Year 2 Data Summary Report: Nekton of Sarasota Bay and a Comparison of Nekton Community Structure in Adjacent Southwest Florida Estuaries

Home , Chain pipefish, Orthopristis chrysoptera, Palma Sola Bay, Sarasota Bay

T.C. MacDonald; E. Weather; R.F. Jones; R.H. McMichael, Jr.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Fish and Wildlife Research Institute 100 Eighth Avenue Southeast St. Petersburg, Florida 33701-5095

Prepared for

Sarasota Bay Estuary Program 111 S. Orange Avenue, Suite 200W Sarasota, Florida 34236

June 4, 2012

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF FIGURES ...... iii LIST OF TABLES ...... v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...... vii SUMMARY ...... ix INTRODUCTION ...... 1 METHODS ...... 2 Study Area ...... 2 Sampling Design ...... 3 Gear Specifications and Deployment ...... 6 Sample Processing ...... 7 Nekton Community Analysis ...... 9 Bray-Curtis similarity calculation ...... 12 Non-metric multidimensional scaling (MDS) and Similarity Percentage Analysis (SIMPER) ...... 12 Mercury Content Analysis ...... 13 RESULTS and DISCUSSION ...... 15 Physiochemical conditions...... 15 Composition of overall nekton community ...... 18 Shallow water habitats sampled with 21.3-m seines ...... 19 Nearshore habitats sampled with 183-m seines ...... 22 Deeper-water habitats sampled with 6.1-m trawls ...... 26 Species Profiles ...... 29 Pink shrimp, Farfantepenaeus duorarum ...... 30 Blue crab, Callinectes sapidus ...... 33 Ladyfish, Elops saurus ...... 37 Bay anchovy, Anchoa mitchilli ...... 39 Common snook, Centropomus undecimalis...... 41 Gray snapper, Lutjanus griseus ...... 43 Pinfish, Lagodon rhomboides ...... 46 Sheepshead, Archosargus probatocephalus ...... 51 Spotted Seatrout, Cynoscion nebulosus ...... 54 Striped mullet, Mugil cephalus ...... 56 Nekton Community Structure ...... 59

Intrabay Comparison ...... 59 Interbay Comparison ...... 68 Mercury Content Analysis ...... 77 Ladyfish, Elops saurus ...... 79 Common Snook, Centropomus undecimalis ...... 81 Sheepshead, Archosargus probatocephalus ...... 83 Gray Snapper, Lutjanus griseus ...... 85 Gag, Mycteroperca microlepis ...... 87 Spotted Seatrout, Cynoscion nebulosus ...... 89 Red Drum, Sciaenops ocellatus ...... 91 CONCLUSIONS ...... 93 Physiochemical conditions...... 93 Composition of overall nekton community ...... 93 Nekton Community Structure ...... 94 Mercury Content Analysis ...... 95 LITERATURE CITED ...... 97 APPENDICES ...... 105 Appendix A. Animals designated as Selected Taxa because of their commercial or recreational importance...... 107 Appendix B. Summary of species collected, by sampling event, during Sarasota Bay nekton sampling, June 2010 to April 2011 ...... 109 Appendix C. Summary of species collected, by gear and stratum, during Sarasota Bay nekton sampling, June 2010 to April 2011 ...... 113 Appendix D. Summary of species collected, by embayment, during Sarasota Bay nekton sampling, June 2010 to April 2011 ...... 117 Appendix E. Catch summary for taxa collected during both years, June 2009 to April 2011, of nekton sampling in Sarasota Bay with 21.3-m seines ...... 121 Appendix F. Catch summary for taxa collected during both years, June 2009 to April 2011, of nekton sampling in Sarasota Bay with 183-m seines ...... 125 Appendix G. Catch summary for taxa collected during both years, June 2009 to April 2011, of stratified-random sampling in Sarasota Bay with 6.1-m trawls ...... 129 Appendix H. Species overview plots for dominant taxa collected in 21.3-m seines in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011 ...... 133 Appendix I. Species overview plots for dominant taxa collected in 183-m haul seines in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011 ...... 155 Appendix J. Species overview plots for dominant taxa collected in 6.1-m otter trawls in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011 ...... 171

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Stations sampled between June 2010 and April 2011, and geographic strata in Sarasota Bay...... 5 Figure 2.Stations sampled between June 2009 and April 2011, and geographic strata in Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor...... 11 Figure 3. Temperature and total rainfall during each year of the study (2009-2010 and 2010-2011) and during a thirty year historical reference period (January 1979 to December 2008) ...... 16 Figure 4. Mean water temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen by embayment, from nekton sampling in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 – April 2011...... 16 Figure 5. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of pink shrimp collected with 21.3-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011 ...... 31 Figure 6. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of pink shrimp collected with 6.1-m trawl in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011...... 32 Figure 7. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of blue crab collected with 21.3-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011 ...... 35 Figure 8. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of blue crab collected with 6.1-m trawl in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011 ...... 36 Figure 9. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of ladyfish collected with 183-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011 ...... 38 Figure 10. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of bay anchovy collected with 21.3-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011 ...... 40 Figure 11. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of common snook collected with 183-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011 ...... 42 Figure 12. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of gray snapper collected with 21.3-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011 ...... 44 Figure 13. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of gray snapper collected with 183-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011 ...... 45 Figure 14. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of pinfish collected with 21.3-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011 ...... 48 Figure 15. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of pinfish collected with 183-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011 ...... 49 Figure 16. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of pinfish collected with 6.1-m trawl in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011 ...... 50 Figure 17. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of sheepshead collected with 183- m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011 ...... 52 Figure 18. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of sheepshead collected with 6.1- m trawl in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011 ...... 53 Figure 19. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of spotted seatrout collected with 21.3-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011 ...... 55 Figure 20. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of striped mullet collected with 183-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011 ...... 58

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Figure 21. Geometric mean abundance, by gear type, for nekton collected from each of the five embayments of Sarasota Bay during nekton sampling, June 2009 – April 2011 ...... 60 Figure 22. Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling ordination plot of nekton community structure in five embayments within Sarasota Bay for each gear type deployed during nekton sampling, June 2009 – April 2011 ...... 61 Figure 23. Geometric mean abundance, by gear type, for nekton collected from each bay segment in the Charlotte Harbor, Sarasota Bay and Tampa Bay estuaries during nekton sampling, June 2009 – April 2011 ...... 69 Figure 24. Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling ordination plot of nekton community structure in bay segments of three eastern Gulf of Mexico estuaries (Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor) for each of gear type deployed during nekton sampling, June 2009 – April 2011 ...... 70 Figure 25. Relationship between natural log transformed total mercury concentration and standard length for ladyfish collected in the Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor estuaries...... 80 Figure 26. Comparison of sizes and total mercury concentration for ladyfish in the Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor estuaries ...... 80 Figure 27. Relationship between natural log transformed total mercury level and standard length for common snook collected in the Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor estuaries...... 82 Figure 28. Comparison of sizes and total mercury concentration for common snook collected in the Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor estuaries ...... 82 Figure 29. Relationship between natural log transformed total mercury level and standard length for sheepshead collected in the Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor estuaries...... 84 Figure 30. Comparison of sizes and total mercury concentration for sheepshead collected in the Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor estuaries ...... 84 Figure 31. Relationship between natural log transformed total mercury level and standard length for gray snapper collected in the Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor estuaries...... 86 Figure 32. Comparison of sizes and total mercury concentration for gray snapper collected in the Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor estuaries ...... 86 Figure 33. Relationship between natural log transformed total mercury level and standard length for gag collected in the Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor estuaries...... 88 Figure 34. Comparison of average sizes and total mercury concentration for gag collected in the Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor estuaries ...... 88 Figure 35. Relationship between natural log transformed total mercury level and standard length for spotted seatrout collected in the Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor estuaries...... 90 Figure 36. Comparison of average sizes and total mercury concentration for spotted seatrout collected in the Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor estuaries ...... 90 Figure 37. Relationship between natural log transformed total mercury level and standard length for red drum collected in the Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor estuaries...... 92 Figure 38. Comparison of average sizes and total mercury concentration for red drum collected in the Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor estuaries ...... 92

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1. Description of sampling gears used during the Sarasota Bay stratified random sampling, June 2010 – April 2011...... 4 Table 2. Summary of catch and effort for Sarasota Bay nekton sampling, June 2010 to April 2011...... 18 Table 3. Catch statistics for the 10 dominant taxa collected in 21.3-m bay seine samples in Sarasota Bay, June 2010 to April 2011...... 20 Table 4. Catch statistics for Selected Taxa collected in 21.3-m bay seine samples in Sarasota Bay, June 2010 to April 2011...... 21 Table 5. Catch statistics for the 10 dominant taxa collected in 183-m haul seine samples in Sarasota Bay, June 2010 to April 2011 ...... 23 Table 6. Catch statistics for Selected Taxa collected in 183-m haul seine samples in Sarasota Bay, June 2010 to April 2011 ...... 24 Table 7. Catch statistics for the 10 dominant taxa collected in 6.1-m trawl samples in Sarasota Bay, June 2010 to April 2011 ...... 27 Table 8. Catch statistics for Selected Taxa collected in 6.1-m trawl samples in Sarasota Bay, June 2010 to April 2011 ...... 28 Table 9. Similarity percentage analysis for Sarasota Bay embayment groupings identified in the MDS ordination for 21.3-m seine collections ...... 64 Table 10. Similarity percentage analysis for Sarasota Bay embayment groupings identified in the MDS ordination for 183-m seine collections ...... 65 Table 11. Similarity percentage analysis for Sarasota Bay embayment groupings identified in the MDS ordination for 6.1-m trawl collections ...... 66 Table 12. Similarity percentage analysis for Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, and Charlotte Harbor segment groupings identified in the MDS ordination for 21.3-m seine collections ...... 73 Table 13. Similarity percentage analysis for Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, and Charlotte Harbor segment groupings identified in the MDS ordination for 183-m seine collections ...... 74 Table 14. Similarity percentage analysis for Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, and Charlotte Harbor segment groupings identified in the MDS ordination for 6.1-m trawl collections ...... 75 Table 15. Summary of the number of fish, sizes, and mercury levels for fish tissue samples analyzed from the fisheries-independent sampling of Sarasota Bay ...... 78

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We thank all the Fisheries-Independent Monitoring program personnel, too numerous to mention, who were involved in collecting and processing the many samples that make up this study. We also thank the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program for funding the study which provided a unique opportunity to collect data from a coastal lagoonal type system situated between Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor. Fisheries-

Independent Monitoring program collections from Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor, which were analyzed for interbay species abundance and mercury concentration comparisons, were funded by State of Florida Recreational Saltwater Fishing License and the Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Federal Aid for

Sportfish Restoration Project Number F-43 to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation

Commission (FWC).

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SUMMARY

The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program’s (SBEP) Comprehensive Conservation

Management Plan stressed the importance of restoring and protecting juvenile fish habitats. Sarasota Bay has undergone considerable urbanization since the 1950’s. An understanding of the distribution, abundance and habitat use of nekton (fish and macroinvertebrates) within Sarasota Bay is critical to protecting and restoring estuarine habitats.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWCC) Fisheries-

Independent Monitoring (FIM) program has been monitoring nekton assemblages in

Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor, estuaries that are adjacent to Sarasota Bay, since

1989. The goal of the FIM program is to provide timely, accurate, and consistent fisheries-independent data and analyses to fisheries managers for the conservation and protection of Florida’s fisheries. The sampling design and data collected are intended to not only assess fishery stocks, but to also describe habitat utilization, biodiversity, nekton communities, and to document changes within Florida’s estuarine systems.

The general objectives of this study were to describe the nekton habitat utilization and community structure within Sarasota Bay, to compare nekton community structure between three adjacent estuaries (Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor), and to assess mercury concentrations in edible fish tissues. Specifically, this study was designed to: 1) provide a database of fish and selected invertebrate species that inhabit

Sarasota Bay; 2) examine spatial differences in species composition and relative abundance within Sarasota Bay; 3) examine spatial differences in species composition and relative abundance between three estuaries along Florida’s Southwest Coast; and

4) develop baseline data on mercury content in fish from Sarasota Bay and compare those data to adjacent estuaries.

The FIM program used a stratified-random sampling design to select sampling sites within each of the five Sarasota Bay embayments as defined by the Sarasota Bay

Estuary Program. Samples were collected bi-monthly between June 2009 and April

2011 with 21.3-m seine, 183-m seine, and 6.1-m trawl. Water chemistry parameters

(salinity, water temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH) and habitat assessments

(bottom type, presence of submerged aquatic vegetation, shore habitat) were taken in association with each net deployment. The gear-specific nekton catch summary portion of this report has been limited to the second year of sampling (June 2010 to April 2011), while the analysis portions (meteorological patterns, community structure, species profiles, and total mercury concentrations) include data from both years of the study.

Meteorological patterns during the two years of this study generally followed the

30 year trend from 1979 to 2008, but monthly average temperatures and total rainfall occasionally deviated to extreme values. Monthly average air temperature during

January to March 2010 and December 2010 to January 2011 were lower than the 30 year average, with the extreme lows of winter 2010 resulting in cold kills of many nekton species. Total rainfall during the study period was much higher than normal during the typically dry winter-spring months (January – May) and lower than normal during the typical wet months (June – September) of both years. The water temperatures and salinities observed during this study probably do not reflect the long-term average condition in Sarasota Bay and the nekton assemblage likely differs somewhat from that which would be expected from a longer-term sampling program.

The nekton community in Sarasota Bay during the second year of this study was typical of most Florida estuaries and very similar to the first year of FIM program sampling in Sarasota Bay. The majority of the 103,808 nekton collected during year two were captured in 21.3-m seines (n=81,492) and just two taxa (bay anchovy and pinfish) represented over 62% of the total catch in this gear and almost 50% of the total catch from all gear types. Pinfish were also the dominant taxon collected in the 183-m seine

(53.7%) and 6.1-m trawl (36.8%). Other estuarine dependent species such as spot, eucinostomus mojarra, silver jenny, silver perch, and scaled sardine were relatively abundant as well.

Community analyses of the five embayments of Sarasota Bay (intrabay) and between the bay segments of three Southwest Florida estuaries (interbay) provided similar results. Nekton community structure, regardless of gear type, tended to differentiate into three groupings: 1) small Sarasota embayments, 2) larger bay segments closely linked to the Gulf of Mexico and receiving little direct freshwater inflow, and 3) larger bay segments not link closely to the Gulf and receiving relatively large amounts of freshwater inflow. The taxa that discriminated between the groupings tended to have higher abundance in “smaller” rather than in “larger” estuarine segments for both the intrabay and interbay analyses. The most obvious morphological differences between the grouping of small Sarasota embayments and the other bay segments is their relatively small surface area, relatively high freshwater inflow from

Phillippi Creek, and absence of a direct connection to the Gulf of Mexico. In the interbay analyses, this grouping of small Sarasota embayments was least similar to the grouping of larger bay segments that received relatively high freshwater inflow and lacked direct

xi connections to the Gulf of Mexico. The smaller Sarasota Bay embayments are relatively close to the Gulf than are the larger bay segments with freshwater influence, possibly indicating that proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and/or embayment size were more important in determining nekton composition than was freshwater inflow.

Mercury is a toxic element that has been shown to bio-accumulate in fish tissues and concentrations tend to increase with fish size, age and trophic level. Tissue samples for total mercury content analysis in Sarasota Bay have been taken from 468 individuals representing 25 taxa. About 90% of the collected tissue samples have been analyzed for total mercury concentration. Sample sizes were not large enough to perform linear regressions on any of the taxa collected from Sarasota Bay without combining with data from adjacent estuaries (Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor). The results of the mercury content analysis indicated that fish from Sarasota Bay do not contain higher concentrations of mercury than fish in adjacent estuaries and suggest that accumulation rates for Sarasota Bay nekton are similar to those found in Tampa

Bay and Charlotte Harbor.

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INTRODUCTION

Sarasota Bay is an urbanized coastal lagoon system located on the southwest coast of Florida. Since the early 1900s, dredge and fill activities have resulted in significant losses of ecologically important habitats, and historically semi-isolated tidal current regimes within embayments have been joined through the construction of an

Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) channel that hydrologically links all embayments. Intense development occurred throughout the system starting in the late 1950’s resulting in much of the natural shoreline being replaced by seawalls to retain dredge-and-fill material for housing sites and other construction projects. Mosquito ditching along with significant channelization of tidal creeks has altered historical patterns of surface water runoff to the bay and further exacerbated the problem of wetland habitat loss (Sarasota

Bay National Estuary Program 2003). A thorough understanding of the ecology of local nekton assemblages is imperative if the consequences of further anthropogenic or environmental changes are to be determined (Poulakis et. al. 2004). In addition, the development of a baseline database documenting habitat use, recruitment and biodiversity can provide a broader understanding of the status of fish populations found within an estuary and help to guide the protection of estuarine-based fisheries and associated habitats (Paperno et. al. 2001).

The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) Comprehensive Conservation

Management Plan (CCMP) stressed the importance of restoring and protecting juvenile fish habitat as well as the need to maintain fish populations while restoration efforts are pursued (Sarasota Bay National Estuary Program 1995). The objectives of this study are to: 1) provide a database of fish and selected invertebrate species that inhabit

4) develop baseline data on mercury content in fish from Sarasota Bay and compare those data to adjacent estuaries.

METHODS

Study Area

Sarasota Bay is a coastal lagoon, located on the southwest coast of Florida, which stretches from Anna Maria Sound to the Venice Inlet. The bay is comprised of five embayments (Palma Sola, Sarasota, Roberts, Little Sarasota and Blackburn bays) which were formed behind a barrier island complex. This system is connected to the

Gulf of Mexico through five inlets; Anna Maria Sound, Longboat Pass, New Pass, Big

Sarasota Pass and Venice Inlet. Freshwater inflow enters the estuary through a series of creeks, bayous, and unnamed drainage ditches (Roat and Alderson 1990). The main tributaries and receiving water bodies are Bowlees Creek and Whitaker and Hudson bayous (Sarasota Bay proper), Phillippi Creek (Roberts Bay), Clower and Catfish creeks

(Little Sarasota Bay) and South Creek (Blackburn Bay). Shoreline vegetation consists largely of mangroves and marsh grasses, and bottom substrates are typically characterized as sand, mud, oysters, or a combination thereof (Flannery 1989).

Seagrass meadows are the dominant vegetative cover in Sarasota Bay and are widely distributed throughout the bay (Haddad 1989).

Sampling Design

The FIM program utilized a stratified-random sampling (SRS) design and a multi- gear approach to collect data on nekton (fish and select invertebrates) from a wide range of habitats and life history stages. This sampling design provides comprehensive data on size-specific, spatial and temporal patterns of abundance for the nekton community and for individual species. Specimens collected during this sampling are also used for various other assessments, such as fish health, mercury content, diet, age/growth, and reproduction. Three sampling gears (Table 1) were used: 1) 21.3-m seines; 2) 183-m seines; and 3) 6.1-m trawls. Generally speaking, the data gathered from seine hauls document habitat use by shallow-water shoreline-associated organisms whereas the data collected from trawls document habitat use in deeper areas. The dominant catch for the 21.3-m seine and 6.1-m trawl is juvenile fishes, although the adults of smaller species are also commonly caught. The 183-m seine is used to catch larger sub-adult and adult fishes. The seines and trawls also regularly collect some of the larger macroinvertebrate species from tidal rivers, most notably blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus), stone crabs (Menippe spp.) and pink shrimp

(Farfantepenaeus duorarum).

Sarasota Bay was divided into five geographically-defined zones (Zone A -

Palma Sola Bay, Zone B - Sarasota Bay proper, Zone C - Roberts Bay, Zone D - Little

Sarasota Bay and Zone E - Blackburn Bay; Figure 1). Each zone was further subdivided into 1-nm2 grids. Within each grid, habitat and depth strata were identified, thereby designating the gear types that could be used in each. The number of samples collected in each zone with each gear was proportional to the number of grids in the zone that

3 could be sampled with a particular gear. Sites for each sampling event were chosen by randomly selecting grids and then randomly selecting a sampling site within each grid. A single collection was made at each selected site. Thirty primary samples consisting of six 183-m seines, eight 6.1-m trawls and sixteen 21.3-m seines were collected during each sampling event. Nine to 12 additional 21.3-m seine samples were collected during each sampling event as time allowed.

Sampling events were scheduled with a bi-monthly periodicity in Sarasota Bay.

Sampling began in June 2009 and is ongoing with sampling currently scheduled to end in April 2013. This report summarizes the data collected during year two of the study

(June 2010 to April 2011) and assesses species distributions and abundance, and community structure from both years (June 2009 to April 2011).

Table 1. Description of sampling gears used during the Sarasota Bay stratified random sampling, June 2010 – April 2011. A more detailed description of each gear can be found in the FIM program’s Procedure Manual.

Area Sampled Mesh Size Estimate Gear (mm) (m2) Description of use 21.3-m seine 3.2 140 used in near-shore and shoreline areas  1.5 m

183-m seine 38.1 4,120 used along shorelines ≤ 2.5 m

38.1 6.1-m trawl 1,440 used in areas from 1.8-m to 7.6-m deep (3.2-mm bag liner)

Figure 1. Stations sampled (dots) between June 2010 and April 2011 (Year 2), and geographic strata (solid lines) in Sarasota Bay.

Gear Specifications and Deployment

The gear type used to collect smaller nekton associated with shorelines and on offshore flats (>5 m from shore) was a 21.3-m center-bag seine with 3.2-mm mesh and leads spaced every 150 mm. The 21.3-m seine was pulled, with a crew member on each wing, for a distance of 9.1 m with the net wings separated by 15.5 m. The seine was deployed into the current and was landed by collapsing the seine around a pivot pole to close the wings and force the catch into the center bag. Each 21.3-m seine deployment sampled an estimated 140 m2. Sampling sites for the 21.3-m seine were pre-stratified by the presence or absence of bottom vegetation or a shoreline.

The 183-m haul seine was used to target larger sub-adult and adult nekton associated with shallow, nearshore habitats. Deployment of this gear occurred from the back of a boat in a standard rectangular shape along shorelines in relatively shallow waters (<2.5 m). Net wings were simultaneously hauled along the shoreline, keeping the lead lines close to the bottom, forcing the catch into the center bag portion of the gear.

Each 183-m seine set enclosed an area of approximately 4,120 m2. In Sarasota Bay proper, where two 183-m seine sets were collected during each sampling event, sites were pre-stratified by the presence or absence of overhanging shoreline vegetation.

Too few samples were collected during each sampling event with 183-m seines in

Palma Sola, Roberts, Little Sarasota and Blackburn bays to pre-stratify sampling sites by the presence or absence of overhanging shoreline vegetation.

Juvenile and adult nekton that inhabit relatively deeper waters (1.0 – 7.6-m) were collected in the 6.1-m otter trawl which had a 38-mm stretch mesh with a 3.2-mm mesh

6 cod-end liner. The trawl was towed from the back of a boat for 10 minutes. Tow speeds averaged 0.6-m/s; start and end locations for each trawl were marked using a global positioning system (GPS) so that the distance fished could be estimated. Each trawl deployment sampled an area of approximately 1,440 m2.

Salinity, temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen were measured at the surface and at 1-m intervals to the bottom in association with each gear deployment. A variety of qualitative habitat assessments were also made, such as characteristics of the shoreline (e.g., vegetation type, inundation), substrate (e.g., sediment type, presence of submerged aquatic vegetation), and bycatch (i.e., total volume, type, and composition).

All sampling was conducted during daylight hours (one hour after sunrise to one hour before sunset). Additional sampling details and habitat assessment procedures are described in the FIM program’s Procedure Manual (FWC-FWRI 2010).

Sample Processing

Sample work-up was similar for all samples, regardless of gear type. All fish and selected invertebrate species captured were identified to the lowest practical taxonomic level, generally species. Representative samples (three individuals of each species from the 21.3-m seines and 6.1-m trawls on each sampling trip) were brought back to the

FWC-FWRI laboratory to confirm field identification. Species for which field identification was uncertain were also brought back to the laboratory. A maximum of 20 measurements (mm) were made per taxon, unless distinct cohorts were identifiable, in which case a maximum of 20 measurements were taken from each cohort; for certain economically valuable fish species (Selected Taxa, Appendix A), 40 individuals were measured. Standard length (SL) was recorded for fish (total length [TL] for seahorses

7 and disk width [DW] for rays), post-orbital head length (POHL) for shrimp, and carapace width (CW) for crabs. Animals that were not measured were identified and counted.

When large numbers of individuals (>1,000) were captured, the total number was estimated by fractional expansion of a sub-sampled portion of the total catch that had been split with a modified Motoda box splitter (Winner and McMichael 1997). Animals that did not require further laboratory examination were returned to the water. Additional details concerning sample work-up are described in the FIM program’s Procedure

Manual (FWC-FWRI 2010).

Due to frequent hybridization and/or extreme difficulty in the identification of smaller individuals, members of several abundant species complexes were not identified to species. Species of menhaden (Brevoortia spp.) were not identified to species. Brevoortia patronus and B. smithi frequently hybridize and juveniles of the hybrids and the parent species are difficult to identify (Dahlberg 1970). Two abundant silverside species (Menidia beryllina and M. peninsulae) tend to hybridize, form all- female clones, and occur in great abundance that renders identification to species impractical due to the nature of the diagnostic characters so they are represented in this report as Menidia spp. (Duggins et al. 1986; Echelle and Echelle 1997; Chernoff, personal communication). Species-level identification of mojarras (genus

Eucinostomus) was limited to individuals ≥40 mm SL due to great difficulty in separating

E. gula and E. harengulus below this size (Matheson, personal observation). The term

“eucinostomus mojarras” is used for these small specimens. Species-level identification of gobies of the genus Gobiosoma (i.e., G. robustum and G. bosc) was limited to individuals ≥20 mm SL for the same reason; smaller individuals are hereafter referred to

8 as “gobiosoma gobies”. Similarly, needlefishes (Strongylura spp.) other than S. notata were only identified to species at lengths ≥100 mm SL.

Gear-specific data summary tables for the numerically dominant and economically important taxa (Selected Taxa, Appendix A) were prepared with data from the second year of this study (June 2010 to April 2011). Summaries of all taxa collected by sampling event, gear and habitat, and embayment (sampling zone) were prepared using just the second year of the study period (Appendices B, C, and D, respectively).

Appendices E, F and G contain catch summaries for all taxa collected with 21.3-m seines, 183-m seines, and 6.1-m trawls during both years of the study (June 2009 –

April 2011). Gear-specific catch overview plots (Appendices H, I, and J) for abundant

(≥100 animals collected) and commonly collected (≥15% occurrence) taxa and species profiles for specific taxa were prepared using the two completed years of the study

(June 2009 to April 2011). Abundance estimates for all gear types were calculated as the number of individuals/100 m2.

Nekton Community Analysis

Nekton community structure was investigated using nonparametric multivariate analyses in PRIMER v6 software (Plymouth Routines in Multivariate Ecological

Research; Clarke and Warwick 2001). Analyses were based on pooled samples averaged by geographic area to investigate spatial patterns. Data from each gear type

(21.3-m seines, 183-m seines, and 6.1-m trawl) were treated separately. Intrabay analyses were conducted to compare nekton assemblages in each of Sarasota Bay’s embayments (Figure 1). Broader-scale geographic analyses (interbay analysis) were conducted to compare nekton assemblages in adjacent bay systems along the

9 southwest coast of Florida (Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor; Figure 2).

All nekton taxa collected, including species complexes (e.g., Eucinostomus spp. and

Menidia spp.) and invertebrates were included in the community analyses. Taxa were subdivided into distinct size classes (‘pseudo-species’) to address ontogenetic habitat shifts, immigration/emigration and mortality.

Figure 2.Stations sampled (dots) between June 2009 and April 2011, and geographic strata (solid lines) in Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor. 11

Bray-Curtis similarity calculation

The basis of the multivariate analyses was an assessment of similarity in nekton community structure, calculated according to the method of Bray and Curtis (1957):

where Sjk is the Bray-Curtis similarity coefficient, yij is the abundance of the ith species in the jth sample and yik is the abundance of the same ith species in the kth sample.

Abundance was standardized to number•haul-1 for both seine types, and to number•100m-2 to account for varying tow lengths. Abundance data were square root- transformed prior to analysis to reduce the influence of highly abundant taxa.

Non-metric multidimensional scaling (MDS) and Similarity Percentage

Analysis (SIMPER)

In order to provide a visual depiction of differences in nekton community structure non-metric multidimensional scaling (MDS) of the initial Bray-Curtis similarity matrices was conducted. This technique generates two-dimensional plots of ‘distances’ between samples on the basis of their similarity in community structure (Clarke 1993). The MDS analysis uses an iterative procedure to attempt to map similarity of samples as closely as possible to the rank order of similarities from the input Bray-Curtis similarity matrix.

The adequacy of this representation is judged by a ‘stress’ value, for which zero is perfect representation, and values below ~0.2 offer appropriate results for interpretation

(Clarke and Warwick 2001). MDS-plot axes do not have units, so the important

12 information in these plots is the distances between samples; samples close together on the plots are more similar in community structure than samples that are further apart.

The MDS plots included ‘samples’ that were averages of all data collected by geographic area. Similarity percentage analysis (SIMPER; Clarke and Warwick 2001) was used to identify pseudo-species representative of dissimilarities between groups determined from MDS.

Mercury Content Analysis

Fish for mercury content analysis were placed directly on ice and returned to the laboratory, where standard length (SL) and sex were recorded. A clean stainless-steel knife was used to remove axial muscle tissue samples from the left dorsal area above the lateral line and anterior to the origin of the first dorsal fin for each fish. White muscle tissue taken from this region is representative of the portion of fish consumed by humans (Adams and McMichael 2001). Care was taken to assure that the sample did not contact the outer layer of the specimen, blood, scales, or other surrounding surfaces during the extraction process. Tissue samples were immediately placed in sterile polyethylene vials and frozen at -20° C until analyzed.

Total mercury concentration (THg) of each tissue sample was determined by

EPA Method 7473 (Direct Mercury Analysis by Thermal Decomposition, Amalgamation, and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry [DMA], USEPA 2007). Frozen tissue samples were thawed until ice crystals were no longer present on or within the sample, and approximately 0.20 g of clean unexposed muscle tissue was then excised with sterilized stainless steel instruments from the interior portion of the sample. The tissue sample was placed directly into a clean quartz sampling vessel, weighed to 0.0001 g, and

13 analyzed for total mercury by FWC-FWRI with a calibrated DMA-80 Direct Mercury

Analyzer (Milestone Inc., Shelton, CT). Quality control included analysis of laboratory method blanks, duplicate or triplicate tissue samples, and certified fish-tissue reference material (CRM; TORT-2, DOLT-4, obtained from the National Research Council of

Canada) for each group of 10 or fewer fish samples analyzed. Matrix spike samples were processed for every 40 samples analyzed in a group. If CRM results were not within 10% of their certified value, all samples run subsequent to the last acceptable

CRM result were re-analyzed. All total mercury levels were measured and reported as milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) wet weight, rounded to three decimal points (0.001).

Linear regressions were used to describe relationships between fish length and total mercury concentration. Total mercury samples for individual species collected from within Sarasota Bay were not adequate to do estuary-specific models, so data from

Sarasota Bay, Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor were combined. Total mercury concentrations from Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor prior to 2006 were analyzed by

EPA Method 245.6 (Determination of Mercury in Tissues by Cold Vapor Atomic

Absorption Spectrometry [CVAAS]; USEPA 1991), which provides similar but not identical results to the DMA method. Therefore, THg values for all DMA-analyzed fish were converted into CVAAS values using equations developed by FWC from 1,566 split samples that were analyzed by both methods. Total mercury data were log transformed to approximate the normality and homoscedasticity requirements prior to regression analysis. Only species with at least 100 total animals collected, and at least 10 from

Sarasota Bay, were analyzed using linear regression.

RESULTS and DISCUSSION

Physiochemical conditions

Monthly average air temperature and total rainfall measured at Tampa

International Airport during this two year study period (June 2009 – April 2011) and during a 30 year historical period (January 1979 to December 2008) were compared.

Generally, the monthly average temperature followed the 30 year historical trend, but with extreme cold and warm values during some months (Figure 3). The monthly average temperature tended to be slightly higher from May 2010 to September 2010 than the historical period (Figure 3). The average temperature was lower than the historic record during December 2010, January 2010 and 2011, and February to March

2010. Differences from the 30 year historic record for rainfall were also apparent (Figure

3). Rainfall totals in spring (March 2010 and 2011, April 2010 and 2011, and May 2010) were higher than the historic totals, while some months during the summer and early fall were much lower (August 2009, September 2009 and 2010, and October 2010).

Throughout the two years of this study, average monthly water temperature in each of the five embayments showed very similar trends with little difference between embayments (Figure 4). Water temperature followed the typical Florida pattern, with the warmest temperatures during the summer months, decreasing temperatures during the fall and winter, and rising temperatures in the spring.

Each of the five embayments had similar salinity trends (Figure 4) but Little

Sarasota and Roberts bays had a more obvious freshwater influence during both years than the other three embayments. Salinity maxima occurred in June 2009 and 2010 in

Air Temperature 35 May 2009 - April 2010 May 2010 - April 2011 30 Average 1979 - 2008 30

25 25

20 20

Temperature (*C) Temperature

15 15

10 35

Average monthly temperature ( temperature monthly Average 5 30

May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr (ppt) Salinity 25 Month

20 Precipitation 35 May 2009 - April 2010 May 2010 - April 2011 10 30 Average 1979 - 2008

5 20

Dissolved Oxygen (mg/l) Dissolved Oxygen

Jun-2009 Oct-2009 Feb-2010 Jun-2010 Oct-2010 Feb-2011 10

Total Monthly Precipitation (cm) Precipitation Monthly Total 5 Palma Sola Bay Sarasota Bay 0 Roberts Bay Little Sarasota Bay May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr Blackburn Bay Month

Figure 4. Mean (±standard deviation) water temperature, salinity, and Figure 3. Temperature and total rainfall during each year of the study (2009- dissolved oxygen (water column average) by embayment, from the nekton 2010 and 2010-2011) and during a thirty year historical reference period sampling in Sarasota Bay, June 2009-April 2011. (January 1979 to December 2008). Data are from Tampa International Airport (Station 72211012842) and were downloaded from the National Climatic Data Center (http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/cdo- web/search;jsessionid=EA04F1647269CF75676D248CA068EB77.lwf2).

each of the embayments with average salinity values ranging from 34.3 to 37.0 ppt.

Salinity was lowest in each embayment during April of both years, with two of the embayments (Roberts and Little Sarasota bays) having lower average salinity (<29 ppt) than the other three embayments (>31 ppt). Salinity minima occurring in April is not typical of Southwest Florida estuaries, in which salinity is usually higher toward the end of the dry season (April – May). Rainfall totals, however, were unseasonably high in

March of both 2010 and 2011 (Figure 3), with more than two times the long-term average rainfall occurring each year. This unseasonably high rainfall is responsible for this atypical salinity pattern.

Water column average dissolved oxygen was above 5 mg/l in each of the embayments during the sampling period (Figure 4), except for Palma Sola Bay in

August 2009 (3.3 mg/l). The highest average dissolved oxygen concentration (10.76 mg/l) occurred in Little Sarasota Bay in June 2009.

The climatic and physiochemical conditions experienced during this two-year study of Sarasota Bay were not typical compared to the longer-term average condition for Southwest Florida. January, February, and December 2010 had unseasonably cold temperatures with fish kills reported throughout Florida in January 2010. Unseasonably heavy winter/spring precipitation was experienced during both 2010 and 2011, likely resulting in lower than average salinity values in the study area during April of both years. It is very likely that the nekton community sampled during this two year period was impacted by these climatic and physiochemical conditions and may differ from the nekton community that would be sampled over a longer time period.

Composition of overall nekton community

A total of 103,808 fishes (106 taxa) and selected invertebrates (7 taxa) were collected from 248 samples collected between June 2010 and April 2011 (Table 2).

Species lists with number of animals collected are provided by sampling event, gear and habitat strata, and geographic strata in Appendix B, C, and D, respectively.

Sampling in Little Sarasota Bay accounted for 17% of the total sampling effort, yet accounted for almost a quarter of the total number of animals collected (24.2%; Table

2). Sarasota Bay proper, in which almost 33% of the sets were made, accounted for only 26.0% of the total animals collected during the study period. The fewest number of animals (n=15,413, 14.9% of total catch) were collected in Roberts Bay.

Table 2. Summary of catch and effort for Sarasota Bay nekton sampling, June 2010 to April 2011.

21.3-m seine 183-m seine 6.1-m trawl Totals

Bay Segment (Zone) Animals Hauls Animals Hauls Animals Hauls Animals Hauls

Palma Sola Bay (A) 15,185 29 4,846 6 349 6 20,380 41

Sarasota Bay (B) 20,243 45 4,915 12 1,787 24 26,945 81

Roberts Bay (C) 13,471 30 1,194 6 748 6 15,413 42

Little Sarasota Bay (D) 21,099 30 1,758 6 2,290 6 25,147 42

Blackburn Bay (E) 11,494 30 1,891 6 2,538 6 15,923 42

Totals 81,492 164 14,604 36 7,712 48 103,808 248

Bay anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli, n=32,559) was the most numerous taxon collected, representing 31.4% of the total catch (Appendix B, C, and D). Pinfish

(Lagodon rhomboides, n=29,992) was the second most abundant taxon collected, accounting for an additional 28.9% of the total catch. The 23 Selected Taxa (n=13,634

18 animals) that were collected comprised 13% of the total catch. Spot (Leiostomus xanthurus, n=8,296, 8% of total catch) and striped mullet (Mugil cephalus, n=2,197,

2.1% of total catch) were the two most abundant Selected Taxa collected.

Shallow water habitats sampled with 21.3-m seines

A total of 81,492 animals, representing 79.5% of the overall catch, were collected from Sarasota Bay with 21.3-m seines (n=164 hauls; Table 2). Bay anchovy (A. mitchilli, n=31,339) was the most abundant taxon collected, accounting for 38.5% of the 21.3-m seine catch (Table 3). The taxa most frequently collected with 21.3-m seines were pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides, 81.7% occurrence) and eucinostomus mojarra

(Eucinostomus spp., 65.2% occurrence). Animals collected with 21.3-m seines tended to be relatively small, ranging in length from 2 to 512 mm, with the mean length for each of the 10 dominant taxa ranging from 11 to 53 mm.

A total of 11,351 animals from 15 Selected Taxa were collected, representing

13.9% of the entire 21.3-m seine catch (Table 4). Spot (L. xanthurus, n=7,635) was the most abundant Selected Taxon, accounting for 67.3% of the Selected Taxa collected by this gear. The Selected Taxon most frequently collected with 21.3-m seines was the pink shrimp (F. duorarum, 49.4% occurrence).

Table 3. Catch statistics for the 10 dominant taxa collected in 21.3-m bay seine samples in Sarasota Bay (n=164 hauls), June 2010 to April 2011. Percent (%) is the percent of the total catch represented by that taxon; percent occurrence (% Occur) is the percentage of samples in which that taxon was collected; CV is the coefficient of variation of the mean. Length is standard length for fish and post-orbital head length for shrimp. Taxa are ranked in order of decreasing mean catch- per-unit-effort. Species of commercial or recreational importance (Selected Taxa) are denoted with an asterisk (*) after the species name.

Number Catch-per-unit-effort (animals/haul) Length (mm) % Scientific Name (Common Name) No. % Occur Mean Stderr CV Max Mean Stderr Min Max

Anchoa mitchilli (bay anchovy) 31,339 38.5 30.5 136.49 46.93 440.36 5,465.00 29 0.03 15 53

Lagodon rhomboides (pinfish) 19,308 23.7 81.7 84.09 11.93 181.71 971.43 32 0.11 10 156

Eucinostomus spp. (eucinostomus mojarra) 9,347 11.5 65.2 40.71 5.20 163.55 340.71 25 0.07 10 47

Leiostomus xanthurus (spot) * 7,635 9.4 31.1 33.25 9.93 382.32 910.00 22 0.08 10 172

Harengula jaguana (scaled sardine) 2,369 2.9 11.6 10.32 7.66 950.17 1,230.71 53 0.27 27 86

Mugil cephalus (striped mullet) * 2,124 2.6 13.4 9.25 5.45 754.52 650.00 29 0.18 18 153

Bairdiella chrysoura (silver perch) 1,699 2.1 24.4 7.40 2.29 396.01 240.00 53 0.42 13 141

Lucania parva (rainwater killifish) 1,673 2.1 22.6 7.29 2.74 481.82 305.00 24 0.11 12 37

Farfantepenaeus duorarum (pink shrimp) * 1,109 1.4 49.4 4.83 0.92 244.40 72.86 11 0.12 2 25

Menidia spp. (menidia silversides) 731 0.9 18.3 3.18 1.50 604.23 227.14 39 0.51 14 90

Subtotal 77,334 95.1 ...... 2 172

Totals 81,492 100.0 . 354.93 50.80 183.28 5,715.00 . . 2 512

Table 4. Catch statistics for Selected Taxa collected in 21.3-m bay seine samples in Sarasota Bay (n=164 hauls), June 2010 to April 2011. Percent (%) is the percent of the total catch represented by that taxon; percent occurrence (% Occur) is the percentage of samples in which that taxon was collected; CV is the coefficient of variation of the mean. Length is standard length for fish, post-orbital head length for shrimp, and carapace width for crabs. Taxa are ranked in order of decreasing mean catch-per-unit-effort.

Number Catch-per-unit-effort (animals/haul) Length (mm) % Scientific Name (Common Name) No. % Occur Mean Stderr CV Max Mean Stderr Min Max

Leiostomus xanthurus (spot) 7,635 9.4 31.1 33.25 9.93 382.32 910.00 22 0.08 10 172

Mugil cephalus (striped mullet) 2,124 2.6 13.4 9.25 5.45 754.52 650.00 29 0.18 18 153

Farfantepenaeus duorarum (pink shrimp) 1,109 1.4 49.4 4.83 0.92 244.40 72.86 11 0.12 2 25

Cynoscion nebulosus (spotted seatrout) 131 0.2 22.0 0.57 0.15 339.73 20.00 45 2.25 14 172

Sciaenops ocellatus (red drum) 112 0.1 6.1 0.49 0.23 599.42 25.00 24 1.55 11 141

Callinectes sapidus (blue crab) 78 0.1 21.3 0.34 0.07 264.99 7.86 32 4.10 6 154

Lutjanus griseus (gray snapper) 60 0.1 19.5 0.26 0.06 272.53 4.29 59 7.90 9 284

Archosargus probatocephalus (sheepshead) 41 0.1 9.1 0.18 0.08 574.94 11.43 54 11.15 15 243

Paralichthys albigutta (Gulf flounder) 28 0.0 9.8 0.12 0.05 575.23 8.57 85 17.84 16 351

Mugil gyrans (faintail mullet) 9 0.0 1.8 0.04 0.03 1,014.33 5.00 53 5.73 15 73

Mugil curema (white mullet) 9 0.0 0.6 0.04 0.04 1,280.62 6.43 87 1.52 78 93

Lutjanus synagris (lane snapper) 6 0.0 1.2 0.03 0.02 1,087.04 3.57 35 8.83 20 65

Centropomus undecimalis (common snook) 4 0.0 1.8 0.02 0.01 780.20 1.43 162 116.92 26 512

Elops saurus (ladyfish) 3 0.0 1.8 0.01 0.01 734.82 0.71 245 7.88 236 261

Mycteroperca microlepis (gag) 2 0.0 1.2 0.01 0.01 902.76 0.71 161 20.00 141 181

Totals 11,351 13.9 84.1 49.44 11.90 308.21 1,028.57 . . 2 512

Nearshore habitats sampled with 183-m seines

A total of 14,604 animals were collected with 183-m seines (n=36 hauls), representing 14.1% of the overall catch (Table 2). Pinfish (L. rhomboides, n=7,843) was the most abundant taxon collected with 183-m seines, accounting for 53.7% of the total catch (Table 5). Pinfish were also the most frequently collected taxon, occurring in

94.4% of 183-m seine sets. Animals collected with 183-m seines tended to be much larger (mean size 215.2 mm) than those collected with either 21.3-m seines (37.5 mm) or 6.1-m trawls (41.1 mm).

A total of 1,246 animals from 21 Selected Taxa were collected, representing

8.5% of the entire 183-m seine catch (Table 6). Leiostomus xanthurus (n=376) was the most abundant Selected Taxon, accounting for 30% of the Selected Taxa collected by this gear. Sheepshead (A. probatocephalus, 77.8% occurrence) was the most frequently collected Selected Taxa followed by spot and white mullet (Mugil curema), which occurred in 50% of the hauls.

Table 5. Catch statistics for the 10 dominant taxa collected in 183-m haul seine samples in Sarasota Bay (n=36 hauls), June 2010 to April 2011. Percent (%) is the percent of the total catch represented by that taxon; percent occurrence (% Occur) is the percentage of samples in which that taxon was collected; CV is the coefficient of variation of the mean. Length is standard length. Taxa are ranked in order of decreasing mean catch-per-unit-effort. Species of commercial or recreational importance (Selected Taxa) are denoted with an asterisk (*) after the species name.

Number Catch-per-unit-effort (animals/haul) Length (mm) % Scientific Name (Common Name) No. % Occur Mean Stderr CV Max Mean Stderr Min Max

Lagodon rhomboides (pinfish) 7,843 53.7 94.4 217.86 49.78 137.09 1,316.00 100 0.34 45 210

Brevoortia spp. (menhaden) 2,159 14.8 25.0 59.97 51.08 511.05 1,828.00 90 0.28 50 236

Harengula jaguana (scaled sardine) 1,391 9.5 25.0 38.64 29.90 464.37 1,044.00 97 0.21 44 150

Orthopristis chrysoptera (pigfish) 530 3.6 52.8 14.72 5.61 228.72 182.00 112 1.30 28 210

Leiostomus xanthurus (spot) * 376 2.6 50.0 10.44 3.73 214.28 116.00 133 1.77 73 204

Bairdiella chrysoura (silver perch) 312 2.1 38.9 8.67 4.60 318.14 155.00 125 1.19 69 168

Strongylura notata (redfin needlefish) 297 2.0 55.6 8.25 4.87 353.86 176.00 361 1.51 292 427

Archosargus probatocephalus (sheepshead) * 203 1.4 77.8 5.64 1.41 149.59 40.00 221 3.48 35 385

Diplodus holbrookii (spottail seabream) 161 1.1 13.9 4.47 4.03 540.08 145.00 69 0.50 56 84

Nicholsina usta (emerald parrotfish) 152 1.0 13.9 4.22 2.83 402.70 83.00 122 1.47 84 162

Subtotal 13,424 91.8 ...... 28 427

Totals 14,604 100.0 . 405.67 99.10 146.57 3,209.00 . . 18 781

Table 6. Catch statistics for Selected Taxa collected in 183-m haul seine samples in Sarasota Bay (n=36 hauls), June 2010 to April 2011. Percent (%) is the percent of the total catch represented by that taxon; percent occurrence (% Occur) is the percentage of samples in which that taxon was collected; CV is the coefficient of variation of the mean. Length is standard length for fish and carapace width for crabs. Taxa are ranked in order of decreasing mean catch-per-unit- effort.

Number Catch-per-unit-effort (animals/haul) Length (mm) % Scientific Name (Common Name) No. % Occur Mean Stderr CV Max Mean Stderr Min Max

Leiostomus xanthurus (spot) 376 2.6 50.0 10.44 3.73 214.28 116.00 133 1.77 73 204

Archosargus probatocephalus (sheepshead) 203 1.4 77.8 5.64 1.41 149.59 40.00 221 3.48 35 385

Mugil curema (white mullet) 141 1.0 50.0 3.92 1.16 177.25 28.00 158 3.34 105 295

Elops saurus (ladyfish) 84 0.6 44.4 2.33 1.02 261.39 30.00 276 4.98 225 462

Centropomus undecimalis (common snook) 74 0.5 36.1 2.06 0.89 258.72 27.00 395 8.48 228 613

Mugil cephalus (striped mullet) 73 0.5 41.7 2.03 0.75 220.70 24.00 303 10.68 113 444

Cynoscion nebulosus (spotted seatrout) 63 0.4 36.1 1.75 0.79 269.89 21.00 169 9.90 82 538

Callinectes sapidus (blue crab) 53 0.4 41.7 1.47 0.40 162.76 10.00 110 4.44 33 193

Sciaenops ocellatus (red drum) 47 0.3 33.3 1.31 0.56 259.47 19.00 383 20.25 77 628

Paralichthys albigutta (Gulf flounder) 28 0.2 38.9 0.78 0.21 162.95 5.00 153 12.08 55 304

Lutjanus griseus (gray snapper) 27 0.2 22.2 0.75 0.29 232.86 7.00 177 9.24 89 251

Mycteroperca microlepis (gag) 26 0.2 13.9 0.72 0.37 308.03 11.00 163 9.32 82 295

Mugil gyrans (fantail mullet) 25 0.2 19.4 0.69 0.47 409.93 17.00 151 6.39 114 228

Scomberomorus maculatus (Spanish mackerel) 9 0.1 16.7 0.25 0.12 292.77 4.00 256 26.49 132 321

Menticirrhus americanus (Southern kingfish) 5 0.0 5.6 0.14 0.10 426.92 3.00 243 18.84 190 300

Micropogonias undulatus (Atlantic croaker) 4 0.0 5.6 0.11 0.09 470.26 3.00 195 10.47 172 222

Continued

Table 6. Continued.

Number Catch-per-unit-effort (animals/haul) Length (mm) % Scientific Name (Common Name) No. % Occur Mean Stderr CV Max Mean Stderr Min Max

Pogonias cromis (black drum) 2 0.0 5.6 0.06 0.04 418.16 1.00 264 1.50 262 265

Farfantepenaeus duorarum (pink shrimp) 2 0.0 2.8 0.06 0.06 600.00 2.00 19 1.00 18 20

Trachinotus carolinus (pompano) 2 0.0 2.8 0.06 0.06 600.00 2.00 222 6.50 215 228

Trachinotus falcatus (permit) 1 0.0 2.8 0.03 0.03 600.00 1.00 185 . 185 185

Menticirrhus littoralis (Gulf kingfish) 1 0.0 2.8 0.03 0.03 600.00 1.00 184 . 184 184

Totals 1,246 8.5 100.0 34.61 5.57 96.55 168.00 . . 18 628

Deeper-water habitats sampled with 6.1-m trawls

A total of 7,712 animals were collected in 6.1-m trawls (n=48 hauls), representing

7.4% of the overall catch (Table 2). Pinfish (L. rhomboides, n=2,841, 36.8% of total catch) was the most abundant taxon collected with this gear (Table 7). The taxon most frequently collected with 6.1-m trawls was also the pinfish (L. rhomboides), which occurred in over 70% of the trawl samples. Trawl collected animals tended to be similar in size to those collected with 21.3-m seines and smaller than those collected with 183- m seines.

Eleven Selected Taxa (1,041 animals, 13.5% of the entire trawl catch) were collected with 6.1-m trawls (Table 8). Blue crab (Callinectes sapidus, n=382) accounted for 37% of the Selected Taxa collected with trawls. The Selected Taxon most frequently collected with 6.1-m trawls was the stone crab (Menippe spp.) which occurred in almost

60% of the trawl collections.

Table 7. Catch statistics for the 10 dominant taxa collected in 6.1-m trawl samples in Sarasota Bay (n=48 hauls), June 2010 to April 2011. Percent (%) is the percent of the total catch represented by that taxon; percent occurrence (% Occur) is the percentage of samples in which that taxon was collected; CV is the coefficient of variation of the mean. Length is standard length for fish and carapace width for crabs. Taxa are ranked in order of decreasing mean catch-per-unit- effort. Species of commercial or recreational importance (Selected Taxa) are denoted with an asterisk (*) after the species name.

Number Catch-per-unit-effort (animals/100m2) Length (mm) % Scientific Name (Common Name) No. % Occur Mean Stderr CV Max Mean Stderr Min Max

Lagodon rhomboides (pinfish) 2,841 36.8 70.8 4.15 1.52 253.18 66.65 53 0.61 12 163

Orthopristis chrysoptera (pigfish) 1,230 15.9 50.0 1.74 1.30 516.68 62.53 40 1.05 15 207

Anchoa mitchilli (bay anchovy) 1,220 15.8 10.4 1.71 1.67 674.91 80.21 29 0.11 21 38

Callinectes sapidus (blue crab) * 382 5.0 52.1 0.56 0.21 260.77 9.31 57 1.93 12 172

Eucinostomus spp. (eucinostomus mojarra) 349 4.5 31.3 0.48 0.35 505.08 16.51 24 0.23 13 39

Leiostomus xanthurus (spot) * 285 3.7 25.0 0.42 0.26 430.07 11.69 55 2.58 13 175

Portunus spp. (swimming crab) 183 2.4 52.1 0.26 0.14 356.44 6.48 41 0.72 12 60

Menippe spp. (stone crab) * 143 1.9 58.3 0.22 0.05 149.01 1.48 33 1.73 5 112

Eucinostomus gula (silver jenny) 102 1.3 29.2 0.15 0.06 305.67 2.83 67 1.32 42 100

Farfantepenaeus duorarum (pink shrimp) * 78 1.0 39.6 0.11 0.03 187.41 0.85 15 0.64 6 30

Subtotal 6,813 88.3 ...... 5 207

Totals 7,712 100.0 . 11.14 3.44 214.27 137.21 . . 5 350

Table 8. Catch statistics for Selected Taxa collected in 6.1-m trawl samples in Sarasota Bay (n=48 hauls), June 2010 to April 2011. Percent (%) is the percent of the total catch represented by that taxon; percent occurrence (% Occur) is the percentage of samples in which that taxon was collected; CV is the coefficient of variation of the mean. Length is standard length for fish, post-orbital head length for shrimp, and carapace width for crabs. Taxa are ranked in order of decreasing mean catch-per-unit-effort.

Number Catch-per-unit-effort (animals/100m2) Length (mm) % Scientific Name (Common Name) No. % Occur Mean Stderr CV Max Mean Stderr Min Max

Callinectes sapidus (blue crab) 382 5.0 52.1 0.56 0.21 260.77 9.31 57 1.93 12 172

Leiostomus xanthurus (spot) 285 3.7 25.0 0.42 0.26 430.07 11.69 55 2.58 13 175

Menippe spp. (stone crab) 143 1.9 58.3 0.22 0.05 149.01 1.48 33 1.73 5 112

Farfantepenaeus duorarum (pink shrimp) 78 1.0 39.6 0.11 0.03 187.41 0.85 15 0.64 6 30

Archosargus probatocephalus (sheepshead) 73 0.9 14.6 0.11 0.09 611.56 4.54 178 3.86 20 247

Paralichthys albigutta (Gulf flounder) 59 0.8 45.8 0.09 0.03 212.90 1.14 141 8.75 30 256

Lutjanus griseus (gray snapper) 13 0.2 8.3 0.02 0.01 368.76 0.32 151 12.99 34 233

Lutjanus synagris (lane snapper) 3 0.0 4.2 0.00 0.00 508.24 0.14 69 11.98 50 91

Cynoscion nebulosus (spotted seatrout) 3 0.0 6.3 0.00 0.00 391.75 0.07 159 81.82 22 305

Cynoscion arenarius (sand seatrout) 1 0.0 2.1 0.00 0.00 692.82 0.07 157 . 157 157

Mycteroperca microlepis (gag) 1 0.0 2.1 0.00 0.00 692.82 0.06 95 . 95 95

Totals 1,041 13.5 91.7 1.54 0.37 166.42 12.07 . . 5 305

Species Profiles

The following sections provide profiles on various abundant and frequently occurring species in terms of seasonal abundance, sizes collected, spatial distribution, and bottom habitat preference. Species included in these profiles are numerically dominant or economically important (i.e., recreationally or commercially fished species, such as spotted seatrout, common snook and pink shrimp). Summary statistics of catch for both completed years of this study are included in Appendices E, F and G for the

21.3-m seines, 183-m seines and 6.1-m trawls, respectively. Summary graphs for all taxa that were identified to species, had at least a 15% occurrence, and for which 100 or more individuals were collected during bi-monthly sampling in Sarasota Bay between

June 2009 and April 2011 are provided in Appendices H, I and J. The abundance and size distribution results presented in these appendices and in the following species profiles are based on a limited time series (two years of bi-monthly sampling) with a relatively small sample size, so there is considerable variability in the data.

Pink shrimp, Farfantepenaeus duorarum

Pink shrimp range from the Chesapeake Bay to the Yucatan Peninsula and are of great commercial importance, especially in the Gulf of Mexico (Carpenter 2002).

Catches in Florida were valued at nearly $21M in 2005 (FWRI, unpublished data). They spawn offshore and enter estuaries as postlarvae (Allen et al. 1980). They probably use selective tidal stream transport (i.e., ascend into the water column on flood tides and descend towards the substrate on ebb tides [Hughes 1969]) to recruit to nursery grounds. Different life stages of pink shrimp exhibit a broad range of salinity tolerance, although salinities from approximately 12 to 45 ppt seem to be preferred (Pattillo et al.

1997).

Pink shrimp did not comprise a large proportion of the catch in the 183-m seines

(Appendix F) but were commonly collected in both 21.3-m seines (52% of the hauls,

Appendix E) and 6.1-m trawls (35%, Appendix G). Pink shrimp collected in 21.3-m seines tended to be smaller (median post-orbital head length of 11 mm; Figure 5) than those collected in 6.1-m trawls (15 mm; Figure 6). In the shallow water habitats sampled with the 21.3-m seine abundance of pink shrimp was higher during June and October than in the other months (Figure 5). Pink shrimp in shallow water habitats were more abundant in the vegetated areas of Little Sarasota and Blackburn bays (Figure 5).

Although mean abundance in the deeper water sampled with 6.1-m trawls was higher in

February and June, and in Roberts and Little Sarasota bays, variability in the abundance estimates was too high to discern any real trends (Figure 6).

Farfantepenaeus duorarum (pink shrimp) 21.3-m seine

7 6

(53) (56) (56) (54) (54) (52) (59) (92) (59) (59) (56) 6 5

5 4

± 95% CL) 4 ± 95% CL)

-2

-2 3

2 2

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m 1 1

0 0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

20 3.0 700

Total = 2,542 18 (5) (182) (105) (33) (252) (73) 600 2.5 16

14 500 2.0 12

± 95% CL) 400

-2 10 1.5

300 8

1.0 6 Number of individualsNumber 200

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean (animals.100 m 4 0.5 100 2

0 0.0 0 0 Mud 10 20 30 40 50 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Figure 5. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of pink shrimp collected with 21.3-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

Farfantepenaeus duorarum (pink shrimp) 6.1-m trawl

0.35 0.6

(12) (48) (12) (12) (12) 0.30 (16) (16) (16) (16) (16) (16) 0.5

0.25 0.4

± 95% CL) ± 95% 0.20 CL) ± 95%

-2

-2 0.3

0.15

0.2 0.10

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m (animals.100

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m (animals.100 0.1 0.05

0.00 0.0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

Total = 144 20

Number of of individuals Number

0 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Size-class mid-point (mm)

Figure 6. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of pink shrimp collected with 6.1-m trawl in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

Blue crab, Callinectes sapidus

Blue crabs occur in the western Atlantic from Canada to Argentina, including

Bermuda and the Antilles, and have been successfully introduced in Europe and Japan

(Carpenter 2002). This species supports large commercial fisheries in Florida, valued at nearly $12M in 2005 (FWRI, unpublished data), and is an important predator and prey species in inshore waters (Steele and Bert 1994). Blue crabs are transients in estuaries: spawning and larval development occur in marine waters, but juveniles and adults spend most of their time in estuaries (Steele and Bert 1994). Larval blue crabs recruiting into the estuary and adult females leaving the estuary to spawn use selective tidal stream transport (Olmi 1994; Tankersley et al. 1998). Chemical cues emanating from estuarine and freshwater watersheds promote settlement by triggering metamorphosis in larvae (Wolcott and De Vries 1994; Forward et al. 1994 and 1997). Blue crabs tolerate salinities from freshwater to at least 50 ppt. Optimal salinities differ among life- history stages: 12–36 ppt for larvae, 2–21 ppt for juveniles, less than 10 ppt for adult males, and 23–33 ppt for egg-bearing females (Pattillo et al. 1997).

Blue crabs were collected in all three gear types deployed during this study

(Appendix E, F, and G), but were only commonly collected and abundant in the collections made with 21.3-m seines (Appendix E) and 6.1-m trawl (Appendix G). They were collected during all months sampled with the highest abundance during winter and spring months (December to April) in the shallow-water habitats sampled with the small seine (Figure 7). In deeper-water habitats sampled with 6.1-m trawls, blue crabs had their highest abundance in February with a steady decline through the remainder of the year (Figure 8). Blue crabs were collected from each of the sampled embayments with

33 both gear types; although there was not clear abundance trend between embayments for the shallow water habitats, blue crabs using the deeper-water habitats were more abundant in Little Sarasota Bay and least abundant in Sarasota Bay. Sizes captured with 6.1-m trawls ranged from 12 mm to 172 mm carapace width (CW) with a bimodal distribution (modes at 15 and 90 mm CW). Blue crabs captured with 21.3-m seines tended to be smaller than those in trawls (single mode at 10mm, range 6 to 154 mm

CW).

Callinectes sapidus (blue crab) 21.3-m seine

0.7 0.4

(59) (92) (59) (59) (56)

0.6 (53) (56) (56) (54) (54) (52)

0.3 0.5

± 95% CL) 0.4 ± 95% CL)

-2

-2 0.2

0.3

0.2 0.1

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean

(animals.100 m

0.1

0.0 0.0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

0.35 0.25 18 (252) (73) (5) (182) (105) (33) 16 0.30 Total = 107 0.20 14 0.25 12

0.15

± 95% CL) 0.20 10

-2

0.15 8 0.10 6

0.10 of individualsNumber

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean

(animals.100 m 4 0.05 0.05 2

0.00 0.00 0 0 Mud 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Figure 7. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of blue crab collected with 21.3-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

Callinectes sapidus (blue crab) 6.1-m trawl

1.4 2.5

(12) (48) (12) (12) (12)

1.2 (16) (16) (16) (16) (16) (16) 2.0

1.0

1.5

± 95% CL) 0.8 ± 95% CL)

-2

0.6 1.0

0.4

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric (animals.100 m 0.5 0.2

0.0 0.0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

Total = 489

Number of individualsNumber

0 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200

Size-class mid-point (mm)

Figure 8. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of blue crab collected with 6.1-m trawl in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

Ladyfish, Elops saurus

Ladyfish inhabit estuarine and nearshore waters throughout Florida. Larval and juvenile ladyfish can be found in a variety of nearshore habitats, including coastal beaches, canals, rivers, and mosquito impoundments (Gilmore et al. 1982; McBride et al. 2001). Length-frequency analysis suggests that ladyfish grow to 200 – 300 mm standard length by age 1. Their diet consists mainly of fish with decapod crustaceans being of secondary importance (Darnell 1958; Sekavec 1974). Florida landings were just over 1 million pounds in 2007 with over 75% being landed by the commercial fishery (FWC-FWRI 2008).

Ladyfish were captured with both the 21.3-m and 183-m seine during this study

(Appendices E and F, respectively). They were only common and abundant, however, in the larger seine where they comprised 0.8% of the total catch (n=183) and occurred in 40.3% of the hauls. The majority of captured ladyfish were between 225 and 300 mm

SL (Figure 9), with the largest ladyfish collected measuring 462 mm SL. Variability in the abundance data was too high to discern spatial or temporal patterns.

Elops saurus (ladyfish) 183-m seine

0.30 0.30

0.25 (12) (12) (12) (12) (12) (12) 0.25 (12) (24) (12) (12) (12)

0.20 0.20

± 95% CL)

-2

-2 0.15 0.15

0.10 0.10

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean

(animals.100 m 0.05 0.05

0.00 0.00

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

0.14 0.30 80

(3) (48) (16) (5) Total = 183 0.12 (66) (6) 0.25

60 0.10 0.20

± 95% CL) 0.08

-2 0.15 40

0.06

0.10

0.04 of individualsNumber 20

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean

(animals.100 m 0.05 0.02

0.00 0.00 0 0 Mud 100 200 300 400 500 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Figure 9. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of ladyfish collected with 183-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

Bay anchovy, Anchoa mitchilli

Bay anchovies range from Maine to the Yucatan Peninsula and are of great importance in estuarine food chains due to their trophic position, small size, and extreme abundance (Pattillo et al. 1997; Carpenter 2002). They spawn in nearshore marine waters and estuaries (Peebles et al. 1996; Pattillo et al. 1997). Larvae use selective tidal stream transport to travel to upstream nursery areas (Schultz et al. 2003).

Although each life stage of bay anchovy exhibits a broad range of salinity tolerance

(Pattillo et al. 1997), each tends to distribute differently in relation to salinity: spawning adults, eggs, and newly hatched larvae are found at higher salinities than are later- stage larvae and juveniles (Peebles et al. 1991).

Bay anchovies were collected in 21.3-m seine and 6.1-m trawl hauls (Appendices

E and G, respectively), but not with 183-m seine (Appendix F). They were only abundant and frequently collected in the 21.3-m seine hauls in which they comprised

32.7% (n= 71,303) of the total catch and were present in 31.7% of the hauls. With the exception of very low abundance in February, there were no obvious seasonal trends in abundance for bay anchovy (Figure 10) collected from the shallow waters sampled with

21.3-m seines. Bay anchovies were less abundant in Palma Sola, Sarasota, and

Blackburn bays than in Roberts and Little Sarasota bays. Bay anchovies collected in

21.3-m seines ranged in size from 15 to 56 mm SL, with a mode at 25 mm SL.

Anchoa mitchilli (bay anchovy) 21.3-m seine

12 35

(53) (56) (56) (54) (54) (52) 30 10 (59) (92) (59) (59) (56)

25 8

± 95% CL) ± 95% CL) 20

-2

-2 6

4 10

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean

(animals.100 m 2 5

0 0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

300 5 40000 (252) (73)

(5) (182) (105) (33) 250 Total = 71,303 4 30000

200

± 95% CL)

-2 150 20000

2 100

Number of individualsNumber 10000

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean (animals.100 m 1 50

0 0 0 0 Mud 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Figure 10. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of bay anchovy collected with 21.3-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

Common snook, Centropomus undecimalis

Common snook occur in tropical and subtropical estuarine systems of the western Atlantic (Rivas 1986). In Florida, they occur principally from Cape Canaveral on the Atlantic coast southward around the peninsula to Cedar Key on the Gulf of Mexico coast (Taylor et al. 2000). Common snook are popular sport fish that support a large recreational fishery throughout much of coastal south and central Florida (Muller and

Taylor 2002). Spawning occurs primarily in ocean passes and secondary embayments

(Taylor et al. 1998). Small juveniles are found in quiet shallow-water creeks, canals, and lagoons in both low-salinity (riverine) and high-salinity (mangrove and saltmarsh) environments (McMichael et al. 1989; Peters et al. 1998). As juvenile common snook grow to about 150 mm SL, marked changes in their tolerance of high temperature and low dissolved oxygen occur (Peterson and Gilmore 1991), and juveniles are no longer abundant at the sites described above. Larger juveniles and adult common snook are found in a wide variety of estuarine habitats.

Common snook were not collected in 6.1-m trawls (Appendix G), were rarely collected in 21.3-m seines (Appendix E), but were encountered in over 40% of the 183- m seine sets (Appendix F). There were no obvious seasonal trends in common snook abundance (Figure 11) probably the result of low sample size (6 hauls per sampling event). Common snook had much higher abundance in samples over seagrass, but the number of hauls over unvegetated bottom types was very low. Common snook collected in 183-m seines ranged in size from 228 to 705 mm SL with a mode at 400 mm SL.

Centropomus undecimalis (common snook) 183-m seine

0.35 0.25

0.30 (12) (12) (12) (12) (12) (12) 0.20 (12) (24) (12) (12) (12)

0.25

0.15

± 95% CL) 0.20 ± 95% CL)

-2

0.15 0.10

0.10

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean (animals.100 m 0.05 0.05

0.00 0.00

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

0.30 0.12 50

(66) (6) 0.25 0.10 Total = 201 (3) (48) (16) (5) 40

0.20 0.08 30

± 95% CL)

-2 0.15 0.06

0.10 0.04

Number of individualsNumber

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean (animals.100 m 10 0.05 0.02

0.00 0.00 0 0 Mud 200 400 600 800 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Figure 11. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of common snook collected with 183-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

Gray snapper, Lutjanus griseus

Gray snapper are a reef species found along the western Atlantic from

Massachusetts south to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Adults spawn during summer (June–

September) near areas of bottom structure in offshore waters (Stark 1971; Domeier and

Colin 1997). Juvenile gray snapper recruit to estuarine areas including seagrass beds and mangrove shorelines (Nagelkerken et al. 2000; Cocheret de la Moriniere et al.

2002; Serafy et al. 2003; Whaley et al. 2007; Faunce and Serafy 2008) where they typically spend the first year or two of their lives. Juvenile gray snapper feed primarily on penaeid shrimp and crabs (Rutherford et al.1989) and adults feed on fish, shrimp, and crabs (Harrigan et al. 1989; Hettler 1989). Gray snapper are an economically important species with Florida landings totaling 2,230,737 pounds in 2007 (FWC-FWRI 2008).

Gray snapper were collected in all three gear types deployed in Sarasota Bay, but were more frequently encountered with the 21.3-m (18.8%; Appendix E) and 183-m

(30.6%; Appendix F) seines than with the 6.1-m trawl (9.4%; Appendix G). The 21.3-m seine collected smaller gray snapper (mode at 30 mm SL; Figure 12) than did the 183- m seine (modes at 140 and 200 mm SL; Figure 13). Gray snapper were absent from collections made with both seine type in February, and were absent (183-m seine) or present in very low abundance (21.3-m seine) during April. With both seine types, gray snapper were less abundant in Palma Sola Bay than any of the other embayments and had higher abundance in collections at sites with some bottom vegetation.

Lutjanus griseus (gray snapper) 21.3-m seine

1.6 0.8

1.4 (53) (56) (56) (54) (54) (52) (59) (92) (59) (59) (56)

1.2 0.6

1.0

± 95% CL)

-2

-2 0.8 0.4

0.6

0.4 0.2

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean

(animals.100 m

0.2

0.0 0.0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

2.5 0.4 30

Total = 187 (5) (182) (105) (33) (252) (73) 25 2.0 0.3

20 1.5

± 95% CL)

-2 0.2 15

1.0

Number of individualsNumber 0.1

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean (animals.100 m 0.5 5

0.0 0.0 0 0 Mud 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Figure 12. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of gray snapper collected with 21.3-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

Lutjanus griseus (gray snapper) 183-m seine

0.25 0.18

(12) (12) (12) (12) (12) (12) (12) (24) (12) (12) (12) 0.16

0.20 0.14

0.12

0.15

± 95% CL) ± 95% CL) 0.10

-2

0.08 0.10

0.06

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean 0.04 0.05 (animals.100 m

0.02

0.00 0.00

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

0.25 0.10 40

Total = 137

0.20 (3) (48) (16) (5) 0.08 (66) (6) 30

0.15 0.06

± 95% CL)

-2 20

0.10 0.04

Number of individualsNumber 10

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean (animals.100 m 0.05 0.02

0.00 0.00 0 0 Mud 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Figure 13. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of gray snapper collected with 183-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

Pinfish, Lagodon rhomboides

Pinfish range from Cape Cod to the Yucatan Peninsula, including Bermuda and northern Cuba. They are most abundant from Cape Hatteras through the northern Gulf of Mexico (Pattillo et al. 1997; Carpenter 2002). Florida’s pinfish landings in 2007 were

2,022,492 pound with 96% of the total being landed by recreational fisherman and 83% coming from the gulf coast (FWRI-FWC 2008). Their high abundance in estuaries and their trophic placement have led some to suggest that they play a more important role in structuring epibenthic communities (Pattillo et al. 1997) than they do in the fishery.

Spawning occurs offshore and larvae use selective tidal stream transport to travel to nursery areas (Pattillo et al. 1997; Forward et al. 1998). Pinfish have been recorded in salinities ranging from 0 to >40 ppt, but may avoid the lower end of this range (Pattillo et al. 1997).

Pinfish were one of the two most abundant taxa collected in each of the three gear types, comprising 25.0%, 55.8%, and 26.6% of the total catch in 21.3-m seines,

183-m seines, and 6.1-m trawls, respectively (Appendices E, F, and G, respectively).

Pinfish were also one of the most commonly collected taxa, occurring in over 75% of the samples collected with each gear type. Pinfish collected in 21.3-m seine (mode at 20 mm SL, range 9 to 180 mm; Figure 14) and 6.1-m trawl (modes at 15, 30 and 80 mm

SL, range 11 to 163 mm; Figure 16) samples were smaller than those collected in 183- m seines (modes at 75 and 135 mm SL, range 43 to 213 mm; Figure 15).

Pinfish were most abundant in the winter and spring (February to April) in both

21.3-m seines and 6.1-m trawl collections (Figure 14 and Figure 16), and were most abundant in 183-m seine hauls from April to October (Figure 15). Pinfish did not show

46 any strong distributional trends among the five embayments for any of the gear types.

Pinfish were more abundant in 21.3-m seine collections that sampled some seagrass

(Figure 14), whereas pinfish collected in 183-m seines did not show an abundance trend related to bottom vegetation (Figure 15).

Lagodon rhomboides (pinfish) 21.3-m seine

250 60

(59) (92) (59) (59) (56) 50 200 (53) (56) (56) (54) (54) (52)

150

± 95% CL)

-2

-2 30

100

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric 50 (animals.100 m 10

0 0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

250 50 14000

(5) (182) (105) (33)

12000 Total = 54,500 (252) (73) 200 40

10000

150 30

± 95% CL) 8000

-2

6000 100 20

Number of individualsNumber 4000

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric (animals.100 m 50 10 2000

0 0 0 0 Mud 50 100 150 200 250 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Figure 14. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of pinfish collected with 21.3-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

Lagodon rhomboides (pinfish) 183-m seine

18 10

(12) (24) (12) (12) (12) 16 (12) (12) (12) (12) (12) (12)

8 14

± 95% CL) 10 ± 95% CL)

-2

8 4

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean

(animals.100 m

4 abundance Geometric mean (animals.100 m 2

0 0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

6 8 3500

(3) (48) (16) (5) (66) (6) 3000 Total = 12,775 5

6 2500 4

± 95% CL) 2000

-2 3 4

1500

Number of individualsNumber 1000 2

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean

(animals.100 m 1 500

0 0 0 0 Mud 50 100 150 200 250 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Figure 15. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of pinfish collected with 183-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

Lagodon rhomboides (pinfish) 6.1-m trawl

14 12

12 (16) (16) (16) (16) (16) (16) 10 (12) (48) (12) (12) (12)

10 8

± 95% CL) 8 ± 95% CL)

-2

-2 6

4 4

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean

(animals.100 m 2 2

0 0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

1600 Total = 5,925

1400

1200

1000

800

600

Number of individualsNumber 400

200

0 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180

Size-class mid-point (mm)

Figure 16. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of pinfish collected with 6.1-m trawl in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

Sheepshead, Archosargus probatocephalus

Sheepshead, Archosargus probatocephalus, are found in coastal estuarine and inner- to mid-shelf waters from Cape Cod to Brazil (Jennings 1985). Larval sheepshead are pelagic and metamorphose into juveniles at about 8 mm (Parsons and Peters 1989;

Tucker and Alshuth 1997). Juvenile sheepshead are most abundant in grass flats and over mud bottoms (Springer and Woodburn 1960, Odum and Heald 1972, Jennings

1985). In late summer, juvenile sheepshead begin to congregate with adults around stone jetties, breakwaters, piers, wrecks, and bulkheads (Jennings 1985). Recreational and commercial fishermen commonly harvest sheepshead, with the recreational fishery accounting for almost 90% of the total pounds landed in recent years (Munyandorero et al. 2006).

Sheepshead were collected in almost 70% of the hauls made with the 183-m seine (Appendix F), but occurred much less frequently in 6.1-m trawl (15.6%; Appendix

G) and 21.3-m seine hauls (11.4%; Appendix E). Sheepshead collected in the 21.3-m seine did not meet the abundance criteria for inclusion (n<100 and <15% occurrence) in this section. Sheepshead collected with 183-m seines tended to be larger (mode at 230 mm SL, range 35 to 385 mm SL; Figure 17) than those collected with trawls (mode at

170 mm SL, range 13 to 360 mm SL; Figure 18). There were no obvious seasonal trends for sheepshead collected with either gear (Figure 17 and Figure 18). Abundance of sheepshead collected in 183-m seines was highest in Little Sarasota Bay and from collections that sampled at least some bottom vegetation (Figure 17).

Archosargus probatocephalus (sheepshead) 183-m seine

0.35 0.6 (12) (24) (12) (12) (12)

0.30 (12) (12) (12) (12) (12) (12) 0.5

0.25 0.4

± 95% CL) 0.20 ± 95% CL)

-2

-2 0.3

0.15

0.2 0.10

Geometric abundance mean

(animals.100 m

Geometric abundance mean

(animals.100 m 0.1 0.05

0.00 0.0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

0.6 0.20 100

(3) (48) (16) (5) 0.18 (66) (6) Total = 362 0.5 0.16 80

0.14 0.4

0.12 60

± 95% CL)

-2 0.3 0.10

0.08 40 0.2 0.06

Number of individualsNumber

Geometric abundance mean (animals.100 m 0.04 20 0.1

0.02

0.0 0.00 0 0 Mud 100 200 300 400 500 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Figure 17. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of sheepshead collected with 183-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

Archosargus probatocephalus (sheepshead) 6.1-m trawl

0.5 1.2 (16) (16) (16) (16) (16) (16)

1.0 (12) (48) (12) (12) (12) 0.4

0.8

0.3

± 95% CL)

-2

-2 0.6

0.2

0.4

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric 0.1 (animals.100 m 0.2

0.0 0.0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

Total = 149 40

Number of individualsNumber

0 0 100 200 300 400 500

Size-class mid-point (mm)

Figure 18. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of sheepshead collected with 6.1-m trawl in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

Spotted Seatrout, Cynoscion nebulosus

Spotted seatrout occur along the U.S. east coast from New York south to Florida and in the Gulf of Mexico from Florida to Laguna Madre (Carpenter 2002). Over much of its range, spotted seatrout are the target of important recreational and commercial fisheries (Bortone 2003). Spawning occurs within estuaries or near passes into estuaries (Brown-Peterson, 2003). Spotted seatrout have been collected at salinities ranging from 0 to 75 ppt, but juveniles may prefer 8-25 ppt, with 20-25 ppt possibly representing the physiological optimum for larger juveniles and adults (Pattillo et al.

1997).

Spotted seatrout were collected in each of the gear types (Appendix E, F, and

G), but were only abundant (n=259) and frequently collected (20.6% of samples) in the

21.3-m seine hauls. The 21.3-m seine tended to collect small-sized seatrout (mode at

25 mm SL; Figure 19), which represent early young-of-the-year animals. Abundance was higher during the summer and fall months (June, August and October; Figure 19) than during other months (February, April and December), and none were collected during April. They were most abundant in collections that sampled some bottom vegetation and although present in all embayments, the mean abundance was slightly higher in Roberts and Little Sarasota bays (Figure 19).

Cynoscion nebulosus (spotted seatrout) 21.3-m seine

1.2 0.8

(59) (92) (59) (59) (56) (53) (56) (56) (54) (54) (52) 1.0

0.6

0.8

± 95% CL)

-2

-2 0.6 0.4

0.4

0.2

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m 0.2

0.0 0.0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

1.8 0.6 50

Total = 259 1.6 (5) (182) (105) (33) 0.5 (252) (73) 40 1.4

1.2 0.4 30 ± 95% CL) 1.0

-2 0.3 0.8 20

0.6 0.2

Number of individualsNumber

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean 0.4 (animals.100 m 10 0.1 0.2

0.0 0.0 0 0 Mud 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Figure 19. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of spotted seatrout collected with 21.3-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

Striped mullet, Mugil cephalus

Striped mullet are a cosmopolitan species; in the Western Atlantic, they range from Nova Scotia to Argentina (Carpenter 2002). This species supports large fisheries in many areas, including Florida. Landings in Florida were valued at over $5M in 2005; this value was less than half of the value in 1994 (FWRI, unpublished data), the year before the constitutional restriction on entangling nets was initiated. Striped mullet are a major prey item for many fishes and birds (Pattillo et al. 1997; Withers and Brooks 2004;

Bacheler et al. 2005; Blewett et al. 2006). They spawn on the continental shelf and recruit to estuaries as slender, silvery pelagic juveniles (Pattillo et al. 1997; McDonough and Wenner 2003). Recruiting juveniles are strong swimmers capable of traversing long distances to locate nursery habitats, perhaps aided by olfactory cues (Etnier and

Starnes 1993; Peters and Matheson, pers. obs.). Juvenile and adult striped mullet exhibit a broad range of salinity tolerance and can be extremely abundant in tidal rivers

(Pattillo et al. 1997; Paperno and Brodie 2004; Idelberger and Greenwood 2005). Adults sometimes move hundreds of miles inland in major river systems such as the

Mississippi, but juveniles are most common at salinities higher than freshwater (Etnier and Starnes 1993; Boschung and Mayden 2004).

Striped mullet were not collected in 6.1-m trawls (Appendix G), but were relatively abundant in 21.3-m seines (Appendix E) and 183-m seines (Appendix F).

Frequency of occurrence, however, was only high enough (38.9%) to assess trends from the 183-m seine collections. Striped mullet length-frequency distributions were bimodal (modes at 150 and 325 mm SL and range from 113 to 444; Figure 20). There

56 were no obvious seasonal, embayment or habitat trends in abundance for striped mullet collected in 183-m seine samples.

Mugil cephalus (striped mullet) 183-m seine

0.20 0.18 (12) (12) (12) (12) (12) (12) (12) (24) (12) (12) (12) 0.16

0.14 0.15

0.12

± 95% CL) ± 95% CL) 0.10

-2

-2 0.10 0.08

0.06

0.05

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean 0.04

(animals.100 m

0.02

0.00 0.00

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

0.08 0.07 25

Total = 117 (3) (48) (16) (5) (66) (6) 0.06 20 0.06 0.05

± 95% CL) 0.04

-2 0.04

0.03 10

0.02 of individualsNumber 0.02

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean (animals.100 m 5 0.01

0.00 0.00 0 0 Mud 100 200 300 400 500 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Figure 20. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of striped mullet collected with 183-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

Nekton Community Structure

Intrabay Comparison

Significant differences in abundance (Analysis of Variance, Tukey post hoc test) between embayments, but not sampling years, were identified for nekton sampled with the 21.3-m seine (P<0.0001, n=325, df=9, Model SS=113.52, Error SS=1,034.94) and the 6.1-m trawl (P<0.05, n=96, df=9, Model SS=29.45, Error SS=138.53). There were no significant differences (Analysis of Variance) in abundance between either embayments or years for nekton collected with the 183-m seine (P=0.407, n=72, df=9,

Model SS=10.09, Error SS=75.86). Nekton abundance for both the 21.3-m seine and

6.1-m trawl was significantly higher in Little Sarasota Bay than in Palma Sola Bay and

Sarasota Bay proper (Figure 21), while abundance in Roberts and Blackburn bays were not significantly different from any of the other three embayments.

The non-metric multi-dimensional scaling (MDS) plots show embayment groupings of nekton community structure in Sarasota Bay for each of the gear types sampled between June 2009 and April 2011 (Figure 22). Two of the embayments (Little

Sarasota and Roberts bays) grouped together at a Bray-Curtis similarity of 60% or greater for each of the gear types, indicating that they were consistently more similar to each other than to any of the other three embayments. While the remaining three embayments had nekton communities that were distinct from each other for the 183-m seines and 6.1-m trawls, the 21.3-m seine had an additional grouping of the two northern embayments (Sarasota and Palma Sola bays) at 72% similarity.

21.3-m bay seine 700

600 a a a,b b a,b

500

400

300

200

100

183-m haul seine 14

± 95% CL) ±

-2 8

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance 6.1-m otter trawl 50 a a a,b b a,b 40

Sarasota Bay Roberts Bay Palma Sola Bay Blackburn Bay Little Sarasota Bay

Figure 21. Geometric mean abundance, by gear type, for nekton collected from each of the five embayments of Sarasota Bay during nekton sampling, June 2009 – April 2011. Letters above bars in 21.3-m seine and 6.1-m trawl plot represent significant differences (ANOVA, P<0.05, Tukey post hoc test, b > a); significant differences were not found for 183-m seines.

Figure 22. Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling (MDS) ordination plot of nekton community structure in five embayments within Sarasota Bay for each gear type deployed during nekton sampling, June 2009 – April 2011. Ellipses, labeled with capital letters (A, B, C, or D), group embayments that had similar nekton communities as determined by Bray-Curtis similarities of 72% (a. 21.3-m seines), 65% (b. 183-m seines) and 60% (6.1-m trawls) from hierarchical agglomerative cluster analysis.

Similarity percentage analyses (SIMPER) on the 21.3-m seine data indicated that differences in abundance, not taxa, determined differences in community structure; only one of the top 25 pseudo-species that determined community structure between embayment groupings was unique to a specific group (Opisthonema oglinum, 31 to

50mm SL; Table 9). Fifteen of the top 25 pseudo-species were more abundant in Group

A (Little Sarasota and Roberts bays) than in the other two embayment groupings. Three of the top 25 pseudo-species had their highest abundance in Group B (Palma Sola Bay and Sarasota Bay proper) and seven were most abundant in Blackburn Bay. Four of the top 25 pseudo-species are Selected Taxa, with three having their highest abundance in

Blackburn Bay (L. xanthurus, <31mm SL; M. cephalus, <31mm SL; and F. duorarum,

<31mm POH) and the fourth (M. cephalus, 31-50mm SL) being most abundant in embayment Group B (Palma Sola Bay and Sarasota Bay proper).

Differences in abundance also distinguished the embayment groupings for the

183-m seine collections (SIMPER analysis; Table 10). None of the top 25 pseudo- species that differentiated community structure between embayment groupings for the

183-m seine was unique to a single group. Fourteen of the top 25 pseudo-species had higher abundance in Sarasota Bay proper (Group C) than any of the other embayment groupings. Only two of the 25 top pseudo-species had their highest abundance in

Blackburn Bay (Group D). Peak abundance for the six Selected Taxa in the top 25 were distributed between the Little Sarasota and Roberts bays group (Group A: A. probatocephalus, >100mm SL; L. griseus, >100mm SL; and S. ocellatus, >100mm SL),

Palma Sola Bay (Group B: L. xanthurus, >100mm SL; and E. saurus, >100mm SL), and

Sarasota Bay proper (Group C: L. xanthurus, >100mm SL; and M. microlepis, >100mm

SL).

With only one of the top 25 pseudo-species (L. xanthurus, 31-50mm SL; Table

11) being unique to a single embayment grouping in the similarity percentage analyses

(SIMPER), abundance differences defined the MDS embayment groupings for the 6.1- m trawl collections. Peak abundance occurred in embayment group A (Little Sarasota and Roberts bays) for 14 of the top 25 pseudo-species, which included three Selected

Taxa (seven pseudo-species: L. xanthurus at <31mm SL, 31-50mm SL, and <100mm

SL; C. sapidus at <31mm CW, 31-50mm CW, and 51-100mm CW; and L. griseus at

>100mm SL). Two, three, and six pseudo-species each had peak abundance in Palma

Sola Bay (Group B), Sarasota Bay proper (Group C) and Blackburn Bay (Group D), respectively.

Table 9. Similarity percentage (SIMPER) analysis for Sarasota Bay embayment groupings identified in the MDS ordination for 21.3-m seine collections (Figure 21). Mean abundance (Group Abundance) and percent contribution to dissimilarity between groups (Group Dissimilarity) for the top 25 pseudo-species that distinguished embayment groupings are listed. Group A included Little Sarasota and Roberts bays, Group B included Sarasota and Palma Sola bays, and Group C consisted of only Blackburn Bay. Taxa are listed in decreasing order of relative contribution to overall differences between groups.

Group Abundance Group Dissimilarity (animals/100m2)1/2 % contribution Scientific name Common name Size Class A B C A to B A to C B to C Anchoa mitchilli Bay anchovy <31mm 5.03 2.34 0.07 3.14 15.83 13.98

Anchoa mitchilli Bay anchovy 31-50mm 4.77 1.82 0.58 3.54 9.53 6.40

Harengula jaguana Scaled sardine 31-50mm 1.01 0.54 0.92 4.27 3.11 2.77

Anchoa cubana Cuban anchovy 31-50mm 0.69 0.04 0.13 4.53 4.37 0.69

Eucinostomus spp. Eucinostomus mojarra <31mm 4.10 3.12 5.67 3.22 1.33 4.48

Leiostomus xanthurus 1 Spot <31mm 2.54 1.75 2.96 2.01 2.06 4.08

Menidia spp. Silverside 31-50mm 0.88 0.49 1.06 1.69 1.90 3.38

Lucania parva Rainwater killifish <31mm 0.91 1.83 0.74 3.42 0.00 3.35

Mugil cephalus 1 Striped mullet <31mm 0.31 0.47 0.61 2.08 2.31 1.89

Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish <31mm 4.17 4.03 4.89 1.18 2.09 1.74

Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish 31-50mm 3.76 3.18 3.36 2.27 1.46 1.19

Farfantepenaeus duorarum 1 Pink shrimp <31mm 1.70 0.84 1.94 1.52 0.82 2.07

Harengula jaguana Scaled sardine 31-50mm 0.54 0.40 0.25 1.45 1.65 1.27

Eucinostomus spp. Eucinostomus mojarra 31-50mm 2.38 1.78 1.84 2.17 1.62 0.54

Mugil cephalus 1 Striped mullet 31-50mm 0.00 0.16 0.06 1.75 0.69 1.75

Opisthonema oglinum Atlantic thread herring 31-50mm 0.25 0.00 0.00 2.04 1.96 0.00

Bairdiella chrysoura Silver perch 31-50mm 0.69 0.26 0.66 1.82 0.70 1.18

Menidia spp. Silverside 31-50mm 0.32 0.37 0.66 0.63 1.82 1.24

Opisthonema oglinum Atlantic thread herring 31-50mm 0.33 0.02 0.02 1.85 1.80 0.00

Lucania parva Rainwater killifish 31-50mm 0.09 0.36 0.04 1.55 0.31 1.64

Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish 51-100mm 2.12 1.81 1.96 1.73 0.69 1.00

Eucinostomus gula Silver jenny 31-50mm 1.18 0.66 1.05 1.72 0.89 0.78

Menidia spp. Silverside <31mm 0.23 0.14 0.07 0.92 1.46 0.87

Microgobius gulosus Clown goby <31mm 0.93 0.25 0.16 1.22 1.57 0.41

Floridichthys carpio Goldspotted killifish 31-50mm 0.13 0.28 0.31 1.42 0.77 0.69

1 Species of direct economic importance (Selected Taxa).

Table 10. Similarity percentage (SIMPER) analysis for Sarasota Bay embayment groupings identified in the MDS ordination for 183-m seine collections (Figure 21). Mean abundance (Group Abundance) and percent contribution to dissimilarity between groups (Group Dissimilarity) for the top 25 pseudo-species that distinguished embayment groupings are listed. Group A included Little Sarasota and Roberts bays, while groups B, C and D were each comprised of a single embayment (Palma Sola, Sarasota, and Blackburn, respectively). Taxa are listed in decreasing order of relative contribution to overall differences between groups.

Group Abundance 2 1/2 Group Dissimilarity (animals/100m ) % contribution Scientific name Common name Size Class A B C D A to B A to C A to D B to C B to D C to D Brevoortia spp. Menhaden 51-100mm 0.10 0.59 0.01 0.01 17.70 2.13 2.79 15.09 18.93 0.0

Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish >100mm 0.89 1.66 1.04 0.45 11.39 1.04 5.88 7.47 15.64 5.80

Harengula jaguana Scaled sardine 51-100mm 0.04 0.12 0.21 0.39 3.47 3.62 14.25 0.79 8.85 7.35

Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish 51-100mm 0.74 1.24 1.54 1.00 8.46 7.70 4.44 0.89 4.14 4.92

Harengula jaguana Scaled sardine >100mm 0.04 0.02 0.31 0.21 0.87 5.77 6.77 5.39 5.79 0.95

Bairdiella chrysoura Silver perch >100mm 0.06 0.03 0.41 0.14 0.00 6.65 2.00 6.13 1.64 5.70

Opisthonema oglinum Atlantic thread herring >100mm 0.02 0.00 0.12 0.01 0.60 3.62 0.65 3.81 0.45 4.07

Brevoortia spp. Menhaden >100mm 0.13 0.03 0.04 0.00 3.19 2.08 4.70 0.52 1.01 1.56

Diplodus holbrookii Spottail pinfish 51-100mm 0.00 0.00 0.17 0.02 0.00 3.82 0.75 3.54 0.64 3.58

Ariopsis felis Hardhead catfish >100mm 0.27 0.12 0.09 0.01 2.04 1.49 4.54 0.00 1.94 1.97

Leiostomus xanthurus 1 Spot >100mm 0.14 0.17 0.17 0.04 1.49 1.18 2.07 0.74 2.19 2.92

Elops saurus 1 Ladyfish >100mm 0.17 0.21 0.12 0.03 1.04 0.69 2.27 1.01 2.90 1.52

Orthopristis chrysoptera Pigfish 51-100mm 0.12 0.08 0.28 0.19 1.21 2.00 1.35 2.17 0.83 1.79

Nicholsina usta Emerald parrotfish >100mm 0.01 0.01 0.15 0.00 0.00 3.02 0.00 2.62 0.00 3.52

Bairdiella chrysoura Silver perch 51-100mm 0.03 0.04 0.10 0.14 0.35 1.79 2.67 1.56 2.14 0.00

Archosargus probatocephalus 1 Sheepshead >100mm 0.42 0.15 0.17 0.15 2.95 2.15 3.30 0.00 0.00 0.00

Strongylura notata Redfin needlefish >100mm 0.10 0.14 0.18 0.17 1.07 2.60 0.99 1.62 0.00 2.06

Lutjanus griseus 1 Gray snapper >100mm 0.17 0.01 0.09 0.06 2.42 0.33 1.79 1.49 0.75 1.06

Orthopristis chrysoptera Pigfish >100mm 0.15 0.25 0.30 0.13 1.68 1.86 0.00 0.48 1.51 1.98

Mycteroperca microlepis 1 Gag >100mm 0.01 0.00 0.13 0.03 0.00 1.85 1.04 1.90 1.11 1.20

Opisthonema oglinum Atlantic thread herring 51-100mm 0.01 0.01 0.07 0.00 0.42 1.88 0.47 1.70 0.00 2.43

Eucinostomus harengulus Tidewater mojarra 51-100mm 0.03 0.09 0.02 0.03 1.96 0.47 0.65 1.33 1.49 0.00

Stephanolepis hispidus Planehead filefish 51-100mm 0.01 0.00 0.09 0.01 0.00 1.53 0.00 1.67 0.45 1.55

Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish 31-50mm 0.00 0.02 0.04 0.01 0.85 1.60 0.57 0.85 0.00 1.30

Sciaenops ocellatus 1 Red drum >100mm 0.10 0.07 0.02 0.08 0.46 0.85 0.52 0.44 0.83 1.30

1 Species of direct economic importance (Selected Taxa).

Table 11. Similarity percentage (SIMPER) analysis for Sarasota Bay embayment groupings identified in the MDS ordination for 6.1-m trawl collections (Figure 21). Mean abundance (Group Abundance) and percent contribution to dissimilarity between groups (Group Dissimilarity) for the top 25 pseudo-species that distinguished embayment groupings are listed. Group A included Little Sarasota and Roberts bays, while groups B, C and D were each comprised of a single embayment (Palma Sola, Sarasota, and Blackburn, respectively). Taxa are listed in decreasing order of relative contribution to overall differences between groups.

Group Abundance 2 1/2 Group Dissimilarity (animals/100m ) % contribution Scientific name Common name Size Class A B C D A to B A to C A to B A to B A to B A to B Leiostomus xanthurus 1 Spot <31mm 1.61 0.00 0.01 0.04 18.70 17.11 17.22 0.43 0.64 0.38

Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish <31mm 1.32 0.22 0.08 0.76 8.46 8.29 3.45 0.98 5.93 6.64

Orthopristis chrysoptera Pigfish <31mm 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.66 0.64 0.60 8.05 0.00 11.23 11.42

Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish 31-50mm 0.47 0.02 0.05 0.82 3.89 2.88 3.88 1.58 9.83 9.02

Leiostomus xanthurus 1 Spot 31-50mm 0.56 0.00 0.00 0.00 7.57 7.00 7.16 0.00 0.00 0.00

Eucinostomus spp. Eucinostomus mojarra <31mm 0.40 0.02 0.15 0.54 2.35 1.16 2.30 2.23 5.89 4.60

Anchoa mitchilli Bay anchovy <31mm 0.34 0.07 0.09 0.03 3.85 3.68 3.65 2.95 0.64 2.48

Anchoa mitchilli Bay anchovy 31-50mm 0.32 0.02 0.07 0.02 3.17 3.02 3.03 2.12 0.00 1.39

Archosargus probatocephalus 1 Sheepshead >100mm 0.11 0.06 0.00 0.41 0.00 0.80 2.33 1.75 3.02 4.16

Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish 51-100mm 0.32 0.60 0.67 0.24 1.12 1.46 0.68 0.94 2.24 2.86

Gobiosoma robustum Code goby <31mm 0.12 0.29 0.08 0.02 1.39 0.00 0.61 3.17 2.51 0.58

Eucinostomus gula Silver jenny 51-100mm 0.66 0.21 0.20 0.13 2.46 2.07 2.33 0.46 0.00 0.28

Gobiosoma spp. Gobiosoma gobies <31mm 0.18 0.17 0.08 0.02 0.44 0.83 1.33 2.32 2.04 0.63

Callinectes sapidus 1 Blue crab 51-100mm 0.40 0.17 0.05 0.21 1.16 1.56 0.55 1.04 0.96 1.62

Eucinostomus spp. Eucinostomus mojarra 31-50mm 0.18 0.00 0.05 0.15 1.60 0.97 0.00 1.12 1.84 1.17

Orthopristis chrysoptera Pigfish >100mm 0.43 0.30 0.21 0.14 0.84 1.10 1.53 0.69 0.95 0.53

Callinectes sapidus 1 Blue crab 31-50mm 0.20 0.16 0.03 0.03 1.11 0.98 1.01 1.52 1.00 0.00

Callinectes sapidus 1 Blue crab <31mm 0.15 0.13 0.02 0.03 1.16 1.05 1.06 0.95 0.90 0.33

Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish >100mm 0.43 0.54 0.43 0.16 0.73 0.41 0.62 0.57 1.70 1.37

Menippe spp. 1 Stone crab <31mm 0.04 0.25 0.29 0.24 1.19 1.47 0.88 0.80 0.00 0.83

Orthopristis chrysoptera Pigfish 51-100mm 0.21 0.15 0.18 0.08 1.23 1.15 1.14 0.00 0.64 0.83

Leiostomus xanthurus 1 Spot >100mm 0.11 0.02 0.05 0.00 0.84 0.49 1.08 1.04 0.38 1.03

Orthopristis chrysoptera Pigfish 31-50mm 0.04 0.00 0.03 0.09 0.49 0.50 0.54 1.35 1.25 0.44

Eucinostomus gula Silver jenny >100mm 0.00 0.02 0.08 0.00 0.00 1.13 0.00 1.85 0.00 1.52

Lutjanus griseus 1 Gray snapper >100mm 0.09 0.00 0.00 0.08 0.93 0.86 0.34 0.00 1.02 1.04

1 Species of direct economic importance (Selected Taxa).

Within each gear type, there was considerable overlap in the taxa and pseudo- species that comprised the nekton community structure in each embayment grouping.

Differences in abundance, therefore, defined embayment grouping differences. The two gear types that target smaller-bodied nekton (21.3-m seine and 6.1-m trawl) had a higher percentage of the top 25 pseudo-species with peak abundance in embayment group A (Little Sarasota and Roberts bays), while the 183-m seine had a higher percentage of pseudo-species with peak abundance in Sarasota Bay proper.

Little Sarasota and Roberts bays grouped together for each of the gear types.

Little Sarasota and Roberts bays are geographically smaller than Palma Sola Bay and

Sarasota Bay proper and are not directly linked to the Gulf of Mexico through a pass as are Blackburn Bay and Sarasota Bay proper. Little Sarasota and Roberts bays also receive more freshwater inflow, from Phillippi Creek, than any of the other three embayments and experienced lower average salinity than other embayments during the study period (June 2009 to April 2011; Figure 4). It is likely that embayment size, freshwater inflow, and connectivity to the Gulf of Mexico are important factors in determining the nekton community structure within Sarasota Bay.

Interbay Comparison

Analysis of variance (ANOVA, Tukey post hoc test) identified significant difference in abundance between bay segments, but not sampling years, for the nekton community sampled with 21.3-m seines (P<0.0001, n=1,141, df=27, Model SS=487.59,

Error SS=4,299.93), 183-m seines (P<0.0001, n=516, df=27, Model SS= 91.83, Error

SS= 545.37), and 6.1-m trawls (P<0.0001, n=564, df=27, Model SS= 98.58, Error SS=

700.47). Regardless of gear type, the bay segment with the highest abundance was in

Sarasota Bay (Little Sarasota Bay for 21.3-m seines and 6.1-m trawl, and Sarasota Bay proper for 183-m seines; Figure 23).

Bay segments for Sarasota Bay (Figure 1), and Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor

(Figure 2) were included in the nekton community structure analyses of these three estuaries. The non-metric multi-dimensional scaling (MDS) plots produced similar groupings of bay segments regardless of the gear type (Figure 24). Little Sarasota and

Roberts bays grouped together (Group C) for all three gear types, with this grouping including Blackburn Bay for 21.3-m seines and 6.1-m trawls. Old Tampa Bay,

Hillsborough Bay and Upper Charlotte Harbor grouped together (Group A) for each of the gear types. Regardless of estuary and gear type, the bay segments with passes to the Gulf of Mexico (Gasparilla Sound, Pine Island Sound, Sarasota Bay proper and

Lower Tampa Bay North and South; Group B) grouped together with Middle Charlotte

Harbor. Palma Sola Bay grouped with the lower estuary bay segments (Group B) for two of the three gear types, but for the 183-m seines, Palma Sola Bay formed its own group at the 60% similarity level.

1200 21.3-m seine 1000 a b b b a,b b a,b,c c b,c a,b a,b a b,c a 800

600

400

200

25 183-m seine

20 a c b c b,c c a,b,c a,b,c a,b,c b,c a,b,c b,c b,c b,c

± 95% CL)

-2 15

(animals.100 m Geometric mean abundance 6.1-m trawl 60 a,b b,c a a,b a,b,c a,b b,c c a,b,c a,b,c a,b a,b b a

Upper CHMiddle CH Upper TB Middle TB Sarasota BayRoberts Bay Palma Sola Bay Blackburn Bay Lower TB NorthLower TB South GasparillaPine Sound Island Sound Little Sarasota Bay Hillsborough Bay

Bay Segment

Figure 23. Geometric mean abundance, by gear type, for nekton collected from each bay segment in the Charlotte Harbor (magenta), Sarasota Bay (light green) and Tampa Bay (dark green) estuaries during nekton sampling, June 2009 – April 2011. Letters above bars represent significant differences (ANOVA, P<0.05, Tukey post hoc test, c>b>a). Embayments, within each estuary, are generally listed from North to South and East to West.

Figure 24. Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling (MDS) ordination plot of nekton community structure in bay segments of three eastern Gulf of Mexico estuaries (Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor) for each of gear type deployed during nekton sampling, June 2009 – April 2011. Ellipses, labeled with capital letters (A, B, C, or D), group bay segments that had similar nekton communities as determined by Bray-Curtis similarities of 69% (a. 21.3-m seines), 60% (b. 183-m seines) and 45% (6.1-m trawls) from hierarchical agglomerative cluster analysis.

All of the top 25 pseudo-species that determined community structure differences between embayment groupings (SIMPER analysis; Table 12) for the 21.3-m seine were collected in each of the bay segment groupings, indicating that groupings were determined by differences in abundance rather than by taxonomic differences.

Seventeen of the top 25 pseudo-species were more abundant in Group C (Little

Sarasota, Blackburn, and Roberts bays) than in the other two embayment groupings.

Five of the top 25 pseudo-species were Selected Taxa, with three having their highest abundance in embayment Group C (L. xanthurus, <31mm and 31-50mm SL; F. duorarum, <31mm POH) and the remaining two (M. cephalus, <31mm SL and 31-50mm

SL) being more abundant in embayment Group A (Upper Charlotte Harbor, Hillsborough

Bay, Old Tampa Bay and Middle Tampa Bay).

The average dissimilarity between embayment groupings for the 183-m seine

(SIMPER analysis) ranged from 40.3% (between Groups A and B) to 43.3% (Groups B and C). Differences in abundance of similar pseudo-species were more important in defining bay segment groupings than were taxonomic differences. Of the four bay segment groupings, Group D (Palma Sola Bay; Table 13) had higher abundance for five of the top 25 pseudo-species (Table 13): Brevoortia spp. (51-100mm SL), L. rhomboides (>100mm SL), L. xanthurus (>100mm SL), E. saurus (>100mm SL), and

Orthopristis chrysoptera (>100mm SL). Roberts and Little Sarasota bays (Group C) had higher abundance of Brevoortia spp. (>100mm SL), Ariopsis felis (>100mm SL), E. gula

(51-100mm SL), and four Selected Taxa (A. probatocephalus, >100mm SL; L. griseus,

>100mm SL; C. undecimalis, >100mm SL; and M. curema, >100mm SL). Group B

(Gasparilla and Pine Island sounds, Sarasota and Blackburn bays and Lower Tampa

Bay North and South) and Group A (upper and middle Charlotte Harbor, Old and Middle

Tampa Bay and Hillsborough Bay) had nine and four pseudo-species, respectively, with higher abundance than the other bay segment groupings.

Similarity percentage analyses (SIMPER) of the 6.1-m trawl data indicated that each of the three bay segment groupings were approximately 60% dissimilar from each other (57.9 – 60.6% dissimilarity between bay segment groupings). Of the top 25 pseudo-species, only C. arenarius (51-100mm SL; Table 14) was unique to a single bay segment grouping (Group A), accounting for 1.41 and 1.78% of the dissimilarity between Group A and Groups B and C, respectively. Therefore, abundance difference among a similar suite of pseudo-species, and not taxonomic difference, defined the three bay segment groupings. Fourteen of the top 25 pseudo-species that determined dissimilarity between groupings were more abundant in Group C (Roberts, Blackburn and Little Sarasota bays) than in either Group A (Upper Charlotte Harbor, Hillsborough

Bay and Old Tampa Bay) or B (Gasparilla Sound, Middle Charlotte Harbor, Pine Island

Sound, Sarasota Bay proper, Palma Sola Bay, Middle Tampa Bay and Lower Tampa

Bay North and South). Abundance was higher in embayment group A and B for six and five pseudo-species, respectively.

Table 12. Similarity percentage (SIMPER) analysis for Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, and Charlotte Harbor segment groupings identified in the MDS ordination for 21.3-m seine collections (Figure 24). Mean abundance (Group Abundance) and percent contribution to dissimilarity between groups (Group Dissimilarity) for the top 25 pseudo-species that distinguished embayment groupings are listed. Group A included Upper Charlotte Harbor, Hillsborough Bay, Old Tampa Bay and Middle Tampa Bay; Group B included Gasparilla Sound, Middle Charlotte Harbor, Pine Island Sound, Sarasota Bay proper, Palma Sola Bay and Lower Tampa Bay (North and South); and Group C consisted of Roberts, Blackburn and Little Sarasota bays. Taxa are listed in decreasing order of relative contribution to overall differences between groups.

Group Dissimilarity Group Abundance (animals/100m2)1/2 % contribution Scientific name Common name Size Class A B C A to B A to C B to C Anchoa mitchilli Bay anchovy <31mm 1.71 1.04 3.43 5.47 6.48 8.22

Anchoa mitchilli Bay anchovy 31-50mm 1.85 0.97 3.42 5.52 4.90 5.56

Eucinostomus spp. Eucinostomus mojarra <31mm 1.26 2.74 4.61 2.58 5.79 4.07

Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish 31-50mm 1.16 3.76 3.63 4.70 4.17 1.45

Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish <31mm 1.71 3.95 4.40 4.28 3.76 1.68

Lucania parva Rainwater killifish <31mm 0.38 1.99 0.85 4.87 0.90 3.86

Harengula jaguana Scaled sardine 31-50mm 0.15 0.33 0.98 1.56 4.05 3.87

Leiostomus xanthurus 1 Spot <31mm 1.47 1.61 2.68 3.12 2.51 3.18

Mugil cephalus 1 Striped mullet <31mm 0.55 0.42 0.41 2.46 1.82 2.73

Anchoa cubana Cuban anchovy 31-50mm 0.04 0.01 0.51 0.41 2.57 3.00

Menidia spp. Silversides <31mm 0.42 0.39 0.18 2.25 1.24 2.17

Menidia spp. Silversides 31-50mm 0.93 0.77 0.94 2.21 1.72 1.60

Eucinostomus spp. Eucinostomus mojarra 31-50mm 0.92 1.58 2.21 0.94 2.33 1.74

Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish 51-100mm 0.85 2.27 2.07 1.95 1.85 1.08

Lucania parva Rainwater killifish 31-50mm 0.12 0.55 0.07 1.36 0.54 1.84

Menidia spp. Silversides 51-100mm 0.53 0.35 0.43 1.39 1.24 0.88

Farfantepenaeus duorarum 1 Pink shrimp <31mm 0.72 0.84 1.78 0.52 1.36 1.53

Bairdiella chrysoura Silver perch 31-50mm 0.28 0.33 0.69 0.94 1.24 1.12

Mugil cephalus 1 Striped mullet 31-50mm 0.14 0.07 0.02 1.30 1.09 0.76

Leiostomus xanthurus 1 Spot 31-50mm 0.71 0.50 0.76 1.23 0.82 1.02

Eucinostomus gula Silver jenny 31-50mm 0.33 0.70 1.14 0.50 1.37 1.13

Bairdiella chrysoura Silver perch 51-100mm 0.27 0.33 0.68 0.69 1.07 1.19

Harengula jaguana Scaled sardine 51-100mm 0.30 0.37 0.45 0.82 0.92 1.06

Opisthonema oglinum Atlantic thread herring 31-50mm 0.02 0.04 0.17 0.52 1.02 1.12

Bairdiella chrysoura Silver perch <31mm 0.39 0.16 0.19 1.03 0.68 0.76

1 Species of direct economic importance (Selected Taxa). 73

Table 13. Similarity percentage (SIMPER) analysis for Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, and Charlotte Harbor segment groupings identified in the MDS ordination for 183-m seine collections (Figure 24). Mean abundance (Group Abundance) and percent contribution to dissimilarity between groups (Group Dissimilarity) for the top 25 pseudo-species that distinguished embayment groupings are listed. Group A included upper and middle Charlotte Harbor, old and middle Tampa Bay, and Hillsborough Bay; Groups B was made up of Gasparilla and Pine Island sounds, Sarasota Bay proper and Roberts Bay, and Lower Tampa Bay (North and South); Group C was comprised of Blackburn and Little Sarasota bays; and Group D included only Palma Sola Bay. Taxa are listed in decreasing order of relative contribution to overall differences between groups.

Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish >100mm 0.43 0.92 0.89 1.66 4.46 4.52 14.29 1.99 9.82 11.39

Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish 51-100mm 0.74 1.54 0.74 1.24 7.25 5.06 5.15 9.51 3.28 8.46

Harengula jaguana Scaled sardine 51-100mm 0.07 0.19 0.04 0.12 5.13 1.99 1.78 6.50 3.22 3.47

Harengula jaguana Scaled sardine >100mm 0.09 0.18 0.04 0.02 3.07 3.52 2.97 5.28 4.86 0.87

Bairdiella chrysoura Silver perch >100mm 0.07 0.18 0.06 0.03 2.77 2.23 1.81 3.73 3.37 0.00

Brevoortia spp. >100mm 0.03 0.03 0.13 0.03 1.55 3.90 1.39 3.02 0.72 3.19 Menhaden Leiostomus xanthurus 1 Spot >100mm 0.15 0.08 0.14 0.17 2.61 3.18 2.39 1.59 1.42 1.49

Eucinostomus harengulus Tidewater mojarra 51-100mm 0.15 0.04 0.03 0.09 2.74 3.70 1.87 0.85 1.37 1.96

Archosargus probatocephalus 1 Sheepshead >100mm 0.07 0.19 0.42 0.15 1.47 4.35 0.84 2.19 0.56 2.95

Elops saurus 1 Ladyfish >100mm 0.18 0.09 0.17 0.21 2.99 2.82 1.95 1.10 1.66 1.04

Orthopristis chrysoptera Pigfish >100mm 0.06 0.19 0.15 0.25 2.12 1.47 2.65 1.01 0.76 1.68

Ariopsis felis Hardhead catfish >100mm 0.13 0.07 0.27 0.12 1.28 2.06 0.61 2.78 0.88 2.04

Orthopristis chrysoptera Pigfish 51-100mm 0.05 0.19 0.12 0.08 2.38 1.48 0.53 1.95 1.80 1.21

Leiostomus xanthurus 1 Spot 51-100mm 0.15 0.09 0.09 0.12 2.30 2.70 2.17 0.40 0.53 0.82

Lutjanus griseus 1 Gray snapper >100mm 0.02 0.06 0.17 0.01 0.91 2.52 0.36 1.28 0.91 2.42

Eucinostomus gula Silver jenny 51-100mm 0.15 0.18 0.21 0.14 1.55 1.84 1.41 1.03 0.38 1.10

Opisthonema oglinum Atlantic thread herring >100mm 0.02 0.04 0.02 0.00 1.62 0.75 0.75 1.72 1.70 0.60

Bairdiella chrysoura Silver perch 51-100mm 0.03 0.08 0.03 0.04 1.54 0.91 0.67 1.66 1.38 0.35

Centropomus undecimalis 1 Snook >100mm 0.06 0.13 0.16 0.14 1.29 1.27 1.38 0.92 0.83 0.35

Dasyatis sabina Atlantic stingray >100mm 0.09 0.03 0.02 0.00 1.05 1.39 1.66 0.57 0.64 0.55

Diplodus holbrookii Spottail pinfish 51-100mm 0.00 0.06 0.00 0.00 1.86 0.00 0.00 1.98 1.82 0.00

Eucinostomus harengulus Tidewater mojarra >100mm 0.04 0.02 0.02 0.00 1.14 1.24 1.36 0.44 0.58 0.66

Mugil curema 1 White mullet >100mm 0.03 0.08 0.11 0.10 1.26 1.22 1.22 0.86 0.78 0.00

Strongylura notata Redfin needlefish >100mm 0.12 0.14 0.10 0.14 0.73 0.92 0.38 1.08 0.67 1.07

1 Species of direct economic importance (Selected Taxa).

Table 14. Similarity percentage (SIMPER) analysis for Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, and Charlotte Harbor segment groupings identified in the MDS ordination for 6.1-m trawl collections (Figure 24). Mean abundance (Group Abundance) and percent contribution to dissimilarity between groups (Group Dissimilarity) for the top 25 pseudo-species that distinguished embayment groupings are listed. Group A included Upper Charlotte Harbor, Hillsborough Bay, and Old Tampa Bay; Group B included Gasparilla Sound, Middle Charlotte Harbor, Pine Island Sound, Sarasota Bay proper, Palma Sola Bay, Middle Tampa Bay and Lower Tampa Bay (North and South); and Group C consisted of Roberts, Blackburn and Little Sarasota bays. Taxa are listed in decreasing order of relative contribution to overall differences between groups.

Group Abundance Group Dissimilarity (animals/100m2)1/2 % contribution Scientific name Common name Size Class A B C A to B A to C B to C Leiostomus xanthurus 1 Spot <31mm 0.16 0.00 1.08 5.68 9.22 11.74

Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish <31mm 0.07 0.18 1.13 2.21 7.15 6.40

Leiostomus xanthurus 1 Spot 31-50mm 0.13 0.00 0.38 3.53 3.67 4.71

Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish 31-50mm 0.04 0.13 0.59 1.80 4.33 4.20

Anchoa mitchilli Bay anchovy <31mm 0.12 0.07 0.24 2.85 2.80 3.38

Orthopristis chrysoptera Pigfish <31mm 0.01 0.03 0.25 0.46 3.39 3.73

Anchoa mitchilli Bay anchovy 31-50mm 0.21 0.05 0.22 2.32 2.81 2.43

Cynoscion arenarius 1 Sand seatrout <31mm 0.26 0.02 0.00 3.22 2.81 0.30

Eucinostomus spp. Eucinostomus mojarra <31mm 0.10 0.11 0.45 1.03 2.02 2.66

Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish 51-100mm 0.25 0.66 0.29 2.66 0.77 2.05

Leiostomus xanthurus 1 Spot 51-100mm 0.17 0.01 0.05 2.50 2.05 0.78

Eucinostomus gula Silver jenny 51-100mm 0.17 0.27 0.48 1.19 1.39 1.48

Menticirrhus americanus 1 Southern kingfish <31mm 0.15 0.01 0.00 2.04 1.78 0.19

Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish >100mm 0.07 0.37 0.34 1.93 0.96 1.04

Orthopristis chrysoptera Pigfish >100mm 0.07 0.29 0.33 1.45 1.12 1.16

Orthopristis chrysoptera Pigfish 51-100mm 0.02 0.20 0.16 1.47 0.95 1.12

Archosargus probatocephalus 1 Sheepshead >100mm 0.00 0.00 0.21 0.24 1.48 1.65

Callinectes sapidus 1 Blue crab 51-100mm 0.14 0.03 0.34 0.86 0.80 1.64

Cynoscion arenarius 1 Sand seatrout 51-100mm 0.09 0.00 0.00 1.78 1.41 0.00

Farfantepenaeus duorarum 1 Pink shrimp <31mm 0.38 0.09 0.29 1.63 0.63 0.85

Cynoscion arenarius 1 Sand seatrout 31 - 50mm 0.09 0.00 0.00 1.57 1.27 0.00

Menippe spp. 1 Stone crab <31mm 0.02 0.22 0.11 1.26 0.47 0.87

Portunus spp. Swimming crab 31-50mm 0.04 0.23 0.15 1.38 0.72 0.50

Portunus spp. Swimming crab 51-100mm 0.00 0.09 0.12 1.09 1.02 0.38

Eucinostomus spp. Eucinostomus mojarra 31-50mm 0.05 0.05 0.17 0.63 0.73 1.09

1 Species of direct economic importance (Selected Taxa).

Nekton community analyses that included the Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay and

Charlotte Harbor estuaries identified three main bay segment groupings (Groups A, B, and C). Group A included bay segments that did not have direct linkages to the Gulf of

Mexico and most had freshwater inflow from riverine sources. Bay segments in the second group (B) typically lacked riverine freshwater inflow but had passes that linked them to the Gulf of Mexico. Although Group C consistently included Little Sarasota and

Roberts bays, it also included Blackburn Bay for the 21.3-m seine and 6.1-m trawl analyses. Depending upon the gear type, Middle Tampa Bay grouped with either Group

A (21.3-m and 183-m seines) or Group B (6.1-m trawl). Palma Sola Bay, in Sarasota

Bay, was associated with Group B (low freshwater, close connectivity to the Gulf of

Mexico) for two of the three gear types (21.3-m seines and 6.1-m trawls), but the 183-m seine sampled a nekton community that was uniquely different from any of the other groupings (Group D).

The nekton community structure for Little Sarasota and Roberts bays grouped together for both the intrabay (Group A) and interbay (Group C) analyses. Higher abundance for a majority of the top 25 pseudo-species that defined the dissimilarity between groupings, tended to occur in the group that included these two embayments for both the intrabay and interbay analyses. Little Sarasota, Roberts, and Blackburn bays are the smallest embayments in the study, are relatively close to the Gulf of

Mexico but do not have direct linkages to the gulf, and receive some freshwater inflow, either directly or indirectly, from Phillippi Creek. In the interbay analyses for each gear type, the grouping that included Little Sarasota and Roberts bays was most dissimilar to

Group A (larger bay segments, freshwater influence, no direct connectivity to the Gulf of

Mexico), an indication that the bay segment size and/or proximity to the Gulf may have more influence on their nekton community structure than does the freshwater inflow from Phillippi Creek.

Mercury Content Analysis

Tissue samples for mercury content analysis have been collected from 462 individuals representing 27 taxa (Table 15). Nekton collected for mercury analysis ranged in size from 49 to 716 mm SL. To date, almost 90% of the tissue samples

(n=407) collected from Sarasota Bay have been analyzed for total mercury concentrations. Of the samples analyzed, 48 animals (11.6%), representing seven taxa

(C. undecimalis, common snook [n=30]; C. nebulosus, spotted seatrout [n=5];

Strongylura marina, Atlantic needlefish [n=5]; Scomberomorus maculatus, Spanish mackerel [n=3]; E. saurus, ladyfish [n=3]; Menticirrhus americanus, Southern kingfish

[n=1]; Chaetodipterus faber, spadefish [n=1]), have had mercury concentrations above

0.3 mg/kg, a guidance level adopted by the U.S. EPA to protect public health (USEPA

2001). The highest total mercury concentration level sampled to date in Sarasota Bay was 0.763 mg/kg (Atlantic needlefish, 410 mm SL).

Regression analyses and estuary comparisons were run on seven taxa (ladyfish, common snook, sheepshead, spotted seatrout, red drum, gag and gray snapper) which had a large enough sample size in Sarasota Bay (≥10) and from the gulf coast of

Florida between Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor (≥100).

Table 15. Summary of the number of fish, sizes, and mercury levels for fish tissue samples analyzed from the fisheries-independent sampling of Sarasota Bay. Min = minimum, Max = maximum, Analyzed = number of fish that have been processed for mercury concentration, and Total = total number of fish collected for mercury content analysis. Mercury concentrations were compared between adjacent estuaries for species with 100 or more total animals analyzed and with at least 10 from Sarasota Bay (* in Anal.).

Hg Concentration Sizes (mm) (mg/kg) Number

Species Mean Min Max Mean Min Max Analyzed Total Anal.

Ancylopsetta quadrocellata 153.5 149 158 0.056 0.052 0.060 2 2

Archosargus probatocephalus 240.6 131 358 0.107 0.032 0.211 70 75 *

Caranx hippos 240.0 240 240 0.286 0.286 0.286 1 1

Centropomus undecimalis 397.9 200 716 0.260 0.057 0.740 88 107 *

Chaetodipterus faber 278.5 252 312 0.205 0.114 0.340 4 4

Cynoscion nebulosus 281.6 137 422 0.206 0.031 0.495 17 20 *

Elops saurus 251.6 209 376 0.185 0.052 0.748 40 45 *

Epinephelus morio 101.0 101 101 0.027 0.027 0.027 1 1

Eugerres plumieri 223.0 203 235 0.185 0.063 0.269 5 5

Lachnolaimus maximus 188.0 188 188 0 1

Lagodon rhomboides 110.3 63 151 0.058 0.023 0.160 59 59 *

Lutjanus griseus 188.0 115 240 0.077 0.031 0.168 40 42 *

Lutjanus synagris 89.5 49 133 0.059 0.051 0.070 3 12

Menticirrhus americanus 278.7 256 295 0.287 0.241 0.332 2 3

Micropogonias undulatus 271.0 271 271 0 1

Mugil cephalus 262.5 135 379 0.006 0.005 0.008 10 10

Mugil curema 125.7 112 135 0.011 0.007 0.016 3 3

Mycteroperca microlepis 210.8 153 320 0.080 0.054 0.147 13 13 *

Orthopristis chrysoptera 95.0 91 99 0.045 0.038 0.053 2 2

Paralichthys albigutta 234.9 194 323 0.129 0.051 0.270 8 8

Pogonias cromis 278.2 171 348 0.084 0.018 0.150 2 5

Sciaenops ocellatus 445.5 261 592 0.104 0.019 0.188 21 26 *

Scomberomorus maculatus 365.5 328 410 0.385 0.202 0.515 4 4

Strongylura marina 414.0 324 480 0.541 0.210 0.763 6 6

Synodus foetens 175.0 128 222 0.083 0.048 0.118 2 2

Trachinotus carolinus 254.7 215 321 0.106 0.098 0.115 2 3

Trachinotus falcatus 267.0 264 270 0.067 0.060 0.073 2 2

Totals 266.2 49 716 0.147 0.005 0.763 407 462

Ladyfish, Elops saurus

Ladyfish that were collected in Sarasota Bay for mercury analysis ranged in size from 209 to 376 mm SL (Table 15). Forty of the 45 ladyfish retained for mercury analysis from Sarasota Bay have been processed with a mean total mercury level of

0.185 mg/kg. The highest total mercury level recorded for ladyfish from Sarasota Bay was 0.748 mg/kg which was recorded from the largest ladyfish captured (376 mm SL) to date.

There was a significant (P<0.0001), positive linear relationship between total mercury concentration and standard length for ladyfish collected from the gulf coast of

Florida between Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor (Figure 25), indicating a tendency for mercury concentrations to increase over time as ladyfish grow. Ladyfish collected for mercury analysis from Sarasota Bay were smaller on average (250.4 mm SL) than those collected in the Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor estuaries (313.7 and 317.9 mm

SL, respectively; Figure 26). Total mercury concentrations tended to be lower for ladyfish analyzed from Sarasota Bay (0.185) than those from either the Tampa Bay

(0.403) or Charlotte Harbor (0.348) estuaries.

Elops saurus (ladyfish) 1

-1

-2

ln([hg]) = -3.8643 + 0.0083 * SL adjusted r2 = 0.4725 ln total mercury level (ppm) level mercury ln total -3 n = 169 Tampa Bay (n=95) Sarasota Bay (n=40) Charlotte Harbor (n=34) -4 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 550 Standard Length (mm)

Figure 25. Relationship between natural log transformed (ln) total mercury concentration (mg/kg) and standard length (mm) for ladyfish collected in the Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor estuaries.

Elops saurus (ladyfish)

500

n = 95 n = 40 n = 34 400

300

200

(mm, ± Standard error) (mm, ± Standard

Meann Standard Length Standard Meann 100

0 0.8

0.6

0.4

Meann Total Hg Total Meann

(ppm, ± Standard error) (ppm, ± Standard 0.2

0.0 TB SB CH Estuary

Figure 26. Comparison of sizes and total mercury concentration for ladyfish in the Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor estuaries. Error bars represent one standard error.

Common Snook, Centropomus undecimalis

Eighty-eight of the 107 common snook collected for mercury analysis from

Sarasota Bay have been processed (Table 15). Common snook collected for mercury analysis from Sarasota Bay range in size from 200 to 716 mm SL (mean of 397.9 mm).

The mean total mercury concentration for common snook in Sarasota Bay was 0.260 mg/kg. The highest concentration of mercury recorded for common snook in Sarasota

Bay was from a 460 mm SL fish (0.74 mg/kg).

Common snook from the gulf coast of Florida between Tampa Bay and Charlotte

Harbor had a significant (P<0.0001) positive linear relationship between total mercury concentration and standard length (Figure 27). On average, common snook collected for mercury analysis from Sarasota Bay were smaller and had lower mercury concentrations (398mm SL and 0.26mg/kg, respectively) than those collected for analysis from either the Tampa Bay (460mm SL and 0.35mg/kg) or Charlotte Harbor

(585mm SL and 0.42mg/kg) estuaries (Figure 28).

Centropomus undecimalis (common snook) 1

-1

-2

-3 ln([hg]) = -2.4454 + 0.0026 * SL adjusted r2 = 0.2659 ln total mercury level (ppm) level mercury ln total n = 1,409 -4 Tampa Bay (n=1,136) Sarasota Bay (n=88) Charlotte Harbor (n=185) -5 0 200 400 600 800 1000 Standard Length (mm)

Figure 27. Relationship between natural log transformed (ln) total mercury level (mg/kg) and standard length (mm) for common snook collected in the Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor estuaries.

Centropomus undecimalis (common snook)

800 n = 1,136 n = 88 n = 185

600

400

(mm, ± Standard error)Standard ± (mm,

Meann Standard Length Meann Standard 200

0.6

0.4

Meann Total Hg Meann Total 0.2

(ppm, ± Standard error)± Standard (ppm,

0.0 TB SB CH Estuary

Figure 28. Comparison of sizes and total mercury concentration for common snook collected in the Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor estuaries. Error bars represent one standard error.

Sheepshead, Archosargus probatocephalus

Within Sarasota Bay, 75 sheepshead (131 to 358 mm SL) have been collected for mercury analysis (Table 15). Seventy of those fish have been analyzed for total mercury concentrations with mercury levels ranging from 0.032 to 0.211 mg/kg (mean of

0.107 mg/kg). Total mercury concentrations for sheepshead were consistently low as compared to other estuarine species of economic importance. The highest concentration of mercury recorded for a sheepshead in Sarasota Bay was from a 304 mm SL animal collected in February 2010 (0.211 mg/kg).

Linear regression indicates that total mercury concentration had a significant

(P<0.0001) positive relationship with standard length for sheepshead collected in the

Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor estuaries (Figure 29). Average sizes of sheepshead were smallest in Sarasota Bay (241.8mm SL) and largest in the Charlotte

Harbor estuary (273.4mm SL; Figure 30). Average total mercury concentration was also lowest in Sarasota Bay (0.107 mg/kg) and highest in the Charlotte Harbor estuary

(0.199 mg/kg).

Archosargus probatocephalus (sheepshead) 0

-1

-2

ln([hg]) = -3.3088 + 0.0044 * SL -3 adjusted r2 = 0.2241 ln total mercury level (ppm) level mercury total ln n = 124

Tampa Bay (n=42) Sarasota Bay (n=70) Charlotte Harbor (n=12) -4 100 200 300 400 Standard Length (mm)

Figure 29. Relationship between natural log transformed (ln) total mercury level (mg/kg) and standard length (mm) for sheepshead collected in the Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor estuaries.

Archosargus probatocephalus (sheepshead)

400 n = 42 n = 70 n = 12

300

200

(mm, error) ± Standard Meann Standard Length Standard Meann 100

0.4

0.3

0.2

Meann Total Meann Hg

(ppm, ± Standard error) ± Standard (ppm, 0.1

0.0 TB SB CH Estuary

Figure 30. Comparison of sizes and total mercury concentration for sheepshead collected in the Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor estuaries. Error bars represent one standard error.

Gray Snapper, Lutjanus griseus

Over 95% of the gray snapper collected for mercury analysis (n=42) from

Sarasota Bay have been processed (Table 15). Gray snapper collected for mercury analysis from Sarasota Bay ranged in size from 115 to 240 mm SL (mean of 188.0 mm).

The mean total mercury level for gray snapper in Sarasota Bay was 0.077 mg/kg (range

0.031 to 0.168 mg/kg).

Total mercury concentration for gray snapper from estuarine waters along the gulf coast of Florida between Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor had a significant

(P<0.0001) positive linear relationship with size, indicating that mercury concentrations increase as gray snapper grew (Figure 31). The average sizes of gray snapper collected for mercury analysis in the Tampa Bay and Sarasota Bay estuaries were very similar (190.0 and 188.4 mm SL, respectively) while gray snapper from Charlotte Harbor were slightly larger (222.3 mm SL; Figure 32). Average total mercury concentrations for gray snapper were lower in Sarasota Bay (0.077 mg/kg) than in either the Tampa Bay

(0.111 mg/kg) or Charlotte Harbor (0.131 mg/kg) estuaries.

Lutjanus griseus (gray snapper)

ln([hg]) = -3.3821 + 0.0056 * SL adjusted r2 = 0.1861 n = 547

0 Tampa Bay (n=246) Sarasota Bay (n=40) Charlotte Harbor (n=261)

-1

-2

ln total mercury level (ppm) level mercury total ln -3

-4 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 Standard Length (mm)

Figure 31. Relationship between natural log transformed (ln) total mercury level (mg/kg) and standard length (mm) for gray snapper collected in the Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor estuaries.

Lutjanus griseus (gray snapper)

300 n = 246 n = 40 n = 261 250

200

150

100

(mm, ± Standard error)Standard ± (mm,

Meann Standard Length Meann Standard 50

0 0.20

0.15

0.10

Meann Total Hg Meann Total

(ppm, ± Standard error)± Standard (ppm, 0.05

0.00 TB SB CH Estuary

Figure 32. Comparison of sizes and total mercury concentration for gray snapper collected in the Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor estuaries. Error bars represent one standard error.

Gag, Mycteroperca microlepis

Thirteen gag, ranging in size from 153 to 320 mm SL, from Sarasota Bay have been collected and analyzed for total mercury concentrations (Table 15). The mean total mercury level for gag collected from Sarasota Bay was 0.080 mg/kg (range 0.054 to 0.147 mg/kg). The gag from Sarasota Bay with the highest total mercury concentration (0.147 mg/kg) measured 295 mm SL.

Gag from estuarine waters along the gulf coast of Florida between Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor had a significant (P<0.0001) and positive linear relationship between size and total mercury concentration, such that total mercury increased as gag grew and aged (Figure 33). Although gag over 400mm SL were only collected for mercury analysis from within the Tampa Bay estuary, the average sizes collected for mercury analysis in all three estuaries were very similar (209 to 219 mm SL, respectively; Figure 34). Average total mercury concentrations for gag were slightly lower in Sarasota Bay (0.080 mg/kg) than in either the Tampa Bay (0.115 mg/kg) or

Charlotte Harbor (0.138 mg/kg) estuaries.

Mycteroperca microlepis (gag) 0

-1

-2

ln([hg]) = -3.1490 + 0.0042 * SL -3 adjusted r2 = 0.4370 ln total mercury level (ppm) level mercury total ln n = 472

Tampa Bay (n=325) Sarasota Bay (n=13) Charlotte Harbor (n=134) -4 0 200 400 600 Standard Length (mm)

Figure 33. Relationship between natural log transformed (ln) total mercury level (mg/kg) and standard length (mm) for gag collected in the Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor estuaries.

Mycteroperca microlepis (gag)

350 n = 325 n = 13 n = 134 300

250

200

150

100

(mm, ± Standard error) ± Standard (mm,

Meann Standard Length Standard Meann 50

0.25

0.20

0.15

0.10

Meann Total Hg Total Meann

(ppm, ± Standard error) ± Standard (ppm, 0.05

0.00 TB SB CH Estuary

Figure 34. Comparison of average sizes and total mercury concentration for gag collected in the Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor estuaries. Error bars represent one standard error.

Spotted Seatrout, Cynoscion nebulosus

Seventeen of the 20 spotted seatrout that were collected for total mercury concentrations from Sarasota Bay have been analyzed (Table 15). The collected spotted seatrout ranged in size from 137 to 422 mm SL (mean of 281.6 mm SL). The total mercury concentration for spotted seatrout collected from Sarasota Bay ranged from 0.031 to 0.495 mg/kg (mean of 0.206 mg/kg). The spotted seatrout from Sarasota

Bay with the highest total mercury concentration (0.495 mg/kg) was also the largest spotted seatrout (422 mm SL) collected for analysis from this estuary.

Total mercury concentrations for spotted seatrout from the estuarine waters of

Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor had a significant (P<0.0001) and positive linear relationship with size (Figure 35). The average size of spotted seatrout collected for mercury analysis was smallest from Sarasota Bay (281.6 mm SL) and largest from the Charlotte Harbor estuary (353.9 mm SL; Figure 36). Similarly, the mean total mercury concentration was higher in the Charlotte Harbor estuary (0.432 mg/kg) than either the Tampa Bay (0.334 mg/kg) or the Sarasota Bay (0.206 mg/kg) estuaries.

Cynoscion nebulosus (spotted seatrout) 1

-1

-2

ln([hg]) = -2.9716 + 0.0052 * SL adjusted r2 = 0.3706 ln total mercury level (ppm) level mercury total ln -3 n = 377 Tampa Bay (n=281) Sarasota Bay (n=17) Charlotte Harbor (n=79) -4 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 Standard Length (mm)

Figure 35. Relationship between natural log transformed (ln) total mercury level (mg/kg) and standard length (mm) for spotted seatrout collected in the Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor estuaries.

Cynoscion nebulosus (spotted seatrout)

500 n = 281 n = 17 n = 79

400

300

200

(mm, ± Standard error)Standard ± (mm, Meann Standard Length Meann Standard 100

0 0.8

0.6

0.4

Meann Total Hg Meann Total

(ppm, ± Standard error)± Standard (ppm, 0.2

0.0 TB SB CH Estuary

Figure 36. Comparison of average sizes and total mercury concentration for spotted seatrout collected in the Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor estuaries. Error bars represent one standard error.

Red Drum, Sciaenops ocellatus

Twenty-one of the 26 red drum collected for total mercury concentrations from

Sarasota Bay have been analyzed (Table 15). The collected red drum ranged in size from 261 to 592 mm SL (mean of 445.5 mm SL). The mean total mercury concentration for red drum collected from Sarasota Bay was 0.104 mg/kg (range: 0.019 to 0.188 mg/kg). The red drum with the highest total mercury concentration from Sarasota Bay

(0.188 mg/kg) was a 590 mm SL male collected in October 2009.

Red drum from the Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor estuaries had a significant (P<0.0001) and positive linear relationship between size and total mercury concentration (Figure 37). The average size red drum collected for mercury analysis was smallest from the Tampa Bay estuary (421.5 mm SL), and largest for

Charlotte Harbor (469.9 mm SL) with Sarasota Bay (445.5 mm SL) in the middle (Figure

38). The mean total mercury concentration was highest in the Charlotte Harbor estuary

(0.166 mg/kg) and lowest in Sarasota Bay (0.104 mg/kg; Figure 38).

Sciaenops ocellatus (red drum) 0

-1

-2

-3

ln([hg]) = -3.7358 + 0.0038 * SL adjusted r2 = 0.4058 ln total mercury level (ppm) level mercury total ln -4 n = 788 Tampa Bay (n=509) Sarasota Bay (n=21) Charlotte Harbor (n=258) -5 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 Standard Length (mm)

Figure 37. Relationship between natural log transformed (ln) total mercury level (mg/kg) and standard length (mm) for red drum collected in the Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor estuaries.

Sciaenops ocellatus (red drum)

700 n = 509 n = 21 n = 258 600

500

400

300

200

(mm, ± Standard error) ± Standard (mm,

Meann Standard Length Standard Meann 100

0 0.30

0.25

0.20

0.15

Meann Total Hg Total Meann 0.10

(ppm, ± Standard error) Standard ± (ppm, 0.05

0.00 TB SB CH Estuary

Figure 38. Comparison of average sizes and total mercury concentration for red drum collected in the Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor estuaries. Error bars represent one standard error.

CONCLUSIONS

Physiochemical conditions

The meteorological conditions during the first two years of this study followed the

30 year trend (1979 – 2008) but both temperature and rainfall deviated from the normal average condition during several months. Monthly average temperatures from January to March 2010 and December 2010 to January 2011 were well below normal, while temperatures during the summer of 2010 and spring of 2011 tended to be higher than normal. Precipitation in the normally dry months of January to May was unseasonably high during both 2010 and 2011. Undoubtedly these conditions influenced the physiochemical situation in Sarasota Bay and likely the composition of the nekton community as well.

Composition of overall nekton community

The nekton community in Sarasota Bay from June 2010 to April 2011 was typical of Florida estuaries. Almost 80% of the total nekton catch during the second year of this study were collected with the 21.3-m seine. The bay anchovy, a small schooling fish, comprised almost 39% of the catch in this gear and over 31% of the total catch across all gears. Pinfish were also particularly abundant, representing one of the top two most abundant taxa collected in each of the gear types and comprising almost 30% of the total catch. Other estuarine dependent species such as spot, eucinostomus mojarra, silver jenny, silver perch, and scaled sardines were relatively abundant in Sarasota Bay as well.

Nekton Community Structure

Two Sarasota Bay embayments (Roberts and Little Sarasota bays) had very similar nekton assemblages in the shallow waters sampled with 21.3-m seines. In these habitats, Palma Sola and Sarasota bays were also similar to each other, but different from the Roberts and Little Sarasota bays group and from Blackburn Bay. For the 183- m seines and the 6.1-m trawl, the nekton communities within the Roberts and Little

Sarasota bays also grouped together and were distinct from the other embayments. The differences in nekton communities within the habitats sampled by each gear type were defined by differences in abundance of similar pseudo-species rather than by differences in the taxa that were present. Overall nekton abundance was higher in Little

Sarasota Bay for both the 21.3-m seine and 6.1-m trawl. The majority of the pseudo- species that discriminated embayment groupings for 21.3-m seines and 6.1-m trawls were more abundant in the Roberts and Little Sarasota bays grouping than in the other embayments. The most obvious physical differences between Roberts and Little

Sarasota bays and the other embayments of Sarasota Bay are their relatively small surface area, freshwater inflow from Phillippi Creek and the absence of a direct connection to the Gulf of Mexico. These factors likely influence the observed differences in the nekton community structure between the Roberts and Little Sarasota bays group and the other embayments.

The interbay analyses comparing nekton assemblages in bay segments of the

Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay and Charlotte Harbor estuaries resulted in three basic groupings regardless of gear type: 1) small Sarasota embayments, 2) larger bay segments with relatively direct connection to the Gulf of Mexico and little freshwater

94 inflow from tributaries, and 3) larger bay segments without direct passes to the Gulf of

Mexico and relatively high freshwater inflow from tributaries. As with the intrabay analyses, these bay segment groupings were defined by differences in abundance of similar taxa and not by entirely different suites of taxa.

The intrabay and interbay analyses of community assemblages provided similar results. Both analyses grouped the nekton community of Roberts and Little Sarasota bays together as being very similar. The interbay analysis of 21.3-m seines and 6.1-m trawls included Blackburn Bay, another small embayment of Sarasota Bay, with the

Roberts and Little Sarasota bays group. The nekton assemblage in this grouping of small Sarasota embayments was distinct from that found in larger bay segments with a direct connection to the Gulf of Mexico and from larger bay segments that had relatively higher freshwater inflow from tributaries. The grouping of small Sarasota embayments was least similar to the grouping of larger bay segments that received higher freshwater inflow, possibly indicating that the embayment size and/or proximity to the Gulf of

Mexico was more important in determining nekton composition for the small Sarasota embayment group than was freshwater inflow.

Mercury Content Analysis

Sample sizes were not large enough to run linear regressions on any of the taxa collected for total mercury concentration analysis from Sarasota Bay without combining with data from adjacent estuaries (Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor). The results of the total mercury concentration analysis provides no reason to suspect that fish from

Sarasota Bay contain any higher concentrations of mercury than those found in

95 adjacent estuaries and suggest that accumulation rates for Sarasota Bay are similar to those found in Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor.

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APPENDICES

105

106

Appendix A. Animals designated as Selected Taxa because of their commercial or recreational importance.

Scientific Name Common Name Scientific Name Common Name Albula vulpes bonefish Lutjanus mahogoni mahogany snapper Archosargus probatocephalus sheepshead Lutjanus synagris lane snapper Callinectes sapidus blue crab Lutjanus vivanus silk snapper Centropomus undecimalis common snook Megalops atlanticus tarpon Cynoscion arenarius sand seatrout Menippe spp. stone crab Cynoscion nebulosus spotted seatrout Menticirrhus americanus southern kingfish Cynoscion nothus silver seatrout Menticirrhus littoralis Gulf kingfish Cynoscion regalis weakfish Menticirrhus saxatillis northern kingfish Cynoscion complex seatrout Micropogonias undulatus Atlantic croaker Elops saurus ladyfish Mugil cephalus striped mullet Epinephelus adscensionis rock hind Mugil curema white mullet Epinephelus afer mutton hamlet Mugil gaimardianus redeye mullet Epinephelus cruentatus graysby Mugil gyrans whirligig mullet Epinephelus drummondhayi speckled hind Mugil liza liza Epinephelus flavolimbatus yellowedge grouper Mycteroperca bonaci black grouper Epinephelus fulvus coney Mycteroperca microlepis gag Epinephelus guttatus red hind Mycteroperca phenax scamp Epinephelus inermis marbled grouper Mycteroperca tigris tiger grouper Epinephelus itajara goliath grouper Mycteroperca venenosa yellowfin grouper Epinephelus morio red grouper Panulirus argus spiny lobster Epinephelus mystacinus misty grouper Paralichthys albigutta Gulf flounder Epinephelus nigritus Warsaw grouper Paralichthys dentatus summer flounder Epinephelus niveatus snowy grouper Paralichthys lethostigma southern flounder Epinephelus striatus Nassau grouper Paralichthys oblongus fourspot flounder Farfantepenaeus aztecus brown shrimp Paralichthys squamilentus broad flounder Farfantepenaeus duorarum pink shrimp Penaeidae spp. shrimps Farfantepenaeus brasiliensis pinkspotted shrimp Pogonias cromis black drum Farfantepenaeus spp. penaeid shrimps Pomatomus saltatrix bluefish Leiostomus xanthurus spot Rachycentron canadum cobia Litopenaeus setiferus white shrimp Sciaenops ocellatus red drum Lutjanus analis mutton snapper Scomberomorus cavalla king mackerel Lutjanus apodus schoolmaster Scomberomorus maculatus Spanish mackerel Lutjanus buccanella blackfin snapper Scomberomorus regalis cero Lutjanus campechanus red snapper Trachinotus carolinus pompano Lutjanus cyanopterus cubera snapper Trachinotus falcatus permit Lutjanus griseus gray snapper Trachinotus goodei palometa Lutjanus jocu dog snapper

107

108

Appendix B. Summary of species collected, by sampling event (bi-monthly), during

Sarasota Bay nekton sampling, June 2010 to April 2011. Effort, or total number of hauls, is labeled 'E'. Taxa are arranged alphabetically. Species of commercial or recreational importance (Selected Taxa) are denoted with an asterisk (*) after the species name.

Month and Year Jun Aug Oct Dec Feb Apr 2010 2010 2010 2010 2011 2011 Totals

Scientific Name Common Name E=42 E=40 E=42 E=40 E=42 E=42 E=248

Acanthostracion quadricornis Scrawled cowfish 7 10 6 8 3 7 41

Achirus lineatus Lined sole 6 4 17 . 4 1 32

Adinia xenica Diamond killifish . . 4 . 5 . 9

Aluterus schoepfii Orange filefish 3 . . . . . 3

Anchoa cubana Cuban anchovy . . . . 7 . 7

Anchoa hepsetus Striped anchovy . . . . . 2 2

Anchoa mitchilli Bay anchovy 5,386 11,670 8,410 2,324 1,292 3,477 32,559

Ancylopsetta quadrocellata Ocellated flounder 2 4 2 . 2 5 15

Archosargus probatocephalus * Sheepshead 78 53 27 42 90 27 317

Ariopsis felis Hardhead catfish 41 33 10 18 1 54 157

Bagre marinus Gafftopsail catfish . 2 . . . 3 5

Bairdiella chrysoura Silver perch 1,120 629 196 46 3 56 2,050

Bathygobius soporator Frillfin goby . . . 1 . . 1

Brevoortia spp. Menhaden 1 1,856 281 . . 58 2,196

Calamus arctifrons Grass porgy 2 . . . . . 2

Calamus penna Sheepshead porgy . . . . 4 . 4

Callinectes ornatus Shelligs 2 4 . . . . 6

Callinectes sapidus * Blue crab 47 75 22 28 233 108 513

Callinectes similis Lesser blue crab . 1 . . . . 1

Caranx hippos Crevalle jack . 1 2 . . . 3

Centropomus undecimalis * Snook 12 7 37 . 2 20 78

Centropristis striata Black sea bass 1 . 8 1 . 2 12

Chaetodipterus faber Atlantic spadefish 4 9 1 . . 1 15

Chasmodes saburrae Florida blenny . . 1 . . 1 2

Chilomycterus schoepfii Striped burrfish 8 8 25 15 4 10 70

Chloroscombrus chrysurus Atlantic bumper . . 1 . . . 1

109

Month and Year Jun Aug Oct Dec Feb Apr 2010 2010 2010 2010 2011 2011 Totals

Scientific Name Common Name E=42 E=40 E=42 E=40 E=42 E=42 E=248 Citharichthys macrops Spotted whiff 2 . . . 1 . 3

Ctenogobius boleosoma Darter goby . . . . 2 . 2

Cynoscion arenarius * Sand seatrout . . . . 1 . 1

Cynoscion nebulosus * Spotted seatrout 65 40 58 5 25 4 197

Cyprinodon variegatus Sheepshead minnow 1 . 4 1 3 41 50

Dasyatis sabina Atlantic stingray . 2 . 3 1 3 9

Dasyatis say Bluntnose stingray 3 . 1 . . 1 5

Diplodus holbrookii Spottail pinfish 40 13 145 . . 3 201

Elops saurus * Ladyfish 12 3 41 . 1 30 87

Etropus crossotus Fringed flounder 3 1 2 5 . . 11

Eucinostomus argenteus Spotfin mojarra 1 . . . . . 1

Eucinostomus gula Silver jenny 58 303 285 144 101 54 945

Eucinostomus harengulus Tidewater mojarra 21 91 72 27 6 48 265

Eucinostomus spp. Eucinostomus mojarra 2,544 2,399 3,675 958 91 29 9,696 Eugerres plumieri Striped mojarra 6 1 1 1 . 1 10

Farfantepenaeus duorarum * Pink shrimp 387 139 418 66 128 51 1,189

Floridichthys carpio Goldspotted killifish 24 182 197 8 30 20 461

Fundulus confluentus Marsh killifish . . . . 1 . 1

Fundulus grandis Gulf killifish . 1 7 2 16 21 47

Fundulus similis Longnose killifish . 6 4 . 1 2 13

Gobiosoma longipala Twoscale goby . . . 2 3 1 6

Gobiosoma robustum Code goby 50 25 6 14 91 38 224

Gobiosoma spp. Gobiosoma gobies 49 22 10 38 37 2 158 Haemulon plumierii White grunt 4 . 22 . . . 26

Harengula jaguana Scaled sardine 99 126 2,475 . . 1063 3,763

Hippocampus erectus Lined seahorse . 1 . . 2 8 11

Hippocampus zosterae Dwarf seahorse . . 1 2 8 4 15

Hypleurochilus caudovittatus Zebratail blenny 1 . . 4 1 1 7 Hyporhamphus meeki American halfbeak 11 10 1 . 1 3 26 Hyporhamphus spp. Halfbeaks 18 . . . . . 18 Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish 5,608 3,664 3,703 412 8,351 8,254 29,992

Leiostomus xanthurus * Spot 95 218 62 . 7,579 342 8,296

Limulus polyphemus Horseshoe crab . 3 3 . 2 . 8

Lucania parva Rainwater killifish 375 790 100 . 20 388 1,673

110

Month and Year Jun Aug Oct Dec Feb Apr 2010 2010 2010 2010 2011 2011 Totals

Scientific Name Common Name E=42 E=40 E=42 E=40 E=42 E=42 E=248 Lutjanus griseus * Gray snapper 27 33 34 5 1 . 100

Lutjanus synagris * Lane snapper . . 7 2 . . 9

Membras martinica Rough silverside . 21 . . 1 . 22

Menidia spp. Menidia silversides 236 42 16 25 28 384 731 Menippe spp. * Stone crab 18 37 9 28 28 23 143

Menticirrhus americanus * Southern kingfish . . . . . 5 5

Menticirrhus littoralis * Gulf kingfish . 1 . . . . 1

Microgobius gulosus Clown goby 79 122 31 73 138 66 509

Micropogonias undulatus Atlantic croaker . . 3 . . 1 4

Monacanthus ciliatus Fringed filefish 8 1 . 1 . . 10

Mugil cephalus * Striped mullet 3 8 4 32 1231 919 2,197

Mugil curema * White mullet 1 25 31 16 59 18 150

Mugil gyrans * Fantail mullet 1 10 1 18 1 3 34

Mycteroperca microlepis * Gag 7 14 8 . . . 29

Nicholsina usta Emerald parrotfish 112 5 66 1 . 9 193

Ogcocephalus cubifrons Polka Dot Batfish . . 2 5 2 1 10 Oligoplites saurus Leatherjacket 23 27 20 . . 1 71

Opisthonema oglinum Atlantic thread herring 1 1 31 . . 18 51

Opsanus beta Gulf toadfish 13 16 6 1 5 7 48

Oreochromis niloticus Nile Tilapia . . . . . 1 1 Orthopristis chrysoptera Pigfish 437 434 243 3 47 1148 2,312

Paralichthys albigutta * Gulf flounder 16 26 9 4 20 40 115

Poecilia latipinna Sailfin molly . 7 78 1 . 4 90

Pogonias cromis * Black drum 1 1 . . . . 2

Portunus spp. Swimming crabs 27 18 6 2 104 27 184

Prionotus scitulus Leopard searobin 6 20 5 13 11 2 57

Prionotus tribulus Bighead searobin 2 1 4 3 16 2 28

Rhinoptera bonasus Cownose ray . 5 1 . . 1 7

Sciaenops ocellatus * Red drum 3 5 8 110 26 7 159

Scomberomorus maculatus * Spanish mackerel . 1 6 . . 2 9

Scorpaena brasiliensis Barbfish 1 1 6 . 1 . 9

Selene vomer Lookdown . . 1 . . . 1

Serraniculus pumilio Pygmy sea bass . . . 2 1 . 3

Serranus subligarius Belted sandfish 1 . 1 . . . 2

111

Month and Year Jun Aug Oct Dec Feb Apr 2010 2010 2010 2010 2011 2011 Totals

Scientific Name Common Name E=42 E=40 E=42 E=40 E=42 E=42 E=248 Sphoeroides nephelus Southern puffer 12 2 6 12 10 11 53

Sphoeroides spengleri Bandtail puffer 1 . . . . . 1

Sphyraena barracuda Great barracuda 1 2 3 1 . . 7

Sphyraena borealis Northern sennet 2 . . . . . 2

Sphyraenidae spp. Barracudas . . . . . 1 1

Stephanolepis hispidus Planehead filefish 82 12 13 5 4 . 116

Strongylura marina Atlantic needlefish 11 . . . 1 . 12

Strongylura notata Redfin needlefish 38 59 64 10 16 195 382

Strongylura spp. Needlefishes . 1 . . . 2 3

Strongylura timucu Timucu . 1 . . . . 1

Symphurus plagiusa Blackcheek tonguefish 1 2 8 1 2 1 15

Syngnathus floridae Dusky pipefish 5 . 4 5 4 5 23

Syngnathus louisianae Chain pipefish 3 3 5 8 4 3 26

Syngnathus scovelli Gulf pipefish 31 20 34 23 37 55 200

Synodus foetens Inshore lizardfish 28 16 40 21 19 11 135

Trachinotus carolinus * Florida pompano 2 . . . . . 2

Trachinotus falcatus * Permit . . 1 . . . 1

Trinectes maculatus Hogchoker . . 1 . . . 1

Urophycis floridana Southern hake . . . . 12 1 13

Totals 17,437 23,406 21,159 4,606 19,982 17,218 103,808

112

Appendix C. Summary of species collected, by gear and stratum, during Sarasota Bay

nekton sampling, June 2010 to April 2011. Effort, or the total number of hauls, is labeled

'E'. Taxa are arranged alphabetically. Species of commercial or recreational importance

(Selected Taxa) are denoted with an asterisk (*) after the species name.

Gear and Strata

21.3-m bay seine 183-m haul seine 6.1-m otter Veg Unveg Shore Over Nonover trawl Totals

Species Common Name E=66 E=39 E=59 E=29 E=7 E=48 E=248 Acanthostracion quadricornis Scrawled cowfish . 1 . 2 6 32 41

Achirus lineatus Lined sole 2 . 9 . 1 20 32

Adinia xenica Diamond killifish . . 9 . . . 9

Aluterus schoepfii Orange filefish . . . . 1 2 3

Anchoa cubana Cuban anchovy . . . . . 7 7

Anchoa hepsetus Striped anchovy . . . . . 2 2

Anchoa mitchilli Bay anchovy 20,529 430 10,380 . . 1,220 32,559

Ancylopsetta quadrocellata Ocellated flounder . . . 2 1 12 15

Archosargus probatocephalus * Sheepshead 17 7 17 174 29 73 317

Ariopsis felis Hardhead catfish 14 14 2 53 36 38 157

Bagre marinus Gafftopsail catfish . . . 4 1 . 5

Bairdiella chrysoura Silver perch 1,564 6 129 65 247 39 2,050

Bathygobius soporator Frillfin goby . . 1 . . . 1

Brevoortia spp. Menhaden 8 2 27 2,132 27 . 2,196

Calamus arctifrons Grass porgy . . . . . 2 2

Calamus penna Sheepshead porgy . . 4 . . . 4

Callinectes ornatus Shelligs . . . . 2 4 6

Callinectes sapidus * Blue crab 48 5 25 34 19 382 513

Callinectes similis Lesser blue crab . . . . 1 . 1

Caranx hippos Crevalle jack . . 1 1 1 . 3

Centropomus undecimalis * Snook 1 . 3 71 3 . 78

Centropristis striata Black sea bass 1 . 1 . 8 2 12

Chaetodipterus faber Atlantic spadefish 2 . . 4 2 7 15

Chasmodes saburrae Florida blenny 1 . . . . 1 2

Chilomycterus schoepfii Striped burrfish 9 1 . 8 15 37 70

113

Gear and Strata

21.3-m bay seine 183-m haul seine 6.1-m otter Veg Unveg Shore Over Nonover trawl Totals

Species Common Name E=66 E=39 E=59 E=29 E=7 E=48 E=248 Chloroscombrus chrysurus Atlantic bumper 1 . . . . . 1

Citharichthys macrops Spotted whiff . . . . . 3 3

Ctenogobius boleosoma Darter goby 1 . 1 . . . 2

Cynoscion arenarius * Sand seatrout . . . . . 1 1

Cynoscion nebulosus * Spotted seatrout 68 1 62 36 27 3 197

Cyprinodon variegatus Sheepshead minnow 2 . 48 . . . 50

Dasyatis sabina Atlantic stingray . . . 1 3 5 9

Dasyatis say Bluntnose stingray . . . 1 3 1 5

Diplodus holbrookii Spottail pinfish 7 8 2 15 146 23 201

Elops saurus * Ladyfish 1 1 1 58 26 . 87

Etropus crossotus Fringed flounder . . . 1 . 10 11

Eucinostomus argenteus Spotfin mojarra . . . . . 1 1

Eucinostomus gula Silver jenny 241 89 374 120 19 102 945

Eucinostomus harengulus Tidewater mojarra 9 56 181 14 . 5 265

Eucinostomus spp. Eucinostomus mojarra 4,329 784 4,234 . . 349 9,696

Eugerres plumieri Striped mojarra 2 . . 8 . . 10

Farfantepenaeus duorarum * Pink shrimp 472 43 594 2 . 78 1,189

Floridichthys carpio Goldspotted killifish 12 1 447 1 . . 461

Fundulus confluentus Marsh killifish . . 1 . . . 1

Fundulus grandis Gulf killifish 1 . 46 . . . 47

Fundulus similis Longnose killifish . . 7 . 6 . 13

Gobiosoma longipala Twoscale goby . . . . . 6 6

Gobiosoma robustum Code goby 70 14 68 . . 72 224

Gobiosoma spp. Gobiosoma gobies 52 10 41 . . 55 158

Haemulon plumierii White grunt 17 . 5 . 3 1 26

Harengula jaguana Scaled sardine 2,319 . 50 1,080 311 3 3,763

Hippocampus erectus Lined seahorse . 1 . . 1 9 11

Hippocampus zosterae Dwarf seahorse 8 3 1 . . 3 15

Hypleurochilus caudovittatus Zebratail blenny . . . . . 7 7

Hyporhamphus meeki American halfbeak 7 15 . 4 . . 26

Hyporhamphus spp. Halfbeaks 6 12 . . . . 18

Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish 10,982 992 7,334 6,218 1,625 2,841 29,992

114

Gear and Strata

21.3-m bay seine 183-m haul seine 6.1-m otter Veg Unveg Shore Over Nonover trawl Totals

Species Common Name E=66 E=39 E=59 E=29 E=7 E=48 E=248 Leiostomus xanthurus * Spot 1,245 1,254 5,136 210 166 285 8,296

Limulus polyphemus Horseshoe crab 1 . . . . 7 8

Lucania parva Rainwater killifish 877 . 796 . . . 1,673

Lutjanus griseus * Gray snapper 38 2 20 25 2 13 100

Lutjanus synagris * Lane snapper 5 1 . . . 3 9

Membras martinica Rough silverside 19 . 3 . . . 22

Menidia spp. Menidia silversides 111 27 593 . . . 731

Menippe spp. * Stone crab . . . . . 143 143

Menticirrhus americanus * Southern kingfish . . . 2 3 . 5

Menticirrhus littoralis * Gulf kingfish . . . . 1 . 1

Microgobius gulosus Clown goby 198 61 233 . . 17 509

Micropogonias undulatus Atlantic croaker . . . 3 1 . 4

Monacanthus ciliatus Fringed filefish . 1 . . 7 2 10

Mugil cephalus * Striped mullet 20 5 2,099 67 6 . 2,197

Mugil curema * White mullet . . 9 111 30 . 150

Mugil gyrans * Fantail mullet . . 9 25 . . 34

Mycteroperca microlepis * Gag . . 2 14 12 1 29

Nicholsina usta Emerald parrotfish 13 . . 2 150 28 193

Ogcocephalus cubifrons Polka Dot Batfish . . . . . 10 10

Oligoplites saurus Leatherjacket 20 7 35 6 3 . 71

Opisthonema oglinum Atlantic thread herring 15 . 5 10 20 1 51

Opsanus beta Gulf toadfish 1 1 2 8 6 30 48

Oreochromis niloticus Nile Tilapia . . . 1 . . 1

Orthopristis chrysoptera Pigfish 259 176 117 183 347 1,230 2,312

Paralichthys albigutta * Gulf flounder 3 7 18 19 9 59 115

Poecilia latipinna Sailfin molly 1 . 89 . . . 90

Pogonias cromis * Black drum . . . 2 . . 2

Portunus spp. Swimming crabs . . . . 1 183 184

Prionotus scitulus Leopard searobin . 3 1 . 5 48 57

Prionotus tribulus Bighead searobin 1 1 4 1 2 19 28

Rhinoptera bonasus Cownose ray . . . 6 1 . 7

Sciaenops ocellatus * Red drum 35 26 51 47 . . 159

115

Gear and Strata

21.3-m bay seine 183-m haul seine 6.1-m otter Veg Unveg Shore Over Nonover trawl Totals

Species Common Name E=66 E=39 E=59 E=29 E=7 E=48 E=248 Scomberomorus maculatus * Spanish mackerel . . . 4 5 . 9

Scorpaena brasiliensis Barbfish . . . . 6 3 9

Selene vomer Lookdown . . . 1 . . 1

Serraniculus pumilio Pygmy sea bass . 1 . . . 2 3

Serranus subligarius Belted sandfish 1 . . . . 1 2

Sphoeroides nephelus Southern puffer 11 4 17 5 11 5 53

Sphoeroides spengleri Bandtail puffer . . . . . 1 1

Sphyraena barracuda Great barracuda 1 . 1 5 . . 7

Sphyraena borealis Northern sennet 2 . . . . . 2

Sphyraenidae spp. Barracudas 1 . . . . . 1

Stephanolepis hispidus Planehead filefish 8 . 12 2 38 56 116

Strongylura marina Atlantic needlefish 9 1 1 1 . . 12

Strongylura notata Redfin needlefish 17 6 62 271 26 . 382

Strongylura spp. Needlefishes . 1 2 . . . 3

Strongylura timucu Timucu 1 . . . . . 1

Symphurus plagiusa Blackcheek tonguefish 1 1 3 . . 10 15

Syngnathus floridae Dusky pipefish 17 2 3 . . 1 23

Syngnathus louisianae Chain pipefish 7 1 6 . . 12 26

Syngnathus scovelli Gulf pipefish 114 6 46 . . 34 200

Synodus foetens Inshore lizardfish 17 11 37 11 22 37 135

Trachinotus carolinus * Florida pompano . . . . 2 . 2

Trachinotus falcatus * Permit . . . 1 . . 1

Trinectes maculatus Hogchoker . . . . . 1 1

Urophycis floridana Southern hake 1 . . . . 12 13

Totals 43,873 4,102 33,517 11,152 3,452 7,712 103,808

116

Appendix D. Summary of species collected, by embayment, during Sarasota Bay nekton sampling, June 2010 to April 2011. Effort, or the total number of hauls, is labeled

'E'. Taxa are arranged alphabetically. Species of commercial or recreational importance

(Selected Taxa) are denoted with an asterisk (*) after the species name.

Bay (Zone) Little Palma Sarasota Roberts Sarasota Black- Sola Bay Bay Bay Bay burn Bay (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) Totals Scientific Name Common Name E=41 E=81 E=42 E=42 E=42 E=248

Acanthostracion quadricornis Scrawled cowfish 4 28 1 1 7 41

Achirus lineatus Lined sole 2 9 8 13 . 32

Adinia xenica Diamond killifish 5 4 . . . 9

Aluterus schoepfii Orange filefish . 3 . . . 3

Anchoa cubana Cuban anchovy . . . 7 . 7

Anchoa hepsetus Striped anchovy . . 2 . . 2

Anchoa mitchilli Bay anchovy 8,102 4,821 7,425 12,171 40 32,559

Ancylopsetta quadrocellata Ocellated flounder 1 6 2 1 5 15

Archosargus probatocephalus * Sheepshead 8 38 56 125 90 317

Ariopsis felis Hardhead catfish 30 31 41 45 10 157

Bagre marinus Gafftopsail catfish . 1 4 . . 5

Bairdiella chrysoura Silver perch 256 436 247 534 577 2,050

Bathygobius soporator Frillfin goby . . 1 . . 1

Brevoortia spp. Menhaden 1,829 36 29 302 . 2,196

Calamus arctifrons Grass porgy . . . . 2 2

Calamus penna Sheepshead porgy . . 4 . . 4

Callinectes ornatus Shelligs 2 1 3 . . 6

Callinectes sapidus * Blue crab 36 107 52 255 63 513

Callinectes similis Lesser blue crab . 1 . . . 1

Caranx hippos Crevalle jack . 1 1 1 . 3

Centropomus undecimalis * Snook 27 8 12 3 28 78

Centropristis striata Black sea bass . 10 1 . 1 12

Chaetodipterus faber Atlantic spadefish 2 7 3 3 . 15

Chasmodes saburrae Florida blenny . 2 . . . 2

117

Bay (Zone) Little Palma Sarasota Roberts Sarasota Black- Sola Bay Bay Bay Bay burn Bay (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) Totals Scientific Name Common Name E=41 E=81 E=42 E=42 E=42 E=248

Chilomycterus schoepfii Striped burrfish 13 45 2 7 3 70

Chloroscombrus chrysurus Atlantic bumper . 1 . . . 1

Citharichthys macrops Spotted whiff . 3 . . . 3

Ctenogobius boleosoma Darter goby . . . . 2 2

Cynoscion arenarius * Sand seatrout . 1 . . . 1

Cynoscion nebulosus * Spotted seatrout 13 42 56 61 25 197

Cyprinodon variegatus Sheepshead minnow 6 43 . 1 . 50

Dasyatis sabina Atlantic stingray 1 5 2 . 1 9

Dasyatis say Bluntnose stingray . 3 . 1 1 5

Diplodus holbrookii Spottail pinfish 1 195 . 1 4 201

Elops saurus * Ladyfish 4 29 43 10 1 87

Etropus crossotus Fringed flounder . 5 2 4 . 11

Eucinostomus argenteus Spotfin mojarra . 1 . . . 1

Eucinostomus gula Silver jenny 82 240 216 255 152 945

Eucinostomus harengulus Tidewater mojarra 50 46 86 77 6 265

Eucinostomus spp. Eucinostomus mojarra 1,260 1,985 911 2,233 3,307 9,696

Eugerres plumieri Striped mojarra . . 2 6 2 10

Farfantepenaeus duorarum * Pink shrimp 26 252 205 296 410 1,189

Floridichthys carpio Goldspotted killifish 21 172 2 133 133 461

Fundulus confluentus Marsh killifish 1 . . . . 1

Fundulus grandis Gulf killifish 18 8 . . 21 47

Fundulus similis Longnose killifish 1 12 . . . 13

Gobiosoma longipala Twoscale goby . 5 1 . . 6

Gobiosoma robustum Code goby 72 54 27 61 10 224

Gobiosoma spp. Gobiosoma gobies 44 14 38 43 19 158

Haemulon plumierii White grunt . 4 . . 22 26

Harengula jaguana Scaled sardine 50 2,472 33 148 1,060 3,763

Hippocampus erectus Lined seahorse . 8 . . 3 11

Hippocampus zosterae Dwarf seahorse 2 10 1 2 . 15

Hypleurochilus caudovittatus Zebratail blenny . 7 . . . 7

Hyporhamphus meeki American halfbeak 1 13 . 1 11 26

Hyporhamphus spp. Halfbeaks . 5 1 . 12 18

118

Bay (Zone) Little Palma Sarasota Roberts Sarasota Black- Sola Bay Bay Bay Bay burn Bay (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) Totals Scientific Name Common Name E=41 E=81 E=42 E=42 E=42 E=248

Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish 4,870 10,269 3,077 5,881 5,895 29,992

Leiostomus xanthurus * Spot 2,232 1,239 1,237 1,412 2,176 8,296

Limulus polyphemus Horseshoe crab 5 2 . 1 . 8

Lucania parva Rainwater killifish 40 1,137 66 160 270 1,673

Lutjanus griseus * Gray snapper 5 13 26 29 27 100

Lutjanus synagris * Lane snapper . 3 1 . 5 9

Membras martinica Rough silverside 19 . 3 . . 22

Menidia spp. Menidia silversides 478 66 27 22 138 731

Menippe spp. * Stone crab 27 93 3 5 15 143

Menticirrhus americanus * Southern kingfish . 3 2 . . 5

Menticirrhus littoralis * Gulf kingfish . 1 . . . 1

Microgobius gulosus Clown goby 21 39 248 151 50 509

Micropogonias undulatus Atlantic croaker . 1 3 . . 4

Monacanthus ciliatus Fringed filefish 1 9 . . . 10

Mugil cephalus * Striped mullet 346 930 844 46 31 2,197

Mugil curema * White mullet 6 87 12 16 29 150

Mugil gyrans * Fantail mullet 2 . 4 28 . 34

Mycteroperca microlepis * Gag . 27 . . 2 29

Nicholsina usta Emerald parrotfish 1 182 . . 10 193

Ogcocephalus cubifrons Polka Dot Batfish . 5 2 . 3 10

Oligoplites saurus Leatherjacket 7 26 22 9 7 71

Opisthonema oglinum Atlantic thread herring 2 20 25 3 1 51

Opsanus beta Gulf toadfish 10 17 9 11 1 48

Oreochromis niloticus Nile Tilapia . . . 1 . 1

Orthopristis chrysoptera Pigfish 160 673 139 308 1,032 2,312

Paralichthys albigutta * Gulf flounder 15 33 22 22 23 115

Poecilia latipinna Sailfin molly . 90 . . . 90

Pogonias cromis * Black drum 1 . . 1 . 2

Portunus spp. Swimming crabs 16 154 3 9 2 184

Prionotus scitulus Leopard searobin 8 30 6 7 6 57

Prionotus tribulus Bighead searobin 3 15 4 5 1 28

Rhinoptera bonasus Cownose ray 1 5 1 . . 7

119

Bay (Zone) Little Palma Sarasota Roberts Sarasota Black- Sola Bay Bay Bay Bay burn Bay (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) Totals Scientific Name Common Name E=41 E=81 E=42 E=42 E=42 E=248

Sciaenops ocellatus * Red drum 5 3 9 118 24 159

Scomberomorus maculatus * Spanish mackerel . 5 3 . 1 9

Scorpaena brasiliensis Barbfish . 9 . . . 9

Selene vomer Lookdown . . 1 . . 1

Serraniculus pumilio Pygmy sea bass . 2 . . 1 3

Serranus subligarius Belted sandfish . 1 . . 1 2

Sphoeroides nephelus Southern puffer 8 28 7 4 6 53

Sphoeroides spengleri Bandtail puffer . . . . 1 1

Sphyraena barracuda Great barracuda . 4 . . 3 7

Sphyraena borealis Northern sennet 2 . . . . 2

Sphyraenidae spp. Barracuda . 1 . . . 1

Stephanolepis hispidus Planehead filefish 1 110 . 1 4 116

Strongylura marina Atlantic needlefish 1 7 2 . 2 12

Strongylura notata Redfin needlefish 44 222 30 33 53 382

Strongylura spp. Needlefishes . . 2 1 . 3

Strongylura timucu Timucu 1 . . . . 1

Symphurus plagiusa Blackcheek tonguefish 1 2 5 6 1 15

Syngnathus floridae Dusky pipefish 1 22 . . . 23

Syngnathus louisianae Chain pipefish 4 17 1 1 3 26

Syngnathus scovelli Gulf pipefish 50 46 15 36 53 200

Synodus foetens Inshore lizardfish 13 56 30 19 17 135

Trachinotus carolinus * Florida pompano 2 . . . . 2

Trachinotus falcatus * Permit . . . . 1 1

Trinectes maculatus Hogchoker . . 1 . . 1

Urophycis floridana Southern hake 1 11 1 . . 13

Totals 20,380 26,945 15,413 25,147 15,923 103,808

120

Appendix E. Catch summary for taxa collected during both years, June 2009 to April

2011, of nekton sampling in Sarasota Bay with 21.3-m seines. Su is the density- weighted average salinity (salinity at each sampling site weighted by the number of animals collected). Taxa are arranged phylogenetically. Species of commercial or recreational importance (Selected Taxa) are denoted with an asterisk (*) after the species name.

Number Collection S CPUE (No./100m2) Scientific name Common Name u

Collected Frequency (psu) Average Maximum Argopecten spp. Scallops 5 1.2 35.29 0.01 1.43

Limulus polyphemus Horseshoe crab 2 0.6 34.33 0.00 0.71

Farfantepenaeus duorarum * Pink shrimp 2,538 52.0 32.00 5.58 97.86

Sicyonia laevigata Hardback 3 0.9 33.92 0.01 0.71

Callinectes sapidus * Blue crab 107 15.4 31.86 0.24 7.86

Callinectes ornatus Shelligs 1 0.3 33.00 0.00 0.71

Portunus spp. Portunus crabs 6 1.5 33.56 0.01 1.43

Menippe spp. * Stone crabs 1 0.3 31.95 0.00 0.71

Elops saurus * Ladyfish 3 0.9 30.85 0.01 0.71

Brevoortia spp. Menhadens 53 1.8 27.22 0.12 11.43

Opisthonema oglinum Atlantic thread herring 937 4.3 31.72 2.06 443.57

Harengula jaguana Scaled sardine 9,328 15.4 33.25 20.50 1,757.86

Sardinella aurita Spanish sardine 6 0.6 35.09 0.01 3.57

Anchoa hepsetus Striped anchovy 200 0.3 32.90 0.44 142.86

Anchoa mitchilli Bay anchovy 71,303 31.7 31.78 156.71 9,792.14

Anchoa cubana Cuban anchovy 3,303 2.8 31.47 7.26 1,135.71

Synodus foetens Inshore lizardfish 144 24.0 32.67 0.32 5.71

Ariopsis felis Hardhead catfish 32 2.8 33.41 0.07 10.00

Opsanus beta Gulf toadfish 14 2.8 32.93 0.03 2.86

Urophycis floridana Southern hake 6 1.5 33.10 0.01 1.43

Hyporhamphus spp. Halfbeaks 19 1.2 34.87 0.04 8.57

Hyporhamphus meeki False silver halfbeak 41 4.0 33.63 0.09 7.14

Strongylura spp. Needlefishes 7 1.8 30.79 0.02 1.43

Strongylura marina Atlantic needlefish 27 3.4 35.80 0.06 9.29

Strongylura notata Redfin needlefish 179 19.4 32.88 0.39 18.57

Strongylura timucu Timucu 1 0.3 33.15 0.00 0.71

Cyprinodon variegatus Sheepshead minnow 253 4.0 34.34 0.56 125.71

Fundulus confluentus Marsh killifish 1 0.3 31.30 0.00 0.71

Fundulus grandis Gulf killifish 60 3.4 30.70 0.13 13.57

121

Number Collection S CPUE (No./100m2) Scientific name Common Name u

Collected Frequency (psu) Average Maximum Fundulus similis Longnose killifish 90 2.8 33.74 0.20 22.14

Lucania parva Rainwater killifish 5,697 30.2 33.04 12.52 412.14

Adinia xenica Diamond killifish 9 0.6 32.54 0.02 3.57

Floridichthys carpio Goldspotted killifish 910 15.7 33.31 2.00 219.29

Poecilia latipinna Sailfin molly 91 1.8 33.18 0.20 40.71

Membras martinica Rough silverside 61 1.8 34.39 0.13 24.29

Menidia spp. Menidia silversides 4,586 26.5 34.31 10.08 806.43

Syngnathus floridae Dusky pipefish 33 5.2 33.53 0.07 3.57

Syngnathus louisianae Chain pipefish 27 7.4 33.48 0.06 1.43

Syngnathus scovelli Gulf pipefish 384 41.5 32.84 0.84 8.57

Hippocampus erectus Lined seahorse 1 0.3 32.40 0.00 0.71

Hippocampus zosterae Dwarf seahorse 33 7.7 32.92 0.07 5.00

Prionotus scitulus Leopard searobin 10 2.8 32.60 0.02 1.43

Prionotus tribulus Bighead searobin 13 3.1 31.05 0.03 2.14

Centropomus undecimalis * Common snook 10 1.8 31.14 0.02 2.14

Centropristis striata Black sea bass 8 1.5 33.56 0.02 2.14

Mycteroperca microlepis * Gag 4 1.2 34.51 0.01 0.71

Serraniculus pumilio Pygmy sea bass 1 0.3 34.30 0.00 0.71

Serranus subligarius Belted sandfish 1 0.3 33.10 0.00 0.71

Caranx hippos Crevalle jack 3 0.9 33.69 0.01 0.71

Caranx latus Horse-eye jack 1 0.3 31.50 0.00 0.71

Chloroscombrus chrysurus Atlantic bumper 1 0.3 33.80 0.00 0.71

Oligoplites saurus Leatherjacket 136 17.5 33.81 0.30 5.00

Trachinotus falcatus * Permit 4 0.6 31.13 0.01 1.43

Lutjanus griseus * Gray snapper 187 18.8 32.79 0.41 24.29

Lutjanus synagris * Lane snapper 93 6.8 33.29 0.20 17.14

Eucinostomus spp. Eucinostomus 26,420 61.5 32.95 58.07 3,285.71

Eucinostomus gula Silver jenny 2,897 47.1 32.39 6.37 377.14

Eucinostomus harengulus Tidewater mojarra 883 22.2 33.15 1.94 97.14

Eugerres plumieri Striped mojarra 2 0.6 27.00 0.00 0.71

Haemulon plumierii White grunt 55 2.2 32.65 0.12 17.14

Orthopristis chrysoptera Pigfish 765 24.6 32.81 1.68 90.00

Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish 54,475 83.1 32.34 119.73 1,159.29

Archosargus probatocephalus * Sheepshead 94 11.4 34.52 0.21 11.43

Diplodus holbrookii Spottail pinfish 26 3.4 35.30 0.06 5.71

Calamus penna Sheepshead porgy 4 0.3 30.80 0.01 2.86

Cynoscion nebulosus * Spotted seatrout 259 20.6 32.69 0.57 20.00

Bairdiella chrysoura Silver perch 2,859 26.2 33.73 6.28 240.00

Leiostomus xanthurus * Spot 22,443 33.8 31.59 49.33 965.00

Sciaenops ocellatus Red drum 148 5.5 33.33 0.33 25.00

Chaetodipterus faber Atlantic spadefish 3 0.6 33.12 0.01 1.43

Mugil cephalus * Striped mullet 3,471 12.0 30.76 7.63 650.00

122

Number Collection S CPUE (No./100m2) Scientific name Common Name u

Collected Frequency (psu) Average Maximum Mugil curema * White mullet 9 0.3 33.50 0.02 6.43

Mugil gyrans * Fantail mullet 16 1.5 32.93 0.04 5.00

Sphyraenidae spp. Barracudas 1 0.3 32.30 0.00 0.71

Sphyraena borealis Northern sennet 2 0.3 35.10 0.00 1.43

Sphyraena barracuda Great barracuda 5 1.2 33.96 0.01 1.43

Nicholsina usta Emerald parrotfish 19 2.5 34.26 0.04 4.29

Astroscopus y-graecum Southern stargazer 1 0.3 33.50 0.00 0.71

Hypsoblennius hentz Feather blenny 2 0.3 34.70 0.00 1.43

Chasmodes saburrae Florida blenny 22 3.4 33.97 0.05 7.86

Ctenogobius boleosoma Darter goby 10 1.2 30.90 0.02 5.00

Gobiosoma spp. Gobiosoma gobies 253 24.3 31.07 0.56 20.00

Gobiosoma robustum Code goby 483 27.4 31.34 1.06 30.71

Gobiosoma longipala Twoscale goby 1 0.3 28.20 0.00 0.71

Microgobius gulosus Clown goby 1,018 34.5 30.76 2.24 44.29

Bathygobius soporator Frillfin goby 1 0.3 33.95 0.00 0.71

Paralichthys albigutta * Gulf flounder 50 8.9 32.69 0.11 8.57

Symphurus plagiusa Blackcheek tonguefish 13 2.8 30.52 0.03 2.86

Achirus lineatus Lined sole 30 6.2 30.22 0.07 3.57

Monacanthus ciliatus Fringed filefish 6 0.9 33.53 0.01 2.86

Stephanolepis hispidus Planehead filefish 116 6.5 33.77 0.25 45.00

Ostraciidae spp. Box fishes 1 0.3 34.70 0.00 0.71

Acanthostracion quadricornis Scrawled cowfish 2 0.6 33.30 0.00 0.71

Sphoeroides nephelus Southern puffer 63 16.0 33.10 0.14 2.14

Chilomycterus schoepfii Striped burrfish 19 4.6 33.40 0.04 2.14

123

124

Appendix F. Catch summary for taxa collected during both years, June 2009 to April

2011, of nekton sampling in Sarasota Bay with 183-m seines. Su is the density-weighted average salinity (salinity at each sampling site weighted by the number of animals collected). Taxa are arranged phylogenetically. Species of commercial or recreational importance (Selected Taxa) are denoted with an asterisk (*) after the species name.

Number Collection S CPUE (No./100m2) Scientific name Common Name u

Collected Frequency (psu) Average Maximum Argopecten spp. Scallops 2 2.8 36.71 0.00 0.02 Limulus polyphemus Horseshoe crab 2 2.8 29.19 0.00 0.02 Farfantepenaeus duorarum * Pink shrimp 2 1.4 30.50 0.00 0.05 Callinectes sapidus * Blue crab 61 29.2 33.28 0.02 0.24 Callinectes similis Lesser blue crab 1 1.4 35.00 0.00 0.02 Callinectes ornatus Shelligs 2 1.4 35.10 0.00 0.05 Portunus spp. Portunus crabs 3 4.2 31.14 0.00 0.02 Menippe spp. * Stone crabs 1 1.4 29.73 0.00 0.02 Sphyrna tiburo Bonnethead 4 2.8 35.00 0.00 0.05 Dasyatis americana Southern stingray 2 2.8 35.81 0.00 0.02 Dasyatis sabina Atlantic stingray 8 4.2 30.57 0.00 0.10 Dasyatis say Bluntnose stingray 4 2.8 34.43 0.00 0.07 Gymnura micrura Smooth butterfly ray 1 1.4 33.30 0.00 0.02 Rhinoptera bonasus Cownose ray 16 9.7 32.73 0.01 0.10 Elops saurus * Ladyfish 183 40.3 32.45 0.06 0.75 Brevoortia spp. Menhadens 2,169 18.1 32.90 0.73 44.37 Opisthonema oglinum Atlantic thread herring 302 9.7 33.23 0.10 6.53 Harengula jaguana Scaled sardine 2,002 25.0 33.29 0.67 25.34 Synodus foetens Inshore lizardfish 38 19.4 33.51 0.01 0.34 Bagre marinus Gafftopsail catfish 5 4.2 30.21 0.00 0.05 Ariopsis felis Hardhead catfish 277 29.2 33.42 0.09 1.75 Opsanus beta Gulf toadfish 17 15.3 32.09 0.01 0.10 Ogcocephalus cubifrons Polka-dot batfish 7 4.2 33.15 0.00 0.12 Hyporhamphus meeki False silver halfbeak 4 4.2 33.53 0.00 0.05 Strongylura marina Atlantic needlefish 8 4.2 33.23 0.00 0.15 Strongylura notata Redfin needlefish 315 36.1 33.91 0.11 4.27 Cyprinodon variegatus Sheepshead minnow 1 1.4 31.95 0.00 0.02 Fundulus grandis Gulf killifish 1 1.4 26.25 0.00 0.02 Fundulus similis Longnose killifish 7 2.8 35.23 0.00 0.15 Floridichthys carpio Goldspotted killifish 1 1.4 32.80 0.00 0.02 Hippocampus erectus Lined seahorse 2 2.8 34.28 0.00 0.02

125

Number Collection S CPUE (No./100m2) Scientific name Common Name u

Collected Frequency (psu) Average Maximum Scorpaena brasiliensis Barbfish 6 1.4 34.60 0.00 0.15 Prionotus scitulus Leopard searobin 5 1.4 35.10 0.00 0.12 Prionotus tribulus Bighead searobin 4 5.6 30.67 0.00 0.02 Centropomus undecimalis * Common snook 201 44.4 32.80 0.07 0.66 Centropristis striata Black sea bass 9 4.2 34.34 0.00 0.17 Mycteroperca microlepis * Gag 67 15.3 34.64 0.02 0.44 Caranx hippos Crevalle jack 18 12.5 32.47 0.01 0.24 Oligoplites saurus Leatherjacket 16 12.5 32.86 0.01 0.12 Selene vomer Lookdown 21 8.3 35.82 0.01 0.32 Trachinotus carolinus * Florida pompano 2 1.4 35.10 0.00 0.05 Trachinotus falcatus * Permit 8 5.6 32.70 0.00 0.10 Hemicaranx amblyrhynchus Bluntnose jack 1 1.4 29.30 0.00 0.02 Lutjanus griseus * Gray snapper 137 30.6 33.87 0.05 0.70 Lutjanus synagris * Lane snapper 23 4.2 33.73 0.01 0.44 Eucinostomus gula Silver jenny 316 56.9 33.32 0.11 0.73 Eucinostomus harengulus Tidewater mojarra 48 16.7 35.09 0.02 0.58 Eugerres plumieri Striped mojarra 24 15.3 31.60 0.01 0.12 Haemulon plumierii White grunt 11 5.6 35.57 0.00 0.10 Orthopristis chrysoptera Pigfish 874 48.6 33.56 0.29 4.42 Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish 12,763 97.2 33.05 4.30 31.94 Archosargus probatocephalus * Sheepshead 363 68.1 32.14 0.12 0.97 Diplodus holbrookii Spottail pinfish 197 11.1 34.79 0.07 3.52 Cynoscion nebulosus * Spotted seatrout 82 31.9 31.58 0.03 0.51 Bairdiella chrysoura Silver perch 954 33.3 34.51 0.32 10.70 Leiostomus xanthurus * Spot 446 38.9 32.93 0.15 2.82 Menticirrhus americanus * Southern kingfish 5 2.8 30.99 0.00 0.07 Menticirrhus littoralis * Gulf kingfish 1 1.4 35.00 0.00 0.02 Micropogonias undulatus Atlantic croaker 4 2.8 32.33 0.00 0.07 Pogonias cromis * Black drum 4 5.6 31.21 0.00 0.02 Sciaenops ocellatus * Red drum 62 26.4 31.26 0.02 0.46 Chaetodipterus faber Atlantic spadefish 21 12.5 32.75 0.01 0.12 Sarotherodon melanotheron Blackchin tilapia 2 2.8 35.23 0.00 0.02 Oreochromis niloticus Nile tilapia 1 1.4 28.17 0.00 0.02 Mugil cephalus * Striped mullet 117 38.9 32.25 0.04 0.58 Mugil curema * White mullet 182 37.5 33.23 0.06 0.68 Mugil gyrans * Fantail mullet 43 22.2 32.80 0.01 0.41 Sphyraena barracuda Great barracuda 25 11.1 33.72 0.01 0.27 Nicholsina usta Emerald parrotfish 163 12.5 34.93 0.05 2.01 Scomberomorus maculatus * Spanish mackerel 13 11.1 33.20 0.00 0.10 Etropus crossotus Fringed flounder 1 1.4 32.47 0.00 0.02 Paralichthys albigutta * Gulf flounder 53 34.7 33.05 0.02 0.15 Ancylopsetta quadrocellata Ocellated flounder 3 4.2 32.38 0.00 0.02

126

Number Collection S CPUE (No./100m2) Scientific name Common Name u

Collected Frequency (psu) Average Maximum Achirus lineatus Lined sole 1 1.4 34.60 0.00 0.02 Aluterus schoepfii Orange filefish 1 1.4 34.97 0.00 0.02 Monacanthus ciliatus Fringed filefish 8 2.8 34.96 0.00 0.17 Stephanolepis hispidus Planehead filefish 54 13.9 35.10 0.02 0.68 Acanthostracion quadricornis Scrawled cowfish 11 8.3 34.55 0.00 0.10 Sphoeroides nephelus Southern puffer 34 18.1 33.74 0.01 0.19 Chilomycterus schoepfii Striped burrfish 33 18.1 34.08 0.01 0.29

127

128

Appendix G. Catch summary for taxa collected during both years, June 2009 to April

2011, of stratified-random sampling in Sarasota Bay with 6.1-m trawls. Su is the density- weighted average salinity (salinity at each sampling site weighted by the number of animals collected). Taxa are arranged phylogenetically. Species of commercial or recreational importance (Selected Taxa) are denoted with an asterisk (*) after the species name.

Number Collection S CPUE (No./100m2) Scientific name Common Name u

Collected Frequency (psu) Average Maximum Argopecten spp. Scallops 2 2.1 35.23 0.00 0.07 Limulus polyphemus Horseshoe crab 10 7.3 32.31 0.01 0.27 Farfantepenaeus duorarum * Pink shrimp 146 35.4 32.42 0.10 1.05 Sicyonia laevigata Hardback 2 2.1 33.00 0.00 0.07 Callinectes sapidus * Blue crab 499 42.7 31.45 0.36 9.31 Callinectes ornatus Shelligs 22 5.2 33.52 0.02 1.01 Portunus spp. Portunus crabs 351 50.0 33.76 0.25 6.48 Menippe spp. * Stone crabs 398 52.1 34.01 0.29 5.46 Dasyatis americana Southern stingray 1 1.0 34.68 0.00 0.07 Dasyatis sabina Atlantic stingray 6 6.3 32.96 0.00 0.13 Dasyatis say Bluntnose stingray 2 2.1 30.84 0.00 0.07 Gymnura micrura Smooth butterfly ray 2 2.1 25.82 0.00 0.07 Opisthonema oglinum Atlantic thread herring 3 3.1 35.52 0.00 0.07 Harengula jaguana Scaled sardine 4 3.1 33.86 0.00 0.13 Anchoa hepsetus Striped anchovy 3 2.1 28.93 0.00 0.13 Anchoa mitchilli Bay anchovy 1,605 9.4 31.62 1.13 80.21 Anchoa cubana Cuban anchovy 8 2.1 31.35 0.01 0.47 Synodus foetens Inshore lizardfish 75 37.5 33.03 0.05 0.67 Ariopsis felis Hardhead catfish 55 18.8 32.51 0.04 0.71 Opsanus beta Gulf toadfish 58 24.0 32.89 0.04 0.58 Gobiesox strumosus Skilletfish 1 1.0 36.63 0.00 0.08 Ogcocephalus cubifrons Polka-dot batfish 20 12.5 34.23 0.01 0.40 Urophycis floridana Southern hake 31 12.5 32.86 0.02 0.54 Lucania parva Rainwater killifish 2 2.1 35.26 0.00 0.07 Syngnathus floridae Dusky pipefish 1 1.0 35.40 0.00 0.07 Syngnathus louisianae Chain pipefish 20 17.7 33.11 0.01 0.14 Syngnathus scovelli Gulf pipefish 42 11.5 31.74 0.03 1.15 Hippocampus erectus Lined seahorse 19 13.5 33.78 0.01 0.14 Hippocampus zosterae Dwarf seahorse 5 3.1 33.09 0.00 0.20 Scorpaena brasiliensis Barbfish 7 5.2 33.54 0.01 0.21

129

Number Collection S CPUE (No./100m2) Scientific name Common Name u

Collected Frequency (psu) Average Maximum Prionotus scitulus Leopard searobin 99 41.7 33.94 0.07 0.47 Prionotus tribulus Bighead searobin 36 20.8 32.11 0.03 0.34 Centropristis striata Black sea bass 2 2.1 34.62 0.00 0.07 Epinephelus morio * Red grouper 1 1.0 36.00 0.00 0.07 Mycteroperca microlepis * Gag 2 2.1 34.32 0.00 0.07 Diplectrum formosum Sand perch 3 3.1 34.16 0.00 0.07 Serraniculus pumilio Pygmy sea bass 3 3.1 33.98 0.00 0.13 Serranus subligarius Belted sandfish 4 4.2 34.85 0.00 0.07 Chloroscombrus chrysurus Atlantic bumper 1 1.0 34.85 0.00 0.07 Lutjanus griseus * Gray snapper 36 9.4 32.37 0.03 0.71 Lutjanus synagris * Lane snapper 23 13.5 34.90 0.02 0.21 Eucinostomus spp. Eucinostomus 660 31.3 34.13 0.46 16.51 Eucinostomus argenteus Spotfin mojarra 1 1.0 35.18 0.00 0.13 Eucinostomus gula Silver jenny 583 46.9 32.69 0.42 8.30 Eucinostomus harengulus Tidewater mojarra 61 11.5 32.99 0.04 1.20 Haemulon plumierii White grunt 9 5.2 35.41 0.01 0.28 Orthopristis chrysoptera Pigfish 1,500 52.1 33.23 1.07 62.53 Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish 5,918 76.0 31.69 4.30 66.65 Archosargus probatocephalus * Sheepshead 147 15.6 34.09 0.11 4.54 Diplodus holbrookii Spottail pinfish 25 4.2 35.33 0.02 1.35 Calamus arctifrons Grass porgy 2 1.0 35.00 0.00 0.13 Cynoscion nebulosus * Spotted seatrout 5 5.2 33.11 0.00 0.07 Cynoscion arenarius * Sand seatrout 4 3.1 35.04 0.00 0.13 Bairdiella chrysoura Silver perch 43 10.4 32.65 0.03 0.61 Leiostomus xanthurus * Spot 8,914 18.8 29.94 6.45 314.14 Menticirrhus americanus * Southern kingfish 4 4.2 33.39 0.00 0.07 Sciaenops ocellatus * Red drum 1 1.0 34.76 0.00 0.07 Chaetodipterus faber Atlantic spadefish 7 3.1 32.84 0.00 0.27 Nicholsina usta Emerald parrotfish 29 4.2 34.77 0.02 1.42 Chasmodes saburrae Florida blenny 3 3.1 33.72 0.00 0.07 Hypleurochilus caudovittatus Zebratail blenny 12 10.4 33.88 0.01 0.13 Ctenogobius boleosoma Darter goby 2 1.0 29.83 0.00 0.13 Gobiosoma spp. Gobiosoma gobies 136 18.8 34.71 0.10 3.24 Gobiosoma robustum Code goby 107 22.9 33.62 0.08 2.90 Gobiosoma longipala Twoscale goby 15 12.5 32.93 0.01 0.20 Microgobius gulosus Clown goby 39 6.3 31.74 0.03 1.15 Microgobius thalassinus Green goby 12 1.0 29.00 0.01 0.81 Citharichthys macrops Spotted whiff 8 4.2 34.43 0.01 0.28 Etropus crossotus Fringed flounder 19 15.6 33.83 0.01 0.21 Paralichthys albigutta * Gulf flounder 80 35.4 32.42 0.06 1.14 Ancylopsetta quadrocellata Ocellated flounder 18 14.6 33.70 0.01 0.13 Symphurus plagiusa Blackcheek tonguefish 25 9.4 30.30 0.02 0.54

130

Number Collection S CPUE (No./100m2) Scientific name Common Name u

Collected Frequency (psu) Average Maximum Trinectes maculatus Hogchoker 1 1.0 33.73 0.00 0.07 Achirus lineatus Lined sole 36 19.8 31.75 0.03 0.75 Aluterus schoepfii Orange filefish 2 1.0 35.40 0.00 0.13 Monacanthus ciliatus Fringed filefish 5 5.2 34.08 0.00 0.07 Stephanolepis hispidus Planehead filefish 72 20.8 34.75 0.05 2.50 Acanthostracion quadricornis Scrawled cowfish 58 33.3 34.20 0.04 0.27 Sphoeroides nephelus Southern puffer 10 9.4 32.79 0.01 0.14 Sphoeroides spengleri Bandtail puffer 1 1.0 35.00 0.00 0.06 Chilomycterus schoepfii Striped burrfish 88 38.5 33.97 0.06 0.50

131

132

Appendix H. Species overview plots for dominant taxa (≥100 animals collected and ≥15 occurrence in a gear type) collected in 21.3-m seines in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April

2011. Taxa are arranged phylogenetically.

133

Farfantepenaeus duorarum (pink shrimp) 21.3-m seine

7 6

(53) (56) (56) (54) (54) (52) (59) (92) (59) (59) (56) 6 5

5 4

± 95% CL) 4 ± 95% CL)

-2

-2 3

2 2

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m 1 1

0 0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

20 3.0 700

Total = 2,542 18 (5) (182) (105) (33) (252) (73) 600 2.5 16

14 500 2.0 12

± 95% CL) 400

-2 10 1.5

300 8

1.0 6 Number of individualsNumber 200

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean (animals.100 m 4 0.5 100 2

0 0.0 0 0 Mud 10 20 30 40 50 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Fig. H1. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of pink shrimp collected with 21.3-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

134

Callinectes sapidus (blue crab) 21.3-m seine

0.7 0.4

(59) (92) (59) (59) (56)

0.6 (53) (56) (56) (54) (54) (52)

0.3 0.5

± 95% CL) 0.4 ± 95% CL)

-2

-2 0.2

0.3

0.2 0.1

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean

(animals.100 m

0.1

0.0 0.0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

0.35 0.25 18 (252) (73) (5) (182) (105) (33) 16 0.30 Total = 107 0.20 14 0.25 12

0.15

± 95% CL) 0.20 10

-2

0.15 8 0.10 6

0.10 of individualsNumber

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean

(animals.100 m 4 0.05 0.05 2

0.00 0.00 0 0 Mud 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Fig. H2. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of blue crab collected with 21.3-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

135

Harengula jaguana (scaled sardine) 21.3-m seine

3.5 1.8 (53) (56) (56) (54) (54) (52) 1.6 (59) (92) (59) (59) (56) 3.0

1.4 2.5 1.2

± 95% CL) 2.0 ± 95% CL) 1.0

-2

1.5 0.8

0.6 1.0

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric 0.4

(animals.100 m

0.5 0.2

0.0 0.0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

1.8 1.4 2500

1.6 (5) (182) (105) (33) (252) (73) 1.2 2000 1.4 Total = 9,326

1.0 1.2

1500 ± 95% CL) 1.0 0.8

-2

0.8 0.6 1000 0.6

0.4 of individualsNumber

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean 0.4 (animals.100 m 500 0.2 0.2

0.0 0.0 0 0 Mud 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Fig. H3. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of scaled sardine collected with 21.3-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

136

Anchoa mitchilli (bay anchovy) 21.3-m seine

12 35

(53) (56) (56) (54) (54) (52) 30 10 (59) (92) (59) (59) (56)

25 8

± 95% CL) ± 95% CL) 20

-2

-2 6

4 10

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m 2 5

0 0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

300 5 40000 (252) (73)

(5) (182) (105) (33) 250 Total = 71,303 4 30000

200

± 95% CL)

-2 150 20000

2 100

Number of individualsNumber 10000

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric (animals.100 m 1 50

0 0 0 0 Mud 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Fig. H4. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of bay anchovy collected with 21.3-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

137

Synodus foetens (inshore lizardfish) 21.3-m seine

0.7 0.6

0.6 (53) (56) (56) (54) (54) (52) 0.5 (59) (92) (59) (59) (56)

0.5 0.4

± 95% CL) 0.4 ± 95% CL)

-2

-2 0.3

0.3

0.2 0.2

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m 0.1 0.1

0.0 0.0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

0.4 0.5 25

(5) (182) (105) (33)

Total = 144 (252) (73) 0.4 20 0.3

0.3 15

± 95% CL)

-2 0.2

0.2 10

Number of individualsNumber 0.1

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean (animals.100 m 0.1 5

0.0 0.0 0 0 Mud 50 100 150 200 250 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Fig. H5. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of inshore lizardfish collected with 21.3-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

138

Strongylura notata (redfin needlefish) 21.3-m seine

0.8 0.7

(59) (92) (59) (59) (56) (53) (56) (56) (54) (54) (52) 0.6

0.6 0.5

± 95% CL) ± 95% CL) 0.4

-2

-2 0.4

0.3

0.2 0.2

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m

0.1

0.0 0.0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

0.4 0.35 35 (5) (182) (105) (33) (252) (73) 0.30 30 Total = 180

0.3 0.25 25

± 95% CL) 0.20 20

-2 0.2

0.15 15

0.10 of individualsNumber 10 0.1

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean

(animals.100 m

0.05 5

0.0 0.00 0 0 Mud 100 200 300 400 500 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Fig. H6. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of redfin needlefish collected with 21.3-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

139

Lucania parva (rainwater killifish) 21.3-m seine

7 5

(59) (92) (59) (59) (56)

6 (53) (56) (56) (54) (54) (52) 4

± 95% CL) 4 ± 95% CL)

-2

3 2

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric (animals.100 m 1 1

0 0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

35 2.5 1600

Total = 5,709 1400 30 (5) (182) (105) (33) (252) (73) 2.0 1200 25

1000 1.5

± 95% CL) 20

-2 800

15 1.0 600

10 of individualsNumber 400

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean (animals.100 m 0.5 5 200

0 0.0 0 0 Mud 10 20 30 40 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Fig. H7. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of rainwater killifish collected with 21.3-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

140

Floridichthys carpio (goldspotted killifish) 21.3-m seine

1.4 1.2

1.2 (59) (92) (59) (59) (56) (53) (56) (56) (54) (54) (52) 1.0

1.0 0.8

± 95% CL) 0.8 ± 95% CL)

-2

-2 0.6

0.6

0.4 0.4

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m 0.2 0.2

0.0 0.0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

10 0.5 350 (252) (73)

(5) (182) (105) (33) 300 Total = 908 8 0.4

250

6 0.3

± 95% CL) 200

-2

150 4 0.2

Number of individualsNumber 100

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean (animals.100 m 2 0.1 50

0 0.0 0 0 Mud 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Fig. H8. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of goldspotted killifish collected with 21.3-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

141

Syngnathus scovelli (gulf pipefish) 21.3-m seine

1.2 1.2

(59) (92) (59) (59) (56) (53) (56) (56) (54) (54) (52) 1.0 1.0

0.8 0.8

± 95% CL)

-2

-2 0.6 0.6

0.4 0.4

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m 0.2 0.2

0.0 0.0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

6 1.0 120 Total = 383

(5) (182) (105) (33) (252) (73) 5 100 0.8

4 80

0.6

± 95% CL)

-2 3 60

0.4 2 40

Number of individualsNumber

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean (animals.100 m 0.2 1 20

0 0.0 0 0 Mud 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Fig. H9. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of gulf pipefish collected with 21.3-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

142

Oligoplites saurus (leatherjacket) 21.3-m seine

1.0 0.5

(53) (56) (56) (54) (54) (52)

(59) (92) (59) (59) (56) 0.8 0.4

0.6 0.3

± 95% CL)

-2

0.4 0.2

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric 0.2 (animals.100 m 0.1

0.0 0.0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

1.2 0.35 25

(5) (182) (105) (33) 0.30 1.0 (252) (73) Total = 136 20

0.25 0.8

± 95% CL) 0.20

-2 0.6

0.15 10 0.4

0.10 of individualsNumber

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean (animals.100 m 5 0.2 0.05

0.0 0.00 0 0 Mud 20 40 60 80 100 120 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Fig. H10. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of leatherjacket collected with 21.3-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

143

Lutjanus griseus (gray snapper) 21.3-m seine

1.6 0.8

1.4 (53) (56) (56) (54) (54) (52) (59) (92) (59) (59) (56)

1.2 0.6

1.0

± 95% CL)

-2

-2 0.8 0.4

0.6

0.4 0.2

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m

0.2

0.0 0.0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

2.5 0.4 30

Total = 187 (5) (182) (105) (33) (252) (73) 25 2.0 0.3

20 1.5

± 95% CL)

-2 0.2 15

1.0

Number of individualsNumber 0.1

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean (animals.100 m 0.5 5

0.0 0.0 0 0 Mud 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Fig. H11. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of gray snapper collected with 21.3-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

144

Eucinostomus gula (silver jenny) 21.3-m seine

10 5

(53) (56) (56) (54) (54) (52) (59) (92) (59) (59) (56) 8 4

6 3

± 95% CL)

-2

4 2

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean 2 (animals.100 m 1

0 0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

6 2.5 800 Total = 2,907 (252) (73) (5) (182) (105) (33)

5 2.0 600

1.5

± 95% CL)

-2 3 400

1.0 2

Number of individualsNumber 200

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean (animals.100 m 0.5 1

0 0.0 0 0 Mud 20 40 60 80 100 120 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Fig. H12. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of silver jenny collected with 21.3-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

145

Eucinostomus harengulus (tidewater mojarra) 21.3-m seine

1.6 1.6

(53) (56) (56) (54) (54) (52) (59) (92) (59) (59) (56) 1.4 1.4

1.2 1.2

1.0 1.0

± 95% CL)

-2

-2 0.8 0.8

0.6 0.6

0.4 0.4

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m

0.2 0.2

0.0 0.0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

3.0 1.8 250 (252) (73) 1.6 Total = 884 2.5 (5) (182) (105) (33) 200 1.4

2.0 1.2 150 ± 95% CL) 1.0

-2 1.5 0.8 100

1.0 0.6

Number of individualsNumber

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean

(animals.100 m 0.4 50 0.5 0.2

0.0 0.0 0 0 Mud 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Fig. H13. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of tidewater mojarra collected with 21.3-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

146

Orthopristis chrysoptera (pigfish) 21.3-m seine

3.5 1.4

(59) (92) (59) (59) (56) 3.0 1.2 (53) (56) (56) (54) (54) (52)

2.5 1.0

± 95% CL) 2.0 ± 95% CL) 0.8

-2

1.5 0.6

1.0 0.4

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m

0.5 0.2

0.0 0.0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

1.4 1.0 160 (5) (182) (105) (33) Total = 766 1.2 140 (252) (73) 0.8 120 1.0

100 0.6

± 95% CL) 0.8

-2 80

0.6 0.4 60

0.4 of individualsNumber 40

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean (animals.100 m 0.2 0.2 20

0.0 0.0 0 0 Mud 50 100 150 200 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Fig. H14. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of pigfish collected with 21.3-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

147

Lagodon rhomboides (pinfish) 21.3-m seine

250 60

(59) (92) (59) (59) (56) 50 200 (53) (56) (56) (54) (54) (52)

150

± 95% CL)

-2

-2 30

100

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric 50 (animals.100 m 10

0 0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

250 50 14000

(5) (182) (105) (33)

12000 Total = 54,500 (252) (73) 200 40

10000

150 30

± 95% CL) 8000

-2

6000 100 20

Number of individualsNumber 4000

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric (animals.100 m 50 10 2000

0 0 0 0 Mud 50 100 150 200 250 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Fig. H15. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of pinfish collected with 21.3-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

148

Cynoscion nebulosus (spotted seatrout) 21.3-m seine

1.2 0.8

(59) (92) (59) (59) (56) (53) (56) (56) (54) (54) (52) 1.0

0.6

0.8

± 95% CL)

-2

-2 0.6 0.4

0.4

0.2

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m 0.2

0.0 0.0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

1.8 0.6 50

Total = 259 1.6 (5) (182) (105) (33) 0.5 (252) (73) 40 1.4

1.2 0.4 30 ± 95% CL) 1.0

-2 0.3 0.8 20

0.6 0.2

Number of individualsNumber

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean 0.4 (animals.100 m 10 0.1 0.2

0.0 0.0 0 0 Mud 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Fig. H16. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of spotted seatrout collected with 21.3-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

149

Bairdiella chrysoura (silver perch) 21.3-m seine

8 3.5

(53) (56) (56) (54) (54) (52) 3.0 (59) (92) (59) (59) (56)

6 2.5

± 95% CL) ± 95% CL) 2.0

-2

-2 4

1.5

1.0 2

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m

0.5

0 0.0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

12 1.8 500

Total = 2,856 (5) (182) (105) (33) 1.6 10 (252) (73) 400 1.4

8 1.2 300 ± 95% CL) 1.0

-2 6 0.8 200

4 0.6

Number of individualsNumber

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean

(animals.100 m 0.4 100 2 0.2

0 0.0 0 0 Mud 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Fig. H17. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of silver perch collected with 21.3-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

150

Leiostomus xanthurus (spot) 21.3-m seine

160 7

(53) (56) (56) (54) (54) (52) 140 (59) (92) (59) (59) (56) 6

120 5

100

± 95% CL) ± 95% CL) 4

-2

-2 80

3 60

2 40

Geometric abundance mean

(animals.100 m

Geometric abundance mean

(animals.100 m

1 20

0 0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

35 6 7000

30 (5) (182) (105) (33) 6000 5 Total = 22,461 (252) (73)

25 5000 4

± 95% CL) 20 4000

-2 3

15 3000

10 of individualsNumber 2000

Geometric abundance mean

(animals.100 m 1 5 1000

0 0 0 0 Mud 50 100 150 200 250 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Fig. H18. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of spot collected with 21.3-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

151

Gobiosoma robustum (code goby) 21.3-m seine

2.0 1.4

1.8 (53) (56) (56) (54) (54) (52) 1.2 (59) (92) (59) (59) (56) 1.6

1.4 1.0

1.2

± 95% CL) ± 95% CL) 0.8

-2

-2 1.0

0.6 0.8

0.6 0.4

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric 0.4 (animals.100 m 0.2 0.2

0.0 0.0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

6 0.7 140 (252) (73) (5) (182) (105) (33) Total = 481 0.6 120 5

0.5 100 4

± 95% CL) 0.4 80

-2 3

0.3 60

0.2 of individualsNumber 40

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean

(animals.100 m 1 0.1 20

0 0.0 0 0 Mud 10 20 30 40 50 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Fig. H19. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of code goby collected with 21.3-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

152

Microgobius gulosus (clown goby) 21.3-m seine

2.0 4

1.8 (53) (56) (56) (54) (54) (52) (59) (92) (59) (59) (56) 1.6 3 1.4

1.2

± 95% CL)

-2

-2 1.0 2

0.8

0.6 1

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric 0.4 (animals.100 m

0.2

0.0 0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

12 1.2 300

(252) (73) Total = 1,019 10 1.0 250 (5) (182) (105) (33)

8 0.8 200

± 95% CL)

-2 6 0.6 150

4 0.4 100

Number of individualsNumber

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean

(animals.100 m 2 0.2 50

0 0.0 0 0 Mud 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Fig. H20. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of clown goby collected with 21.3-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

153

154

Appendix I. Species overview plots for dominant taxa (≥100 animals collected and ≥15 occurrence) collected in 183-m haul seines in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011.

Taxa are arranged phylogenetically.

155

Elops saurus (ladyfish) 183-m seine

0.30 0.30

0.25 (12) (12) (12) (12) (12) (12) 0.25 (12) (24) (12) (12) (12)

0.20 0.20

± 95% CL)

-2

-2 0.15 0.15

0.10 0.10

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean

(animals.100 m 0.05 0.05

0.00 0.00

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

0.14 0.30 80

(3) (48) (16) (5) Total = 184 0.12 (66) (6) 0.25

60 0.10 0.20

± 95% CL) 0.08

-2 0.15 40

0.06

0.10

0.04 of individualsNumber 20

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean

(animals.100 m 0.05 0.02

0.00 0.00 0 0 Mud 100 200 300 400 500 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Fig. I1. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of ladyfish collected with 183-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

156

Harengula jaguana (scaled sardine) 183-m seine

2.5 1.6

(12) (12) (12) (12) (12) (12) 1.4 (12) (24) (12) (12) (12) 2.0 1.2

1.0 1.5

± 95% CL)

-2

-2 0.8

1.0 0.6

0.4

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric 0.5 (animals.100 m

0.2

0.0 0.0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

0.7 0.5 1200

(3) (48) (16) (5)

0.6 1000 (66) (6) 0.4 Total = 2,003

0.5 800

0.3

± 95% CL) 0.4

-2 600

0.3 0.2 400

0.2 of individualsNumber

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean (animals.100 m 0.1 200 0.1

0.0 0.0 0 0 Mud 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Fig. I2. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of scaled sardine collected with 183-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

157

Ariopsis felis (hardhead catfish) 183-m seine

0.6 0.5

0.5 (12) (24) (12) (12) (12) (12) (12) (12) (12) (12) (12) 0.4

0.4

0.3

± 95% CL)

-2

-2 0.3

0.2

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric (animals.100 m 0.1 0.1

0.0 0.0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

0.5 0.25 60 (66) (6) (3) (48) (16) (5) Total = 279 50 0.4 0.20

0.3 0.15

± 95% CL)

-2 30

0.2 0.10 20

Number of individualsNumber

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean (animals.100 m 0.1 0.05 10

0.0 0.00 0 0 Mud 100 200 300 400 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Fig. I3. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of hardhead catfish collected with 183-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

158

Strongylura notata (redfin needlefish) 183-m seine

0.7 0.35

(12) (24) (12) (12) (12) 0.6 (12) (12) (12) (12) (12) (12) 0.30

0.5 0.25

± 95% CL) 0.4 ± 95% CL) 0.20

-2

0.3 0.15

0.2 0.10

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean

(animals.100 m

0.1 0.05

0.0 0.00

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

0.20 0.16 140 (3) (48) (16) (5) (66) (6) 0.14 Total = 314 120

0.15 0.12 100

0.10

± 95% CL) 80

-2 0.10 0.08

60 0.06

Number of individualsNumber 40 0.05 0.04

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean

(animals.100 m

20 0.02

0.00 0.00 0 0 Mud 100 200 300 400 500 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Fig. I4. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of redfin needlefish collected with 183-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

159

Centropomus undecimalis (common snook) 183-m seine

0.35 0.25

0.30 (12) (12) (12) (12) (12) (12) 0.20 (12) (24) (12) (12) (12)

0.25

0.15

± 95% CL) 0.20 ± 95% CL)

-2

0.15 0.10

0.10

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean (animals.100 m 0.05 0.05

0.00 0.00

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

0.30 0.12 50

(66) (6) 0.25 0.10 Total = 201 (3) (48) (16) (5) 40

0.20 0.08 30

± 95% CL)

-2 0.15 0.06

0.10 0.04

Number of individualsNumber

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean (animals.100 m 10 0.05 0.02

0.00 0.00 0 0 Mud 200 400 600 800 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Fig. I5. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of common snook collected with 183-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

160

Lutjanus griseus (gray snapper) 183-m seine

0.25 0.18

(12) (12) (12) (12) (12) (12) (12) (24) (12) (12) (12) 0.16

0.20 0.14

0.12

0.15

± 95% CL) ± 95% CL) 0.10

-2

0.08 0.10

0.06

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean 0.04 0.05 (animals.100 m

0.02

0.00 0.00

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

0.25 0.10 40

Total = 137

0.20 (3) (48) (16) (5) 0.08 (66) (6) 30

0.15 0.06

± 95% CL)

-2 20

0.10 0.04

Number of individualsNumber 10

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean (animals.100 m 0.05 0.02

0.00 0.00 0 0 Mud 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Fig. I6. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of gray snapper collected with 183-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

161

Eucinostomus gula (silver jenny) 183-m seine

0.35 0.30

0.30 (12) (12) (12) (12) (12) (12) (12) (24) (12) (12) (12) 0.25

0.25 0.20

± 95% CL) 0.20 ± 95% CL)

-2

-2 0.15

0.15

0.10 0.10

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean

(animals.100 m 0.05 0.05

0.00 0.00

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

0.25 0.5 140 Total = 314

120 0.20 (3) (48) (16) (5) (66) (6) 0.4 100

0.15 0.3

± 95% CL) 80

-2

60 0.10 0.2

Number of individualsNumber 40

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean (animals.100 m 0.05 0.1 20

0.00 0.0 0 0 Mud 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Fig. I7. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of silver jenny collected with 183-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

162

Orthopristis chrysoptera (pigfish) 183-m seine

1.6 0.7

(12) (24) (12) (12) (12) 1.4 (12) (12) (12) (12) (12) (12) 0.6

1.2 0.5

1.0

± 95% CL) ± 95% CL) 0.4

-2

-2 0.8

0.3 0.6

0.2 0.4

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m

0.1 0.2

0.0 0.0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

1.2 0.4 300

(3) (48) (16) (5) (66) (6) 1.0 250 Total = 873 0.3

0.8 200

± 95% CL)

-2 0.6 0.2 150

0.4 100

Number of individualsNumber 0.1

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean

(animals.100 m 0.2 50

0.0 0.0 0 0 Mud 50 100 150 200 250 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Fig. I8. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of pigfish collected with 183-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

163

Lagodon rhomboides (pinfish) 183-m seine

18 10

(12) (24) (12) (12) (12) 16 (12) (12) (12) (12) (12) (12)

8 14

± 95% CL) 10 ± 95% CL)

-2

8 4

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean

(animals.100 m

4 abundance Geometric mean (animals.100 m 2

0 0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

6 8 3500

(3) (48) (16) (5) (66) (6) 3000 Total = 12,775 5

6 2500 4

± 95% CL) 2000

-2 3 4

1500

Number of individualsNumber 1000 2

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean

(animals.100 m 1 500

0 0 0 0 Mud 50 100 150 200 250 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Fig. I9. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of pinfish collected with 183-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

164

Archosargus probatocephalus (sheepshead) 183-m seine

0.35 0.6 (12) (24) (12) (12) (12)

0.30 (12) (12) (12) (12) (12) (12) 0.5

0.25 0.4

± 95% CL) 0.20 ± 95% CL)

-2

-2 0.3

0.15

0.2 0.10

Geometric abundance mean

(animals.100 m

Geometric abundance mean

(animals.100 m 0.1 0.05

0.00 0.0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

0.6 0.20 100

(3) (48) (16) (5) 0.18 (66) (6) Total = 362 0.5 0.16 80

0.14 0.4

0.12 60

± 95% CL)

-2 0.3 0.10

0.08 40 0.2 0.06

Number of individualsNumber

Geometric abundance mean (animals.100 m 0.04 20 0.1

0.02

0.0 0.00 0 0 Mud 100 200 300 400 500 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Fig. I10. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of sheepshead collected with 183-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

165

Bairdiella chrysoura (silver perch) 183-m seine

1.8 1.0 (12) (12) (12) (12) (12) (12) 1.6 (12) (24) (12) (12) (12) 0.8 1.4

1.2

0.6

± 95% CL) 1.0 ± 95% CL)

-2

0.8 0.4

0.6

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m

0.4 abundance mean Geometric (animals.100 m 0.2

0.2

0.0 0.0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

1.2 0.35 350

(66) (6) 0.30 300 (3) (48) (16) (5) 1.0 Total = 954

0.25 250 0.8

± 95% CL) 0.20 200

-2 0.6

0.15 150

0.4

0.10 of individualsNumber 100

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean

(animals.100 m 0.2 0.05 50

0.0 0.00 0 0 Mud 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Fig. I11. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of silver perch collected with 183-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

166

Leiostomus xanthurus (spot) 183-m seine

0.6 0.5 (12) (12) (12) (12) (12) (12)

0.5 0.4 (12) (24) (12) (12) (12)

0.4

0.3

± 95% CL)

-2

-2 0.3

0.2

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric (animals.100 m 0.1 0.1

0.0 0.0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

0.6 0.25 25

(3) (48) (16) (5) 0.5 Total = 449 (66) (6) 0.20 20

0.4

0.15 15

± 95% CL)

-2 0.3

0.10 10 0.2

Number of individualsNumber

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean (animals.100 m 0.05 5 0.1

0.0 0.00 0 0 Mud 50 100 150 200 250 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Fig. I12. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of spot collected with 183-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

167

Mugil cephalus (striped mullet) 183-m seine

0.20 0.18 (12) (12) (12) (12) (12) (12) (12) (24) (12) (12) (12) 0.16

0.14 0.15

0.12

± 95% CL) ± 95% CL) 0.10

-2

-2 0.10 0.08

0.06

0.05

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean 0.04

(animals.100 m

0.02

0.00 0.00

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

0.08 0.07 25

Total = 117 (3) (48) (16) (5) (66) (6) 0.06 20 0.06 0.05

± 95% CL) 0.04

-2 0.04

0.03 10

0.02 of individualsNumber 0.02

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean (animals.100 m 5 0.01

0.00 0.00 0 0 Mud 100 200 300 400 500 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Fig. I13. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of striped mullet collected with 183-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

168

Mugil curema (white mullet) 183-m seine

0.30 0.18

(12) (24) (12) (12) (12) 0.16 (12) (12) (12) (12) (12) (12) 0.25 0.14

0.20 0.12

± 95% CL) ± 95% CL) 0.10

-2

-2 0.15 0.08

0.10 0.06

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean 0.04

(animals.100 m 0.05 0.02

0.00 0.00

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

0.14 0.10 60 (66) (6)

0.12 (3) (48) (16) (5) 50 0.08 Total = 182

0.10 40

0.06

± 95% CL) 0.08

-2 30

0.06 0.04 20

0.04 of individualsNumber

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean (animals.100 m 0.02 10 0.02

0.00 0.00 0 0 Mud 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 Sand Some None Mud-sand Structure Substrate Vegetation Size-class mid-point (mm) Dominant Bottom Habitat

Fig. I14. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of white mullet collected with 183-m seine in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

169

170

Appendix J. Species overview plots for dominant taxa (≥100 animals collected and ≥15 occurrence) collected in 6.1-m otter trawls in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Taxa are arranged phylogenetically.

171

Farfantepenaeus duorarum (pink shrimp) 6.1-m trawl

0.35 0.6

(12) (48) (12) (12) (12) 0.30 (16) (16) (16) (16) (16) (16) 0.5

0.25 0.4

± 95% CL) ± 95% 0.20 CL) ± 95%

-2

-2 0.3

0.15

0.2 0.10

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m (animals.100

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m (animals.100 0.1 0.05

0.00 0.0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

Total = 144 20

Number of of individuals Number

0 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Size-class mid-point (mm)

Fig. J1. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of pink shrimp collected with 6.1-m trawl in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

172

Callinectes sapidus (blue crab) 6.1-m trawl

1.4 2.5

(12) (48) (12) (12) (12)

1.2 (16) (16) (16) (16) (16) (16) 2.0

1.0

1.5

± 95% CL) 0.8 ± 95% CL)

-2

0.6 1.0

0.4

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric (animals.100 m 0.5 0.2

0.0 0.0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

Total = 489

Number of individualsNumber

0 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200

Size-class mid-point (mm)

Fig. J2. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of blue crab collected with 6.1-m trawl in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

173

Portunus spp. (swimming crabs) 6.1-m trawl

0.8 0.7

(16) (16) (16) (16) (16) (16) 0.6 (12) (48) (12) (12) (12)

0.6 0.5

± 95% CL) ± 95% ± 95% CL) ± 95% 0.4

-2

-2 0.4

0.3

0.2 0.2

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m (animals.100

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m (animals.100

0.1

0.0 0.0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

80 Total = 348

Number of of individuals Number 20

0 0 20 40 60 80 100 120

Size-class mid-point (mm)

Fig. J3. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of swimming crabs collected with 6.1-m trawl in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

174

Menippe spp. (stone crabs) 6.1-m trawl

1.0 0.7

(12) (48) (12) (12) (12) 0.6 0.8 (16) (16) (16) (16) (16) (16)

0.5

0.6

± 95% CL) ± 95% CL) 0.4

-2

0.3 0.4

0.2

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric 0.2 (animals.100 m 0.1

0.0 0.0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

Total = 395 60

Number of individualsNumber 20

0 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140

Size-class mid-point (mm)

Fig. J4. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of stone crabs collected with 6.1-m trawl in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

175

Eucinostomus gula (silver jenny) 6.1-m trawl

1.0 1.8 (16) (16) (16) (16) (16) (16) (12) (48) (12) (12) (12) 1.6

0.8 1.4

1.2

0.6

± 95% CL) ± 95% CL) 1.0

-2

0.8 0.4

0.6

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric 0.4 0.2 (animals.100 m

0.2

0.0 0.0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

200

Total = 584

150

100

Number of individualsNumber 50

0 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140

Size-class mid-point (mm)

Fig. J5. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of silver jenny collected with 6.1-m trawl in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

176

Orthopristis chrysoptera (pigfish) 6.1-m trawl

1.8 2.5 (16) (16) (16) (16) (16) (16) (12) (48) (12) (12) (12) 1.6

2.0 1.4

1.2

1.5

± 95% CL) 1.0 ± 95% CL)

-2

0.8 1.0

0.6

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m

0.4 abundance mean Geometric (animals.100 m 0.5

0.2

0.0 0.0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

350

300 Total = 1,493

250

200

150

Number of individualsNumber 100

0 0 50 100 150 200 250

Size-class mid-point (mm)

Fig. J6. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of pigfish collected with 6.1-m trawl in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

177

Lagodon rhomboides (pinfish) 6.1-m trawl

14 12

12 (16) (16) (16) (16) (16) (16) 10 (12) (48) (12) (12) (12)

10 8

± 95% CL) 8 ± 95% CL)

-2

-2 6

4 4

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance Geometric mean

(animals.100 m 2 2

0 0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

1600 Total = 5,925

1400

1200

1000

800

600

Number of individualsNumber 400

200

0 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180

Size-class mid-point (mm)

Fig. J7. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of pinfish collected with 6.1-m trawl in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

178

Archosargus probatocephalus (sheepshead) 6.1-m trawl

0.5 1.2 (16) (16) (16) (16) (16) (16)

1.0 (12) (48) (12) (12) (12) 0.4

0.8

0.3

± 95% CL)

-2

-2 0.6

0.2

0.4

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric 0.1 (animals.100 m 0.2

0.0 0.0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

Total = 149 40

Number of individualsNumber

0 0 100 200 300 400 500

Size-class mid-point (mm)

Fig. J8. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of sheepshead collected with 6.1-m trawl in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

179

Leiostomus xanthurus (spot) 6.1-m trawl

7 12

(16) (16) (16) (16) (16) (16) 6 (12) (48) (12) (12) (12) 10

5 8

± 95% CL) 4 ± 95% CL)

-2

-2 6

4 2

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m 2 1

0 0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

1800

1600 Total = 8,917

1400

1200

1000

800

600

Number of individualsNumber

400

200

0 0 50 100 150 200

Size-class mid-point (mm)

Fig. J9. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of spot collected with 6.1-m trawl in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

180

Gobiosoma robustum (code goby) 6.1-m trawl

0.5 0.7

0.6 (12) (48) (12) (12) (12) 0.4 (16) (16) (16) (16) (16) (16)

0.5

0.3

± 95% CL) ± 95% CL) 0.4

-2

0.3 0.2

0.2

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric

(animals.100 m

Geometric mean abundance mean Geometric 0.1 (animals.100 m 0.1

0.0 0.0

Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Sarasota Roberts Palma Sola Blackburn Little Sarosota Month Bay Segment

30 Total = 108

Number of individualsNumber 10

0 0 10 20 30 40

Size-class mid-point (mm)

Fig. J10. Relative abundance and length-frequency distribution of code goby collected with 6.1-m trawl in Sarasota Bay, June 2009 to April 2011. Numbers in parenthesis along the top of each abundance graph represent the number of samples collected within each category.

181