Tab B, No. 5 07/24/2019 African Pompano (Alectis ciliaris)

Description:

African Pompano are member of the jack family (Carangidae). Their body is deep and compressed and can be metallic-blue with a white belly. Juveniles have long thread-like rays at front dorsal and anal fins (yellow arrows) that disappear as they grow. In young individuals, these elongated rays look similar to the tentacles of some jellyfishes.

Gulf Stock Characteristics: (myfwc.com; fishbase.org)

Natural mortality rate (M): Unknown Female sexual maturity: Unknown Maximum weight: ~50 lbs (23 kg) ww Maximum length: ~42 inches (107 cm) FL Discard mortality: Unknown

Life History and Distribution: Photo credit: FGBNMS

African Pompano occur in tropical and 3,500 Commercial subtropical waters around the world. 3,000 Although there are very little data, it is suggested they spawn during spring and 2,500 summer months. Juveniles are pelagic 2,000 while adults can be found near reefs, wrecks, and ledges to depths of 200 ft 1,500

(60 m). Their diet includes squid, small 1,000 Landings (lbs ww) (lbs Landings crabs, and other fishes. From 2000 – 500 2018, the majority of the landings in the na Gulf of Mexico come from the 0

recreational sector, mostly from Florida

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 and Alabama. Also during this 2000 timeframe, African Pompano landings 160,000 were more frequent in federal waters. Recreational 140,000 Current Gulf Council Regulations: 120,000

100,000 Currently, only the State of Florida has fishing regulations on harvesting of 80,000 African Pompano and these regulations 60,000 extend to federal waters. The fishing Landings (lbs ww) (lbs Landings 40,000 season is year-round with a 24-inch fork 20,000 length minimum size limit and a daily recreational bag limit of 2 per harvester 0

not to exceed 2 per vessel.

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018