 138, 144, 178 Juneau, D. Rogers Spot Leioslomus xanthurus 13,22,46,51,52, 105, 114, 119, 120, 125, 138, 144, 160. 178. 193.194 Juneau, P. Rogers Atlantic croaKer Micropogonias undulaius BlacK drum Pogonias cromis 13. 22. 46. 51. 105, 114, 119, 120, 125, 138, 144, 160. 178. 193. 194 Juneau, P. Rogers 13, 46, 52, 105, 114, 119, 120, 125, 138, 144. 178. 193. 194 Juneau. P. Rogers Red drum Sciaenops ocellaius 46. 119. 125. 138. 178. 189. 193. 194 Juneau. P. Rogers Striped mullet Mugll cephalus 46.51,52,79. 105. 114. 119. 126. 138. 144, 160, 178, 193, 194 Juneau. P. Rogers Code goby Cobiosoma robustum Juneau. P. Rogers Spanish mackerel Scomberomorus maculatus 13.51. 119. 138. 144. 178 Juneau. P. Rogers Gulf flounder Parallchthys alblgutta Southern flounder Paralicltiys lethostigma Czapla. Juneau. P Rogers. Thompson 13.46.51.52. 105. 119. 120. 125. 138. 144, 178, 193, 194 Juneau, P Rogers Numbers correspond to references listed in Appendix 4, References, pp. 73-82. Names correspond to individuals listed in Appendix 3. Personal Communications, p. 71. 68 Appendix 2, continued. Table of references and personal communications Species Calcasieu Lake Bay scallop ArQopecten irradians Carver, Ferauson, B. Rooers American oyster Crassostrea vIrQinica 93,185,197 Carver, Ferauson, B. Rooers Common rangia Ranqia cuneata 75,112 Carver, Ferguson, B. Roqers Hard clam Mercenaria species Carver, Ferguson, 8. Roaers Bay squid LolliQuncula brevis 10.13,115.187 Carver, Ferguson, B. Rogers Brown shrimp Peneaus azleais 11, 12, 13, 22. 75, 76, 90, 98, 107, 108, 115, 124, 132, 150, 157, 158, 195, 196 Carver, Ferguson, B. Roqers Pink shrimp Peneaus duorarum Carver, Ferguson, B. Rogers White shrimp Penaeus setiterus 11, 12. 13.22,76. 107. 108. 115. 132, 150. 157. 158, 196 Carver. Ferguson, B. Rogers Grass shrimp Palaemonetes pupio 13,75,107,157,158 Carver, Ferguson, B Rogers Spiny lobster Panulirus arqus Carver, Ferguson, B. Rogers Blue crab Callinectes sapidus 13,22,75,98, 107, 108, 115, 157, 158 Carver, Ferguson, B. Rogers Gulf stone crab Menippe adina 13,158 Can/er, Ferguson, B. Rogers Bull shark Carcharhinus leucas 7 Carver, Ferguson, B. Rogers Tarpon Meqalops atlanticus Carver, Ferquson, B. Rogers Alabama shad Alosa alabamae Carver. Ferquson, B^ Roqers Gulf menhaden Brevoortia patronus 7, 13. 22, 64. 66. 90, 98. 107. 108. 115. 132, 157, 158, 165, 166, 184, 186 Carver, Ferquson, B. Roqers Yellowfin menhaden Brevoortia smithii 151 Carver, Ferguson, B Rogers Gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum 7, 13,64, 107, 151, 158 Carver. Ferguson, B. Rogers Bay anchovy Anchoa mitchilli 7, 13,22,66,98, 107, 108, 115, 151, 157, 158, 184,186 Carver, Ferquson, B. Roqers Hardhead catfish Arius tells 7,13,107,115, 151.157,158 Carver, Ferquson, B. Roqers Sheepshead minow Cyprinodon varlepalus 7,64, 107, 151. 157, 158 Carver, Ferguson, B. Rogers Gulf killifish Fundulus qrandls 7,107,151.157 Carver, Ferguson, B. Rogers Atlantic silversides Menidia spedes 13,64, 107.151, 157, 158 Carver, Ferguson, B. Rogers Snook Cenlropomus undecemalis Carver, Ferguson, B. Rogers Bluefish Pomalomus saltalrix 7 Carver, Ferguson, B. Rogers Blue runner Caranx crysus Carver, Ferguson, B. Roqers Crevalle jack Caranx hippos 13. 115, 151, 158 Carver, Ferquson, B. Roqers Florida pompano Trachinotus carollnus 17,18,115,158 Carver, Ferquson, B Roqers Gray snapper Lutianus qriseus 158 Carver, Ferquson, B. Roqers Sheepshead Archosarqus probalocephalus 7,13,107,115, 151,158 Carver, Ferquson, B. Roqers Pinfish Laqodon rhomboides 7, 13, 115, 158 Carver, Ferquson, B. Rogers Silver perch Bairdlella chysoura 7.13,115, 151, 158 Carver, Ferquson, B. Roqers Sand seatrout Cynosdon arenarlus 7, 13,22,34,36,98, 107, 108, 115, 151, 157, 158, 166, 193 Carver, Ferquson, B Roqers Spotted seatrout Cynosdon nebulosus 7, 13, 107, 108, 109, 115, 151. 157, 158 Carver, Ferquson, B Roqers Spot Leioslomus xanthuais 7,13,22,34.36,107,108, 115,151,158 Carver, Ferquson, B. Roqers Atlantic croaker MIcropoqonlas undulatus 7, 8, 13, 22, 31, 34, 35, 36, 98, 107, 108, 115, 123, 132. 151, 157, 158, 198, 199 Carver, Ferquson, B. Roqers Black drum Poqonias cromis 7, 13,34,36, 115, 158 Carver, Ferquson, B. Roqers Red drum Sdaenops ocellatus 7,13, 107, 115, 151, 157, 158, 189 Carver, Ferquson, B- Roqers Stnped mullet Muqil cephalus 7, 13, 98, 107, 108, 115, 137, 151. 157, 158 Carver, Ferquson, B. Roqers Code goby Cobiosoma robuslum 158 Carver, Ferquson, B Roqers Spanish mackerel Scomberomorus maculatus 7,13,115,158 Carver, Ferguson, B Rogers Gulf flounder Paralldithys alblqutta 158 Carver. Czapla. Ferquson. B. Roqers. Thomoson Southern flounder Parallahys lethostlqma 7,13, 107.115, 151,157,158 Carver, Ferquson, B Roqers Numbers correspond to references listed in Appendix 4, References, pp. 73-82. Names correspond to individuals listed in Appendix 3. Personal Communications, p. 71. 69 Appendix 3. Personal communications Name Affiliation Adkins, G.B. Ancelet, R. Bourgeois, M. Carver, D.C. Czapla, T.E. Dameier, J. Demoran, W. Ferguson, T. Guillory, V. Herke, W. Juneau, C.L. Rogers, B. Rogers, D. Savoie, L.B. Schexnayder, M. Soniat, T. Waller, R. Warren, J.R. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Borg, LA -Louisiana -Department of Wildlifeand Fisheries, Wew Orleans, LA Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Borg, LA Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Lake Charles, LA National Marine Fisheries Service, Galveston, TX Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Baton Rouge, LA Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, Ocean Springs, MS Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Lake Charles, LA Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Borg, LA Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, New Iberia, LA Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, New Orleans, LA Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Baton Rouge, LA University of New Orleans, New Orteans, LA Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, Ocean Springs, MS Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, Ocean Springs, MS 71 Appendix 4. References Baton Rouge, LA. LSU-CFI-85-24 : 126 p. 1 . Adkins, G. 1972. Notes on the occurrence and distribution of the rhizocephalan parasite (Loxothyla- cus texanus Boschma) of the blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus Rathbun) in Louisiana estuaries. Louisiana Wild Life and Fisheries Commission Oyster Water Bottoms and Seafood Division, Technical Bulletin No. 2: 13 p. 2. Adkins, G., and I^.J. Bourgeois. 1982. An evalu- ation of gill nets of various mesh sizes. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Technical Bulletin Number 36: 59 p. 3. Adkins, G., and P. Bowman. 1976. A study of the fauna in dredged canals of coastal Louisiana. Louisi- ana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission Technical Bulletin Number 18: 72 p. 4. Adkins, G.,V.Guillory, and M. Bourgeois. Unpub- lished Manuscript. An access point survey of recrea- tional saltwater anglers. Project No. 2- 349-R, Louisi- ana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries : 43 p. 5. Adkins, G., J. Tarver, P. Bowman, and B. Savoie. 1979. A study of the commercial finfish in coastal Louisiana. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fish- eries Technical Bulletin Number 29: 87 p. 6. Allen, K.O., and J.W. Avault, Jr. 1970. Effects of salinity and water quality on survival and growth of juvenile pompano, Trachinotuscarolinus. Coast. Stud. Bull. 5:147-155. 7. Arnold!, D.C. 1982. Certain aspects of the life history and habits of spotted seatrout in Calcasieu Lake, Louisiana. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, D-J CCompletion Report, Project F-32. 97 P- 8. Amoldi, D.C, W.H. Herke, and E.J. Clairain, Jr. 1973. Estimate of growth rate and length of stay in a marsh nursery of juvenile Atlantic croaker, Micropogon undulatus (Linnaeus), "sandblasted" with fluorescent pigments. Proc. Gulf & Carib. Fish. Inst. 26: 158-172. 9. Bahr, L.M., and J.J. Hebrard. 1976. Barataria Basin: Biological characterization. Center for Wet- lands Resources, LSU, Baton Rouge. Sea Grant Publication Number LSU-T-76-005 : 144 p. 10. Bane, G.W., R.L. Allen, J.H. Render, T. Farooqi, and AC. Wagner. 1985. Biology, ecology and eco- nomics of squid and buttertish off the northern Gulf of Mexico. Quarterly Report, July 1985, Coastal Fisher- ies Institute, Center for Wetlands Resources, LSU, 11. Barrett, B.B., and M.C. Gillespie. 1975. 1975 Environmental conditions relative to shrimp production in coastal Louisiana. Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission Technical Bulletin Number 15: 22 p. 12. Barrett, B.B., and M.C. Gillespie. 1973. Primary factors which influence commercial production incoastal Louisiana. Louisiana Wild Life and Fisheries Commis- sion, New Orteans, Louisiana 9: 28 p. 13. Barrett, B.B., J.L. Merrell, T.P. Morrison, M.C. Gillespie, E.J. Ralph, and J.F. Burden. 1978. A study of Louisiana's major estuaries and adjacent offshore waters. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisher- ies Technical Bulletin Number 27: 197 p. 14. Barrett, B.B., and E.J. Ralph. 1976. 1976 Envi- ronmental conditions relative to shrimp production in coastal Louisiana. Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission Technical Bulletin Number 21 : 20 p. 15. Barrett, B.B., and E.J. Ralph. 1977. 1977 Environ- mental conditions relative to shrimp production in coastal Louisiana along with shrimp catch data for the Gulf of Mexico. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisher- ies Technical Bulletin Number 26: 16 p. 16. Bass, R.J., and J.W. Avault. 1975. Food habits, length-weight relationship, condition factor, and growth of juvenile reddmm, Sciaenopsocellata. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 104: 35-45. 17. Bellinger, J.W., and J.W. Avault, Jr. 1970. Sea- sonal occurrence, growth, and length-weight relation- ship of juvenile pompano, Trachinotus carolinus, in Louisiana. Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc. 99(2): 353-358. 18. Bellinger, J.W., and J.W. Avault Jr. 1971. Food habits of juvenile pompano, Trachinotus carolinus, in Louisiana. Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc. 100(3): 486-494. 19. Benson, N.G. (editor). 1982. Life history require- ments of selected finfish and shellfish in Mississippi Sound and adjacent areas. U.S. Fish Wildl. Ser., Off. Biol. Ser., FWS/OBS-81/51 : 97 pp. 20. Blackmon, J.H., Jr. 1974. Observations on the emigration of the brown shrimp, Penaeus aztecus, through a tidal pass in the Caminada Bay, Louisiana, area. M.S. Thesis, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA : 58 p. 21. Boothby, R.N. , and J.W. Avault. 1971. Food habits, length- weight relationship, and condition factor of the red drum (Sciaenops ocellata) in Southeastern 73 Appendix 4, continued. References. Louisiana. Transactions of the American Fistieries Society 100:290-295. 22. Boudreaux, C, G. Adl