DOCSLIB.ORG

Warp-Speed Wahoo Wahoo

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

Rigged and ready for battle, Miami's Top-Vee heads off in search of productive wahoo grounds. tatewide, the unforgettable re- phin are tasty, blackfin tuna pull hard and enthusiasts to effectively target these super- S sults that come with high-speed sailfish lead our pelagic plethora in acrobatic fast speedsters at ridiculous trolling speeds wahoo trolling are typically the abilities, but when it comes to shear velocity, once thought impossible. Forget 12, 14 or same - periods of anticipation highlighted wahoo swim alone! For decades, anglers in- even 16-knots, how about 20-knots plus! You by bursts of blistering strikes. Neverthe- the-know have been taking these ferocious heard right; 20-knots plus! Warp-Speed less, one thing is for certain, two or three fighters by means of a variety of tactics; live To cash in on this adrenaline-filled fish- drag-screaming wahoo in a row will quick- bait fishing…slow-trolling…kite-fishing…all ery, understanding the tips, tricks, tackle endlessimagery.com ly satisfy any blue-water angler’s expecta- are effective and all continue to account for and techniques employed during these tions – that’s a guarantee! respectable numbers of these highly-prized insanely fast pursuits will surely help put For Florida anglers, wahoo represent the game fish year after year. Recntly, advance- more trophy ‘hoo in the box! The laT esT obsession in T he making… pinnacle of offshore excitement. Sure, dol- ments in technology have permitted wahoo BY CAPTAIN MIKE GENOUN Wahoo PHOTOGRAPHY: 52-109.indd 58 10/15/08 2:59:14 PM 52-109.indd 59 10/15/08 2:59:21 PM warp-Speed Warp-Speed waHoo Wahoo When the men is not unheard of and How big do an otherwise gently slop- bite is on, the wahoo grow? results can definitely not hard to be- Just ask the ing region. Fortunately for be more than lieve, especially for such a crew aboard impressive. Zephyros. warp-speed wackos resid- specialized hunter capable ing in the southeast stretch of racing through dense ocean depths at of the state through the prolific Florida I-95 speeds. Keys, promising grounds mean a short run Typically, wahoo are not a school- of only a few miles. For Gulf Coast gurus ing fish. They tend to be solitary hunt- the story is not the same, as a significant ers, although they may occur in loose amount of fuel may need to be sacrificed congregations patrolling the same in order to reach pay dirt. forage-rich strike zones. Their diet con- Temperature breaks…current rips… sists primarily of bonito, juvenile tuna, floating debris…the presence of bait- mackerel, dolphinfish and squid. How- fish…working birds…all are signs that ever, a hungry wahoo will not hesitate can lead to warp-speed success and chasing down and devouring just about should not be overlooked. anything that is unfortunate enough to swim in its field of view. When to put the pedal to the metal HiGH Speed wHat While wahoo are caught during every The debate still continues over the true month of the year, the season many of definition of “high-speed” trolling, as us highly anticipate generally peaks just one man’s “fast” may be another’s “slow.” a week or two before Thanksgiving and One thing that we know for certain is Some may try and convince you that runs strong through the tail end of March. that you can’t outrun a full-grown ‘hoo. trolling for any pelagic at such a high rate of Unfortunately, this same time frame co- They’re simply too fast. For the sake of speed is at best a futile attempt at offshore incides with the strongest winds of the Get to know ‘Hoo The business end of a wahoo is this application, anything less than 14 to “ success. They would be incorrect. year (hurricane season aside), and can In case your offshore career just got equipped with large upper and lower in- 16-knots and consider yourself searching create treacherous conditions best left to underway, here is a brief introduction cisors lined with closely positioned den- for dolphin. To truly enjoy the benefits ing for any pelagic at such a high rate of Wahoo Where super-size sportos. However, windows of to the target species. Wahoo are found tures as sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel. While of ultra high-speed wahoo trolling, get speed is ludacrious and nothing more Regardless where your search pattern lies, opportunity do open, allowing small to worldwide in both tropical and subtropi- little is still known about their character- the boat up on plane and push the guage than a waste of precious fuel. They would a number of factors remain the same. mid-size open-fisherman an equal oppor- cal seas. The missile-like fish’s blistering istics, it is believed growth is rapid. Under up to 20-knots. Trust me, if you put in the be incorrect. Structure is key. Distinct ledges…drop- tunity to safely and effectively cash in on speed and top-quality table fare distin- ideal conditions, gaining close to two- time; you, too, will become a believer! One of the advantages of trolling at offs…just about any irregularity lying be- the chaotic wintertime action. guish it as a prize catch for anglers of all pounds per month for a maturing speci- Some may try and convince you that troll- cruising speed is that you can relocate be- low 100 to 300-feet of clean, nutrient-rich skill levels. Shaped like a deadly torpedo, tween promising areas that are relatively blue-water that attracts bait; will attract tackle hoW a wahoo’s elongated body is covered with The missile-like fish’s blistering speed and close in a short period of time without wahoo, too. Fifty miles off the First Coast, Appropriate gear for this fishery does not small, barely visible scales for minimal re- top-quality table fare distinguish it as a prize having to retrieve your spread. An addi- even a minimal drop-off from 180-feet to come easy, and is certainly not for the faint sistance. For a few extra mph when they catch for anglers of all skill levels. tional benefit is the tremendous amount 200-feet is a significant wahoo-magnet in of heart. For starters, stout aluminum- need it most, wahoo tuck their peck and “ of productive water you can cover. In only dorsal fins into perfectly streamlined in- a few hours of fishing, you can effectively dentations. Most don’t know this, but troll your lures for over 60-miles! Taking ndlessimagery.com wahoo also have the supernatural ability e this fact into consideration, it stands to exude a unique slime coat that makes to reason that the more promising ter- their body extra slippery during sudden ritory you pull your It pays to prepare bursts of aggression. baits through, the more for the elements Propulsion for this magnificent hunt- likely you are to cross when targeting wintertime 'hoo. er is generated by a powerful tail fin gy- paths with the targeted rating back and forth at unimaginable species and thus, the more strikes you speeds. Close cousins to the Armed with will potentially experience. Also, speed is king mackerel, wahoo are razor sharp clearly an enticement for wahoo, as these dentures, camouflaged in a mythical- wahoo fish thrive on tuna and bonito, some of like striped pattern high- are killing the fastest fish in the sea. Any consis- machines. lighted by iridescent hues tently successful wahoo angler will tell of silver and blue, which quickly fade to you wahoo enjoy a good chase. Lets also a pale bluish gray at death. From above (3), right) wolfden.com from bottom (clockwise not forget that when ’hoos smash a lure or below, these silent hunters magically trolled at such high speed, a solid hook 60 melt into their surroundings, leaving set is fairly certain - a positive factor for 61 unsuspecting prey no chance of escaping a fishery that is not about catch and re- their deadly attacks. PHOTOGRAPHY: lease, but rather about catch and kill! FSF MAG NOVEMBER.DECEMBER.2008 FLORIDASPORTFISHING.COM FSF MAG 52-109.indd 60 10/15/08 2:59:29 PM 52-109.indd 61 10/15/08 2:59:37 PM Warp-Speed Warp-Speed Wahoo Wahoo this fact may be true, options do exist. Ballyhood Lures based in crews devote the first two or three hours of light to high-speed- Santa Ana, California, is one particular manufacturer who has taken ing and then switch off in search of other species. One thing to high-speed wahoo trolling to a whole new level with the introduc- consider is that records and rumors both indicate that a greater RunnInG tion of the Banchee. I have caught numerous fish on this lure, so I number of these magnificent fish fall victim to anglers’ efforts lIne believe in it! Water pours through the Banchee, rather than around during the first hour or two after sunrise. However make no it. Its open-face provides virtually no resistance and keeps the lure mistake; these highly specialized predators kill from dawn to tracking in the strike zone at ridiculously high speeds. A 32 or 48 dusk. Get out there and give warp-speed wahoo trolling a try. If oz. Banchee can effectively be pulled at 20-plus knots without the at first you don’t succeed, don’t give up. Good things come to addition of a trolling lead. For an added level of enticement, the those who put in the time.
Recommended publications
  • LEVELS in INDIAN MACKEREL Rastrelliger Kanagurta (SCOMBRIDAE) from KARACHI FISH HARBOUR and ITS RISK ASSESSMENT Quratulan Ahmed1,*, Levent Bat2

    LEVELS in INDIAN MACKEREL Rastrelliger Kanagurta (SCOMBRIDAE) from KARACHI FISH HARBOUR and ITS RISK ASSESSMENT Quratulan Ahmed1,*, Levent Bat2

    9(3): 012-016 (2015) Journal of FisheriesSciences.com E-ISSN 1307-234X © 2015 www.fisheriessciences.com ORIGINAL ARTICLE Research Article MERCURY (Hg) LEVELS IN INDIAN MACKEREL Rastrelliger kanagurta (SCOMBRIDAE) FROM KARACHI FISH HARBOUR AND ITS RISK ASSESSMENT Quratulan Ahmed1,*, Levent Bat2 1The Marine Reference Collection and Resources Centre, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270 Pakistan 2University of Sinop, Fisheries Faculty, Department of Hydrobiology, TR57000 Sinop, Turkey Received: 03.04.2015 / Accepted: 24.04.2015 / Published online: 28.04.2015 Abstract: The present study was conducted to determine Hg levels in edible tissues of the Indian mackerel Rastrelliger kanagurta collected at Karachi Harbour of Pakistan between March 2013 and February 2014. Hg levels ranged from 0.01 to 0.09 with mean ± SD 0.042 ± 0.023 mg/kg dry wt. The Hg level in R. kanagurta is relatively low when compared to those studied in other parts of the world and is able to meet the legal standards by EU Commission Regulation and other international food standards. The findings obtained were also compared with established allowable weekly intake values. It is concluded that the Hg levels in the Indian mackerel from Karachi coasts did not exceed the permission limits (0.5 mg/kg). The results show that the Indian mackerel appears to be useful bio-indicator due to their accumulation of Hg, however, continued sampling is required for further researches. Keywords: Mercury, Rastrelliger kanagurta, Bio-indicator, Karachi fish harbour, Pakistan *Correspondence to: Quratulan Ahmed, The Marine Reference Collection and Resources Centre, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270 Pakistan E-mail: [email protected] Tel: +92 (345) 2983586 12 Journal of FisheriesSciences.com Ahmed Q and Bat L 9(3): 012-016 (2015) Journal abbreviation: J FisheriesSciences.com Introduction exposure route possibly allowing metal biomagnification up trophic levels in the Indian mackerel R.
  • May-August 2008

    May-August 2008

    ~ UH-NOAA~ Volume 13, Number 2 May–August 2008 What If You Don’t Speak “CPUE-ese”? J. John Kaneko and Paul K. Bartram Introduction Seafood consumers are largely unaware of the environmental conse- quences they implicitly endorse when buying fish from different sources. To more effectively support responsible fisheries, consumers need to be able to easily differentiate seafood harvested in sustainable ways using more “envi- ronmentally friendly” methods from seafood from less sustainable origins. This requires easy access by con- sumers to easy-to-understand infor- mation comparing the “environmen- tal baggage” of competing suppliers of similar seafood products. Existing scientific measures do define such distinctions—but they are often too complex or technical to be easily understood or used by the aver- age seafood consumer. New communi- cation tools for readily conveying such information to non-scientist seafood consumers are needed. Figure 1. Computed Hawai‘i longline tuna fisheries bycatch-to-catch (B/C) ratios were reduced after increased (to greater than 20 percent of the annual fishing trips) observer coverage documented a lower rate of sea- turtle interaction than had the lower previous observer coverage (of less than 5 percent of the annual fishing Successful Efforts at Reducing trips). Sea-turtle interactions were significantly reduced in the Hawai‘i longline swordfish fishery as a result Sea-Turtle “Bycatch” of revised hook-and-bait requirements required by federal regulations that took effect in mid-2004. The Hawai‘i longline fishery, work- The area of the circles is proportional to the number of sea-turtle takes per 418,000 lb of target fish (tuna ing with fisheries scientists and fisheries or swordfish) caught.
  • Diet of Wahoo, Acanthocybium Solandri, from the Northcentral Gulf of Mexico

    Diet of Wahoo, Acanthocybium Solandri, from the Northcentral Gulf of Mexico

    Diet of Wahoo, Acanthocybium solandri, from the Northcentral Gulf of Mexico JAMES S. FRANKS, ERIC R. HOFFMAYER, JAMES R. BALLARD1, NIKOLA M. GARBER2, and AMBER F. GARBER3 Center for Fisheries Research and Development, Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, The University of Southern Mississippi, P.O. Box 7000, Ocean Springs, Mississippi 39566 USA 1Department of Coastal Sciences, The University of Southern Mississippi, P.O. Box 7000, Ocean Springs, Mississippi 39566 USA 2U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA Sea Grant, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 USA 3Huntsman Marine Science Centre, 1Lower Campus Road, St. Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada E5B 2L7 ABSTRACT Stomach contents analysis was used to quantitatively describe the diet of wahoo, Acanthocybium solandri, from the northcen- tral Gulf of Mexico. Stomachs were collected opportunistically from wahoo (n = 321) that were weighed (TW, kg) and measured (FL, mm) at fishing tournaments during 1997 - 2007. Stomachs were frozen and later thawed for removal and preservation (95% ethanol) of contents to facilitate their examination and identification. Empty stomachs (n = 71) comprised 22% of the total collec- tion. Unfortunately, the preserved, un-examined contents from 123 stomachs collected prior to Hurricane Katrina (August 2005) were destroyed during the hurricane. Consequently, assessments of wahoo stomach contents reported here were based on the con- tents of the 65 ‘pre-Katrina’ stomachs, in addition to the contents of 62 stomachs collected ‘post-Katrina’ during 2006 and 2007, for a total of 127 stomachs. Wahoo with prey in their stomachs ranged 859 - 1,773 mm FL and 4.4 - 50.4 kg TW and were sexed as: 31 males, 91 females and 5 sex unknown.
  • Status and Prospects of Mackerel and Tuna Fishery in Bangladesh

    Status and Prospects of Mackerel and Tuna Fishery in Bangladesh

    Status and prospects of mackerel and tuna fishery in Bangladesh Item Type article Authors Rahman, M.J.; Zaher, M. Download date 27/09/2021 01:00:11 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/1834/34189 Bangladesh]. Fish. Res.) 10(1), 2006: 85-92 Status and prospects of mackerel and tuna fishery in Bangladesh M. J. Rahman* and M. Zaher1 Marine Fisheries & Technology Station, Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute Cox's Bazar 4700, Bangladesh 1Present address: BFRI, Freshwater Station, Mvmensingh 2201, Bangladesh *Corresponding author Abstract Present status and future prospects of mackerel and tuna fisheries in Bangladesh were assessed during July 2003-June 2004. The work concentrated on the fishing gears, length of fishes, total landings and market price of the catch and highlighted the prospects of the fishery in Bangladesh. Four commercially important species of mackerels and tuna viz. Scomberomorus guttatus, Scomberomorus commerson, Rastrelliger kanagurta, and Euthynnus affinis were included in the study. About 95% of mackerels and tuna were caught by drift gill nets and the rest were caught by long lines ( 4%) and marine set-bag-net (1 %). Average monthly total landing of mackerels and tunas was about 264 t, of which 147 t landed in Cox's Bazar and 117 tin Chittagong sites. Total catches of the four species in Cox's Bazar and Chittagong sites were found to be 956 and 762 t, respectively. The poor landing was observed during January-February and the peak landing was in November and July. Gross market value of the annual landing of mackerels and tunas (1,718 t) was found to be 1,392 lakh taka.
  • King Mackerel, Scomberomorus Caval/A, Mark-Recapture Studies Off Florida's East Coast

    King Mackerel, Scomberomorus Caval/A, Mark-Recapture Studies Off Florida's East Coast

    King Mackerel, Scomberomorus cavalla, Mark- Recapture Studies Off Florida's East Coast Item Type article Authors Schaefer, H. Charles; Fable, Jr. , William A. Download date 04/10/2021 08:14:11 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/1834/26474 King Mackerel, Scomberomorus caval/a, Mark-Recapture Studies Off Florida's East Coast H. CHARLES SCHAEFER and WILLIAM A. FABLE, JR. Introduction reproductive capacity causing stock re­ Panama City Laboratory, began a co­ ductions and declining recruitment operative mark-recapture study on king King mackerel, Scomberomorus cav­ (Godcharles I). King mackerel have mackerel to determine movements in alla, is a coastal, pelagic scombrid been jointly managed by the South At­ both the Gulf of Mexico and along the found off the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of lantic and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Man­ Atlantic coast. Subsequently, biologists Mexico coasts. This species has histori­ agement Councils since the implemen­ from both agencies tagged king mack­ cally contributed to commercial and tation of the Coastal Pelagic Fishery erel (17,042 releases, 1,171 returns) recreational catches throughout its Management Plan (CPFMP) in 1983. from 1975 through 1979 (Sutherland range in the southeastern United States. The maximum sustainable yield (MSY) and Fable, 1980; Sutter et aI., 1991; Commercial exploitation intensified for the U.S. king mackerel resource is Williams and Godcharles3). Results there in the 1960's with the introduc­ currently estimated at 26.2 million from this study indicated that the spe­ tion of large power-assisted gillnet pounds (NMFS2). cies consisted of at least two migratory boats and spotter aircraft.
  • Spanish Mackerel J

    Spanish Mackerel J

    2.1.10.6 SSM CHAPTER 2.1.10.6 AUTHORS: LAST UPDATE: ATLANTIC SPANISH MACKEREL J. VALEIRAS and E. ABAD Sept. 2006 2.1.10.6 Description of Atlantic Spanish Mackerel (SSM) 1. Names 1.a Classification and taxonomy Species name: Scomberomorus maculatus (Mitchill 1815) ICCAT species code: SSM ICCAT names: Atlantic Spanish mackerel (English), Maquereau espagnol (French), Carita del Atlántico (Spanish) According to Collette and Nauen (1983), the Atlantic Spanish mackerel is classified as follows: • Phylum: Chordata • Subphylum: Vertebrata • Superclass: Gnathostomata • Class: Osteichthyes • Subclass: Actinopterygii • Order: Perciformes • Suborder: Scombroidei • Family: Scombridae 1.b Common names List of vernacular names used according to ICCAT, FAO and Fishbase (www.fishbase.org). The list is not exhaustive and some local names might not be included. Barbados: Spanish mackerel. Brazil: Sororoca. China: ᶷᩬ㤿㩪. Colombia: Sierra. Cuba: Sierra. Denmark: Plettet kongemakrel. Former USSR: Ispanskaya makrel, Korolevskaya pyatnistaya makrel, Pyatnistaya makrel. France: Thazard Atlantique, Thazard blanc. Germany: Gefleckte Königsmakrele. Guinea: Makréni. Italy: Sgombro macchiato. Martinique: Taza doré, Thazard tacheté du sud. Mexico: Carite, Pintada, Sierra, Sierra común. Poland: Makrela hiszpanska. Portugal: Serra-espanhola. Russian Federation: Ispanskaya makrel, Korolevskaya pyatnistaya makrel, Pyatnistaya makrel; ɦɚɤɪɟɥɶ ɢɫɩɚɧɫɤɚɹ. South Africa: Spaanse makriel, Spanish mackerel. Spain: Carita Atlántico. 241 ICCAT MANUAL, 1st Edition (January 2010) Sweden: Fläckig kungsmakrill. United Kingdom: Atlantic spanish mackerel. United States of America: Spanish mackerel. Venezuela: Carite, Sierra pintada. 2. Identification Figure 1. Drawing of an adult Atlantic Spanish mackerel (by A. López, ‘Tokio’). Characteristics of Scomberomorus maculatus (see Figure 1 and Figure 2) Atlantic Spanish mackerel is a small tuna species. Maximum size is 91 cm fork length and 5.8 kg weight (IGFA 2001).
  • Age and Growth of King Mackerel, Scomberomorus Cavalla, from the U.S

    Age and Growth of King Mackerel, Scomberomorus Cavalla, from the U.S

    Age and Growth of King Mackerel, Scomberomorus cavalla, From the U.S. Gulf of Mexico CHARLES S. MANOOCH, III, STEVEN P. NAUGHTON, CHURCHILL B. GRIMES, and LEE TRENT Introduction incomplete knowledge concerning recre­ resource management. Resulting data ational catch and effort. migratory pat­ may be used to evaluate the impacts of The importance of king mackerel, terns, stock identity, and large-scale life fishing on the stocks or determine how Scomberomorus cavalla. to recreational history studies. Fishermen, scientists, they respond to different levels and and commercial fisheries along the and fishery managers still recognize strategies of fishing. Most studies on the southeastern Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico these as priority research areas critical to age and growth of king mackerel have coasts of the United States has been thor­ the management of king mackerel stocks shared the deficiency of being restricted oughly documented (Manooch et aI., which are judged to be heavily exploited by either time or space (Manooch et al. 1978: Manooch, 1979: Collette and along both coasts. The National Marine 1978), however. Johnson et al. (1983) Russo. 1984). Unfortunately, the impor­ Fisheries Service. regional universities, provided the most comprehensive geo­ tance of this coastal migratory species and state conservation agencies have re­ graphic coverage. and the need for large-scale, regionally sponded to this need and have initiated Herein we report on an independent coordinated research has not been recog­ extensive research efforts under the study on the Gulf of Mexico king mack­ nized until recentlyl.2 Manooch et al. Marine Fisheries Initiative (MARFIN) erel management unit. The objectives (1978) provided an annotated bibliogra­ Program.
  • Investigations on the Biology of Indian Mackerel Rastrelliger Kanagurta

    Investigations on the Biology of Indian Mackerel Rastrelliger Kanagurta

    Investigations on the biology of Indian Mackerel Rastrelliger kanagurta (Cuvier) along the Central Kerala coast with special reference to maturation, feeding and lipid dynamics Thesis submitted to Cochin University of Science and Technology in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY FACULTY OF MARINE SCIENCES GANGA .U. Reg. No. 2763 DEPARTMENT OF MARINE BIOLOGY, MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY SCHOOL OF MARINE SCIENCES COCHIN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY KOCHI – 682 016, INDIA September 2010 DECLARATION I, Ganga. U., do hereby declare that the thesis entitled “Investigations on the biology of Indian Mackerel Rastrelliger kanagurta (Cuvier) along the Central Kerala coast with special reference to maturation, feeding and lipid dynamics “ is a genuine record of research work carried out by me under the guidance of Prof. (Dr.) C.K. Radhakrishnan, Emeritus Professor, Cochin University of Science and Technology, and no part of the work has previously formed the basis for the award of any Degree, Associateship and Fellowship or any other similar title or recognition of any University or Institution. Ganga.U Kochi – 16 September-2010 CERTIFICATE This is to certify that the thesis entitled “Investigations on the biology of Indian Mackerel Rastrelliger kanagurta (Cuvier) along the Central Kerala coast with special reference to maturation, feeding and lipid dynamics” to be submitted by Smt. Ganga. U., is an authentic record of research work carried out by her under my guidance and supervision in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy of Cochin University of Science and Technology, under the faculty of Marine Sciences.
  • Download the Report

    Download the Report

    February 2006 WHAT’S ON THE HOOK? MERCURY LEVELS AND FISH CONSUMPTION SURVEYED AT A GULF OF MEXICO FISHING RODEO Kimberly Warner Jacqueline Savitz ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: We wish to thank the organizers of the 73rd Annual Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo, particularly Pat Troup, Mike Thomas, and the anglers, the National Seafood Inspection Lab, the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, and the invaluable assistance of Dr. Bob Shipp, Dr. Sean Powers, Melissa Powers, the hard working DISL graduate students and Oceana staff, including Gib Brogan, Phil Kline, Mike Hirshfield, Suzanne Garrett, Bianca Delille, Sam Haswell, Heather Ryan and Dawn Winalski. TABLE OF CONTENTS: 4 Executive Summary 5 Major Findings 6 Recommendations 8 Introduction 10 Results 10 Mercury Levels 14 Fish Consumption 16 Fish Consumption and Mercury Levels 18 Recommendations 19 Methods 20 Appendices 20 Table A1 Raw Mercury Data 25 Table A2 Gulf Comparisons 30 Table A3 US EPA Risk-based Consumption Guideline 31 Endnotes EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: In the past few years, seafood lovers have become increasingly concerned about mercury levels in Gulf of Mexico fish. Unfortunately, anglers have not had the in- formation they need to help them decide which fish may be safer to eat, despite the fact that recreational anglers and their families typically eat more fish than the average population. In fact, recent studies have found that people who live in coastal areas of the United States have higher levels of mercury in their blood than residents from inland areas.1 The purpose of this report is to help provide infor- mation to recreational anglers in the Gulf of Mexico on which fish may be higher in mercury than others, which would be safer to eat, and which species are in need of further monitoring.
  • Volume III of This Document)

    Volume III of This Document)

    4.1.3 Coastal Migratory Pelagics Description and Distribution (from CMP Am 15) The coastal migratory pelagics management unit includes cero (Scomberomous regalis), cobia (Rachycentron canadum), king mackerel (Scomberomous cavalla), Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus) and little tunny (Euthynnus alleterattus). The mackerels and tuna in this management unit are often referred to as ―scombrids.‖ The family Scombridae includes tunas, mackerels and bonitos. They are among the most important commercial and sport fishes. The habitat of adults in the coastal pelagic management unit is the coastal waters out to the edge of the continental shelf in the Atlantic Ocean. Within the area, the occurrence of coastal migratory pelagic species is governed by temperature and salinity. All species are seldom found in water temperatures less than 20°C. Salinity preference varies, but these species generally prefer high salinity. The scombrids prefer high salinities, but less than 36 ppt. Salinity preference of little tunny and cobia is not well defined. The larval habitat of all species in the coastal pelagic management unit is the water column. Within the spawning area, eggs and larvae are concentrated in the surface waters. (from PH draft Mackerel Am. 18) King Mackerel King mackerel is a marine pelagic species that is found throughout the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea and along the western Atlantic from the Gulf of Maine to Brazil and from the shore to 200 meter depths. Adults are known to spawn in areas of low turbidity, with salinity and temperatures of approximately 30 ppt and 27°C, respectively. There are major spawning areas off Louisiana and Texas in the Gulf (McEachran and Finucane 1979); and off the Carolinas, Cape Canaveral, and Miami in the western Atlantic (Wollam 1970; Schekter 1971; Mayo 1973).
  • The Benefits of Fish for Moms and Children Don't Eat…

    The Benefits of Fish for Moms and Children Don't Eat…

    The Benefits of Fish Fish is a protein-rich food that is healthy for both children and adults. Besides being low in saturated fat, fish also contains a good type of fat (omega -3 fatty acids) and nutrients such as Vitamin D.(1)(3) For Moms and Children While fish in general may be a healthy food, certain fish can contain high levels of mercury which can have a serious effect on an unborn or young child’s developing nervous system (1)(3). Avoiding fish that are high in mercury is important for young children and pregnant or breastfeeding women. (1)(2)(3). Don’t Eat… Avoid these fish that are high in Mercury (2): Swordfish Shark Bluefish* Orange Roughy King Mackerel Walleye (Great Lakes) Striped Bass* Tuna (fresh or frozen) Tilefish (Gulf of Mexico) Spanish Mackerel (Gulf of Mexico) *These fish are known to contain high levels of PCB’s (Polychlorinated biphenyls) Amounts to Eat For pregnant and breastfeeding women, the 2010 Dietary Guidelines recommend at least 8 and up to 12 ounces per week of cooked seafood considered to be low or moderate in mercury. Young children should eat less than 8 ounces per week of cooked fish in the lowest mercury category (1)(3). Do Eat… These fish and shellfish are considered the lowest in mercury (2): WIC Fully Breastfeeding Food Package Catfish (farm raised) Pollock White Fish Shrimp Light tuna (can or pouch) Flounder Sole Herring Tilapia Clams Sardines Haddock Cod Scallops Squid Crab Salmon (can or pouch) Rainbow Trout Mackerel Oysters (farm raised) (Atlantic, Jack, Chub) (cooked) Salmon (fresh or frozen)(wild or farm raised) Eat in Moderation… These fish and shellfish contain higher levels of mercury and should be limited to not more than 4 ounces per week (2): Albacore (“white”) tuna has more mercury than canned light tuna.
  • Scomberomorus Commerson) Stocks Using Microsatellite Markers in Persian Gulf

    Scomberomorus Commerson) Stocks Using Microsatellite Markers in Persian Gulf

    American-Eurasian J. Agric. & Environ. Sci., 12 (10): 1305-1310, 2012 ISSN 1818-6769 © IDOSI Publications, 2012 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.aejaes.2012.12.10.656 Genetic Differentiation of Narrow-Barred Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson) Stocks Using Microsatellite Markers in Persian Gulf 12Ehsan Abedi, Hossein. Zolgharnein, 2Mohammad Ali Salari and 3Ahmad Qasemi 1Persian Gulf Centre for Oceanography, Iranian National Institute for Oceanography, Boushehr, Iran 2Department of Marine Biology, Faculty of Marine Science, Khorramshahr Marine Science and Technology University, Khorramshahr, Khuzestan, Iran 3Persian Gulf Research and Studies Center, Persian Gulf University, Boushehr, Iran Abstract: Scomberomorus commerson is not considered as an endangered species in Persian Gulf, but recent studies indicated the decline of this population and genetic management strategies are needed. In order to assess the genetic differentiation within and between wild populations of Spanish mackerel, five neutral microsatellite markers were used. Population structure and genetic divergence were investigated by 50 individuals at each site from Lengeh, Dayyer, Boushehr and Abadan in the northern coasts of Persian Gulf. All the markers produced polymorphic PCR products which amplified to the four populations. Genetic differentiation, as measured by Fst, was determined to estimate stock structure. Results identified one genetic stock with sufficient gene flow between all the four sites to prevent genetic differentiation from occurring. Only 2.98% of the genetic variation was observed among populations. Results revealed that adopting a single- stock model and regional shared management could probably be appropriate for sustainable long-term use of this important resource in Persian Gulf. Key words: Genetic Differentiation Microsatellite Marker Persian Gulf Scomberomorus Commerson Stock Structure INTRODUCTION importantly permanent resident populations have also been reported [5].