Characterization of the commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery in the estuarine and ocean (0-3 miles) waters of North Carolina
by
Kevin Brown
Final Report
to the
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
and the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service
for the study period
August 2012 – August 2015
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Marine Fisheries Morehead City, NC
October 2015
This project was conducted under the North Carolina Coastal Conservation Fund and Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act, and funded by the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, under Contract 8015.12.030677, and by the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, under Grant Awards NA08NMF4740476 and NA13NMF4740243.
“The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.”
ii ABSTRACT
Observations were made of commercial shrimp trawl fisheries in the estuarine and ocean (0-3 miles) waters of North Carolina from 1 August 2012 to 30 August 2015. These observations were used to characterize the fishery and determine relative effort and discards of weakfish (Cynoscion regalis), spotted sea trout (C. nebulosus), spot (Leiostomus xanthurus), Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus), bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix), Atlantic menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus), southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma), and striped mullet (Mugil cephalus), as well as other federally and state managed species of finfish. Observations were made on 388 commercial shrimp otter trawl fishing days, consisting of 1,037 tows, and 1.20% coverage was achieved in all areas and project years combined. Three different net types were observed: double-seamed nets, four-seamed nets and tongue nets. The three commercially important species of shrimp (brown, white, pink) (Farfantepenaeus aztecus, Litopenaeus setiferus, F. duorarum) represented between 18% and 41% of the total observed catch by weight in estuarine waters and between 13% and 21% in ocean waters, on a yearly basis. Atlantic croaker and spot were the most abundant finfish bycatch, representing between 34% and 49% and between 11% and 23% of the total observed catch by weight in estuarine waters and between 20% and 42% and 10% and 21% in ocean waters, on a yearly basis, respectively. Weakfish represented the largest regulatory discard by weight in all areas and seasons. The at- net mortality for Atlantic croaker, sport, and weakfish across all years and area was 23%, 66%, and 87%, respectively. The results of this study offer insights for fishery managers developing fishery management plans and may assist in bycatch mortality estimates. Recommendations include establishing a permanent funding source to continue the scientific observer coverage in commercial shrimp trawl fisheries, encompassing all seasons, areas, and gears; consider requiring mandatory observer coverage in North Carolina commercial trawl fisheries and continuing to partner with the industry to seek technological solutions to reduce bycatch; and conducting delayed mortality studies in the fishery.
iii TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT ...... iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ...... iv LIST OF FIGURES ...... v LIST OF TABLES ...... viii INTRODUCTION ...... 1 METHODS ...... 3 RESULTS ...... 4 OBSERVER COVERAGE ...... 4 Estuarine ...... 4 Ocean (0-3 miles) ...... 5 GEAR PARAMETERS ...... 5 Estuarine ...... 6 Ocean (0-3 miles) ...... 9 SPECIES COMPOSITION ...... 13 Estuarine ...... 13 Ocean (0-3 miles) ...... 15 LENGTH FREQUENCIES OF KEY SPECIES ...... 18 Estuarine ...... 18 Ocean (0-3 miles) ...... 19 FINFISH BYCATCH ...... 19 Estuarine ...... 19 Ocean (0-3 miles) ...... 20 FINFISH MORTALITY ...... 21 SEA BIRD AND PROTECTED SPECIES BYCATCH ...... 21 DISCUSSION...... 22 RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 24 LITERATURE CITED ...... 25
iv LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. Location of commercial shrimp trawl observations made in northern North Carolina, August – December 2012...... 27 Figure 2. Location of commercial shrimp trawl observations made in southern North Carolina, August ...... 28 Figure 3. Location of commercial shrimp trawl observations made in northern North Carolina, January – December 2013...... 29 Figure 4. Location of commercial shrimp trawl observations made in southern North Carolina, January – December 2013...... 30 Figure 5. Location of for commercial shrimp trawl observations made in northern North Carolina, January – December 2014...... 31 Figure 6. Location of commercial shrimp trawl observations made in southern North Carolina, January – December 2014...... 32 Figure 7. Location of for commercial shrimp trawl observations made in northern North Carolina, January – August 2015...... 33 Figure 8. Location of commercial shrimp trawl observations made in southern North Carolina, January – August 2015...... 34 Figure 9. Length frequency of brown shrimp observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012 (Year 1), and April – December 2013 (Year 2)...... 35 Figure 10. Length frequency of brown shrimp observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014 (Year 3), and April – August 2015 (Year 4)...... 36 Figure 11. Length frequency of pink shrimp observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012 (Year 1), and April – December 2013 (Year 2)...... 37 Figure 12. Length frequency of pink shrimp observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014 (Year 3), and April – August 2015 (Year 4)...... 38 Figure 13. Length frequency of white shrimp observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012 (Year 1), and April – December 2013 (Year 2)...... 39 Figure 14. Length frequency of white shrimp observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014 (Year 3), and April – August 2015 (Year 4)...... 40 Figure 15. Length frequency of weakfish observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012 (Year 1), and April – December 2013 (Year 2)...... 41 Figure 16. Length frequency of weakfish observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014 (Year 3), and April – August 2015 (Year 4)...... 42
v Figure 17. Length frequency of spot observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012 (Year 1), and April – December 2013 (Year 2)...... 43 Figure 18. Length frequency of spot observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014 (Year 3), and April – August 2015 (Year 4)...... 44 Figure 19. Length frequency of Atlantic croaker observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012 (Year 1), and April – December 2013 (Year 2)...... 45 Figure 20. Length frequency of Atlantic croaker observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014 (Year 3), and April – August 2015 (Year 4)...... 46 Figure 21. Length frequency of Gulf flounder observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012 (Year 1), and April – December 2013 (Year 2)...... 47 Figure 22. Length frequency of Gulf flounder observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014 (Year 3), and April – August 2015 (Year 4)...... 48 Figure 23. Length frequency of southern flounder observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012 (Year 1), and April – December 2013 (Year 2)...... 49 Figure 24. Length frequency of southern flounder observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014 (Year 3), and April – August 2015 (Year 4)...... 50 Figure 25. Length frequency of summer flounder observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012 (Year 1), and April – December 2013 (Year 2)...... 51 Figure 26. Length frequency of summer flounder observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014 (Year 3), and April – August 2015 (Year 4)...... 52 Figure 27. Length frequency of brown shrimp observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the ocean waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012 (Year 1), and April – December 2013 (Year 2)...... 53 Figure 28. Length frequency of brown shrimp observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the ocean waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014 (Year 3), and April – August 2015 (Year 4)...... 54 Figure 29. Length frequency of pink shrimp observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the ocean waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012 (Year 1), and April – December 2013 (Year 2)...... 55 Figure 30. Length frequency of pink shrimp observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the ocean waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014 (Year 3), and April – August 2015 (Year 4)...... 56
vi Figure 31. Length frequency of white shrimp observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the ocean waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012 (Year 1), and April – December 2013 (Year 2)...... 57 Figure 32. Length frequency of white shrimp observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the ocean waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014 (Year 3), and April – August 2015 (Year 4)...... 58 Figure 33. Length frequency of weakfish observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the ocean waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012 (Year 1), and April – December 2013 (Year 2)...... 59 Figure 34. Length frequency of weakfish observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the ocean waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014 (Year 3), and April – August 2015 (Year 4)...... 60 Figure 35. Length frequency of spot observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the ocean waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012 (Year 1), and April – December 2013 (Year 2)...... 61 Figure 36. Length frequency of spot observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the ocean waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014 (Year 3), and April – August 2015 (Year 4)...... 62 Figure 37. Length frequency of Atlantic croaker observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the ocean waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012 (Year 1), and April – December 2013 (Year 2)...... 63 Figure 38. Length frequency of Atlantic croaker observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the ocean waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014 (Year 3), and April – August 2015 (Year 4)...... 64 Figure 39. Length frequency of Gulf flounder observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the ocean waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012 (Year 1), and April – December 2013 (Year 2)...... 65 Figure 40. Length frequency of southern flounder observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the ocean waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012 (Year 1), and April – December 2013 (Year 2)...... 66 Figure 41. Length frequency of southern flounder observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the ocean waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014 (Year 3), and April – August 2015 (Year 4)...... 67 Figure 42. Length frequency of summer flounder observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the ocean waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012 (Year 1), and April – December 2013 (Year 2)...... 68 Figure 43. Length frequency of summer flounder observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the ocean waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014 (Year 3), and April – August 2015 (Year 4)...... 69
vii LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. Total reported days fished, total fishing days observed and percent coverage by month for the commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012...... 70 Table 2. Total reported days fished, total fishing days observed and percent coverage by month for commercial shrimp trawl observations made in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, January – December 2013...... 70 Table 3. Total reported days fished, total fishing days observed and percent coverage by month for commercial shrimp trawl observations made in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, January – December 2014...... 71 Table 4. Total reported days fished, total fishing days observed and percent coverage by month for commercial shrimp trawl observations made in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, January – August 2015...... 71 Table 5. Total reported days fished, total fishing days observed and percent coverage by month for commercial shrimp trawl observations made in the ocean waters (0-3 miles) of North Carolina, August – December 2012...... 72 Table 6. Total reported days fished, total fishing days observed and percent coverage by month for commercial shrimp trawl observations made in the ocean waters (0-3 miles) of North Carolina, January – December 2013...... 72 Table 7. Total reported days fished, total fishing days observed and percent coverage by month for commercial shrimp trawl observations made in the ocean waters (0-3 miles) of North Carolina, January – December 2014...... 73 Table 8. Total reported days fished, total fishing days observed and percent coverage by month for commercial shrimp trawl observations made in the ocean waters (0-3 miles) of North Carolina, January – August 2015...... 73 Table 9. Gear parameters for all seasons combined in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery in estuarine waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012...... 74 Table 10. Gear parameters for the summer commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery from observations in estuarine waters of North Carolina, August – September 2012...... 75 Table 11. Gear parameters for the fall commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery from observations in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, October – December 2012...... 76 Table 12. Gear parameters for all seasons combined in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery in estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – December 2013...... 77 Table 13. Gear parameters for the spring commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery from observations in estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – June 2013...... 78 Table 14. Gear parameters for the summer commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery from observations in estuarine waters of North Carolina, July – September 2013...... 79 Table 15. Gear parameters for the fall commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery from observations in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, October – December 2013...... 80 Table 16. Gear parameters for all seasons combined in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery in estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014...... 81
viii Table 17. Gear parameters for the spring commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery from observations in estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – June 2014...... 82 Table 18. Gear parameters for the summer commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery from observations in estuarine waters of North Carolina, July – September 2014...... 83 Table 19. Gear parameters for the fall commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery from observations in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, October – December 2014...... 84 Table 20. Gear parameters for all seasons combined in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery in estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – August 2015...... 85 Table 21. Gear parameters for the spring commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery from observations in estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – June 2015...... 86 Table 22. Gear parameters for the summer commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery from observations in estuarine waters of North Carolina, July – August 2015...... 87 Table 23. Gear parameters for all seasons combined in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery in ocean waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012...... 88 Table 24. Gear parameters for the summer commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery from observations in ocean waters of North Carolina, August – September 2012...... 89 Table 25. Gear parameters for the fall commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery from observations in the ocean waters of North Carolina, October – December 2012...... 90 Table 26. Gear parameters for all seasons combined in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery in ocean waters of North Carolina, April – December 2013...... 91 Table 27. Gear parameters for the spring commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery from observations in ocean waters of North Carolina, April – June 2013...... 92 Table 28. Gear parameters for the summer commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery from observations in ocean waters of North Carolina, July – September 2013...... 93 Table 29. Gear parameters for the fall commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery from observations in the ocean waters of North Carolina, October – December 2013...... 94 Table 30. Gear parameters for all seasons combined in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery in ocean waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014...... 95 Table 31. Gear parameters for the spring commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery from observations in ocean waters of North Carolina, April – June 2014...... 96 Table 32. Gear parameters for the summer commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery from observations in ocean waters of North Carolina, July – September 2014...... 97 Table 33. Gear parameters for the fall commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery from observations in the ocean waters of North Carolina, October – December 2014...... 98 Table 34. Gear parameters for all seasons combined in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery in ocean waters of North Carolina, April – August 2015...... 99 Table 35. Gear parameters for the spring commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery from observations in ocean waters of North Carolina, April – June 2015...... 100 Table 36. Gear parameters for the summer commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery from observations in ocean waters of North Carolina, July – August 2015...... 101
ix Table 37. Relative biomass (kg) observed in all seasons combined in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012...... 102 Table 38. Relative biomass (kg) observed in the summer season in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, August – September 2012...... 104 Table 39. Relative biomass (kg) observed in the fall season in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, October – December 2012...... 106 Table 40. Relative biomass (kg) observed in all seasons combined in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – December 2013...... 108 Table 41. Relative biomass (kg) observed in the spring season in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – June 2013...... 110 Table 42. Relative biomass (kg) observed in the summer season in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, July – September 2013...... 112 Table 43. Relative biomass (kg) observed in the fall season in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, October – December 2013...... 113 Table 44. Relative biomass (kg) observed in all seasons combined in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014...... 114 Table 45. Relative biomass (kg) observed in the spring season in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – June 2014...... 116 Table 46. Relative biomass (kg) observed in the summer season in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, July – September 2014...... 117 Table 47. Relative biomass (kg) observed in the fall season in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, October – December 2014...... 119 Table 48. Relative biomass (kg) observed in all seasons combined in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – August 2015...... 120 Table 49. Relative biomass (kg) observed in the spring season in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – June 2015...... 122 Table 50. Relative biomass (kg) observed in the summer season in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, July – August 2015. 123 Table 51. Relative biomass (kg) observed in all seasons combined in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the ocean waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012...... 125 Table 52. Relative biomass (kg) observed in the summer season in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the ocean waters of North Carolina, August – September 2012...... 127
x Table 53. Relative biomass (kg) observed in the fall season in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the ocean waters of North Carolina, October – December 2012. . 128 Table 54. Relative biomass (kg) observed in all seasons combined in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the ocean waters of North Carolina, April – December 2013...... 130 Table 55. Relative biomass (kg) observed in the spring season in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the ocean waters of North Carolina, April – June 2013...... 132 Table 56. Relative biomass (kg) observed in the summer season in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the ocean waters of North Carolina, July – September 2013...... 134 Table 57. Relative biomass (kg) observed in the fall season in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the ocean waters of North Carolina, October – December 2013. . 135 Table 58. Relative biomass (kg) observed in all seasons combined in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the ocean waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014...... 136 Table 59. Relative biomass (kg) observed in the spring season in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the ocean waters of North Carolina, April – June 2014...... 138 Table 60. Relative biomass (kg) observed in the summer season in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the ocean waters of North Carolina, July – September 2014...... 140 Table 61. Relative biomass (kg) observed in the fall season in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the ocean waters of North Carolina, October – December 2014. . 142 Table 62. Relative biomass (kg) observed in all seasons combined in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the ocean waters of North Carolina, April – August 2015. .... 144 Table 63. Relative biomass (kg) observed in the spring season in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the ocean waters of North Carolina, April – June 2015...... 146 Table 64. Relative biomass (kg) observed in the summer season in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the ocean waters of North Carolina, July – August 2015. .... 147 Table 65. Tabulation of observed catch and discards by weight (kg) and species status (landed, unmarketable, regulatory discards) in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012...... 149 Table 66. Tabulation of observed catch and discards by weight (kg) and species status (landed, unmarketable, regulatory discards) in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – December 2013...... 151 Table 67. Tabulation of observed catch and discards by weight (kg) and species status (landed, unmarketable, regulatory discards) in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014...... 153 Table 68. Tabulation of observed catch and discards by weight (kg) and species status (landed, unmarketable, regulatory discards) in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – August 2015...... 155 Table 69. Tabulation of observed catch and discards by weight (kg) and species status (landed, unmarketable, regulatory discards) in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery in the ocean waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012...... 157
xi Table 70. Tabulation of observed catch and discards by weight (kg) and species status (landed, unmarketable, regulatory discards) in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery in the ocean waters of North Carolina, April – December 2013...... 159 Table 71. Tabulation of observed catch and discards by weight (kg) and species status (landed, unmarketable, regulatory discards) in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery in the ocean waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014...... 161 Table 72. Tabulation of observed catch and discards by weight (kg) and species status (landed, unmarketable, regulatory discards) in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery in the ocean waters of North Carolina, April – August 2015...... 163 Table 73. Tabulation of at net mortality of select species in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery in the estuarine and ocean (0-3 miles) of North Carolina, 1 July 2012 to 31 August 2015...... 165 Table 74. Protected species interactions observed in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery in the estuarine and ocean (0-3 miles) of North Carolina, August 2012 to August 2015...... 165
xii INTRODUCTION
In 2014, North Carolina’s commercial shrimp fishery was valued at over $14 million with landings near 5 million pounds (NCDMF 2014). The fishery targets brown (Farfantepenaeus aztecus), pink (F. duorarum), and white (Litopenaeus setiferus) shrimp. All three species are considered annual crops, implying that natural mortality rather than fishing pressure impacts population size. Although all three commercially important shrimp species in North Carolina are considered viable (NCDMF 2006 and 2014), a formal stock assessment has not been completed due to environmental conditions influencing population size more than fishery pressure. Low cost imported shrimp, regulatory changes, and increased fuel prices have strained the industry and are likely contributing factors to the gradual decline in shrimp trawling effort since the mid-1990s (NCDMF 2006).
Commercial shrimp trawling in North Carolina began in 1916 in the Southport area (NCDMF 2014). The practice spread throughout the rest of North Carolina over the next couple of decades. Following World War II, there was a considerable increase in effort. Technological advances in the shrimp industry have increased the catching efficiency of larger boats. In the 1940s and early 1950s, a 45-60 foot vessel pulled a single trawl with a headrope length of 60-65 ft. Due to improvements in engine design, the same size vessel can now pull four nets with a combined headrope length of 120-160 ft. Four-barreled rigs allow fishermen to pull two nets from each outrigger.
Currently, the shrimp trawl fishery is allowed to operate in the estuarine and ocean waters of North Carolina. In ocean waters (0-3 miles) of North Carolina the commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery is conducted primarily as a single day fishery. In Pamlico Sound, the commercial shrimp trawl fishery is conducted primarily on a multiple day trip basis and is conducted around the clock. Trip duration varies in other estuarine areas between single day and multiple day trips. The majority of landings are from Pamlico Sound (56%), the Atlantic Ocean (24%) and Core Sound (6%), respectively. No other area contributed more than 4% of the state’s landings (NCDMF 2014).
Otter trawls are the predominant gear used to harvest shrimp and accounts for 92% of landings (NCDMF 2014). Otter trawls are cone shaped nets constructed of twine webbing of various types (nylon, spectra, and polyethylene). The net is opened horizontally by water pressure forcing the doors (planers), on either side of the net to spread apart. The bottoms of the doors are typically rounded along the leading edge, with a metal runner protecting the typically wooden door and providing weight. Typically, a single float in the center of the top line, and weights (lengths of chain) run along the bottom line and are used to vertically open the mouth of the trawl. The nets are equipped with tickler chains, which are attached to the doors and drag along the bottom just in front of the footrope. The nets terminate in a tail bag (or cod end) where the catch is concentrated and retained during the tow. Double-seamed nets typically fish lower in the water column and are used to target brown shrimp, four-seamed nets also are used to target brown shrimp but fish higher in the water column, while tongue nets also fish higher in the water column and are used to target white shrimp.
This fishery is controversial because of its bycatch and discards of commercially and recreationally valuable species such as flounder spp. (Paralichthys lethostigma, P. dentatus, and P. albigutta), weakfish (Cynoscion regalis), spot (Leiostomus xanthurus), and Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus). Bycatch remains an important and controversial topic in fisheries management and marine conservation both in the United States and around the world
1 (Alverson et al. 1994; Alverson and Hughes 1996; Crowder and Murawski 1998; Diamond 2003; Kelleher 2005; Davies et al. 2009). Bycatch is defined as “the portion of a catch taken incidentally to the targeted catch because of non-selectivity of the fishing gear to either species or size differences” (ASMFC 1994). Bycatch can be divided into two components: incidental catch and discarded catch. Incidental catch refers to retained or marketable catch of non- targeted species, while discarded catch is that portion of the catch returned to the sea as a result of regulatory, economic, or personal preference. Scientists, natural resource managers, and the general public agree that bycatch is an important issue that needs to be addressed; however, characterizing the nature and extent of bycatch has proven difficult. The amount of bycatch can vary greatly from fisherman to fisherman, trip to trip and tow to tow. Factors that may affect bycatch include water temperature, water clarity, fishing location, tow time, and gear configuration (NCDMF 2006). Fishery managers continually face the issue of bycatch and discards in commercial and recreational fisheries. Discards impact fishery yields and fishery managers’ ability to accurately assess fishery stocks (Fennessy 1994; Hall 1999).
Fishery managers understand the importance of obtaining accurate and timely bycatch and discard data from commercial fisheries. Scientists can obtain estimates through fishery- independent research projects, which can provide accurate size selectivity information; however, components of effort, catch, and discards in relation to commercial fisheries cannot be obtained. One way to obtain accurate estimates of effort, catch, and discards is through scientific observations made aboard commercial fishing vessels. Commercial fishery (fishery- dependent) observations allow the collection of real time catch and discard information, while simultaneously using the knowledge and expertise of commercial fishermen (Price and Rulifson 2004). Observer programs at both the state and federal level have proven to be valuable tools for fishery managers to characterize directed catch and bycatch, document endangered or threatened species interactions, and provide information that can be used for stock assessments. All will assist in sustaining economically important populations of finfish species (French et al. 1982).
Fishery observers monitor and record catch data on commercial fishing activity. The data are used to supplement research and aid in the management of marine resources. Observers may collect data on species composition of the catch, weights of fish caught, disposition of landed species and protected species interactions. Fishing locations and fishing effort are also important data for managing fisheries. In some fisheries, observers provide valuable assistance to researchers with tagging projects involving sharks, and even some species of sea turtles. Observer programs often are responsible for collecting the largest part of fisheries management data. The firsthand information supplied by observers to fisheries managers on protected species interactions with fishing activities provides excellent information to help sustain and rebuild some populations of protected species (French et al. 1982).
This project quantifies bycatch of federally and state managed species of finfish including but not limited to: weakfish, spotted seatrout (C. nebulosus), spot, Atlantic croaker, bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix), Atlantic menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus), southern flounder, and striped mullet (Mugil cephalus). These data will assist managers in sustaining coastal stocks, which are an important resource for both commercial and recreational fishermen.
2 METHODS
This study was conducted from 1 August 2012 to 31 August 2015 in the estuarine and ocean waters (0-3 miles) of North Carolina (Figures 1-8). The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (NCDMF) trained observers to conduct weekly observer trips aboard commercial vessels operating in the estuarine and ocean shrimp otter trawl fishery. NCDMF Trip Ticket Program (NCTTP) data from previous years was used to estimate the needed proportional observer coverage to obtain the 1.5% coverage goal. Flyovers of Pamlico Sound were conducted on an opportunistic basis in conjunction with normally scheduled NC Marine Patrol flights by the biologist and technician to gauge effort in that area.
Each observer was trained to collect data under NCDMF protocols including species identification, sampling methods, gear specifications, and safety. NMFS staff provided training on protected species identification, handling, and tagging protocols. Observers sampled nearly every tow (less than 20 tows not sampled for various reasons, i.e., fisherman dumped overboard after deeming too fishy or observer fatigue). Observers randomly sampled approximately one fish basket (32 kg) from a well-mixed sample of all nets to determine species composition. Data collections included: enumerating, measuring, weighing, and recording disposition of target and bycatch species; noting date, time, location, and net characteristics [headrope length, mesh size of wing and tail bag, turtle excluder device (TED) type, bycatch reduction device (BRD) type, etc.] of all sets and retrievals; and recording all protected species interactions, including tagging. Miscellaneous includes invertebrates not identified to genus level. Length frequency of commercially and recreationally important species in this study was stratified by area and season and categorized into 10 mm groups. There are two classifications of discards: regulatory and unmarketable. Regulatory discards are defined as any fish that must be discarded due to size, season, or quota restrictions. Unmarketable discards account for all other discards, including discretionary discards.
Total weight (kg) of shrimp of each tow was collected, and used to expand the sampled weights to total weights of all species as follows:
푇표푤 푊푒𝑖𝑔ℎ푡 푆ℎ푟𝑖푚푝 𝑖 푇표푤 푊푒𝑖𝑔ℎ푡 푆푝푒푐𝑖푒푠 𝑖 = ∗ 푆푎푚푝푙푒 푊푒𝑖𝑔ℎ푡 푆푝푒푐𝑖푒푠 𝑖 푆푎푚푝푙푒 푊푒𝑖𝑔ℎ푡 푆ℎ푟𝑖푚푝 𝑖 where Tow Weight Speciesi = the total weight for a speciesi in towi; Tow Weight Shrimpi = the total weight for all commercially important shrimp in towi; Sample Weight Shrimpi = the total weight for all commercially important shrimp in samplei; and Sample Weight Speciesi = the total weight of speciesi in samplei.
Total numbers were expanded from the sample as follows:
푇표푤 푊푒𝑖𝑔ℎ푡 푆푝푒푐𝑖푒푠 𝑖 푇표푡푎푙 푁푢푚푏푒푟 푆푝푒푐𝑖푒푠 𝑖 = ∗ 푆푎푚푝푙푒 푁푢푚푏푒푟 푆푝푒푐𝑖푒푠 𝑖 푆푎푚푝푙푒 푊푒𝑖𝑔ℎ푡 푆푝푒푐𝑖푒푠 𝑖 where Total Number Speciesi = the total number of individuals of speciesi in towi; Tow Weight Speciesi = the total weight for a speciesi in towi; Sample Weight Speciesi = the total weight of speciesi in samplei; and
3 Sample Number Speciesi = the total number of individuals of speciesi in towi.
At-net mortality data of select species (spot, Atlantic croaker, flounder spp., and weakfish) were obtained. Observers randomly selected 30 individuals of each species and recorded the status (dead or alive) and length of each individual. This was the first data obtained from the sample.
The results were stratified by net type (double-seamed, four-seamed and tongue nets), area (estuarine and ocean (0-3 miles)); season (Winter: January – March, Spring: April – June, Summer: July – September, Fall: October - December), and year (Year 1: 2012, Year 2: 2013, Year 3: 2014, and Year 4: 2015). The results were analyzed to determine trends, to look for any key areas where management improvements are needed, and characterize currently unknown fishery parameters in these areas.
RESULTS
The results provided varying trends among the three strata of season, area, and year. Observations were made in four project years, three seasons (spring, summer, and fall) and on three different net types of otter trawls (double-seamed, four-seamed and tongue nets). The following sections will discuss findings ranging from observed net sets to discard estimates and provide an overall characterization of effort, catch, and bycatch in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery in the estuarine and ocean (0-3 miles) waters of North Carolina from 1 August 2012 to 31 August 2015.
OBSERVER COVERAGE
According to data collected by the NCTTP, there were 32,388 commercial shrimp otter trawl fishing days in the observed areas (estuarine and ocean (0-3 miles)) between 1 August 2012 and 31 August 2015 (Tables 1-8); however, the trip ticket data for August 2015 is preliminary. Observers were present on 388 commercial shrimp otter trawl fishing days, consisting of 1,037 tows that were used for analysis and achieved 1.20% coverage of fishing days throughout the study. Observers obtained trips with 11, 16, 13, and 11 fishermen during years one, two, three, and four, respectively, for a total of 39 unique fishermen throughout the study. Attempts to observe trips in the winter season were unsuccessful due to low effort and participation during this season. Therefore, the trip ticket data is included for this season but no results are shown.
Estuarine
NCTTP recorded 3,934 commercial shrimp otter trawl fishing days in the estuarine waters of North Carolina between August and December 2012 (Table 1). Observers were present on 49 commercial shrimp otter trawl fishing days, consisting of 126 tows, achieving 1.25% coverage. Observers obtained 0.97% coverage in the summer and 2.10% in the fall.
NCTTP recorded 7,838 commercial shrimp otter trawl fishing days in the estuarine waters of North Carolina between January and December 2013 (Table 2). Observers were present on 52 commercial shrimp otter trawl fishing days, consisting of 133 tows, achieving
4 0.66% coverage. Observers obtained 0.00% coverage during winter, 1.98% the spring, 0.48% coverage during the summer, and 0.50% in the fall.
The number of shrimp otter trawl trips recorded in the NCTTP in estuarine waters of North Carolina between January and December 2014 was 6,636 (Table 3). Observers were present on 82 commercial shrimp otter trawl fishing days, consisting of 236 tows, and achieving 1.24% coverage. Observers obtained 0.00%, 1.25%, 1.27%, and 0.59% coverage in the winter, spring, summer, and fall, respectively.
NCTTP data indicated there were 7,717 commercial shrimp otter trawl fishing days in the estuarine waters of North Carolina between January and August 2015 (Table 4). Observers were present on 44 commercial shrimp otter trawl fishing days, consisting of 113 tows, and achieving 0.57% coverage. Observers obtained 0.00% coverage during the winter, 1.85% in the spring, and 0.46% coverage during the summer.
Ocean (0-3 miles)
NCTTP data indicated there were 1,598 commercial shrimp otter trawl fishing days in the ocean waters of North Carolina between August and December 2012 (Table 5). Observers were present on 28 commercial shrimp otter trawl fishing days, consisting of 95 tows, and achieving 1.75% coverage. Observers obtained 2.62% coverage during the summer and 1.48% in the fall.
NCTTP data recorded 2,210 commercial shrimp otter trawl fishing days in the ocean waters of North Carolina between January and December 2013 (Table 6). Observers were present on 38 commercial shrimp otter trawl fishing days, consisting of 96 tows, and achieving 1.72% coverage. Observers obtained 0.00% coverage during the winter, 6.64% during the spring, 2.51% coverage during the summer and 0.33% in the fall.
Analysis of the NCTTP data indicated that there were 2,038 commercial shrimp otter trawl fishing days in the ocean waters of North Carolina between January and December 2014 (Table 7). Observers were present on 67 commercial shrimp otter trawl fishing days, consisting of 163 tows, and achieving 3.29% coverage. Observers obtained 0.00% coverage in the winter, 14.9% during the spring, 4.01% coverage during the summer and 1.28% in the fall.
Analysis of the NCTTP data indicated that there were 417 commercial shrimp otter trawl fishing days in the ocean waters of North Carolina between January and August 2015 (Table 8). Observers were present on 28 commercial shrimp otter trawl fishing days, consisting of 75 tows, and achieving 6.71% coverage. Observers obtained 0.00% coverage during the winter, 8.59% in the spring and 6.46% coverage during the summer.
GEAR PARAMETERS
Observers sampled commercial shrimp otter trawls consisting of three different net types: double-seamed, four-seamed and tongue nets.
5 Estuarine
During year one, 49 fishing days observed consisting of 126 tows (Table 9). The majority (63%) of these trips were with tongue nets, while double-seamed and four-seamed nets each accounted for 2% and 35% of the observed trips. The majority (47%) of these trips were with two barrel rigs, while single rigs and four barrel rigs accounted for 33% and 20% of the observed trips respectively. The headrope length per net ranged from 28 to 60 ft with the mean and median being 44 and 40 ft, respectively. The total headrope per vessel ranged from 28 to 240 ft with the mean and median being 94 and 70 ft, respectively. The observed tow speed ranged from 2.20 to 3.00 knots with the mean being 2.25 knots. Vessel length observed ranged from 19 to 73 ft with the mean and median being 40 and 38 ft, respectively. Tow time ranged from 20 to 240 minutes with the mean being 100 minutes. Nylon, polyethylene, and spectra represented 43%, 37%, and 20% of the type of webbing observed in this fishery, respectively. The majority (84%) of observed trips used Super Shooter TEDs, while 2% used a Straight Bar TED, and the remaining 14% had no TED. All of the observed BRD types were the Florida Fish Excluder.
During the summer season of year one, there were 29 fishing days observed consisting of 79 tows (Table 10). The majority (57%) of observed trips were with four-seamed nets, while double-seamed and tongue nets accounted for 3% and 40% of the observed trips respectively. Most (45%) of these trips were with two barrel rigs, while single rigs and four barrel rigs accounted for 38% and 17% of the observed trips respectively. The headrope length per net ranged from 28 to 60 ft with the mean and median being 44 and 45 ft, respectively. The total headrope per vessel ranged from 28 to 180 ft with the mean and median being 85 and 70 ft, respectively. The observed tow speed ranged from 2.20 to 3.00 knots with the mean being 2.21 knots. Vessel length observed ranged from 19 to 73 ft with the mean and median being 38 and 34 ft, respectively. Tow time ranged from 20 to 240 minutes with the mean being 96 minutes. Nylon, polyethylene, and spectra represented 52%, 24%, and 24% of the type of webbing observed in this fishery, respectively. The majority (83%) of observed trips used Super Shooter TEDs, while Straight Bar TEDs and no TEDs accounted for 3% and 14%. All of the observed BRD types were the Florida Fish Excluder.
During the fall season of year one, there were 20 fishing days observed consisting of 47 tows (Table 11). All of the observed trips were with tongue nets. Single rigged, two barrel, and four barrel rigs accounted for 25%, 50%, and 25% of the observed trips respectively. The headrope length per net ranged from 30 to 60 ft with the mean and median being 44 and 35 ft, respectively. The total headrope per vessel ranged from 30 to 240 ft with the mean and median being 108, and 70 ft, respectively. The observed tow speed ranged from 2.20 to 2.50 knots with the mean being 2.30 knots. Vessel length observed ranged from 20 to 65 ft with the mean and median being 42 and 38 ft, respectively. Tow time ranged from 20 to 225 minutes with the mean being 108 minutes. Nylon, polyethylene, and spectra represented 30%, 55%, and 15% of the type of webbing observed in this fishery respectively. The majority (85%) of observed trips used Super Shooter TEDs, while the remaining 15% had no TED. All of the observed BRD types were the Florida Fish Excluder.
During year two, 52 fishing days observed consisting of 133 tows (Table 12). The majority (57%) of trips were with four-seamed nets, while double-seamed and tongue nets each accounted for 8% and 35% of the observed trips. The majority (59%) of these trips were with two barrel rigs, while single rigs and four barrel rigs accounted for 6% and 35% of the observed trips respectively. The headrope length per net ranged from 30 to 60 ft with the mean and median being 42 and 45 ft, respectively. The total headrope per vessel ranged from 30 to 220 ft
6 with the mean and median being 117 and 70 ft. The observed tow speed ranged from 2.20 to 3.30 knots with the mean being 2.25 knots. Vessel length observed ranged from 19 to 73 ft with the median being 38 ft. Tow time ranged from 30 to 300 minutes with the mean being 142 minutes. Nylon, polyethylene, and spectra represented 71%, 27%, and 2% of the type of webbing observed in this fishery, respectively. The majority (85%) of observed trips used Super Shooter TEDs, while 10% used a Straight Bar TED, and the remaining 5% had no TED. All of the observed BRD types were the Florida Fish Excluder.
During the spring season of year two, there were 19 fishing days observed consisting of 48 tows (Table 13). Double-seamed, four-seamed and tongue nets accounted for 16%, 68% and 16% of the observed trips, respectively. Single rig, two barrel rigs, and four barrel rigs accounted for 16% and 52%, and 32% of the observed trips respectively. The headrope length per net ranged from 30 to 60 ft with the mean and median being 38 and 30 ft, respectively. The total headrope per vessel ranged from 30 to 200 ft with the mean and median being 101 and 60 ft, respectively. The observed tow speed ranged from 2.00 to 3.20 knots with the mean being 2.41 knots. Vessel length observed ranged from 20 to 73 ft with the mean and median being 42 and 30 ft, respectively. Tow time ranged from 30 to 240 minutes with the mean being 118 minutes. Nylon, polyethylene, and spectra represented 84%, 11%, and 5% of the type of webbing observed in this fishery, respectively. Super Shooter TEDs and no TED accounted for 85% and 15% of the observed trips, respectively. All of the observed BRD types were the Florida Fish Excluder.
During the summer season of year two, there were 22 fishing days observed consisting of 55 tows (Table 14). Most (64%) of these trips were with four-seamed nets, while double- seamed and tongue nets accounted for 4% and 32% of the observed trips, respectively. The majority (77%) of these trips were with double barrel rigs, while four-barrel rigs accounted for the remaining 23%. The headrope length per net ranged from 32 to 50 ft with the mean and median being 43 and 45 ft, respectively. The total headrope per vessel ranged from 64 to 200 ft with the mean and median being 109 and 90 ft, respectively. The observed tow speed ranged from 2.20 to 3.30 knots with the mean being 2.45 knots. Vessel length observed ranged from 29 to 78 ft with the mean and median being 44 and 35 ft, respectively. Tow time ranged from 30 to 300 minutes with the mean being 145 minutes. Nylon and polyethylene represented 64% and 36% of the type of webbing observed in this fishery, respectively. All observed trips used Super Shooter TEDs and Florida Fish Excluders.
During the fall season of year two, there were 11 fishing days observed consisting of 30 tows (Table 15). The majority (73%) of these trips were with tongue nets, while four-seamed nets accounted for the remaining 27% of the observed trips. The majority (63%) of these trips were with four barrel rigs, while two barrel rigs accounted for the remaining 37% the observed trips. The headrope length per net ranged from 40 to 55 ft with the mean and median being 48 and 50 ft, respectively. The total headrope per vessel ranged from 80 to 220 ft with the mean and median being 164 and 200 ft, respectively. The observed tow speed ranged from 2.20 to 3.00 knots with the mean being 2.73 knots. Vessel length observed ranged from 38 to 78 ft with the mean and median being 63 and 78 ft, respectively. Tow time ranged from 30 to 255 minutes with the mean being 176 minutes. Nylon and polyethylene represented 64% and 36% of the type of webbing observed in this fishery, respectively. All of observed trips used Super Shooter TEDs and the Florida Fish Excluder type BRD.
During year three, 82 fishing days observed consisting of 236 tows (Table 16). The majority (60%) of these trips were with four-seamed nets, while double-seamed and tongue nets each accounted for 27% and 13% of the observed trips. Two barrel and four barrel rigs
7 accounted for 44% and 56% of the observed trips, respectively. The headrope length per net ranged from 30 to 55 ft with the mean and median being 47 and 50 ft, respectively. The total headrope per vessel ranged from 60 to 220 ft with the mean and median being 153 and 200 ft, respectively. The observed tow speed ranged from 2.00 to 3.20 knots with the mean being 2.58 knots. Vessel length observed ranged from 30 to 95 ft with the mean and median being 62 and 68 ft, respectively. Tow time ranged from 40 to 365 minutes with the mean being 187 minutes. Nylon, polyethylene, and spectra represented 17%, 71%, and 12% of the type of webbing observed in this fishery, respectively. All of observed trips used Super Shooter TEDs and all of the observed BRD types were the Florida Fish Excluder.
During the spring season of year three, there were 10 fishing days observed consisting of 20 tows (Table 17). Four-seamed nets and two barrel rigs accounted for all of the observed trips. The headrope length per net ranged from 40 to 45 ft with the mean and median being 41 and 40 ft, respectively. The total headrope per vessel ranged from 80 to 90 ft with the mean and median being 82 and 80 ft, respectively. The observed tow speed ranged from 2.00 to 2.40 knots with the mean being 2.18 knots. Vessel length observed ranged from 34 to 43 ft with the mean and median being 41 and 43 ft, respectively. Tow time ranged from 60 to 165 minutes with the mean being 112 minutes. Nylon and polyethylene represented 20 and 80% of the type of webbing observed in this fishery, respectively. Super Shooter TEDs and Florida Fish Excluder BRDs were observed on all trips.
During the summer season of year three, there were 66 fishing days observed consisting of 200 tows (Table 18). The majority (59%) of these trips were with four-seamed nets, while double-seamed and tongue nets accounted for 33% and 8% of the observed trips, respectively. The majority (68%) of these trips were with four barrel rigs, while the remaining 32% were with two barrel rigs. The headrope length per net ranged from 38 to 55 ft with the mean and median being 49 and 50 ft, respectively. The total headrope per vessel ranged from 76 to 220 ft with the mean and median being 171 and 200 ft, respectively. The observed tow speed ranged from 2.00 to 3.20 knots with the mean being 2.66 knots. Vessel length observed ranged from 34 to 95 ft with the mean and median being 68 and 70 ft. Tow time ranged from 40 to 365 minutes with the mean being 203 minutes. Nylon, polyethylene, and spectra represented 18%, 67%, and 15% of the type of webbing observed in this fishery, respectively. All observed trips used Super Shooter TEDs and the Florida Fish Excluder.
During the fall of year three, there were 6 fishing days observed consisting of 16 tows (Table 19). All observed trips were with tongue nets. The majority (83%) of these trips were with two barrel rigs, while four barrel rigs accounted for the remaining 17% of the observed trips. The headrope length per net ranged from 30 to 35 ft with the mean and median being 31 and 30 ft, respectively. The total headrope per vessel ranged from 60 to 140 ft with the mean and median being 73 and 60 ft, respectively. The observed tow speed ranged from 2.20 to 2.70 knots with the mean being 2.37 knots. Vessel length observed ranged from 30 to 38 ft with the mean and median being 31 and 30 ft. Tow time ranged from 45 to 120 minutes with the mean being 90 minutes. All observed trips used polyethylene webbing Super Shooter TEDs and the Florida Fish Excluder.
During year four, 44 fishing days observed consisting of 113 tows (Table 20). Double- seamed and four-seamed nets each accounted for 48% and 52% of the observed trips, respectively. The majority (61%) of these trips were with four barrel rigs, while single rigs and two barrel rigs accounted for 18% and 21% of the observed trips respectively. The headrope length per net ranged from 30 to 55 ft with the mean and median being 43 and 40 ft, respectively. The total headrope per vessel ranged from 35 to 220 ft with the mean and median
8 being 133 and 120 ft. The observed tow speed ranged from 2.20 to 3.10 knots with the mean being 2.56 knots. Vessel length observed ranged from 20 to 88 ft with the mean and median being 61 and 73 ft. Tow time ranged from 15 to 360 minutes with the mean being 181 minutes. Nylon, polyethylene, and spectra represented 61%, 23%, and 16% of the type of webbing observed in this fishery, respectively. The majority (68%) of observed trips used Super Shooter TEDs, while the remaining 32% used a Straight Bar TED. All of the observed BRD types were the Florida Fish Excluder.
During the spring season of year four, there were 11 fishing days observed consisting of 20 tows (Table 21). Double-seamed and four-seamed nets accounted for 55% and 45% of the observed trips, respectively. Single rig and two barrel rigs accounted for 55% and 45% of the observed trips respectively. The headrope length per net ranged from 35 to 40 ft with the mean and median being 37 and 35 ft, respectively. The total headrope per vessel ranged from 35 to 80 ft with the mean and median being 55 and 35 ft. The observed tow speed ranged from 2.00 to 2.80 knots with the mean being 2.34 knots. Vessel length observed ranged from 20 to 35 ft with the mean and median being 27 and 20 ft. Tow time ranged from 15 to 110 minutes with the mean being 59 minutes. Nylon, polyethylene, and spectra represented 9%, 55%, and 36% of the type of webbing observed in this fishery, respectively. Super Shooter TEDs and Straight Bar TEDs accounted for 55 and 45% of the observed trips, respectively. All of the observed BRD types were the Florida Fish Excluder.
During the summer season of year four, there were 33 fishing days observed consisting of 93 tows (Table 22). The majority (55%) of these trips were with four-seamed nets, while double-seamed and tongue nets accounted for the remaining 45% observed trips, respectively. The majority (82%) of these trips were with four barrel rigs, while single rigs and two barrel rigs accounted for 6% and 12% of the observed trips, respectively. The headrope length per net ranged from 30 to 55 ft with the mean and median being 44 and 50 ft, respectively. The total headrope per vessel ranged from 35 to 220 ft with the mean and median being 160 and 200 ft. The observed tow speed ranged from 2.00 to 3.10 knots with the mean being 2.65 knots. Vessel length observed ranged from 20 to 88 ft with the mean and median both being 73 ft. Tow time ranged from 30 to 360 minutes with the mean being 208 minutes. Nylon, polyethylene, and spectra represented 79%, 12%, and 9% of the type of webbing observed in this fishery, respectively. The majority (76%) of observed trips used Super Shooter TEDs, while the remaining 24% used Straight Bar TEDs. All of the observed BRD types were the Florida Fish Excluder.
Ocean (0-3 miles)
During year one, 28 fishing days observed consisting of 95 tows (Table 23). The majority (72%) of trips were with tongue nets, while double-seamed and four-seamed nets each accounted for 14% of the observed trips. The majority (79%) of these trips were with two barrel rigs, while four barrel rigs accounted for the remaining 21% of the observed trips. The headrope length per net ranged from 34 to 60 ft with the mean and median being 39 and 38 ft, respectively. The total headrope per vessel ranged from 68 to 152 ft with the mean and median being 94 and 76 ft, respectively. The observed tow speed ranged from 2.00 to 2.80 knots with the mean being 2.34 knots. Vessel length observed ranged from 25 to 60 ft with the mean and median being 40 and 35 ft. Tow time ranged from 20 to 306 minutes with the mean being 81 minutes. Nylon, polyethylene, and spectra represented 14%, 50%, and 36% of the type of webbing observed in this fishery, respectively. The majority (64%) of observed trips used Super
9 Shooter TEDs, while Straight Bar TEDs accounted for the remaining 36%. All of the observed BRD types were the Florida Fish Excluder.
During the summer season of year one, there were 10 fishing days observed consisting of 37 tows (Table 24). Double-seamed, four-seamed and tongue nets accounted for 40%, 40% and 20% of the observed trips, respectively. Two barrel and four barrel rigs accounted for 40% and 60% of the observed trips, respectively. The headrope length per net ranged from 35 to 38 ft with the mean and median being 36 and 35 ft, respectively. The total headrope per vessel ranged from 70 to 152 ft with the mean and median being 117 and 140 ft, respectively. The observed tow speed ranged from 2.20 to 2.80 knots with the mean being 2.48 knots. Vessel length observed ranged from 35 to 60 ft with the mean and median being 49 and 57ft. Tow time ranged from 20 to 95 minutes with the mean being 61 minutes. Nylon, polyethylene, and spectra represented 40%, 20%, and 40% of the type of webbing observed in this fishery, respectively. The majority (60%) of observed trips used Super Shooter TEDs, while Straight Bar TEDs accounted for the remaining 40%. All of the observed BRD types were the Florida Fish Excluder.
During the fall season of year one, there were 18 fishing days observed consisting of 58 tows (Table 25). All of the observed trips were with tongue nets and two barrel rigs. The headrope length per net ranged from 34 to 60 ft with the mean and median being 40 and 38 ft, respectively. The total headrope per vessel ranged from 68 to 120 ft with the mean and median being 81 and 76 ft, respectively. The observed tow speed ranged from 2.00 to 2.70 knots with the mean being 2.26 knots. Vessel length observed ranged from 25 to 36 ft with the mean and median both being 34 ft. Tow time ranged from 20 to 306 minutes with the mean being 94 minutes. Polyethylene and spectra represented 67 and 33% of the type of webbing observed in this fishery respectively. The majority (67%) of observed trips used Super Shooter TEDs, while the remaining 33% used Straight Bar TEDs. All of the observed BRD types were the Florida Fish Excluder.
During year two, 38 fishing days observed consisting of 96 tows (Table 26). The majority (74%) of observed trips were with tongue nets, while double-seamed and four-seamed nets each accounted for 8% and 18% of the observed trips. Singled rigged, double rigged and quad rigged vessels accounted for 10%, 32% and 58% of the observed trips respectively. The headrope length per net ranged from 35 to 60 ft with the mean and median being 40 and 37 ft, respectively. The total headrope per vessel ranged from 60 to 200 ft with the mean and median being 117 and 140 ft, respectively. The observed tow speed ranged from 2.00 to 3.00 knots with the mean being 2.52 knots. Vessel length observed ranged from 25 to 73 ft with the mean and median being 45 and 50 ft. Tow time ranged from 25 to 170 minutes with the mean being 84 minutes. Nylon, polyethylene, and spectra represented 40%, 5%, and 55% of the type of webbing observed in this fishery, respectively. The majority (87%) of observed trips used Super Shooter TEDs, while the remaining 13% used a Straight Bar TED. All of the observed BRD types were the Florida Fish Excluder.
During the spring season of year two, there were 20 fishing days observed consisting of 49 tows (Table 27). Double-seamed nets, four-seamed, and tongue nets represented 15%, 5%, and 80% of the observed trips. Double rigged and quad rigged vessels accounted for 20% and 80% of observed trips, respectively. The headrope length per net ranged from 35 to 50 ft with the mean and median being 38 and 35 ft, respectively. The total headrope per vessel ranged from 90 to 200 ft with the mean and median being 135 and 140 ft, respectively. The observed tow speed ranged from 2.50 to 2.80 knots with the mean being 2.64 knots. Vessel length observed ranged from 34 to 73 ft with the mean and median being 50 and 52 ft, respectively.
10 Tow time ranged from 45 to 120 minutes with the mean being 83 minutes. Nylon and spectra represented 40% and 60% of the type of webbing observed in this fishery, respectively. All observed trips used Super Shooter TEDs and the Florida Fish Excluder BRD.
During the summer season of year two, there were 14 fishing days observed consisting of 33 tows (Table 28). Four-seamed and tongue nets accounted for 43% and 57% of the observed trips, respectively. Single rigged, doubled rigged, and quad rigged vessels represented (29%, 50%, and 21% of the observed trips, respectively. The headrope length per net ranged from 35 to 60 ft with the mean and median being 44 and 38 ft, respectively. The total headrope per vessel ranged from 60 to 152 ft with the mean and median being 87 and 70 ft, respectively. The observed tow speed ranged from 2.00 to 3.00 knots with the mean being 2.29 knots. Vessel length observed ranged from 25 to 60 ft with the mean and median being 36 and 34 ft, respectively. Tow time ranged from 25 to 170 minutes with the mean being 88 minutes. Nylon, polyethylene, and spectra represented 43%, 7%, and 50% of the type of webbing observed in this fishery, respectively. Super Shooter TEDs were observed in 64% of the trips and Straight Bar TEDs were observed in the remaining 36%. All of the observed BRD types were the Florida Fish Excluder.
During the fall season of year two, there were 4 fishing days observed consisting of 14 tows (Table 29). All of the observed trips were with tongue nets and 75% were with four barrel rigs and the remaining 25% were with two barrel rigs. The headrope length per net ranged from 36 to 45 ft with the mean and median being 39 and 38 ft, respectively. The total headrope per vessel ranged from 90 to 152 ft with the mean and median being 135 and 148 ft, respectively. The observed tow speed ranged from 2.50 to 3.00 knots with the mean being 2.73 knots. Vessel length observed ranged from 34 to 60 ft with the mean and median being 52 and 57 ft, respectively. Tow time ranged from 38 to 119 minutes with the mean being 73 minutes. Nylon, polyethylene, and spectra represented 25%, 25% and 50% of the type of webbing observed in this fishery, respectively. All of observed trips used Super Shooter TEDs and the Florida Fish Excluder.
During year three, 67 fishing days observed consisting of 163 tows (Table 30). The majority (63%) of these trips were with double-seamed nets, while four-seamed nets and tongue each accounted for 4% and 33% of the observed trips. The majority (93%) of these trips were with four barrel rigs, while single rigs and two barrel rigs accounted for 4% and 3% of the observed trips respectively. The headrope length per net ranged from 35 to 60 ft with the mean and median being 40 and 38 ft, respectively. The total headrope per vessel ranged from 60 to 240 ft with the mean and median being 150 and 152 ft, respectively. The observed tow speed ranged from 2.00 to 3.20 knots with the mean being 2.84 knots. Vessel length observed ranged from 25 to 65 ft with the mean and median being 54 and 60 ft, respectively. Tow time ranged from 20 to 150 minutes with the mean being 78 minutes. Nylon, polyethylene, and spectra represented 21%, 3%, and 76% of the type of webbing observed in this fishery, respectively. All observed trips used Super Shooter TEDs and the Florida Fish Excluder.
During the spring season of year three, there were 31 fishing days observed consisting of 80 tows (Table 31). All vessels observed were quad rigged and used doubled-seamed nets. The headrope length per net ranged from 35 to 45 ft with the mean and median both being 38 40 ft. The total headrope per vessel ranged from 140 to 180 ft with the mean and median being 154 and 152 ft, respectively. The observed tow speed ranged from 2.60 to 3.20 knots with the mean being 2.93 knots. Vessel length observed ranged from 50 to 65 ft with the mean and median being 57 and 58 ft, respectively. Tow time ranged from 20 to 130 minutes with the mean being 78 minutes. Nylon and spectra represented 26% and 74% of the type of webbing
11 observed in this fishery, respectively. The majority (97%) of observed trips used Super Shooter TEDs, with the remaining 3% having no TED. All BRD types observed were the Florida Fish Excluders.
During the summer season of year three, there were 21 fishing days observed consisting of 49 tows (Table 32). Double-seamed, four-seamed, and tongue nets accounted for 52%, 14% and 34% of the observed trips, respectively. Single rigged, two barrel, and four barrel rigs accounted for 14%, 10% and 76% of the observed trips, respectively. The headrope length per net ranged from 35 to 60 ft with the mean and median being 44 and 45 ft, respectively. The total headrope per vessel ranged from 60 to 240 ft with the mean and median being 141 and 152 ft, respectively. The observed tow speed ranged from 2.00 to 3.20 knots with the mean being 2.70 knots. Vessel length observed ranged from 25 to 65 ft with the mean and median being 48 and 53 ft, respectively. Tow time ranged from 49 to 120 minutes with the mean being 83 minutes. Nylon, polyethylene, and spectra represented 14%, 10%, and 76% of the type of webbing observed in this fishery respectively. All observed trips used Super Shooter TEDs and all BRDs types were the Florida Fish Excluders.
During the fall of year three, there were 15 fishing days observed consisting of 34 tows (Table 33). All observed trips were with tongue nets and four barrel rigs. The headrope length per net ranged from 35 to 46 ft with the mean and median being 39 and 38 ft, respectively. The total headrope per vessel ranged from 140 to 184 ft with the mean and median being 155 and 152 ft, respectively. The observed tow speed ranged from 2.70 to 3.00 knots with the mean being 2.86 knots. Vessel length observed ranged from 50 to 65 ft with the mean and median being 58 and 60 ft, respectively. Tow time ranged from 30 to 150 minutes with the mean being 70 minutes. Nylon and polyethylene webbing accounted for 20% and 80% of the observed trips, respectively. All observed trips used Super Shooter TEDs and the Florida Fish Excluder.
During year four, 28 fishing days observed consisting of 75 tows (Table 34). Double- seamed and four-seamed nets each accounted for 57% and 43% of the observed trips. The majority (54%) of these trips were with two barrel rigs, while single rigs and four barrel rigs accounted for 32% and 14% of the observed trips respectively. The headrope length per net ranged from 30 to 50 ft with the mean and median being 39 and 40 ft, respectively. The total headrope per vessel ranged from 30 to 200 ft with the mean and median being 82 and 80 ft. The observed tow speed ranged from 1.90 to 3.00 knots with the mean being 2.19 knots. Vessel length observed ranged from 19 to 73 ft with the median being 38 ft. Tow time ranged from 35 to 165 minutes with the mean being 79 minutes. Nylon, polyethylene, and spectra represented 32%, 29%, and 39% of the type of webbing observed in this fishery, respectively. All observed trips used Super Shooter TEDs and the Florida Fish Excluder.
During the spring season of year four, there were 11 fishing days observed consisting of 30 tows (Table 35). Double-seamed and four-seamed nets accounted for 55% and 45% of the observed trips, respectively. Single rig, two barrel rigs, and four barrel rigs accounted for 9%, 55% and 36% of the observed trips, respectively. The headrope length per net ranged from 30 to 50 ft with the mean and median being 43 and 40 ft, respectively. The total headrope per vessel ranged from 30 to 200 ft with the mean and median being 119 and 80 ft. The observed tow speed ranged from 2.00 to 2.50 knots with the mean being 2.13 knots. Vessel length observed ranged from 24 to 68 ft with the mean and median being 49 and 40 ft. Tow time ranged from 53 to 165 minutes with the mean being 95 minutes. Nylon, polyethylene, and spectra represented 36%, 9%, and 55% of the type of webbing observed in this fishery, respectively. All observed trips used Super Shooter TEDs and all BRD types were the Florida Fish Excluders.
12
During the summer season of year four, there were 17 fishing days observed consisting of 45 tows (Table 36). Double-seamed and four-seamed nets accounted for 59% and 41% of the observed trips, respectively. Single rigged and two barrel rigs accounted for 47% and 53% of the observed trips, respectively. The headrope length per net ranged from 30 to 40 ft with the mean and median being 37 and 36 ft, respectively. The total headrope per vessel ranged from 30 to 80 ft with the mean and median being 57 and 70 ft. The observed tow speed ranged from 1.00 to 3.00 knots with the mean being 2.22 knots. Vessel length observed ranged from 20 to 40 ft with the mean and median being 28 and 24 ft. Tow time ranged from 35 to 140 minutes with the mean being 69 minutes. Nylon, polyethylene, and spectra represented 19%, 35%, and 46% of the type of webbing observed in this fishery respectively. All observed trips used Super Shooter TEDs and all BRDs types were the Florida Fish Excluders.
SPECIES COMPOSITION
Estuarine
During year one, there were 75 species observed throughout the estuarine waters of North Carolina (Table 37). The three commercially important species of shrimp (brown, white, pink) combined represented 21.83% of the catch by weight. Atlantic croaker accounted for 45.68% of the catch by weight. Spot represented 10.47% of the catch by weight. Southern flounder, summer flounder and Gulf flounder represented 0.38%, 0.21%, and 0.09% of the catch by weight, respectively. Other commercially important species of note include weakfish, kingfishes (Menticirrhus spp.), and spotted seatrout which represented 2.08%, 1.04%, and 0.03% of the catch by weight, respectively.
During the summer season, there were 65 species observed throughout the estuarine waters of North Carolina (Table 38). The three commercially important species of shrimp (brown, white, pink) combined represented 34.02% of the catch by weight. Atlantic croaker accounted for 29.50% of the catch by weight. Spot represented 6.39% of the catch by weight. Southern flounder, Gulf flounder, and summer flounder represented 0.32%, 0.16%, and 0.10% of the catch by weight, respectively. Other commercially important species of note include weakfish, kingfishes, and spotted seatrout which represented 3.32%, 0.73%, and 0.06% of the catch by weight, respectively.
During the fall season, there were 62 species observed throughout the estuarine waters of North Carolina (Table 39). The three commercially important species of shrimp (brown, white, pink) combined represented 10.93% of the catch by weight. Atlantic croaker accounted for 60.16% of the catch by weight. Spot represented 14.12% of the catch by weight. Southern flounder, summer flounder, and Gulf flounder represented 0.43%, 0.305, and 0.03% of the catch by weight, respectively. Other commercially important species of note include weakfish, kingfishes, and spotted seatrout which represented 0.96%, 1.31%, and 0.01% of the catch by weight, respectively.
During year two, there were 66 species observed throughout the estuarine waters of North Carolina (Table 40). The three commercially important species of shrimp (brown, white, pink) combined represented 20.19% of the catch by weight. Atlantic croaker accounted for 34.16% of the catch by weight. Spot represented 22.84% of the catch by weight. Southern flounder, summer flounder, and Gulf flounder represented 1.57%, 0.08%, and 0.04% of the
13 catch by weight, respectively. Other commercially important species of note include weakfish, kingfishes, and spotted seatrout which represented 2.53%, 0.66%, and 0.04% of the catch by weight, respectively.
During the spring season, there were 53 species observed throughout the estuarine waters of North Carolina (Table 41). The three commercially important species of shrimp (brown, white, pink) combined represented 13.73% of the catch by weight. Atlantic croaker accounted for 31.73% of the catch by weight. Spot represented 24.80% of the catch by weight. Southern flounder and summer flounder accounted for 1.79% and 0.09% of the catch by weight, respectively. Other commercially important species of note include weakfish and kingfishes, which represented 1.18% and 0.49% of the catch by weight, respectively.
During the summer season, there were 47 species observed throughout the estuarine waters of North Carolina (Table 42). The three commercially important species of shrimp (brown, white, pink) combined represented 25.70% of the catch by weight. Atlantic croaker accounted for 36.39% of the catch by weight. Spot represented 18.82% of the catch by weight. Southern flounder and summer flounder represented 1.61% and 0.03% of the catch by weight, respectively. Other commercially important species of note include weakfish, kingfishes, and spotted sea trout which represented 2.93%, 0.90%, and 0.07% of the catch by weight, respectively.
During the fall season, there were 45 species observed throughout the estuarine waters of North Carolina (Table 43). The three commercially important species of shrimp (brown, white, pink) combined represented 21.31% of the catch by weight. Atlantic croaker accounted for 34.37% of the catch by weight. Spot represented 25.57% of the catch by weight. Southern flounder, summer flounder, and Gulf flounder accounted for 1.24%, 0.14%, and 0.12% of the catch by weight, respectively. Other commercially important species of note include weakfish, kingfishes, and spotted sea trout which represented 3.76%, 0.56%, and 0.05% of the catch by weight, respectively.
During year three, there were 76 species observed throughout the estuarine waters of North Carolina (Table 44). The three commercially important species of shrimp (brown, white, pink) combined represented 18.2% of the catch by weight. Atlantic croaker accounted for 49.41% of the catch by weight. Spot represented 13.75% of the catch by weight. Southern flounder, summer flounder, and Gulf flounder represented 0.66%, 0.55%, and 0.01% of the catch by weight, respectively. Other commercially important species of note include weakfish, kingfishes, and spotted seatrout which represented 5.20%, 2.02%, and <0.01 of the catch by weight, respectively.
During the spring season, there were 37 species observed throughout the estuarine waters of North Carolina (Table 45). The three commercially important species of shrimp (brown, white, pink) combined represented 22.23% of the catch by weight. Atlantic croaker accounted for 30.61% of the catch by weight. Spot represented 25.50% of the catch by weight. Southern flounder and Gulf flounder accounted for 0.92% and 0.15% of the catch by weight, respectively. Other commercially important species of note include dogfish, weakfish and kingfishes which represented 1.62% and 0.02% of the catch by weight, respectively.
During the summer season, there were 71 species observed throughout the estuarine waters of North Carolina (Table 46). The three commercially important species of shrimp (brown, white, pink) combined represented 18.00% of the catch by weight. Atlantic croaker accounted for 50.30% of the catch by weight. Spot represented 13.38% of the catch by weight.
14 Southern flounder, summer flounder, and Gulf flounder represented 0.65%, 0.57%, and <0.01% of the catch by weight, respectively. Other commercially important species of note include weakfish, kingfishes, and spotted seatrout which represented 5.32%, 2.12%, and <0.01% of the catch by weight, respectively.
During the fall season, there were 44 species observed throughout the estuarine waters of North Carolina (Table 47). The three commercially important species of shrimp (brown, white, pink) combined represented 23.37% of the catch by weight. Atlantic croaker accounted for 32.88% of the catch by weight. Spot represented 5.93% of the catch by weight. Southern flounder and summer flounder represented 0.98% and 0.76% of the catch by weight, respectively. Other commercially important species of note include weakfish, kingfishes, and spotted seatrout which represented 6.38%, 0.49%, and <0.01% of the catch by weight, respectively.
During year four, there were 71 species observed throughout the estuarine waters of North Carolina (Table 48). The three commercially important species of shrimp (brown, white, pink) combined represented 40.57% of the catch by weight. Atlantic croaker accounted for 40.12% of the catch by weight. Spot represented 13.74% of the catch by weight. Southern flounder, summer flounder, unidentified paralicthid flounder, and Gulf flounder accounted for 0.40%, 0.33%, 0.04%, and 0.01% of the catch by weight, respectively. Other commercially important species of note include weakfish, kingfishes (Menticirrhus spp.), and spotted seatrout which represented 1.99%, 0.48%, and <0.01% of the catch by weight, respectively.
During the spring season, there were 44 species observed throughout the estuarine waters of North Carolina (Table 49). The three commercially important species of shrimp (brown, white, pink) combined represented 10.81% of the catch by weight. Atlantic croaker accounted for 33.55% of the catch by weight. Spot represented 5.18% of the catch by weight. Summer flounder, southern flounder, and unidentified paralicthid flounder represented 0.67%, 0.08%, and 0.04% of the catch by weight, respectively. Other commercially important species of note include weakfish, kingfishes, and spotted seatrout which represented 0.07%, <0.01%, and 0.01% of the catch by weight, respectively.
During the summer season, there were 55 species observed throughout the estuarine waters of North Carolina (Table 50). The three commercially important species of shrimp (brown, white, pink) combined represented 42.99% of the catch by weight. Atlantic croaker accounted for 31.79% of the catch by weight. Spot represented 14.44% of the catch by weight. Southern flounder, summer flounder, unidentified paralicthid flounder, and Gulf flounder accounted for 0.43%, 0.30%, 0.04%, and 0.02% of the catch by weight, respectively. Other commercially important species of note include weakfish, kingfishes, and spotted seatrout which represented 2.15%, 0.51%, and <0.01% of the catch by weight, respectively.
Ocean (0-3 miles)
During year one, there were 71 species observed throughout the ocean waters of North Carolina (Table 51). The three commercially important species of shrimp (brown, white, pink) combined represented 13.43% of the catch by weight. Atlantic croaker accounted for 19.80% of the catch by weight. Spot represented 21.46% of the catch by weight. Summer flounder, southern flounder, and Gulf flounder accounted for 0.37%, 0.24%, and 0.05% of the catch by weight, respectively. Other commercially important species of note include weakfish, kingfishes,
15 and spotted seatrout which represented 1.97%, 0.04%, and 0.06% of the catch by weight, respectively.
During the summer season, there were 53 species observed throughout the ocean waters of North Carolina (Table 52). The three commercially important species of shrimp (brown, white, pink) combined represented 8.01% of the catch by weight. Atlantic croaker accounted for 24.59% of the catch by weight. Spot represented 21.80% of the catch by weight. Summer flounder, southern flounder, and Gulf flounder represented 0.17%, 0.05%, and 0.02% of the catch by weight, respectively. Other commercially important species of note include weakfish and kingfishes which represented 1.89% and 0.65% of the catch by weight, respectively.
During the fall season, there were 60 species observed throughout the ocean waters of North Carolina (Table 53). The three commercially important species of shrimp (brown, white, pink) combined represented 26.34% of the catch by weight. Atlantic croaker accounted for 8.40% of the catch by weight. Spot represented 20.66% of the catch by weight. Summer flounder, southern flounder, and Gulf flounder accounted for 0.87%, 0.70%, and 0.14% of the catch by weight, respectively. Other commercially important species of note include weakfish, kingfishes, and spotted seatrout which represented 2.16%, 5.58%, and 0.19% of the catch by weight, respectively.
During year two, there were 74 species observed throughout the ocean waters of North Carolina (Table 54). The three commercially important species of shrimp (brown, white, pink) combined represented 20.71% of the catch by weight. Atlantic croaker accounted for 25.59% of the catch by weight. Spot represented 11.78% of the catch by weight. Summer flounder, southern flounder, and Gulf flounder represented 0.30%, 0.28%, and 0.04% of the catch by weight, respectively. Other commercially important species of note include weakfish, kingfishes, and spotted seatrout which represented 0.95%, 0.73%, and <0.01% of the catch by weight, respectively.
During the spring season, there were 65 species observed throughout the ocean waters of North Carolina (Table 55). The three commercially important species of shrimp (brown, white, pink) combined represented 27.73% of the catch by weight. Atlantic croaker accounted for 19.29% of the catch by weight. Spot represented 9.03% of the catch by weight. Summer flounder and southern flounder accounted for 0.35% and 0.19% of the catch by weight, respectively. Other commercially important species of note include weakfish and kingfishes which represented 0.52% and 0.58% of the catch by weight, respectively.
During the summer season, there were 55 species observed throughout the ocean waters of North Carolina (Table 56). The three commercially important species of shrimp (brown, white, pink) combined represented 20.14% of the catch by weight. Atlantic croaker accounted for 27.38% of the catch by weight. Spot represented 6.58% of the catch by weight. Southern flounder and summer flounder accounted for 0.64% and 0.06% of the catch by weight, respectively. Other commercially important species of note include weakfish and kingfishes which represented 0.66% and 0.50% of the catch by weight, respectively.
During the fall season, there were 42 species observed throughout the ocean waters of North Carolina (Table 57). The three commercially important species of shrimp (brown, white, pink) combined represented 10.46% of the catch by weight. Atlantic croaker accounted for 33.78% of the catch by weight. Spot represented 20.04% of the catch by weight. Summer flounder and southern flounder represented 0.42% and 0.12% of the catch by weight,
16 respectively. Other commercially important species of note include weakfish, kingfishes, and spotted seatrout which represented 1.84%, 0.09%, and 0.01% of the catch by weight, respectively.
During year three, there were 80 species observed throughout the ocean waters of North Carolina (Table 58). The three commercially important species of shrimp (brown, white, pink) combined represented 13.88% of the catch by weight. Atlantic croaker accounted for 42.11% of the catch by weight. Spot represented 9.97% of the catch by weight. Summer flounder and southern flounder represented 0.30% of the catch by weight, each. Other commercially important species of note include weakfish, kingfishes, and spotted seatrout which represented 5.23%, 0.65%, and 0.01% of the catch by weight, respectively.
During the spring season, there were 58 species observed throughout the ocean waters of North Carolina (Table 59). The three commercially important species of shrimp (brown, white, pink) combined represented 13.52% of the catch by weight. Atlantic croaker accounted for 50.07% of the catch by weight. Spot represented 6.58% of the catch by weight. Southern flounder and summer flounder accounted for 0.26% and 0.11% of the catch by weight, respectively. Other commercially important species of note include weakfish and kingfishes which represented 6.70% and 0.26% of the catch by weight, respectively.
During the summer season, there were 57 species observed throughout the ocean waters of North Carolina (Table 60). The three commercially important species of shrimp (brown, white, pink) combined represented 14.05% of the catch by weight. Atlantic croaker accounted for 38.86% of the catch by weight. Spot represented 11.24% of the catch by weight. Summer flounder and southern flounder represented 0.28% and 0.15% of the catch by weight, respectively. Other commercially important species of note include weakfish and kingfishes which represented 3.99% and 0.98% of the catch by weight, respectively.
During the fall season, there were 58 species observed throughout the ocean waters of North Carolina (Table 61). The three commercially important species of shrimp (brown, white, pink) combined represented 14.50% of the catch by weight. Atlantic croaker accounted for 26.42% of the catch by weight. Spot represented 16.81% of the catch by weight. Summer flounder and southern flounder represented 0.83% and 0.59% of the catch by weight, respectively. Other commercially important species of note include weakfish, kingfishes, and spotted seatrout which represented 3.28%, 1.17%, and 0.03% of the catch by weight, respectively.
During year four, there were 65 species observed throughout the ocean waters of North Carolina (Table 62). The three commercially important species of shrimp (brown, white, pink) combined represented 14.22% of the catch by weight. Atlantic croaker accounted for 20.47% of the catch by weight. Spot represented 10.57% of the catch by weight. Southern flounder and summer flounder accounted for 1.18% and 0.15% of the catch by weight, respectively. Other commercially important species of note include weakfish, kingfishes, and spotted seatrout which represented 1.51%, 0.50%, and 0.10% of the catch by weight, respectively.
During the spring season, there were 46 species observed throughout the ocean waters of North Carolina (Table 63). The three commercially important species of shrimp (brown, white, pink) combined represented 14.44% of the catch by weight. Atlantic croaker accounted for 30.29% of the catch by weight. Spot represented 11.53% of the catch by weight. Southern flounder, summer flounder, and unidentified paralicthid flounder accounted for 1.91%, 0.22%, and 0.03% of the catch by weight, respectively. Other commercially important species of note
17 include weakfish, kingfishes, and spotted seatrout which represented 0.82%, 0.75%, and <0.01% of the catch by weight, respectively.
During the summer season, there were 50 species observed throughout the ocean waters of North Carolina (Table 64). The three commercially important species of shrimp (brown, white, pink) combined represented 13.87% of the catch by weight. Atlantic croaker accounted for 5.37% of the catch by weight. Spot represented 2.84% of the catch by weight. Summer flounder, southern flounder, and unidentified paralicthid flounder accounted for 0.06%, 0.05%, and <0.01% of the catch by weight, respectively. Other commercially important species of note include weakfish and kingfishes which represented 2.57% and 0.06% of the catch by weight, respectively.
LENGTH FREQUENCIES OF KEY SPECIES
Estuarine
The length frequency distribution of brown shrimp show the expected growth patterns of individuals increasing in length from the spring through the fall. The majority (79%, 74%, 89% and 87% for year one, two, three, and four, respectively) of individuals measured were in the summer and the majority (94%, 77%, 92%, and 96% for year one, two, three, and four, respectively) of those measured between 110 and 170 mm (Figures 9 and 10). The majority (60%) of pink shrimp in year one were measured in the summer and the majority (95%) of those ranged between 70 and 140 mm; the majority (83%) of pink shrimp in year two were measured in the summer and most of those ranged between 100 and 160 mm; the majority (86%) of pink shrimp measured in year three were in the summer and the majority (99%) of those fish ranged between 70 and 140 mm; 62% of pink shrimp measured in year four were in the spring and the majority (97%) of those ranged from 70 to 160 mm (Figures 11 and 12). White shrimp length frequency distributions showed seasonal variation, with most individuals measured in the summer ranging between 90 and 180 mm (Figures 13 and 14).
Most (77%, 50%, 91% and 98% for year one, two, three and four, respectively) weakfish were measured in the summer with the majority (82%, 91%,, 73% and 70% for year one, two, three and four, respectively) of these ranging from 70 to 180 mm (Figures 15 and 16). Weakfish length frequency distributions showed no discernable trends; however, most of those measured were under sized fish (less than 305 mm (12 in)). Most spot were measured in the summer and ranged from 80 to 120 mm (Figures 17 and 18). Likewise most Atlantic croaker were measured in the summer and the majority (93%, 95%, 97% and 96% for year one, two, three and four, respectively) of these ranged from 100 to 170 mm (Figures 19 and 20). Most Gulf flounder were measured in the summer; except for year three where most were measured in the spring (Figures 21 and 22). The low numbers of individuals measured make it difficult to discern any trends, but most Gulf flounder ranged between 100 and 200 mm. The majority (64%) of southern flounder measured in year one were in the fall and most ranged from 120 mm to 240 mm; during year two, three, and four the majority (65%, 84%, and 96%, respectively) of southern flounder measured were in the summer and ranged from 100 to 200 mm (Figures 23 and 24). Most summer flounder were measured in the spring and summer and ranged from 100 to 200 mm (Figure 25 and 26).
18 Ocean (0-3 miles)
The length frequency distribution of brown shrimp show the expected growth patterns of individuals increasing in length from the spring through the fall. The majority (86%, 69%, and 82% for year one, two, and four, respectively) of individuals measured were in the summer and the majority (94%, 77%, and 96% for year one, two, and four, respectively) of those measured between 110 and 170 mm (Figures 27 and 28). Most of the brown shrimp measured in year three were in the spring and the majority (93%) of those ranged between 80 and 110 mm. All of pink shrimp in year one were measured in the fall and ranged between 70 and 140 mm; the majority (97%, 93%, and 100%, respectively) of pink shrimp in year two, three, and four were measured in the spring and most of those ranged between 100 and 160 mm (Figures 29 and 30). White shrimp length frequency distributions showed seasonal variation, with most individuals measured in the fall of year one and the summer of year two, three, and four and most ranged between 90 and 180 mm (Figures 31 and 32).
Most (76%) weakfish measured in year one were in the fall with the majority (90) of these ranging from 90 to 180 mm; during year two and three measured weakfish were distributed more evenly across all seasons and most ranged from 100 to 200 mm; 86% of the weakfish measured in year four were in the summer and ranged from 90 to 170 mm (Figures 33 and 34. Weakfish length frequency distributions showed no discernable trends; however, most of those measured were under sized fish (less than 305 mm (12 in)). Most spot measured during all seasons and years ranged from 80 to 120 mm (Figures 35 and 36). Most Atlantic croaker during all seasons and years ranged from 100 to 170 mm (Figures 37 and 38). Most (86%) Gulf flounder were measured in the fall in year one and during year two all individuals were measured in the spring; no Gulf flounder were measured in year three or four (Figure 39). The low numbers of individuals measured make it difficult to discern any trends, but most Gulf flounder ranged between 200 and 300 mm. The majority (64%) of southern flounder measured in year one were in the fall and most ranged from 180 mm to 240 mm; during year two, three, and four the majority (57%, 67%, and 94%, respectively) of southern flounder measured were in the spring and ranged from 100 to 300 mm (Figures 40 and 41). Most summer flounder were measured in the spring and summer and ranged from 100 to 200 mm (Figure 42 and 43).
FINFISH BYCATCH
Estuarine
During year one, weakfish represented the largest regulatory discard in the estuarine waters; 98% of weakfish were classified as regulatory discards and comprised 68% of all regulatory discards by weight (Table 65). Southern flounder, summer flounder, and Gulf flounder represented 12%, 7%, and 3% of regulatory discards in the estuarine waters, respectively. Atlantic croaker accounted for the largest percentage of the unmarketable discards in the estuarine waters by weight. Nearly all Atlantic croaker (98%) were classified as unmarketable discards. Spot was the second most abundant unmarketable finfish discard in all fisheries with 99% classified as unmarketable.
During year two, weakfish represented the largest regulatory discard in the estuarine waters; 100% of weakfish were classified as regulatory discards and comprised 70% of all regulatory discards by weight (Table 66). Southern flounder, summer flounder, and Gulf flounder represented 20%, 2%, and 1% of regulatory discards in the estuarine waters,
19 respectively. Atlantic croaker accounted for the largest percentage of the unmarketable discards in the estuarine waters by weight. Nearly all Atlantic croaker (99%) were classified as unmarketable discards. Spot was the second most abundant unmarketable finfish discard in all fisheries. Nearly all spot (99%) by weight were classified as unmarketable.
During year three, weakfish represented the largest regulatory discard in the estuarine waters; 99% of weakfish were classified as regulatory discards and comprised 83% of all regulatory discards by weight (Table 67). Summer flounder, southern flounder, and Gulf flounder represented 8%, 8%, and <1% of regulatory discards in the estuarine waters, respectively. Atlantic croaker accounted for the largest percentage of the unmarketable discards in the estuarine waters by weight. The majority (99%) of Atlantic croaker were classified as unmarketable discards. Spot was the second most abundant unmarketable finfish discard in all fisheries. Nearly all spot (99%) by weight were classified as unmarketable.
During year four, weakfish represented the largest regulatory discard in the estuarine waters; 100% of weakfish were classified as regulatory discards and comprised 74% of all regulatory discards by weight (Table 68). Southern flounder and summer flounder represented 10% and 6% of regulatory discards in the estuarine waters, respectively. Atlantic croaker accounted for the largest percentage of the unmarketable discards in the estuarine waters by weight. All Atlantic croaker were classified as unmarketable discards. Spot was the second most abundant unmarketable finfish discard in all fisheries. Nearly all spot (99%) by weight were classified as unmarketable.
Ocean (0-3 miles)
During year one, weakfish represented the largest regulatory discard in the ocean water; 98% of weakfish were classified as regulatory discards and comprised 71% of all regulatory discards by weight (Table 69). Summer flounder, southern flounder, and Gulf flounder represented 13%, 5%, and 2% of regulatory discards in the ocean water, respectively. Atlantic croaker accounted for the largest percentage of the unmarketable discards in the ocean water by weight. Nearly all Atlantic croaker (99%) were classified as unmarketable discards. Spot was the second most abundant unmarketable finfish discard in all fisheries. Nearly all spot (99%) by weight were classified as unmarketable.
During year two, weakfish represented the largest regulatory discard in the ocean water; 99% of weakfish were classified as regulatory discards and comprised 48% of all regulatory discards by weight (Table 70). Summer flounder, southern flounder, and Gulf flounder represented 15%, 12% and 2% of regulatory discards in the ocean water, respectively. Atlantic croaker accounted for the largest percentage of the unmarketable discards in the ocean water by weight. Nearly all Atlantic croaker (96%) were classified as unmarketable discards. Spot was the second most abundant unmarketable finfish discard in all fisheries. Nearly all spot (99%) by weight were classified as unmarketable.
During year three, weakfish represented the largest regulatory discard in the ocean water; 99% of weakfish were classified as regulatory discards and comprised 71% of all regulatory discards by weight (Table 71). Summer flounder and southern flounder represented 4% and 3% of regulatory discards in the ocean water, respectively. Atlantic croaker accounted for the largest percentage of the unmarketable discards in the ocean water by weight. Most (99%) of Atlantic croaker were classified as unmarketable discards. Spot was the second most
20 abundant unmarketable finfish discard in all fisheries. All spot by weight were classified as unmarketable.
During year four, weakfish represented the largest regulatory discard in the ocean water; 100% of weakfish were classified as regulatory discards and comprised 51% of all regulatory discards by weight (Table 72). Southern flounder and summer flounder represented 33% and 5% of regulatory discards in the ocean water, respectively. Atlantic croaker accounted for the largest percentage of the unmarketable discards in the ocean water by weight. The majority (92%) of Atlantic croaker were classified as unmarketable discards. Spot was the second most abundant unmarketable finfish discard in all fisheries. Most (89%) of spot by weight were classified as unmarketable.
FINFISH MORTALITY
At-net mortality for Atlantic croaker for years one, two, three, and four in all areas (estuarine and ocean) was 13%, 22%, 22%, and 42%, respectively. The at-net mortality for Atlantic croaker across all years and areas was 23%.
At-net mortality for spot for years one, two, three, and four in all areas (estuarine and ocean) was 39%, 55%, 77%, and 86%, respectively. The at-net mortality for spot across all years and areas was 66%.
At-net mortality for weakfish for years one, two, three and four in all areas (estuarine and ocean) was 53%, 83%, 92%, and 98%, respectively. The at-net mortality for weakfish across all years and areas was 87%.
At-net mortality for Gulf flounder for years one, two, and three and in all areas (estuarine and ocean) was 0%, however there were only 20 individuals assessed and 0 during year four. At-net mortality for southern flounder for years one, two, three, and four in all areas (estuarine and ocean) was 0%, 14%, 22%, and 88% respectively. The at-net mortality for flounder across all years and areas was 22%. At-net mortality for summer flounder for years one, two, three, and four in all areas (estuarine and ocean) was 0%, 51%, 70%, and 84%, respectively. The at- net mortality for flounder across all years and areas was 66%.
SEA BIRD AND PROTECTED SPECIES BYCATCH
There was no sea bird bycatch observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery throughout the study. However, numerous sea birds of several unrecorded species were present. Likewise, no marine mammal takes were observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery during the study. There was one sea turtle interaction observed during this study. A loggerhead sea turtle was caught in the try net in Pamlico Sound, near Brant Island Shoal. The tow time was approximately 15 minutes. The turtle was alive, scanned for tags (none found, tagged with PIT tag), measured (Curved Carapace Width and Length), and released alive in good condition. Interactions with sea turtles in the shrimp trawl fishery are covered under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act. The interaction was reported to NOAA Office of Protected Resources and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation project administrators.
21 Staff was trained by NOAA Harvesting Systems Unit to assist with TED inspections. The biologist assisted NOAA staff on a TED inspection trip in August 2012, where five boats were inspected. During August and September, the biologist assisted NOAA staff in the dockside inspection and installation of TEDs on three additional boats in Morehead City and Sneads Ferry, NC. Staff assisted NOAA Harvesting Systems Unit in the coordination of at sea and dockside inspections through the course of the study.
DISCUSSION
The purpose of this project was to identify and characterize effort, catch, and bycatch in commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the estuarine and ocean (0-3 miles) of North Carolina from 1 August, 2012 to 31 August, 2015. This project identified and observed three net types (double-seamed, four-seamed and tongue nets) and observed trips during the spring, summer and fall. Double-seamed and four-seamed nets are used primarily to target brown shrimp in the spring and early summer. Tongue nets fish higher in the water column and are used primarily to target white shrimp in the late summer and fall. Several observations were made on nets with no TED. There are legal exemptions to the use of TEDs if the vessel has no on board power or mechanical-advantage trawl retrieval system (i.e. winch) and reduce tow times (50 CFR 223.206).
The expansion of sampled weights to the tow level is a common and accepted practice in similar studies. However, the methodology of the expansion differs between studies. The samples in this study were from a well-mixed sample of all nets. The expansion of sampled species weights to the tow level was based on the ratio of sampled shrimp and the total weight of shrimp in the tow. Diamond (2003) obtained the total weight of one net, sampled 20% of that net and expanded sampled species weights to the net level based on the ratio in the sample and then multiplied by the number of nets to expand to the tow level weights. A meeting was conducted in the spring of 2013 with NCDMF personnel from fishery management and statisticians with the stock status group which concluded that our methods of obtaining representative species composition data in the otter trawl characterization study were valid and met the needs of NCDMF. The distinction between the expansion of a sample to the tow level and the estimation of bycatch from observed trips to the fleet is important to understand. Diamond warns that any estimate of bycatch to the fleet level should be done with caution.
The three commercially important species of shrimp represented between 18% and 41% of the total observed catch by weight in estuarine waters and between 13% and 21% in ocean waters for all seasons combined, compared to 54% seen in a similar study conducted in the estuarine waters of North Carolina (Logothetis and McCuiston 2005), 21% in a study conducted in the near shore waters of southeastern North Carolina (Brown 2009), 23% in a study conducted in Pamlico Sound, North Carolina (Brown 2010), 44% in a study conducted in estuarine waters of North Carolina (Diamond-Tissue 1999), and 21% in a study conducted in estuarine waters of North Carolina (Johnson 2003). The percentage of shrimp in the total catch by weight was higher in the estuarine waters compared to the ocean waters throughout the study. Annual and seasonal variations within areas were observed. Atlantic croaker represented between 34% and 49% of the catch by weight in estuarine waters and between 20% and 42% in ocean waters in all nets and seasons combined and represented the largest bycatch. The percentage of Atlantic croaker in the total catch by weight was higher in the estuarine waters compared to the ocean waters throughout the study. Annual and seasonal variations were observed. Spot were the second most abundant finfish bycatch by weight in the
22 commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery, representing between 11% and 23% in estuarine waters and between 10% and 21% in ocean waters of the catch by weight for all seasons combined. Spot represented similar percentages of the total catch by weight in both the estuarine and ocean waters. The bycatch of other commercially and recreationally important species was relatively low. Weakfish represented the largest regulatory discard in all areas and seasons. Length frequency distributions of these species indicate the majority of these fish are juveniles.
A few tows (approximately 20) were not sampled for various reasons including fishermen dumping the catch overboard rather than into the culling table after deeming the catch too fishy. Observers are instructed not to ask fishermen to alter their normal fishing practices. While this may slightly bias the resulting observed finfish bycatch downward, this practice should be encouraged since it reduces handling time and likely reduces finfish mortality.
Several observations of tows were made with live bait shrimp fishermen that were not sampled. These tows had tow times of 15 minutes or less. The tailbag was kept in the water and the contents were scooped out with a dip net. Live shrimp were placed in a live well and finfish were discarded. While no mortality data was collected, it is assumed that the mortality of discarded finfish is less than traditional tows.
NCDMF became the first state to require two BRDs in June 2015 (SH-2-2015). The observations in the summer season of year four were on vessels equipped with a second BRD. The second BRDs observed during this time consisted of reduced bar spaced TEDs and a second Florida Fish Eye. The second BRD could account for some of the finfish reduction observed during this season; however other factors may have contributed, including high concentrations of shrimp.
Bycatch and discard mortality estimates are important issues in fisheries management. The at-net mortality for weakfish, spot, Atlantic croaker, and flounder across all years and areas was 87%, 66%, 23%, and 38%, respectively. Delayed mortality can occur over an extended period of time after capture and release. Delayed mortality associated with discarded bycatch in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery will likely be much higher than the observed at-net mortality due to factors including sorting time of catch, physical injury associated with capture and indirect predation from birds, sharks, and dolphins.
Tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon), a non-native species of shrimp, have been observed in North Carolina waters since 1988 when they were believed to have been released accidently from an aquaculture facility in Bluffton, SC (Knott et. al 2012). Tiger shrimp have been observed from North Carolina to Texas. Although the impacts are not definitive at this time, tiger shrimp may pose a disease threat to native shrimp species. Several specimens were observed in sampled catches and other specimens were donated by fishermen throughout the course of this study. Specimens were transferred to Christine Buckel at NOAA Beaufort Laboratory. The full impact of tiger shrimp in North Carolina waters should be further investigated.
The importance of characterization studies cannot be overstated. The results of this study provide effort, catch, and discard information that is being considered for use in the ASMFC stock assessments being conducted on Atlantic croaker and spot. It has also been used to offer insight to fishery managers on interactions with protected species and species of interest including sea turtles, sturgeon, striped bass and spotted seatrout. Further observations of commercial shrimp trawl effort and other fisheries are needed to increase accuracy in estimates of effort, catch, and discards throughout commercial fisheries in North Carolina. This
23 information will assist in the development of future stock assessments, fishery management plans, and maintaining sustainable stocks.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Establish a permanent funding source to continue the scientific observer coverage in commercial shrimp trawl fisheries, encompassing all seasons, areas, and gears. Stable funding would aid in retention of trained staff, maintain existing working relationships with fishermen, and enable continuous coverage of the fishery.
Consider requiring mandatory observer coverage in North Carolina commercial trawl fisheries. This would aid in obtaining the coverage necessary to meet sampling goals and minimize observer effort in obtaining trips.
Generate better lines of communication between fishery managers and the commercial fishing industry. This will increase understanding and allow the increased incorporation of commercial knowledge into fishery management.
Continue partnering with the commercial fishing industry and fishery managers, and researchers to develop technological solutions and trawling methods to reduce bycatch.
Conduct delayed mortality studies associated with this fishery.
24 LITERATURE CITED
Alverson, D. L. and S. E. Hughes, 1996. Bycatch: from emotion to effective natural resource management. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries 6: 443–462.
Alverson, D.L., M.H. Freeberg, S.A. Murawski and J.G. Pope. 1994. A global assessment of fisheries bycatch and discards. FAO Fisheries Technical Paper. No. 339, Rome, FAO. 233p.
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). 1994. Acronyms, abbreviations and technical terms used in ASMFC fishery management programs. Special Report No. 33. October 1994.
ASMFC. 2009. 2009 Review of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Croaker.
Brown K. 2009. Characterization of the near-shore commercial shrimp trawl fishery from Carteret County to Brunswick County, North Carolina. Completion report for NOAA Award NA05NMF4741003. North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Marine Fisheries. 34pp.
Brown K. 2010. Characterization of the inshore commercial shrimp trawl fishery in Pamlico Sound and its tributaries, North Carolina. Completion report for NOAA Award NA08NMF4740476. North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Marine Fisheries. 28pp.
Crowder, L. B. and S. A. Murawski. 1998. Fisheries bycatch: Implication for management. Fisheries 24 (6): 8-17.
Davies, R. W. D., S. J. Cripps, A. Nickson & G. Porter, 2009. Defining and estimation global marine fisheries bycatch. Marine Policy 33: 661-672.
Diamond-Tissue, S. L. 1999. Characterization and estimation of shrimp trawl bycatch in North Carolina waters. Doctorate dissertation, North Carolina State University, Department of Zoology, Raleigh, NC 27695. 54 p.
Diamond S. L. 2003. Estimation of bycatch in shrimp trawl fisheries: a comparison of estimation methods using field data and simulated data. Fishery Bulletin 101 (Supplement 3), 484- 500.
Fennessy, F.T. 1994. The impact of commercial prawn trawlers on linefish off the north coast of Natal, South Africa. S. Afr. J. Mar. Sci., 14, 263-279.
French R., N. Russell Jr., and J. Wall. 1982. Role of the United States observer program in management of foreign fisheries in the northeast Pacific Ocean and eastern Bering Sea. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 2: 122-131.
Hall, S.J. 1999. The effects of fishing on marine ecosystems and communities. Fish Biology and Aquatic Resources Series 1. Blackwell Science, Oxford.
25 Johnson, G. A. 2003. The role of trawl discards in sustaining blue crab populations. North Carolina Fisheries Resource Grant. FRG-99-EP-07.
Kelleher, K. 2005. Discards in the world’s marine fisheries. An update. FAO Fisheries Technical Paper No. 470. FAO, Rome: 131 p.
Logothetis, E. and D. McCuistion. 2005. An Assessment of the Bycatch Generated in the Commercial Shrimp Fishery in the Inside Waters of Southeast North Carolina, 2004. North Carolina Sea Grant Project #04-EP-01.
NCDMF (North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries). 2006. North Carolina Fishery Management Plan for Shrimp. North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Marine Fisheries. 390p.
NCDMF. 2009. North Carolina License and Statistics Section Summary Statistics of License and Permit Program, Commercial Trip Ticket Program, Marine Recreational Fishery Statistics Survey, Recreational Commercial Gear Survey, Striped Bass Creel Survey in the Central and Southern Management Area. North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Marine Fisheries. 468p.
NCDMF 2014. North Carolina Shrimp Fishery Management Plan, Draft Amendment 1. North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Marine Fisheries, Morehead City, NC. 514pp.
Price, A.B. and R.A. Rulifson 2004. Use of traditional ecological knowledge to reduce striped bass bycatch in the Currituck Sound white perch gillnet fishery. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 24: 785-792.
26
Figure 1. Location of commercial shrimp trawl observations made in northern North Carolina, August – December 2012.
27
Figure 2. Location of commercial shrimp trawl observations made in southern North Carolina, August – December 2012.
28
Figure 3. Location of commercial shrimp trawl observations made in northern North Carolina, January – December 2013.
29
Figure 4. Location of commercial shrimp trawl observations made in southern North Carolina, January – December 2013.
30
Figure 5. Location of for commercial shrimp trawl observations made in northern North Carolina, January – December 2014.
31
Figure 6. Location of commercial shrimp trawl observations made in southern North Carolina, January – December 2014..
32
Figure 7. Location of for commercial shrimp trawl observations made in northern North Carolina, January – August 2015.
33
Figure 8. Location of commercial shrimp trawl observations made in southern North Carolina, January – August 2015.
34
35 Year 1 Summer - 997 30 Fall - 268 25
20
15
% Frequency % 10
5
0
90 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
170 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 Bin (TL mm)
35 Year 2 Spring - 240 30 Summer - 1,371 25 Fall - 235 20
15 % % Frequency 10
5
0
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
190 230 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 200 210 220 240 Bin (TL mm)
Figure 9. Length frequency of brown shrimp observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012 (Year 1), and April – December 2013 (Year 2).
35 30 Year 3 Spring - 584 25 Summer - 5,198 20 Fall - 38 15
% % Frequency 10
5
0
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
220 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 230 240 Bin (TL mm)
30 Year 4 Spring - 290 25 Summer - 1,913 20
15
% % Frequency 10
5
0
20 10 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
190 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 200 210 220 230 240 Bin (TL mm)
Figure 10. Length frequency of brown shrimp observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014 (Year 3), and April – August 2015 (Year 4).
36 40 Year 1 Summer - 334 35 Fall - 224 30
25
20
15 % % Frequency 10
5
0
20 90 10 30 40 50 60 70 80
160 100 110 120 130 140 150 170 180 190 Bin (TL mm)
40 Year 2 Spring - 1,184 35 Summer - 206 30 Fall - 46 25
20
15 % % Frequency 10
5
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 Bin (TL mm)
Figure 11. Length frequency of pink shrimp observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012 (Year 1), and April – December 2013 (Year 2).
37 35 Year 3 Spring - 123 30 Summer - 950 25 Fall - 34 20
15
% % Frequency 10
5
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 Bin (TL mm)
60 Year 4 Spring - 255 50 Summer - 158 40
30
% % Frequency 20
10
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 Bin (TL mm)
Figure 12. Length frequency of pink shrimp observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014 (Year 3), and April – August 2015 (Year 4).
38 25 Year 1 Summer - 1,408 20 Fall - 1,345 15
10 % % Frequency
5
0 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100110120130140150160170180190200210220230 Bin (TL mm)
35 Year 2 Spring - 275 30 Summer - 553 25 Fall - 870 20
15
% % Frequency 10
5
0 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 Bin (TL mm)
Figure 13. Length frequency of white shrimp observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012 (Year 1), and April – December 2013 (Year 2).
39 120 Year 3 Spring - 2 100 Summer - 954 80 Fall - 450 60
% % Frequency 40
20
0 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100110120130140150160170180190200210220230 Bin (TL mm)
60 Year 4 50 Summer - 2 40
30
% % Frequency 20
10
0 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120130140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 Bin (TL mm)
Figure 14. Length frequency of white shrimp observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014 (Year 3), and April – August 2015 (Year 4).
40 16 Year 1 Summer - 629 14 Fall - 190 12
10
8
6 % % Frequency 4
2
0 10 30 50 70 90 110 130 150 170 190 210 230 250 270 290 310 330 350 370 390 Bin (TL mm)
20 Year 2 Spring - 152 18 Summer - 551 16 Fall - 394 14 12 10 8
% % Frequency 6 4 2 0 10 30 50 70 90 110 130 150 170 190 210 230 250 270 290 310 330 350 370 390 Bin (TL mm)
Figure 15. Length frequency of weakfish observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012 (Year 1), and April – December 2013 (Year 2).
41 25 Year 3 Spring - 180 Summer - 4,009 20 Fall - 197
15
10 % % Frequency
5
0 10 30 50 70 90 110 130 150 170 190 210 230 250 270 290 310 330 350 370 390 Bin (TL mm)
35 Year 4 Spring - 19 30 Summer - 1,219 25
20
15
% % Frequency 10
5
0 10 30 50 70 90 110 130 150 170 190 210 230 250 270 290 310 330 350 370 390 Bin (TL mm)
Figure 16. Length frequency of weakfish observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014 (Year 3), and April – August 2015 (Year 4).
42 30 Year 1 Summer - 1,216 25 Fall - 1,155 20
15
% % Frequency 10
5
0
40 50 60 70 80 90
120 170 220 100 110 130 140 150 160 180 190 200 210 230 240 250 260 270 280 Bin (FL mm)
25 Year 2 Spring - 1,261 Summer - 1,549 20 Fall - 891
15
10 % % Frequency
5
0
60 40 50 70 80 90
170 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 250 260 270 280 Bin (FL mm)
Figure 17. Length frequency of spot observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012 (Year 1), and April – December 2013 (Year 2).
43 40 Year 3 Spring - 345 35 Summer - 5,664 30 Fall - 304 25
20
15 % % Frequency 10
5
0
40 50 60 70 80 90
100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 250 260 270 280 Bin (FL mm)
30 Year 4 Spring - 341 25 Summer - 2,000 20
15
% % Frequency 10
5
0
40 50 60 70 80 90
160 230 100 110 120 130 140 150 170 180 190 200 210 220 240 250 260 270 280 Bin (FL mm)
Figure 18. Length frequency of spot observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014 (Year 3), and April – August 2015 (Year 4).
44 25 Year 1 Summer - 2,162 Fall - 1,340 20
15
10 % % Frequency
5
0
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 250 260 270 280 290 Bin (TL mm)
30 Year 2 Spring - 1,395 25 Summer - 1,604 20 Fall - 912 15
% % Frequency 10
5
0
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 250 260 270 280 290 Bin (TL mm)
Figure 19. Length frequency of Atlantic croaker observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012 (Year 1), and April – December 2013 (Year 2).
45 30 Year 3 Spring - 553 25 Summer - 5,976 20 Fall - 480 15
% % Frequency 10
5
0
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
160 280 100 110 120 130 140 150 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 250 260 270 290 Bin (TL mm)
30 Year 4 Spring - 475 25 Summer - 1,988 20
15
% % Frequency 10
5
0
90 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 250 260 270 280 290 Bin (TL mm)
Figure 20. Length frequency of Atlantic croaker observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014 (Year 3), and April – August 2015 (Year 4).
46 45 Year 1 Summer - 12 40 Fall - 5 35 30 25 20
% % Frequency 15 10 5
0
240 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 250 260 270 280 290 300 310 320 Bin (TL mm)
60 Year 2 50 Summer - 2 40 Fall - 2 30
% % Frequency 20
10
0
110 200 100 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 210 220 230 240 250 260 270 280 290 300 310 320 Bin (TL mm)
Figure 21. Length frequency of Gulf flounder observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012 (Year 1), and April – December 2013 (Year 2).
47 35 Year 3 30 Spring - 10 25 Summer - 3 20
15
% % Frequency 10
5
0
Bin (TL mm)
60 Year 4 50 Summer - 2 40
30
% % Frequency 20
10
0
150 240 100 110 120 130 140 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 250 260 270 280 290 300 310 320 Bin (TL mm)
Figure 22. Length frequency of Gulf flounder observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014 (Year 3), and April – August 2015 (Year 4).
48 14 Year 1 12 Summer - 17 10 Fall - 30 8
6
% % Frequency 4
2
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240 260 280 300 320 340 360 380 400 420 Bin (TL mm)
20 Year 2 Spring - 30 18 Summer - 118 16 Fall - 33 14 12 10 8
% % Frequency 6 4 2 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240 260 280 300 320 340 360 380 400 420 Bin (TL mm)
Figure 23. Length frequency of southern flounder observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012 (Year 1), and April – December 2013 (Year 2).
49 25 Year 3 Spring - 44 Summer - 327 20 Fall - 21
15
10 % % Frequency
5
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240 260 280 300 320 340 360 380 400 420 Bin (TL mm)
45 Year 4 Spring - 5 40 Summer - 125 35 30 25 20
% % Frequency 15 10 5 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240 260 280 300 320 340 360 380 400 420 Bin (TL mm)
Figure 24. Length frequency of southern flounder observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014 (Year 3), and April – August 2015 (Year 4).
50 25 Year 1 Summer - 34 20 Fall - 35 15
10 % % Frequency
5
0
70 80 90
150 260 100 110 120 130 140 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 250 270 280 290 300 310 320 330 340 350 360 Bin (TL mm)
30 Year 2 Spring - 11 25 Summer - 4 20 Fall - 5 15
% % Frequency 10
5
0
70 80 90
270 280 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 250 260 290 300 310 320 330 340 350 360 Bin (TL mm)
Figure 25. Length frequency of summer flounder observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012 (Year 1), and April – December 2013 (Year 2).
51 35 Year 3 Summer - 366 30 Fall - 12 25
20
15
% % Frequency 10
5
0
70 80 90
110 160 320 100 120 130 140 150 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 250 260 270 280 290 300 310 330 340 350 360 Bin (TL mm)
25 Year 4 Spring - 115 20 Summer - 94 15
10 % % Frequency
5
0
70 80 90
150 260 100 110 120 130 140 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 250 270 280 290 300 310 320 330 340 350 360 Bin (TL mm)
Figure 26. Length frequency of summer flounder observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014 (Year 3), and April – August 2015 (Year 4).
52 30 Year 1 Summer - 943 25 Fall - 130 20
15
% % Frequency 10
5
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 Bin (TL mm)
40 Year 2 Spring - 244 35 Summer - 518 30 Fall - 218 25
20
15 % % Frequency 10
5
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 Bin (TL mm)
Figure 27. Length frequency of brown shrimp observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the ocean waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012 (Year 1), and April – December 2013 (Year 2).
53 40 Year 3 Spring - 1,602 35 Summer - 1,377 30 Fall - 919 25
20
15 % % Frequency 10
5
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 Bin (TL mm)
40 Year 4 Spring - 360 35 Summer - 1,339 30
25
20
15 % % Frequency 10
5
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 Bin (TL mm)
Figure 28. Length frequency of brown shrimp observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the ocean waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014 (Year 3), and April – August 2015 (Year 4).
54 35 Year 1 Fall - 24 30
25
20
15
% % Frequency 10
5
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100110120130140150160170180190 Bin (TL mm)
120 Year 2 Spring - 1,058 100 Summer - 34 80 Fall - 1 60
% % Frequency 40
20
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100110120130140150160170180190 Bin (TL mm)
Figure 29. Length frequency of pink shrimp observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the ocean waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012 (Year 1), and April – December 2013 (Year 2).
55 35 Year 3 Spring - 986 30 Summer - 48 25 Fall - 31 20
15
% % Frequency 10
5
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 Bin (TL mm)
35 Year 4 Spring - 425 30
25
20
15
% % Frequency 10
5
0
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 Bin (TL mm)
Figure 30. Length frequency of pink shrimp observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the ocean waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014 (Year 3), and April – August 2015 (Year 4).
56 25 Year 1 Summer - 644 Fall - 1,655 20
15
10 % % Frequency
5
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100110120130140150160170180190200210220 Bin (TL mm)
35 Year 2 30 Spring - 658 25 Summer - 478 20 Fall - 408 15
% % Frequency 10
5
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100110120130140150160170180190200210220 Bin (TL mm)
Figure 31. Length frequency of white shrimp observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the ocean waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012 (Year 1), and April – December 2013 (Year 2).
57 40 Year 3 35 Spring - 38 30 Summer - 506 25 Fall - 970 20
15 % % Frequency 10
5
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100110120130140150160170180190200210220 Bin (TL mm)
40 Year 4 Spring - 76 35 Summer - 177 30
25
20
15 % % Frequency 10
5
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100110120130140150170180190200210220 Bin (TL mm)
Figure 32. Length frequency of white shrimp observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the ocean waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014 (Year 3), and April – August 2015 (Year 4).
58 20 Year 1 Summer - 132 18 Fall - 425 16 14 12 10 8
% % Frequency 6 4 2 0 30 50 70 90 110 130 150 170 190 210 230 250 270 290 310 330 350 370 390 Bin (TL mm)
25 Year 2 Spring - 71 Summer - 43 20 Fall - 74
15
10 % % Frequency
5
0
90 30 50 70
310 110 130 150 170 190 210 230 250 270 290 330 350 370 390 Bin (TL mm)
Figure 33. Length frequency of weakfish observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the ocean waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012 (Year 1), and April – December 2013 (Year 2).
59 25 Year 3 Spring - 1,539 Summer - 975 20 Fall - 495
15
10 % % Frequency
5
0
30 50 70 90
190 210 110 130 150 170 230 250 270 290 310 330 350 370 390 Bin (TL mm)
25 Year 4 Spring - 149 20 Summer - 948
15
10 % % Frequency
5
0 30 50 70 90 110 130 150 170 190 210 230 250 270 290 310 330 350 370 390 Bin (TL mm)
Figure 34. Length frequency of weakfish observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the ocean waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014 (Year 3), and April – August 2015 (Year 4).
60 30 Year 1 Summer - 1,108 25 Fall - 856 20
15
% % Frequency 10
5
0
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
130 100 110 120 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 250 260 Bin (FL mm)
30 Year 2 Spring - 1,222 25 Summer - 660 20 Fall - 311 15
% % Frequency 10
5
0
50 10 20 30 40 60 70 80 90
100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 250 260 Bin (FL mm)
Figure 35. Length frequency of spot observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the ocean waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012 (Year 1), and April – December 2013 (Year 2).
61 30 Year 3 Spring - 2,399 25 Summer - 1,351 20 Fall - 662 15
% % Frequency 10
5
0
20 70 10 30 40 50 60 80 90
120 100 110 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 250 260 Bin (FL mm)
30 Year 4 Spring - 694 25 Summer - 949 20
15
% % Frequency 10
5
0
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
200 210 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 220 230 240 250 260 Bin (FL mm)
Figure 36. Length frequency of spot observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the ocean waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014 (Year 3), and April – August 2015 (Year 4).
62 35 Year 1 Summer - 1,050 30 Fall - 966 25
20
15 % Frequency % 10
5
0
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
230 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 240 250 260 270 Bin (TL mm)
40 Year 2 Spring - 1,112 35 Summer - 942 30 Fall - 393 25
20
15 % % Frequency 10
5
0
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
140 150 100 110 120 130 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 250 260 270 Bin (TL mm)
Figure 37. Length frequency of Atlantic croaker observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the ocean waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012 (Year 1), and April – December 2013 (Year 2).
63 40 Year 3 Spring - 2,404 35 Summer - 1,476 30 Fall - 1,023 25
20
15 % % Frequency 10
5
0
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 250 260 270 Bin (TL mm)
35 Year 4 Spring - 736 30 Summer - 1,039 25
20
15
% % Frequency 10
5
0
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
170 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 250 260 270 Bin (TL mm)
Figure 38. Length frequency of Atlantic croaker observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the ocean waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014 (Year 3), and April – August 2015 (Year 4).
64 120 Year 1 Summer - 1 100 Fall - 6 80
60
% % Frequency 40
20
0
280 330 190 200 210 220 230 240 250 260 270 290 300 310 320 Bin (TL mm)
80 Year 2 Spring - 3 70
60
50
40
30 % % Frequency 20
10
0
190 200 210 220 230 240 250 260 270 280 290 300 310 320 330 Bin (TL mm)
Figure 39. Length frequency of Gulf flounder observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the ocean waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012 (Year 1), and April – December 2013 (Year 2).
65 60 Year 1 Summer - 2 50 Fall - 15 40
30
% % Frequency 20
10
0 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240 260 280 300 320 340 360 380 400 420 440 Bin (TL mm)
80 Year 2 Spring - 29 70 Summer - 19 60 Fall - 3 50
40
30 % % Frequency 20
10
0
80
100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240 260 280 300 320 340 360 380 400 420 440 Bin (TL mm)
Figure 40. Length frequency of southern flounder observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the ocean waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012 (Year 1), and April – December 2013 (Year 2).
66 25 Year 3 Spring - 59 Summer - 10 20 Fall - 19
15
10 % % Frequency
5
0
80
280 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240 260 300 320 340 360 380 400 420 440 Bin (TL mm)
35 Year 4 Spring - 45 30 Summer - 3 25
20
15
% % Frequency 10
5
0 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240 260 280 300 320 340 360 380 400 420 440 Bin (TL mm)
Figure 41. Length frequency of southern flounder observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the ocean waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014 (Year 3), and April – August 2015 (Year 4).
67 30 Year 1 25 Summer - 4 20 Fall - 52 15
% % Frequency 10
5
0
80 90
310 320 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 250 260 270 280 290 300 330 340 350 360 370 380 Bin (TL mm)
40 Year 2 Spring - 40 35 Summer - 8 30 Fall - 11 25
20
15 % % Frequency 10
5
0
80 90
110 190 100 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 200 210 220 230 240 250 260 270 280 290 300 310 320 330 340 350 360 370 380 Bin (TL mm)
Figure 42. Length frequency of summer flounder observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the ocean waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012 (Year 1), and April – December 2013 (Year 2).
68 25 Year 3 Spring - 46 Summer - 26 20 Fall - 53
15
10 % % Frequency
5
0
80 90
100 130 160 110 120 140 150 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 250 260 270 280 290 300 310 320 330 340 350 360 370 380 Bin (TL mm)
60 Year 4 Spring - 9 50 Summer - 2 40
30
% % Frequency 20
10
0
80 90
110 190 100 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 200 210 220 230 240 250 260 270 280 290 300 310 320 330 340 350 360 370 380 Bin (TL mm)
Figure 43. Length frequency of summer flounder observed in the commercial shrimp trawl fishery in the ocean waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014 (Year 3), and April – August 2015 (Year 4).
69 Table 1. Total reported days fished, total fishing days observed and percent coverage by month for the commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012. Month Total Days Fished Total Days Observed % Observed August 2,048 18 0.88 September 933 11 1.18 October 694 18 2.59 November 195 2 1.03 December 64 0 0.00
Totals 3,934 49 1.25
Table 2. Total reported days fished, total fishing days observed and percent coverage by month for commercial shrimp trawl observations made in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, January – December 2013. Month Total Days Fished Total Days Observed % Observed January 16 0 0.00 Febuary 0 0 - March 24 0 0.00 April 193 2 1.04 May 264 9 3.41 June 503 8 1.59 July 1,652 15 0.91 August 1,542 0 0.00 September 1,422 7 0.49 October 1,633 7 0.43 November 544 4 0.74 December 45 0 0.00
Totals 7,838 52 0.66
70 Table 3. Total reported days fished, total fishing days observed and percent coverage by month for commercial shrimp trawl observations made in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, January – December 2014. Month Total Days Fished Total Days Observed % Observed January 21 0 0.00 Febuary 0 0 - March 0 0 - April 25 0 0.00 May 243 0 0.00 June 530 10 1.89 July 1,889 29 1.54 August 2,066 22 1.06 September 837 15 1.79 October 765 6 0.78 November 246 0 0.00 December 14 0 0.00
Totals 6,636 82 1.24
Table 4. Total reported days fished, total fishing days observed and percent coverage by month for commercial shrimp trawl observations made in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, January – August 2015. Month Total Days Fished Total Days Observed % Observed January 0 0 - Febuary 0 0 - March 0 0 - April 30 0 0.00 May 126 2 1.59 June 438 9 2.05 July 2,631 10 0.38 August 4,492 23 0.51
Totals 7,717 44 0.57
71 Table 5. Total reported days fished, total fishing days observed and percent coverage by month for commercial shrimp trawl observations made in the ocean waters (0-3 miles) of North Carolina, August – December 2012. Month Total Days Fished Total Days Observed % Observed August 127 4 3.15 September 254 6 2.36 October 508 5 0.98 November 550 6 1.09 December 159 7 4.40
Totals 1,598 28 1.75
Table 6. Total reported days fished, total fishing days observed and percent coverage by month for commercial shrimp trawl observations made in the ocean waters (0-3 miles) of North Carolina, January – December 2013. Month Total Days Fished Total Days Observed % Observed January 108 0 0.00 Febuary 13 0 0.00 March 7 0 0.00 April 6 0 0.00 May 132 9 6.82 June 163 11 6.75 July 205 8 3.90 August 116 1 0.86 September 236 5 2.12 October 469 2 0.43 November 500 2 0.40 December 255 0 0.00
Totals 2,210 38 1.72
72 Table 7. Total reported days fished, total fishing days observed and percent coverage by month for commercial shrimp trawl observations made in the ocean waters (0-3 miles) of North Carolina, January – December 2014. Month Total Days Fished Total Days Observed % Observed January 124 0 0.00 Febuary 7 0 0.00 March 0 0 - April 3 0 0.00 May 35 3 8.57 June 170 28 16.47 July 73 12 16.44 August 148 3 2.03 September 302 6 1.99 October 654 15 2.29 November 394 0 0.00 December 128 0 0.00
Totals 2,038 67 3.29
Table 8. Total reported days fished, total fishing days observed and percent coverage by month for commercial shrimp trawl observations made in the ocean waters (0-3 miles) of North Carolina, January – August 2015. Month Total Days Fished Total Days Observed % Observed January 14 0 0.00 Febuary 11 0 0.00 March 1 0 0.00 April 0 0 - May 22 1 4.55 June 106 10 9.43 July 206 5 2.43 August 57 12 21.05
Totals 417 28 6.71
73 Table 9. Gear parameters for all seasons combined in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery in estuarine waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012. Gear Parameter N Min Mean Median Max Vessel Length (ft) 49 19.00 39.52 38.00 73.00 Net Type Double-seamed 1 - - - - Four-seamed 17 - - - - Tongue 31 - - - - Rig Type Single Rigged 16 - - - - Two Barrel/Double Rigged 23 - - - - Four Barrel/Quad Rigged 10 - - - - Headrope Length per net (ft) 49 28.00 43.61 40.00 60.00 Total Head Rope (ft) 49 28.00 93.88 70.00 240.00 Type of Webbing Nylon 21 - - - - Poly 18 - - - - Spectra 10 - - - - Wing Net Mesh Bar (in) 49 0.75 0.81 0.75 0.94 Tailbag Net Mesh Bar (in) 49 0.75 0.80 0.75 0.94 TED Type Super Shooter 41 - - - - Straight Bar 1 - - - - None 7 - - - - TED Bar Spacing (in) - - - - - TED Placement Top Shooter 6 - - - - Bottom Shooter 36 - - - - None 7 - - - - BRD Type Florida Fish Excluder 49 - - - - Placement of BRD/TT 49 60.00 92.69 72.00 130.00 Placement of BRD/CL 49 0.00 7.39 10.00 25.00 Depth (m) 49 1.60 4.91 - 7.80 Tow Speed (kt) 49 2.20 2.25 - 3.00 Tow Time (min) 126 20.00 100.42 - 240.00
74 Table 10. Gear parameters for the summer commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery from observations in estuarine waters of North Carolina, August – September 2012. GearParameter N Min Mean Median Max Vessel Length (ft) 29 19.00 37.71 34.00 73.00 Net Type Double Seamed 1 - - - - Four Seamed 17 - - - - Tongue 11 - - - - Rig Type Single Rigged 11 - - - - Two Barrel/Double Rigged 13 - - - - Four Barrel/Quad Rigged 5 - - - - Head Rope Length per net (ft) 29 28.00 43.59 45.00 60.00 Total Head Rope (ft) 29 28.00 84.07 70.00 180.00 Type of Webbing Nylon 15 - - - - Poly 7 - - - - Spectra 7 - - - - Wing Net Mesh Bar (in) 29 0.75 0.81 0.75 0.94 Tailbag Net Mesh Bar (in) 29 0.75 0.80 0.75 0.94 TED Type Super Shooter 24 - - - - Straight Bar 1 - - - - None 4 - - - - TED Bar Spacing (in) - - - - - TED Placement Top Shooter 25 - - - - Bottom Shooter 0 - - - - None 4 - - - - BRD Type Florida Fish Excluder 29 - - - - Placement of BRD/TT 29 60.00 89.90 72.00 130.00 Placement of BRD/CL 29 0.00 8.62 10.00 25.00 Depth (m) 29 1.60 5.11 - 7.80 Tow Speed (kt) 29 2.20 2.21 - 3.00 . Tow Time (min) 79 20.00 95.86 - 240.00
75 Table 11. Gear parameters for the fall commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery from observations in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, October – December 2012. GearParameter N Min Mean Median Max Vessel Length (ft) 20 20.00 42.15 38.00 65.00 Net Type Double Seamed 0 - - - - Four Seamed 0 - - - - Tongue 20 - - - - Rig Type Single Rigged 5 - - - - Two Barrel/Double Rigged 10 - - - - Four Barrel/Quad Rigged 5 - - - - Head Rope Length per net (ft) 20 30.00 43.65 35.00 60.00 Total Head Rope (ft) 20 30.00 108.10 70.00 240.00 Type of Webbing Nylon 6 - - - - Poly 11 - - - - Spectra 3 - - - - Wing Net Mesh Bar (in) 20 0.75 0.83 0.75 0.94 Tailbag Net Mesh Bar (in) 20 0.75 0.79 0.75 0.88 TED Type Super Shooter 17 - - - - Straight Bar 0 - - - - None 3 - - - - TED Bar Spacing (in) - - - - - TED Placement Top Shooter 6 - - - - Bottom Shooter 11 - - - - None 3 - - - - BRD Type Florida Fish Excluder 20 - - - - Placement of BRD/TT 20 65.00 96.75 120.00 120.00 Placement of BRD/CL 20 0.00 5.60 5.00 12.00 Depth (m) 20 2.60 4.61 - 6.10 Tow Speed (kt) 20 2.20 2.31 - 2.50 Tow Time (min) 47 20.00 108.09 - 225.00
76 Table 12. Gear parameters for all seasons combined in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery in estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – December 2013. GearParameter N Min Mean Median Max Vessel Length (ft) 52 20.00 47.35 36.00 78.00 Net Type Double Seamed 4 - - - - Four Seamed 30 - - - - Tongue 18 - - - - Rig Type Single Rigged 3 - - - - Two Barrel/Double Rigged 31 - - - - Four Barrel/Quad Rigged 18 - - - - Headrope Length per net (ft) 52 30.00 42.17 45.00 60.00 Total Head Rope (ft) 52 30.00 117.42 90.00 220.00 Type of Webbing Nylon 37 - - - - Poly 14 - - - - Spectra 1 - - - - Wing Net Mesh Bar (in) 52 0.75 0.84 0.88 0.94 Tailbag Net Mesh Bar (in) 52 0.75 0.83 0.75 0.94 TED Type Super Shooter 44 - - - - Straight Bar 5 - - - - None 3 - - - - TED Bar Spacing (in) - - - - - TED Placement Top Shooter 0 - - - - Bottom Shooter 49 - - - - None 3 - - - - BRD Type Florida Fish Excluder 52 - - - - Placement of BRD/TT 52 60.00 102.65 120.00 150.00 Placement of BRD/CL 52 0.00 3.85 0.00 25.00 Depth (m) 52 3.00 6.17 - 29.00 Tow Speed (kt) 49 2.20 2.49 - 3.30 Tow Time (min) 133 30.00 142.11 - 300.00
77 Table 13. Gear parameters for the spring commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery from observations in estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – June 2013. GearParameter N Min Mean Median Max Vessel Length (ft) 19 20.00 42.26 30.00 73.00 Net Type Double Seamed 3 - - - - Four Seamed 13 - - - - Tongue 3 - - - - Rig Type Single Rigged 3 - - - - Two Barrel/Double Rigged 10 - - - - Four Barrel/Quad Rigged 6 - - - - Head Rope Length per net (ft) 19 30.00 37.89 30.00 60.00 Total Head Rope (ft) 19 30.00 101.05 60.00 200.00 Type of Webbing Nylon 16 - - - - Poly 2 - - - - Spectra 1 - - - - Wing Net Mesh Bar (in) 19 0.75 0.82 0.75 0.94 Tailbag Net Mesh Bar (in) 19 0.75 0.81 0.75 0.94 TED Type Super Shooter 16 - - - - Straight Bar 0 - - - - None 3 - - - - TED Bar Spacing (in) - - - - - TED Placement Top Shooter 0 - - - - Bottom Shooter 16 - - - - None 3 - - - - BRD Type Florida Fish Excluder 19 - - - - Placement of BRD/TT 19 65.00 92.84 72.00 150.00 Placement of BRD/CL 19 0.00 1.32 0.00 10.00 Depth (m) 19 3.00 5.77 - 29.00 Tow Speed (kt) 17 2.00 2.41 - 3.20 Tow Time (min) 48 30.00 117.60 - 240.00
78 Table 14. Gear parameters for the summer commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery from observations in estuarine waters of North Carolina, July – September 2013. GearParameter N Min Mean Median Max Vessel Length (ft) 22 29.00 43.68 35.00 78.00 Net Type Double Seamed 1 - - - - Four Seamed 14 - - - - Tongue 7 - - - - Rig Type Single Rigged 0 - - - - Two Barrel/Double Rigged 17 - - - - Four Barrel/Quad Rigged 5 - - - - Head Rope Length per net (ft) 22 32.00 42.86 45.00 50.00 Total Head Rope (ft) 22 64.00 108.45 90.00 200.00 Type of Webbing Nylon 14 - - - - Poly 8 - - - - Spectra 0 - - - - Wing Net Mesh Bar (in) 22 0.75 0.85 0.90 0.91 Tailbag Net Mesh Bar (in) 22 0.75 0.83 0.83 0.91 TED Type Super Shooter 17 - - - - Straight Bar 5 - - - - None 0 - - - - TED Bar Spacing (in) 0 - - - - TED Placement Top Shooter 0 - - - - Bottom Shooter 22 - - - - None 0 - - - - BRD Type Florida Fish Excluder 22 - - - - Placement of BRD/TT 22 60.00 100.64 120.00 130.00 Placement of BRD/CL 22 0.00 3.41 0.00 25.00 Depth (m) 22 4.00 6.23 - 7.60 Tow Speed (kt) 22 2.20 2.45 - 3.30 Tow Time (min) 55 30.00 145.27 - 300.00
79 Table 15. Gear parameters for the fall commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery from observations in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, October – December 2013. GearParameter N Min Mean Median Max Vessel Length (ft) 11 38.00 63.45 78.00 78.00 Net Type Double Seamed 0 - - - - Four Seamed 3 - - - - Tongue 8 - - - - Rig Type Single Rigged 0 - - - - Two Barrel/Double Rigged 4 - - - - Four Barrel/Quad Rigged 7 - - - - Head Rope Length (ft) 11 40.00 48.18 50.00 55.00 Total Head Rope (ft) 11 80.00 163.64 200.00 220.00 Type of Webbing Nylon 7 - - - - Poly 4 - - - - Spectra 0 - - - - Wing Net Mesh Bar (in) 11 0.75 0.85 0.91 0.91 Tailbag Net Mesh Bar (in) 11 0.75 0.85 0.91 0.91 TED Type Super Shooter 11 - - - - Straight Bar 0 - - - - None 0 - - - - TED Bar Spacing (in) - - - - - TED Placement Top Shooter 0 - - - - Bottom Shooter 11 - - - - None 0 - - - - BRD Type Florida Fish Excluder 11 - - - - Placement of BRD/TT 11 120.00 123.64 120.00 130.00 Placement of BRD/CL 11 0.00 9.09 0.00 25.00 Depth (m) 11 5.80 6.73 - 7.20 Tow Speed (kt) 10 2.20 2.73 - 3.00 Tow Time (min) 30 30.00 175.50 - 255.00
80 Table 16. Gear parameters for all seasons combined in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery in estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014. GearParameter N Min Mean Median Max Vessel Length (ft) 82 30.00 62.38 68.00 95.00 Net Type Double Seamed 22 - - - - Four Seamed 49 - - - - Tongue 11 - - - - Rig Type Single Rigged 0 - - - - Two Barrel/Double Rigged 36 - - - - Four Barrel/Quad Rigged 46 - - - - Headrope Length per net (ft) 82 30.00 46.84 50.00 55.00 Total Head Rope (ft) 82 60.00 152.95 200.00 220.00 Type of Webbing Nylon 14 - - - - Poly 58 - - - - Spectra 10 - - - - Wing Net Mesh Bar (in) 82 0.75 0.82 0.81 0.93 Tailbag Net Mesh Bar (in) 82 0.75 0.86 0.86 1.00 TED Type Super Shooter 82 - - - - Straight Bar 0 - - - - None 0 - - - - TED Bar Spacing (in) 57 2.50 3.95 4.00 4.00 TED Placement Top Shooter 10 - - - - Bottom Shooter 72 - - - - None 0 - - - - BRD Type 82 1.00 1.00 1.00 Florida Fish Excluder Placement of BRD/TT 82 60.00 75.98 64.00 120.00 Placement of BRD/CL 82 0.00 0.06 0.00 5.00 Depth (m) 82 2.40 7.35 - 72.00 Tow Speed (kt) 82 2.00 2.58 - 3.20 Tow Time (min) 236 40.00 187.44 - 365.00
81 Table 17. Gear parameters for the spring commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery from observations in estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – June 2014. GearParameter N Min Mean Median Max Vessel Length (ft) 10 34.00 41.20 43.00 43.00 Net Type Double Seamed 0 - - - - Four Seamed 10 - - - - Tongue 0 - - - - Rig Type Single Rigged 0 - - - - Two Barrel/Double Rigged 10 - - - - Four Barrel/Quad Rigged 0 - - - - Head Rope Length per net (ft) 10 40.00 41.00 40.00 45.00 Total Head Rope (ft) 10 80.00 82.00 80.00 90.00 Type of Webbing Nylon 2 - - - - Poly 8 - - - - Spectra 0 - - - - Wing Net Mesh Bar (in) 10 0.75 0.78 0.75 0.88 Tailbag Net Mesh Bar (in) 10 0.75 0.78 0.75 0.88 TED Type Super Shooter 10 - - - - Straight Bar 0 - - - - None 0 - - - - TED Bar Spacing (in) 10 2.50 3.70 4.00 4.00 TED Placement Top Shooter 0 - - - - Bottom Shooter 10 - - - - None 0 - - - - BRD Type Florida Fish Excluder 10 - - - - Placement of BRD/TT 10 68.00 109.60 120.00 120.00 Placement of BRD/CL 10 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Depth (m) 10 3.00 5.90 - 8.20 Tow Speed (kt) 10 2.00 2.18 - 2.40 Tow Time (min) 20 60.00 111.50 - 165.00
82 Table 18. Gear parameters for the summer commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery from observations in estuarine waters of North Carolina, July – September 2014. GearParameter N Min Mean Median Max Vessel Length (ft) 66 34.00 68.41 72.00 95.00 Net Type Double Seamed 22 - - - - Four Seamed 39 - - - - Tongue 5 - - - - Rig Type Single Rigged 0 - - - - Two Barrel/Double Rigged 21 - - - - Four Barrel/Quad Rigged 45 - - - - Head Rope Length per net (ft) 66 38.00 49.18 50.00 55.00 Total Head Rope (ft) 66 76.00 170.94 200.00 220.00 Type of Webbing Nylon 12 - - - - Poly 44 - - - - Spectra 10 - - - - Wing Net Mesh Bar (in) 66 0.75 0.83 0.87 0.93 Tailbag Net Mesh Bar (in) 66 0.75 0.88 0.88 1.00 TED Type Super Shooter 66 - - - - Straight Bar 0 - - - - None 0 - - - - TED Bar Spacing (in) 46 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 TED Placement Top Shooter 10 - - - - Bottom Shooter 56 - - - - None 0 - - - - BRD Type Florida Fish Excluder 66 - - - - Placement of BRD/TT 66 60.00 70.97 64.00 120.00 Placement of BRD/CL 66 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Depth (m) 66 2.40 7.89 - 72.00 Tow Speed (kt) 66 2.00 2.66 - 3.20 Tow Time (min) 200 40.00 202.81 - 365.00
83 Table 19. Gear parameters for the fall commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery from observations in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, October – December 2014. GearParameter N Min Mean Median Max Vessel Length (ft) 6 30.00 31.33 30.00 38.00 Net Type Double Seamed 0 - - - - Four Seamed 0 - - - - Tongue 6 - - - - Rig Type Single Rigged Two Barrel/Double Rigged 5 - - - - Four Barrel/Quad Rigged 1 - - - - Head Rope Length per net (ft) 6 30.00 30.83 30.00 35.00 Total Head Rope (ft) 6 60.00 73.33 60.00 140.00 Type of Webbing Nylon 0 - - - - Poly 6 - - - - Spectra 0 - - - - Wing Net Mesh Bar (in) 6 0.75 0.77 0.75 0.87 Tailbag Net Mesh Bar (in) 6 0.75 0.78 0.75 0.93 TED Type Super Shooter 6 - - - - Straight Bar 0 - - - - None 0 - - - - TED Bar Spacing (in) 1 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 TED Placement Top Shooter 0 - - - - Bottom Shooter 6 - - - - None 0 - - - - BRD Type Florida Fish Excluder 6 - - - - Placement of BRD/TT 6 60.00 75.00 78.00 78.00 Placement of BRD/CL 6 0.00 0.83 0.00 5.00 Depth (m) 6 3.00 3.83 - 7.00 Tow Speed (kt) 6 2.20 2.37 - 2.70 Tow Time (min) 16 45.00 89.69 - 120.00
84 Table 20. Gear parameters for all seasons combined in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery in estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – August 2015. GearParameter N Min Mean Median Max Vessel Length (ft) 44 20.00 61.07 73.00 88.00 Net Type Double Seamed 21 - - - - Four Seamed 23 - - - - Tongue 0 - - - - Rig Type Single Rigged 8 - - - - Two Barrel/Double Rigged 9 - - - - Four Barrel/Quad Rigged 27 - - - - Headrope Length per net (ft) 44 30.00 42.39 40.00 55.00 Total Head Rope (ft) 44 35.00 133.64 120.00 220.00 Type of Webbing Nylon 27 - - - - Poly 10 - - - - Spectra 7 - - - - Wing Net Mesh Bar (in) 44 0.75 0.87 0.87 1.00 Tailbag Net Mesh Bar (in) 44 0.75 0.82 0.87 0.95 TED Type Super Shooter 30 - - - - Straight Bar 14 - - - - None 0 - - - - TED Bar Spacing (in) 43 2.00 3.34 3.50 4.00 TED Placement Top Shooter 7 - - - - Bottom Shooter 37 - - - - None 0 - - - - BRD Type Florida Fish Excluder 44 - - - - Placement of BRD/TT 44 60.00 66.41 70.00 74.00 Placement of BRD/CL 44 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Depth (m) 40 2.00 7.53 - 60.00 Tow Speed (kt) 39 2.00 2.56 - 3.10 Tow Time (min) 113 15.00 181.37 - 360.00
85 Table 21. Gear parameters for the spring commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery from observations in estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – June 2015. GearParameter N Min Mean Median Max Vessel Length (ft) 11 20.00 26.82 20.00 35.00 Net Type Double Seamed 6 - - - - Four Seamed 5 - - - - Tongue 0 - - - - Rig Type Single Rigged 6 - - - - Two Barrel/Double Rigged 5 - - - - Four Barrel/Quad Rigged 0 - - - - Head Rope Length per net (ft) 11 35.00 37.27 35.00 40.00 Total Head Rope (ft) 11 35.00 55.45 35.00 80.00 Type of Webbing Nylon 1 - - - - Poly 6 - - - - Spectra 4 - - - - Wing Net Mesh Bar (in) 11 0.75 0.82 0.87 0.88 Tailbag Net Mesh Bar (in) 11 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 TED Type Super Shooter 5 - - - - Straight Bar 6 - - - - None 0 - - - - TED Bar Spacing (in) 10 3.00 3.45 3.50 3.50 TED Placement Top Shooter 0 - - - - Bottom Shooter 11 - - - - None 0 - - - - BRD Type Florida Fish Excluder 0 - - - - Placement of BRD/TT 11 60.00 60.00 60.00 60.00 Placement of BRD/CL 11 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Depth (m) 11 2.00 4.28 - 8.50 Tow Speed (kt) 11 2.00 2.34 - 2.80 Tow Time (min) 20 15.00 59.35 - 110.00
86 Table 22. Gear parameters for the summer commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery from observations in estuarine waters of North Carolina, July – August 2015. GearParameter N Min Mean Median Max Vessel Length (ft) 33 20.00 72.48 73.00 88.00 Net Type Double Seamed 15 - - - - Four Seamed 18 - - - - Tongue 0 - - - - Rig Type Single Rigged 2 - - - - Two Barrel/Double Rigged 4 - - - - Four Barrel/Quad Rigged 27 - - - - Head Rope Length per net (ft) 33 30.00 44.09 50.00 55.00 Total Head Rope (ft) 33 35.00 159.70 200.00 220.00 Type of Webbing Nylon 26 - - - - Poly 4 - - - - Spectra 3 - - - - Wing Net Mesh Bar (in) 33 0.75 0.89 0.94 1.00 Tailbag Net Mesh Bar (in) 33 0.75 0.85 0.87 0.95 TED Type Super Shooter 25 - - - - Straight Bar 8 - - - - None 0 - - - - TED Bar Spacing (in) 33 2.00 3.30 3.50 4.00 TED Placement Top Shooter 7 - - - - Bottom Shooter 26 - - - - None 0 - - - - BRD Type Florida Fish Excluder 33 - - - - Placement of BRD/TT 33 60.00 68.55 70.00 74.00 Placement of BRD/CL 33 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Depth (m) 29 3.60 8.76 - 60.00 Tow Speed (kt) 28 2.00 2.65 - 3.10 Tow Time (min) 93 30.00 207.61 - 360.00
87 Table 23. Gear parameters for all seasons combined in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery in ocean waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012. Gear Parameter N Min Mean Median Max Vessel Length (ft) 28 25.00 39.54 34.50 60.00 Net Type Double Seamed 4 - - - - Four Seamed 4 - - - - Tongue 20 - - - - Rig Type Single Rigged 0 - - - - Two Barrel/Double Rigged 22 - - - - Four Barrel/Quad Rigged 6 - - - - Headrope Length per net (ft) 28 34.00 38.93 38.00 60.00 Total Head Rope (ft) 28 68.00 93.71 76.00 152.00 Type of Webbing Nylon 4 - - - - Poly 14 - - - - Spectra 10 - - - - Wing Net Mesh Bar (in) 28 0.75 0.86 0.88 0.88 Tailbag Net Mesh Bar (in) 28 0.75 0.81 0.75 0.88 TED Type Super Shooter 18 - - - - Straight Bar 10 - - - - None 0 - - - - TED Bar Spacing (in) 6 2.50 2.50 2.50 2.50 TED Placement Top Shooter 4 - - - - Bottom Shooter 24 - - - - None 0 - - - - BRD Type Florida Fish Excluder 28 - - - - Placement of BRD/TT 28 68.00 95.57 90.00 120.00 Placement of BRD/CL 28 0.00 1.61 0.00 10.00 Depth (m) 27 5.00 6.73 - 9.10 Tow Speed (kt) 28 2.00 2.34 - 2.80 Tow Time (min) 95 20.00 81.06 - 306.00
88 Table 24. Gear parameters for the summer commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery from observations in ocean waters of North Carolina, August – September 2012. GearParameter N Min Mean Median Max Vessel Length (ft) 10 34.50 49.20 57.00 60.00 Net Type Double Seamed 4 - - - - Four Seamed 4 - - - - Tongue 2 - - - - Rig Type Single Rigged 0 - - - - Two Barrel/Double Rigged 4 - - - - Four Barrel/Quad Rigged 6 - - - - Head Rope Length per net (ft) 10 35.00 36.20 35.00 38.00 Total Head Rope (ft) 10 70.00 116.80 140.00 152.00 Type of Webbing Nylon 4 - - - - Poly 2 - - - - Spectra 4 - - - - Wing Net Mesh Bar (in) 10 0.75 0.83 0.88 0.88 Tailbag Net Mesh Bar (in) 10 0.75 0.83 0.88 0.88 TED Type Super Shooter 6 - - - - Straight Bar 4 - - - - None 0 TED Bar Spacing (in) - - - - - TED Placement Top Shooter 4 - - - - Bottom Shooter 6 - - - - None 0 - - - - BRD Type Florida Fish Excluder 10 - - - - Placement of BRD/TT 10 70.00 88.00 90.00 120.00 Placement of BRD/CL 10 0.00 4.00 0.00 10.00 Depth (m) 9 5.00 7.74 - 8.50 Tow Speed (kt) 10 2.20 2.48 - 2.80 Tow Time (min) 37 20.00 60.95 - 95.00
89 Table 25. Gear parameters for the fall commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery from observations in the ocean waters of North Carolina, October – December 2012. GearParameter N Min Mean Median Max Vessel Length (ft) 18 25.00 34.17 34.00 36.00 Net Type Double Seamed 0 - - - - Four Seamed 0 - - - - Tongue 18 - - - - Rig Type Single Rigged 0 - - - - Two Barrel/Double Rigged 18 - - - - Four Barrel/Quad Rigged 0 - - - - Head Rope Length per net (ft) 18 34.00 40.44 38.00 60.00 Total Head Rope (ft) 18 68.00 80.89 76.00 120.00 Type of Webbing Nylon 0 - - - - Poly 12 - - - - Spectra 6 - - - - Wing Net Mesh Bar (in) 18 0.88 0.88 0.88 0.88 Tailbag Net Mesh Bar (in) 18 0.75 0.79 0.75 0.88 TED Type Super Shooter 12 - - - - Straight Bar 6 - - - - None 0 - - - - TED Bar Spacing (in) 6 2.50 2.50 2.50 2.50 TED Placement Top Shooter 0 - - - - Bottom Shooter 18 - - - - None 0 - - - - BRD Type Florida Fish Excluder 18 - - - - Placement of BRD/TT 18 68.00 99.78 120.00 120.00 Placement of BRD/CL 18 0.00 0.28 0.00 5.00 Depth (m) 18 5.00 6.22 - 9.10 Tow Speed (kt) 18 2.00 2.26 - 2.70 Tow Time (min) 58 20.00 93.90 - 306.00
90 Table 26. Gear parameters for all seasons combined in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery in ocean waters of North Carolina, April – December 2013. GearParameter N Min Mean Median Max Vessel Length (ft) 38 25.00 45.39 50.00 73.00 Net Type Double Seamed 3 - - - - Four Seamed 7 - - - - Tongue 28 - - - - Rig Type Single Rigged 4 - - - - Two Barrel/Double Rigged 12 - - - - Four Barrel/Quad Rigged 22 - - - - Headrope Length per net (ft) 38 35.00 40.47 37.00 60.00 Total Head Rope (ft) 38 60.00 117.16 140.00 200.00 Type of Webbing Nylon 15 - - - - Poly 2 - - - - Spectra 21 - - - - Wing Net Mesh Bar (in) 38 0.75 0.84 0.88 0.94 Tailbag Net Mesh Bar (in) 38 0.75 0.80 0.75 0.94 TED Type Super Shooter 33 - - - - Straight Bar 5 - - - - None 0 - - - - TED Bar Spacing (in) - - - - - TED Placement Top Shooter 12 - - - - Bottom Shooter 26 - - - - None 0 - - - - BRD Type Florida Fish Excluder 38 - - - - Placement of BRD/TT 38 58.00 78.42 70.00 120.00 Placement of BRD/CL 38 0.00 4.74 5.00 10.00 Depth (m) 38 6.00 7.73 - 9.90 Tow Speed (kt) 34 2.00 2.52 - 3.00 Tow Time (min) 96 25.00 84.34 - 170.00
91 Table 27. Gear parameters for the spring commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery from observations in ocean waters of North Carolina, April – June 2013. GearParameter N Min Mean Median Max Vessel Length (ft) 20 34.00 50.35 52.00 73.00 Net Type Double Seamed 3 - - - - Four Seamed 1 - - - - Tongue 16 - - - - Rig Type Single Rigged 0 - - - - Two Barrel/Double Rigged 4 - - - - Four Barrel/Quad Rigged 16 - - - - Head Rope Length per net (ft) 20 35.00 38.20 35.00 50.00 Total Head Rope (ft) 20 90.00 134.80 140.00 200.00 Type of Webbing Nylon 8 - - - - Poly 12 - - - - Spectra 0 - - - - Wing Net Mesh Bar (in) 20 0.75 0.82 0.82 0.94 Tailbag Net Mesh Bar (in) 20 0.75 0.78 0.75 0.94 TED Type Super Shooter 20 - - - - Straight Bar 0 - - - - None 0 - - - - TED Bar Spacing (in) - - - - - TED Placement Top Shooter 12 - - - - Bottom Shooter 8 - - - - None 0 - - - - BRD Type Florida Fish Excluder 20 - - - - Placement of BRD/TT 20 65.00 87.00 80.00 120.00 Placement of BRD/CL 20 0.00 6.00 5.00 10.00 Depth (m) 20 6.90 8.02 - 9.90 Tow Speed (kt) 17 2.50 2.64 - 2.80 Tow Time (min) 49 45.00 83.31 - 120.00
92 Table 28. Gear parameters for the summer commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery from observations in ocean waters of North Carolina, July – September 2013. GearParameter N Min Mean Median Max Vessel Length (ft) 14 25.00 36.50 34.00 60.00 Net Type Double Seamed 0 - - - - Four Seamed 6 - - - - Tongue 8 - - - - Rig Type Single Rigged 4 - - - - Two Barrel/Double Rigged 7 - - - - Four Barrel/Quad Rigged 3 - - - - Head Rope Length per net (ft) 14 35.00 44.07 38.00 60.00 Total Head Rope (ft) 14 60.00 87.00 70.00 152.00 Type of Webbing Nylon 6 - - - - Poly 1 - - - - Spectra 7 - - - - Wing Net Mesh Bar (in) 14 0.75 0.88 0.88 0.94 Tailbag Net Mesh Bar (in) 14 0.75 0.84 0.85 0.91 TED Type Super Shooter 9 - - - - Straight Bar 5 - - - - None 0 - - - - TED Bar Spacing (in) 0 - - - - TED Placement Top Shooter 0 - - - - Bottom Shooter 14 - - - - None 0 - - - - BRD Type Florida Fish Excluder 14 - - - - Placement of BRD/TT 14 58.00 70.79 68.00 120.00 Placement of BRD/CL 14 0.00 2.86 3.00 10.00 Depth (m) 14 6.00 7.35 - 9.00 Tow Speed (kt) 13 2.00 2.29 - 3.00 Tow Time (min) 33 25.00 87.76 - 170.00
93 Table 29. Gear parameters for the fall commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery from observations in the ocean waters of North Carolina, October – December 2013. GearParameter N Min Mean Median Max
Vessel Length (ft) 4 34.00 51.75 57.00 60.00 Net Type Double Seamed 0 - - - - Four Seamed 0 - - - - Tongue 4 - - - - Rig Type Single Rigged 0 - - - - Two Barrel/Double Rigged 1 - - - - Four Barrel/Quad Rigged 3 - - - - Head Rope Length per net (ft) 4 36.00 39.25 38.00 45.00 Total Head Rope (ft) 4 90.00 134.50 148.00 152.00 Type of Webbing Nylon 1 - - - - Poly 1 - - - - Spectra 2 - - - - Wing Net Mesh Bar (in) 4 0.75 0.82 0.82 0.91 Tailbag Net Mesh Bar (in) 4 0.75 0.79 0.75 0.91 TED Type Super Shooter 4 - - - - Straight Bar 0 - - - - None 0 - - - - TED Bar Spacing (in) - - - - - TED Placement Top Shooter 0 - - - - Bottom Shooter 4 - - - - None 0 - - - - BRD Type Florida Fish Excluder 4 - - - - Placement of BRD/TT 4 58.00 62.25 62.00 68.00 Placement of BRD/CL 4 0.00 5.00 5.00 10.00 Depth (m) 4 7.00 7.63 - 8.70 Tow Speed (kt) 4 2.50 2.73 - 3.00 Tow Time (min) 14 38.00 73.14 - 119.00
94 Table 30. Gear parameters for all seasons combined in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery in ocean waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014. GearParameter N Min Mean Median Max Vessel Length (ft) 67 25.00 54.46 60.00 65.00 Net Type Double Seamed 42 - - - - Four Seamed 3 - - - - Tongue 22 - - - - Rig Type Single Rigged 3 - - - - Two Barrel/Double Rigged 2 - - - - Four Barrel/Quad Rigged 62 - - - - Headrope Length per net (ft) 66 35.00 40.27 38.00 60.00 Total Head Rope (ft) 66 60.00 150.18 152.00 240.00 Type of Webbing Nylon 14 - - - - Poly 2 - - - - Spectra 51 - - - - Wing Net Mesh Bar (in) 67 0.75 0.85 0.87 0.93 Tailbag Net Mesh Bar (in) 67 0.75 0.80 0.75 0.93 TED Type Super Shooter 67 - - - - Straight Bar 0 - - - - None 0 - - - - TED Bar Spacing (in) 63 2.50 3.87 4.00 4.00 TED Placement Top Shooter 0 - - - - Bottom Shooter 67 - - - - None 0 - - - - BRD Type 67 1.00 1.00 1.00 Florida Fish Excluder Placement of BRD/TT 67 60.00 91.73 100.00 120.00 Placement of BRD/CL 67 0.00 1.72 0.00 20.00 Depth (m) 67 5.50 9.61 - 84.00 Tow Speed (kt) 67 2.00 2.84 - 3.20 Tow Time (min) 163 20.00 77.52 - 150.00
95 Table 31. Gear parameters for the spring commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery from observations in ocean waters of North Carolina, April – June 2014. GearParameter N Min Mean Median Max Vessel Length (ft) 31 50.00 56.94 58.00 65.00 Net Type Double Seamed 31 - - - - Four Seamed 0 - - - - Tongue 0 - - - - Rig Type Single Rigged 0 - - - - Two Barrel/Double Rigged 0 - - - - Four Barrel/Quad Rigged 31 - - - - Head Rope Length per net (ft) 31 35.00 38.39 38.00 45.00 Total Head Rope (ft) 31 140.00 153.55 152.00 180.00 Type of Webbing Nylon 8 - - - - Poly 0 - - - - Spectra 23 - - - - Wing Net Mesh Bar (in) 31 0.75 0.80 0.75 0.93 Tailbag Net Mesh Bar (in) 31 0.75 0.77 0.75 0.93 TED Type Super Shooter 30 - - - - Straight Bar 0 - - - - None 1 - - - - TED Bar Spacing (in) 30 3.00 3.93 4.00 4.00 TED Placement Top Shooter 0 - - - - Bottom Shooter 31 - - - - None 0 - - - - BRD Type Florida Fish Excluder 31 - - - - Placement of BRD/TT 31 60.00 110.90 120.00 120.00 Placement of BRD/CL 31 0.00 2.58 0.00 20.00 Depth (m) 31 5.50 11.05 - 84.00 Tow Speed (kt) 31 2.60 2.93 - 3.20 Tow Time (min) 80 20.00 77.81 - 130.00
96 Table 32. Gear parameters for the summer commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery from observations in ocean waters of North Carolina, July – September 2014. GearParameter N Min Mean Median Max Vessel Length (ft) 21 25.00 48.05 53.00 65.00 Net Type Double Seamed 11 - - - - Four Seamed 3 - - - - Tongue 7 - - - - Rig Type Single Rigged 3 - - - - Two Barrel/Double Rigged 2 - - - - Four Barrel/Quad Rigged 16 - - - - Head Rope Length per net (ft) 20 35.00 44.30 45.00 60.00 Total Head Rope (ft) 20 60.00 141.20 152.00 240.00 Type of Webbing Nylon 3 - - - - Poly 2 - - - - Spectra 16 - - - - Wing Net Mesh Bar (in) 21 0.75 0.89 0.87 0.93 Tailbag Net Mesh Bar (in) 21 0.75 0.79 0.75 0.87 TED Type Super Shooter 21 - - - - Straight Bar 0 - - - - None 0 - - - - TED Bar Spacing (in) 19 2.50 3.68 4.00 4.00 TED Placement Top Shooter 0 - - - - Bottom Shooter 21 - - - - None 0 - - - - BRD Type Florida Fish Excluder 21 - - - - Placement of BRD/TT 21 60.00 86.10 80.00 120.00 Placement of BRD/CL 21 0.00 0.71 0.00 5.00 Depth (m) 21 7.00 8.52 - 10.00 Tow Speed (kt) 21 2.00 2.70 - 3.20 Tow Time (min) 49 35.00 82.55 - 120.00
97 Table 33. Gear parameters for the fall commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery from observations in the ocean waters of North Carolina, October – December 2014. GearParameter N Min Mean Median Max Vessel Length (ft) 15 50.00 58.33 60.00 65.00 Net Type Double Seamed 0 - - - - Four Seamed 0 - - - - Tongue 15 - - - - Rig Type Single Rigged 0 - - - - Two Barrel/Double Rigged 0 - - - - Four Barrel/Quad Rigged 15 - - - - Head Rope Length per net (ft) 15 35.00 38.80 38.00 46.00 Total Head Rope (ft) 15 140.00 155.20 152.00 184.00 Type of Webbing Nylon 3 - - - - Poly 0 - - - - Spectra 12 - - - - Wing Net Mesh Bar (in) 15 0.87 0.89 0.87 0.93 Tailbag Net Mesh Bar (in) 15 0.87 0.88 0.87 0.93 TED Type Super Shooter 15 - - - - Straight Bar 0 - - - - None 0 - - - - TED Bar Spacing (in) 14 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 TED Placement Top Shooter 0 - - - - Bottom Shooter 15 - - - - None 0 - - - - BRD Type Florida Fish Excluder 15 - - - - Placement of BRD/TT 15 60.00 60.00 60.00 60.00 Placement of BRD/CL 15 0.00 1.33 0.00 5.00 Depth (m) 15 6.50 8.17 - 9.00 Tow Speed (kt) 15 2.70 2.86 - 3.00 Tow Time (min) 34 30.00 69.59 - 150.00
98 Table 34. Gear parameters for all seasons combined in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery in ocean waters of North Carolina, April – August 2015. GearParameter N Min Mean Median Max Vessel Length (ft) 28 20.00 36.43 40.00 68.00 Net Type Double Seamed 16 - - - - Four Seamed 12 - - - - Tongue 0 - - - - Rig Type Single Rigged 9 - - - - Two Barrel/Double Rigged 15 - - - - Four Barrel/Quad Rigged 4 - - - - Headrope Length per net (ft) 28 30.00 39.11 40.00 50.00 Total Head Rope (ft) 28 30.00 81.50 80.00 200.00 Type of Webbing Nylon 9 - - - - Poly 8 - - - - Spectra 11 - - - - Wing Net Mesh Bar (in) 28 0.75 0.81 0.75 0.96 Tailbag Net Mesh Bar (in) 28 0.75 0.76 0.75 0.88 TED Type Super Shooter 28 - - - - Straight Bar 0 - - - - None 0 - - - - TED Bar Spacing (in) 27 3.50 3.61 3.50 4.00 TED Placement Top Shooter 12 - - - - Bottom Shooter 16 - - - - None 0 - - - - BRD Type 28 - - - - Placement of BRD/TT 28 18.00 45.61 61.00 70.00 Placement of BRD/CL 28 0.00 0.36 0.00 5.00 Depth (m) 27 3.70 11.94 - 90.00 Tow Speed (kt) 28 1.90 2.19 - 3.00 Tow Time (min) 75 35.00 79.48 - 165.00
99 Table 35. Gear parameters for the spring commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery from observations in ocean waters of North Carolina, April – June 2015. GearParameter N Min Mean Median Max Vessel Length (ft) 11 24.00 48.73 40.00 68.00 Net Type Double Seamed 6 - - - - Four Seamed 5 - - - - Tongue 0 - - - - Rig Type Single Rigged 1 - - - - Two Barrel/Double Rigged 6 - - - - Four Barrel/Quad Rigged 4 - - - - Head Rope Length per net (ft) 11 30.00 42.73 40.00 50.00 Total Head Rope (ft) 11 30.00 119.09 80.00 200.00 Type of Webbing Nylon 4 - - - - Poly 1 - - - - Spectra 6 - - - - Wing Net Mesh Bar (in) 11 0.75 0.84 0.75 0.96 Tailbag Net Mesh Bar (in) 11 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 TED Type Super Shooter 11 - - - - Straight Bar 0 - - - - None 0 - - - - TED Bar Spacing (in) 11 3.50 3.73 3.50 4.00 TED Placement Top Shooter 7 - - - - Bottom Shooter 4 - - - - None 0 - - - - BRD Type Florida Fish Excluder 11 - - - - Placement of BRD/TT 11 18.00 40.18 18.00 68.00 Placement of BRD/CL 11 0.00 0.45 0.00 5.00 Depth (m) 11 3.70 8.24 - 10.00 Tow Speed (kt) 11 2.00 2.13 - 2.50 Tow Time (min) 30 53.00 95.03 - 165.00
100 Table 36. Gear parameters for the summer commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery from observations in ocean waters of North Carolina, July – August 2015. GearParameter N Min Mean Median Max Vessel Length (ft) 17 20.00 28.47 24.00 40.00 Net Type Double Seamed 10 - - - - Four Seamed 7 - - - - Tongue 0 - - - - Rig Type Single Rigged 8 - - - - Two Barrel/Double Rigged 9 - - - - Four Barrel/Quad Rigged 0 - - - - Head Rope Length per net (ft) 17 30.00 36.76 36.00 40.00 Total Head Rope (ft) 17 30.00 57.18 70.00 80.00 Type of Webbing Nylon 5 - - - - Poly 7 - - - - Spectra 5 - - - - Wing Net Mesh Bar (in) 17 0.75 0.79 0.75 0.88 Tailbag Net Mesh Bar (in) 17 0.75 0.77 0.75 0.88 TED Type Super Shooter 17 - - - - Straight Bar 0 - - - - None 0 - - - - TED Bar Spacing (in) 16 3.50 3.53 3.50 4.00 TED Placement Top Shooter 5 - - - - Bottom Shooter 12 - - - - None 0 - - - - BRD Type Florida Fish Excluder 17 - - - - Placement of BRD/TT 17 18.00 49.12 62.00 70.00 Placement of BRD/CL 17 0.00 0.29 0.00 5.00 Depth (m) 16 3.70 14.49 - 90.00 Tow Speed (kt) 17 1.00 2.22 - 3.00 Tow Time (min) 45 35.00 69.11 - 140.00
101 Table 37. Relative biomass (kg) observed in all seasons combined in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012. Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Micropogonias undulatus Atlantic Croaker 342,867 31.71 14,180.61 45.68 Litopenaeus setiferus White Shrimp 282,416 26.12 3,527.22 11.36 Leiostomus xanthurus Spot 130,940 12.11 3,249.37 10.47 Farfantepenaeus aztecus Brown Shrimp 127,021 11.75 3,130.64 10.09 Cynoscion regalis Weakfish 16,706 1.55 645.31 2.08 Callinectes sapidus Blue Crab 14,812 1.37 634.21 2.04 Trichiurus lepturus Atlantic Cutlassfish 4,206 0.39 616.38 1.99 Purgamentum Rubbish * * 532.01 1.71 Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish 23,540 2.18 480.90 1.55 Cnidaria Jellyfish 173 0.02 372.36 1.20 Lolliguncula brevis Atlantic Brief Squid 41,331 3.82 248.49 0.80 Menticirrhus americanus Southern Kingfish 1,690 0.16 234.48 0.76 Gymnura micrura Smooth Butterfly Ray 661 0.06 177.99 0.57 Brevoortia tyrannus Atlantic Menhaden 8,007 0.74 170.69 0.55 Cynoscion nothus Silver Seatrout 4,731 0.44 157.29 0.51 Orthopristis chrysoptera Pigfish 2,141 0.20 152.14 0.49 Peprilus triacanthus Butterfish 2,035 0.19 145.75 0.47 Synodus foetens Inshore Lizardfish 2,543 0.24 134.49 0.43 Dasyatis sabina Atlantic Stingray 138 0.01 122.55 0.39 Opsanus tau Oyster Toadfish 236 0.02 122.19 0.39 Stellifer lanceolatus Star Drum 11,384 1.05 121.01 0.39 Farfantepenaeus duorarum Pink Shrimp 9,870 0.91 119.25 0.38 Paralichthys lethostigma Southern Flounder 743 0.07 116.77 0.38 Bairdiella chrysoura Silver Perch 4,602 0.43 112.06 0.36 Pomatomus saltatrix Bluefish 458 0.04 109.41 0.35 Squilla empusa Mantis Shrimp 10,174 0.94 101.45 0.33 Triglidae Searobins 4,204 0.39 96.61 0.31 Menticirrhus saxatilis Northern Kingfish 520 0.05 87.39 0.28 Miscellaneous Miscellaneous * * 86.92 0.28 Sphoeroides maculatus Northern Puffer 270 0.02 78.26 0.25 Opisthonema oglinum Atlantic Thread Herring 5,516 0.51 74.34 0.24 Trinectes maculatus Hogchoker 2,323 0.21 73.14 0.24 Anchoa spp. Anchovies 5,884 0.54 64.90 0.21 Paralichthys dentatus Summer Flounder 995 0.09 64.83 0.21 Peprilus paru Harvestfish 918 0.08 56.10 0.18 Rhizoprionodon terraenovae Atlantic Sharpnose Shark 80 0.01 51.83 0.17 Citharichthys spilopterus Bay Whiff 3,504 0.32 48.03 0.15 Scyliorhinidae Cat Sharks 23 <0.01 47.60 0.15 Rhinoptera bonasus Cownose Ray 27 <0.01 45.52 0.15 Chaetodipterus faber Atlantic Spadefish 1,418 0.13 40.20 0.13 Dasyatidae Stingrays 56 0.01 35.73 0.12 Leodia sexiesperforata 6 Holed Keyhole Urchin 956 0.09 33.63 0.11 Dasyatis americana Southern Stingray 23 <0.01 31.87 0.10 Anchoa hepsetus Striped Anchovy 3,531 0.33 31.59 0.10 Paralichthys albigutta Gulf Flounder 293 0.03 28.98 0.09 Trachinotus carolinus Florida Pompano 69 0.01 19.73 0.06 Chilomycterus schoepfii Striped Burrfish 178 0.02 16.79 0.05 continued
102 Table 37. continued. Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Portunus spp. Portunus Crabs 1,086 0.10 16.78 0.05 Ascidicea Tunicates 308 0.03 16.74 0.05 Larimus fasciatus Banded Drum 363 0.03 15.72 0.05 Limulus polyphemus Horseshoe Crab 50 <0.01 13.69 0.04 Scomberomorus maculatus Spanish Mackerel 154 0.01 11.84 0.04 Ancylopsetta quadrocellata Ocellated Flounder 83 0.01 11.16 0.04 Dorosoma cepedianum Gizzard Shad 31 <0.01 11.02 0.04 Symphurus spp. Tonguefishes 476 0.04 10.68 0.03 Cynoscion nebulosus Spotted Seatrout 57 0.01 10.19 0.03 Stenotomus caprinus Longspine Porgy 161 0.01 10.13 0.03 Archosargus probatocephalus Sheepshead 30 <0.01 9.63 0.03 Polydactylus octonemus Atlantic Threadfin 348 0.03 9.44 0.03 Centropristis striata Black Sea Bass 83 0.01 7.80 0.03 Aluterus spp. Aluterus Filefishes 370 0.03 7.53 0.02 Scophthalmus aquosus Windowpane 112 0.01 6.60 0.02 Anomura paguridea Hermit Crabs 175 0.02 5.25 0.02 Selene vomer Lookdown 524 0.05 4.61 0.01 Raja eglanteria Clearnose Skate 8 <0.01 3.70 0.01 Chloroscombrus chrysurus Atlantic Bumper 124 0.01 3.31 0.01 Etropus crossotus Fringed Flounder 164 0.02 3.17 0.01 Caranx hippos Crevalle Jack 67 0.01 3.13 0.01 Selene setapinnis Atlantic Moonfish 192 0.02 3.10 0.01 Centropristis ocyurus Bank Sea Bass 78 0.01 2.44 0.01 Ovalipes ocellatus Lady Crab 37 <0.01 2.22 0.01 Hyporhamphus unifasciatus Atlantic Silverstripe Hal 47 <0.01 1.88 0.01 Rachycentron canadum Cobia 25 <0.01 1.78 0.01 Lagocephalus laevigatus Smooth Puffer 29 <0.01 1.72 0.01 Callinectes similis Lesser Blue Crab 24 <0.01 1.17 <0.01 Thyone briareus Sea Cucumber 4 <0.01 1.09 <0.01 Belonidae Needlefishes 52 <0.01 1.03 <0.01 Libinia spp. Libinia Spider Crabs 9 <0.01 0.64 <0.01 Anchoa mitchilli Bay Anchovy 29 <0.01 0.58 <0.01 Arenaeus cribarius Speckled Swimming Crab 47 <0.01 0.47 <0.01 Callinectes spp. Swimming Crabs 89 0.01 0.45 <0.01 Mugil cephalus Striped Mullet 22 <0.01 0.44 <0.01 Paralichthys oblongus Fourspot Flounder 8 <0.01 0.34 <0.01 Mercenaria spp. Quahogs 5 <0.01 0.31 <0.01 Anadara ovalis Blood Ark 16 <0.01 0.31 <0.01 Sphyraena spp. Barracudas 7 <0.01 0.27 <0.01 Caranx ruber Bar Jack 12 <0.01 0.25 <0.01 Menidia menidia Atlantic Silverside 18 <0.01 0.23 <0.01 Menticirrhus littoralis Gulf Kingfish 10 <0.01 0.10 <0.01 Alosa pseudoharengus Alewife 25 <0.01 0.08 <0.01 Mugil curema White Mullet 7 <0.01 0.07 <0.01
Totals 1,081,221 100.00 31,042.10 100.00
103 Table 38. Relative biomass (kg) observed in the summer season in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, August – September 2012. Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Micropogonias undulatus Atlantic Croaker 179,842 27.05 4,324.11 29.50 Farfantepenaeus aztecus Brown Shrimp 120,324 18.10 2,995.06 20.43 Litopenaeus setiferus White Shrimp 185,247 27.87 1,921.69 13.11 Leiostomus xanthurus Spot 47,854 7.20 936.83 6.39 Callinectes sapidus Blue Crab 12,688 1.91 529.43 3.61 Cynoscion regalis Weakfish 14,381 2.16 487.25 3.32 Purgamentum Rubbish * * 462.89 3.16 Trichiurus lepturus Atlantic Cutlassfish 2,868 0.43 410.42 2.80 Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish 13,131 1.98 272.93 1.86 Cnidaria Jellyfish 141 0.02 218.88 1.49 Lolliguncula brevis Atlantic Brief Squid 37,766 5.68 216.59 1.48 Gymnura micrura Smooth Butterfly Ray 611 0.09 168.11 1.15 Orthopristis chrysoptera Pigfish 1,861 0.28 138.89 0.95 Opsanus tau Oyster Toadfish 222 0.03 113.90 0.78 Peprilus triacanthus Butterfish 1,272 0.19 100.51 0.69 Dasyatis sabina Atlantic Stingray 100 0.02 87.70 0.60 Triglidae Searobins 3,228 0.49 84.33 0.58 Stellifer lanceolatus Star Drum 7,577 1.14 82.84 0.57 Pomatomus saltatrix Bluefish 274 0.04 79.24 0.54 Brevoortia tyrannus Atlantic Menhaden 1,199 0.18 71.71 0.49 Synodus foetens Inshore Lizardfish 1,880 0.28 70.18 0.48 Farfantepenaeus duorarum Pink Shrimp 4,809 0.72 69.65 0.48 Menticirrhus americanus Southern Kingfish 489 0.07 63.12 0.43 Bairdiella chrysoura Silver Perch 2,777 0.42 61.62 0.42 Cynoscion nothus Silver Seatrout 2,029 0.31 50.48 0.34 Opisthonema oglinum Atlantic Thread Herring 2,603 0.39 50.26 0.34 Rhizoprionodon terraenovae Atlantic Sharpnose Shark 75 0.01 49.82 0.34 Scyliorhinidae Cat Sharks 23 <0.01 47.60 0.32 Paralichthys lethostigma Southern Flounder 231 0.03 46.40 0.32 Menticirrhus saxatilis Northern Kingfish 250 0.04 44.01 0.30 Squilla empusa Mantis Shrimp 7,322 1.10 39.65 0.27 Trinectes maculatus Hogchoker 1,220 0.18 36.12 0.25 Miscellaneous Miscellaneous 1,438 0.22 35.21 0.24 Leodia sexiesperforata 6 Holed Keyhole Urchin 956 0.14 33.63 0.23 Citharichthys spilopterus Bay Whiff 2,662 0.40 28.15 0.19 Peprilus paru Harvestfish 348 0.05 26.60 0.18 Paralichthys albigutta Gulf Flounder 265 0.04 24.17 0.16 Chilomycterus schoepfii Striped Burrfish 178 0.03 16.79 0.11 Paralichthys dentatus Summer Flounder 256 0.04 14.94 0.10 Limulus polyphemus Horseshoe Crab 50 0.01 13.69 0.09 Ascidicea Tunicates 263 0.04 11.75 0.08 continued
104 Table 38. continued. Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Larimus fasciatus Banded Drum 253 0.04 11.63 0.08 Chaetodipterus faber Atlantic Spadefish 147 0.02 10.79 0.07 Ancylopsetta quadrocellata Ocellated Flounder 71 0.01 10.20 0.07 Cynoscion nebulosus Spotted Seatrout 44 0.01 8.66 0.06 Portunus spp. Portunus Crabs 518 0.08 8.32 0.06 Centropristis striata Black Sea Bass 83 0.01 7.80 0.05 Scomberomorus maculatus Spanish Mackerel 102 0.02 6.66 0.05 Anchoa hepsetus Striped Anchovy 592 0.09 5.94 0.04 Anomura paguridea Hermit Crabs 175 0.03 5.25 0.04 Symphurus spp. Tonguefishes 170 0.03 4.52 0.03 Dasyatidae Stingrays 31 <0.01 4.41 0.03 Sphoeroides maculatus Northern Puffer 58 0.01 4.34 0.03 Selene vomer Lookdown 491 0.07 4.25 0.03 Aluterus spp. Aluterus Filefishes 214 0.03 3.98 0.03 Dorosoma cepedianum Gizzard Shad 11 <0.01 2.90 0.02 Stenotomus caprinus Longspine Porgy 54 0.01 2.69 0.02 Caranx hippos Crevalle Jack 45 0.01 2.36 0.02 Chloroscombrus chrysurus Atlantic Bumper 33 <0.01 2.18 0.01 Trachinotus carolinus Florida Pompano 19 <0.01 1.94 0.01 Lagocephalus laevigatus Smooth Puffer 29 <0.01 1.72 0.01 Centropristis ocyurus Bank Sea Bass 67 0.01 1.43 0.01 Archosargus probatocephalus Sheepshead 7 <0.01 1.17 0.01 Belonidae Needlefishes 52 0.01 1.03 0.01 Dasyatis americana Southern Stingray 8 <0.01 1.01 0.01 Anchoa spp. Anchovies 457 0.07 0.96 0.01 Etropus crossotus Fringed Flounder 62 0.01 0.93 0.01 Selene setapinnis Atlantic Moonfish 64 0.01 0.79 0.01 Rachycentron canadum Cobia 13 <0.01 0.78 0.01 Libinia spp. Libinia Spider Crabs 9 <0.01 0.64 <0.01 Anchoa mitchilli Bay Anchovy 29 <0.01 0.58 <0.01 Callinectes spp. Swimming Crabs 89 0.01 0.45 <0.01 Paralichthys oblongus Fourspot Flounder 8 <0.01 0.34 <0.01 Mercenaria spp. Quahogs 5 <0.01 0.31 <0.01 Anadara ovalis Blood Ark 16 <0.01 0.31 <0.01 Callinectes similis Lesser Blue Crab 3 <0.01 0.24 <0.01 Menidia menidia Atlantic Silverside 18 <0.01 0.23 <0.01 Menticirrhus littoralis Gulf Kingfish 10 <0.01 0.10 <0.01 Alosa pseudoharengus Alewife 25 <0.01 0.08 <0.01 Mugil curema White Mullet 7 <0.01 0.07 <0.01
Totals 664,800 100.00 14,659.16 100.00
105 Table 39. Relative biomass (kg) observed in the fall season in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, October – December 2012. Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Micropogonias undulatus Atlantic Croaker 163,026 39.15 9,856.50 60.16 Leiostomus xanthurus Spot 83,086 19.95 2,312.53 14.12 Litopenaeus setiferus White Shrimp 97,169 23.33 1,605.54 9.80 Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish 10,408 2.50 207.98 1.27 Trichiurus lepturus Atlantic Cutlassfish 1,337 0.32 205.96 1.26 Menticirrhus americanus Southern Kingfish 1,200 0.29 171.36 1.05 Cynoscion regalis Weakfish 2,325 0.56 158.06 0.96 Cnidaria Jellyfish 32 0.01 153.47 0.94 Farfantepenaeus aztecus Brown Shrimp 6,697 1.61 135.58 0.83 Cynoscion nothus Silver Seatrout 2,703 0.65 106.81 0.65 Callinectes sapidus Blue Crab 2,124 0.51 104.78 0.64 Brevoortia tyrannus Atlantic Menhaden 6,809 1.64 98.98 0.60 Sphoeroides maculatus Northern Puffer 212 0.05 73.92 0.45 Paralichthys lethostigma Southern Flounder 512 0.12 70.36 0.43 Purgamentum Rubbish * * 69.12 0.42 Synodus foetens Inshore Lizardfish 663 0.16 64.32 0.39 Anchoa spp. Anchovies 5,428 1.30 63.93 0.39 Squilla empusa Mantis Shrimp 2,852 0.68 61.80 0.38 Miscellaneous Miscellaneous * * 51.71 0.32 Bairdiella chrysoura Silver Perch 1,826 0.44 50.44 0.31 Paralichthys dentatus Summer Flounder 739 0.18 49.89 0.30 Farfantepenaeus duorarum Pink Shrimp 5,060 1.22 49.60 0.30 Rhinoptera bonasus Cownose Ray 27 0.01 45.52 0.28 Peprilus triacanthus Butterfish 763 0.18 45.24 0.28 Menticirrhus saxatilis Northern Kingfish 270 0.06 43.38 0.26 Stellifer lanceolatus Star Drum 3,807 0.91 38.17 0.23 Trinectes maculatus Hogchoker 1,103 0.26 37.03 0.23 Dasyatis sabina Atlantic Stingray 38 0.01 34.85 0.21 Lolliguncula brevis Atlantic Brief Squid 3,566 0.86 31.90 0.19 Dasyatidae Stingrays 25 0.01 31.32 0.19 Dasyatis americana Southern Stingray 14 <0.01 30.86 0.19 Pomatomus saltatrix Bluefish 184 0.04 30.17 0.18 Peprilus paru Harvestfish 570 0.14 29.50 0.18 Chaetodipterus faber Atlantic Spadefish 1,272 0.31 29.41 0.18 Anchoa hepsetus Striped Anchovy 2,938 0.71 25.65 0.16 Opisthonema oglinum Atlantic Thread Herring 2,913 0.70 24.08 0.15 Citharichthys spilopterus Bay Whiff 842 0.20 19.87 0.12 Trachinotus carolinus Florida Pompano 49 0.01 17.79 0.11 continued
106 Table 39. continued. Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Orthopristis chrysoptera Pigfish 281 0.07 13.25 0.08 Triglidae Searobins 975 0.23 12.28 0.07 Gymnura micrura Smooth Butterfly Ray 49 0.01 9.88 0.06 Polydactylus octonemus Atlantic Threadfin 348 0.08 9.44 0.06 Portunus spp. Portunus Crabs 569 0.14 8.47 0.05 Archosargus probatocephalus Sheepshead 22 0.01 8.45 0.05 Opsanus tau Oyster Toadfish 14 <0.01 8.29 0.05 Dorosoma cepedianum Gizzard Shad 20 <0.01 8.12 0.05 Stenotomus caprinus Longspine Porgy 107 0.03 7.44 0.05 Scophthalmus aquosus Windowpane 112 0.03 6.60 0.04 Symphurus spp. Tonguefishes 306 0.07 6.16 0.04 Scomberomorus maculatus Spanish Mackerel 51 0.01 5.18 0.03 Ascidicea Tunicates 45 0.01 5.00 0.03 Paralichthys albigutta Gulf Flounder 29 0.01 4.81 0.03 Larimus fasciatus Banded Drum 110 0.03 4.09 0.02 Raja eglanteria Clearnose Skate 8 <0.01 3.70 0.02 Aluterus spp. Aluterus Filefishes 156 0.04 3.55 0.02 Selene setapinnis Atlantic Moonfish 128 0.03 2.32 0.01 Etropus crossotus Fringed Flounder 102 0.02 2.24 0.01 Ovalipes ocellatus Lady Crab 37 0.01 2.22 0.01 Rhizoprionodon terraenovae Atlantic Sharpnose Shark 5 <0.01 2.01 0.01 Hyporhamphus unifasciatus Atlantic Silverstripe Hal 47 0.01 1.88 0.01 Cynoscion nebulosus Spotted Seatrout 13 <0.01 1.53 0.01 Chloroscombrus chrysurus Atlantic Bumper 91 0.02 1.13 0.01 Thyone briareus Sea Cucumber 4 <0.01 1.09 0.01 Centropristis ocyurus Bank Sea Bass 11 <0.01 1.00 0.01 Rachycentron canadum Cobia 12 <0.01 1.00 0.01 Ancylopsetta quadrocellata Ocellated Flounder 12 <0.01 0.96 0.01 Callinectes similis Lesser Blue Crab 21 0.01 0.93 0.01 Caranx hippos Crevalle Jack 23 0.01 0.77 <0.01 Arenaeus cribarius Speckled Swimming Crab 47 0.01 0.47 <0.01 Mugil cephalus Striped Mullet 22 0.01 0.44 <0.01 Selene vomer Lookdown 33 0.01 0.36 <0.01 Sphyraena spp. Barracudas 7 <0.01 0.27 <0.01 Caranx ruber Bar Jack 12 <0.01 0.25 <0.01
Totals 416,421 100.00 16,382.94 100.00
107 Table 40. Relative biomass (kg) observed in all seasons combined in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – December 2013. Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Micropogonias undulatus Atlantic Croaker 420,235 27.74 12,280.53 34.16 Leiostomus xanthurus Spot 421,465 27.82 8,212.46 22.84 Farfantepenaeus aztecus Brown Shrimp 166,972 11.02 3,566.32 9.92 Litopenaeus setiferus White Shrimp 83,870 5.54 2,424.12 6.74 Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish 97,280 6.42 1,396.80 3.88 Farfantepenaeus duorarum Pink Shrimp 81,882 5.41 1,267.97 3.53 Purgamentum Rubbish * * 1,054.26 2.93 Cynoscion regalis Weakfish 23,663 1.56 910.87 2.53 Paralichthys lethostigma Southern Flounder 1,783 0.12 564.57 1.57 Callinectes sapidus Blue Crab 8,884 0.59 380.42 1.06 Larimus fasciatus Banded Drum 3,466 0.23 304.63 0.85 Brevoortia tyrannus Atlantic Menhaden 8,176 0.54 272.52 0.76 Opisthonema oglinum Atlantic Thread Herring 18,978 1.25 262.60 0.73 Peprilus paru Harvestfish 27,053 1.79 239.62 0.67 Menticirrhus americanus Southern Kingfish 2,816 0.19 235.72 0.66 Miscellaneous Miscellaneous * * 213.89 0.59 Triglidae Searobins 13,065 0.86 196.42 0.55 Synodus foetens Inshore Lizardfish 2,670 0.18 182.67 0.51 Lolliguncula brevis Atlantic Brief Squid 63,785 4.21 181.86 0.51 Dasyatidae Stingrays 498 0.03 180.58 0.50 Squilla empusa Mantis Shrimp 28,384 1.87 170.78 0.47 Pomatomus saltatrix Bluefish 1,248 0.08 167.74 0.47 Scyliorhinidae Cat Sharks 282 0.02 149.87 0.42 Orthopristis chrysoptera Pigfish 3,529 0.23 141.07 0.39 Scomberomorus maculatus Spanish Mackerel 471 0.03 117.03 0.33 Trichiurus lepturus Atlantic Cutlassfish 2,130 0.14 104.12 0.29 Gymnura micrura Smooth Butterfly Ray 499 0.03 102.06 0.28 Cnidaria Jellyfish * * 70.86 0.20 Urophycis floridana Southern Hake 371 0.02 62.64 0.17 Zosteraceae Sea Grasses * * 53.22 0.15 Chaetodipterus faber Atlantic Spadefish 2,458 0.16 45.29 0.13 Chilomycterus schoepfii Striped Burrfish 283 0.02 41.13 0.11 Cynoscion nothus Silver Seatrout 1,182 0.08 36.90 0.10 Paralichthys dentatus Summer Flounder 212 0.01 29.32 0.08 Lagocephalus laevigatus Smooth Puffer 238 0.02 28.80 0.08 Peprilus triacanthus Butterfish 826 0.05 28.37 0.08 Neogastropoda stenoglossa Conchs 51 <0.01 22.68 0.06 Citharichthys spilopterus Bay Whiff 1,482 0.10 21.13 0.06 Anchoa spp. Anchovies 9,830 0.65 20.68 0.06 Opsanus tau Oyster Toadfish 90 0.01 20.36 0.06 Archosargus probatocephalus Sheepshead 40 <0.01 17.76 0.05 Rachycentron canadum Cobia 18 <0.01 16.73 0.05 Centropristis ocyurus Bank Sea Bass 185 0.01 14.78 0.04 continued
108 Table 40. continued. Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Synodus intermedius Sand Diver 102 0.01 14.34 0.04 Cynoscion nebulosus Spotted Seatrout 108 0.01 13.42 0.04 Paralichthys albigutta Gulf Flounder 49 <0.01 12.79 0.04 Bairdiella chrysoura Silver Perch 506 0.03 10.58 0.03 Anchoa hepsetus Striped Anchovy 10,249 0.68 10.20 0.03 Pogonias cromis Black Drum 22 <0.01 9.85 0.03 Ancylopsetta quadrocellata Ocellated Flounder 180 0.01 9.57 0.03 Symphurus spp. Tonguefishes 787 0.05 6.72 0.02 Trinectes maculatus Hogchoker 335 0.02 5.80 0.02 Dorosoma cepedianum Gizzard Shad 11 <0.01 5.67 0.02 Callinectes ornatus Shelligs 143 0.01 5.26 0.01 Centropristis striata Black Sea Bass 38 <0.01 4.76 0.01 Portunus spp. Portunus Crabs 99 0.01 4.37 0.01 Marl Marl Number 4 * * 4.34 0.01 Cynoscion arenarius Sand Seatrout 85 0.01 2.98 0.01 Dasyatis americana Southern Stingray 6 <0.01 2.81 0.01 Urophycis regia Spotted Hake 60 <0.01 2.79 0.01 Dasyatis sabina Atlantic Stingray 6 <0.01 2.44 0.01 Chloroscombrus chrysurus Atlantic Bumper 893 0.06 2.18 0.01 Limulus polyphemus Horseshoe Crab 1 <0.01 1.38 <0.01 Stellifer lanceolatus Star Drum 147 0.01 1.37 <0.01 Selene setapinnis Atlantic Moonfish 445 0.03 1.18 <0.01 Libinia spp. Libinia Spider Crabs 23 <0.01 1.05 <0.01 Chlorophyta Unidentified Green Algae * * 1.00 <0.01 Busycon spp. Whelks 6 <0.01 0.86 <0.01 Peprilus spp. Peprilus Butterfish 40 <0.01 0.81 <0.01 Scophthalmus aquosus Windowpane 28 <0.01 0.70 <0.01 Alosa mediocris Hickory Shad 1 <0.01 0.46 <0.01 Lachnolaimus maximus Hogfish 6 <0.01 0.35 <0.01 Caranx hippos Crevalle Jack 9 <0.01 0.34 <0.01 Carcharhinus limbatus Blacktip Shark 4 <0.01 0.34 <0.01 Sphoeroides maculatus Northern Puffer 8 <0.01 0.33 <0.01 Aluterus spp. Aluterus Filefishes 24 <0.01 0.32 <0.01 Echinodermata Starfish 15 <0.01 0.31 <0.01 Penaeus monodon Giant Tiger Prawn 3 <0.01 0.28 <0.01 Mollusca cephalopoda Squids 27 <0.01 0.21 <0.01 Porichthys plectrodon Atlantic Midshipman 1 <0.01 0.12 <0.01 Paralichthys oblongus Fourspot Flounder 6 <0.01 0.12 <0.01 Prionotus evolans Striped Searobin 3 <0.01 0.06 <0.01 Selene vomer Lookdown 4 <0.01 0.04 <0.01
Totals 1,514,830 100.00 35,954.63 100.00
109 Table 41. Relative biomass (kg) observed in the spring season in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – June 2013. Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Micropogonias undulatus Atlantic Croaker 146,021 27.90 4,090.83 31.73 Leiostomus xanthurus Spot 161,182 30.79 3,197.32 24.80 Farfantepenaeus duorarum Pink Shrimp 78,840 15.06 1,204.74 9.34 Purgamentum Rubbish * * 757.32 5.87 Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish 53,209 10.17 726.79 5.64 Farfantepenaeus aztecus Brown Shrimp 23,472 4.48 456.63 3.54 Larimus fasciatus Banded Drum 3,258 0.62 283.52 2.20 Paralichthys lethostigma Southern Flounder 335 0.06 230.68 1.79 Callinectes sapidus Blue Crab 2,756 0.53 205.22 1.59 Opisthonema oglinum Atlantic Thread Herring 8,426 1.61 153.90 1.19 Cynoscion regalis Weakfish 2,470 0.47 151.88 1.18 Scyliorhinidae Cat Sharks 222 0.04 136.61 1.06 Pomatomus saltatrix Bluefish 753 0.14 119.76 0.93 Litopenaeus setiferus White Shrimp 2,730 0.52 109.05 0.85 Miscellaneous Miscellaneous * * 97.66 0.76 Dasyatidae Stingrays 175 0.03 95.92 0.74 Triglidae Searobins 3,729 0.71 86.10 0.67 Gymnura micrura Smooth Butterfly Ray 380 0.07 85.13 0.66 Squilla empusa Mantis Shrimp 10,156 1.94 83.43 0.65 Menticirrhus americanus Southern Kingfish 485 0.09 63.09 0.49 Peprilus paru Harvestfish 3,844 0.73 58.83 0.46 Synodus foetens Inshore Lizardfish 1,021 0.20 58.55 0.45 Orthopristis chrysoptera Pigfish 1,544 0.30 52.95 0.41 Zosteraceae Sea Grasses * * 51.35 0.40 Chilomycterus schoepfii Striped Burrfish 254 0.05 38.20 0.30 Cnidaria Jellyfish * * 37.07 0.29 Lolliguncula brevis Atlantic Brief Squid 8,188 1.56 34.86 0.27 Trichiurus lepturus Atlantic Cutlassfish 902 0.17 29.92 0.23 Neogastropoda stenoglossa Conchs 51 0.01 22.68 0.18 Scomberomorus maculatus Spanish Mackerel 174 0.03 22.15 0.17 Urophycis floridana Southern Hake 131 0.03 20.71 0.16 Archosargus probatocephalus Sheepshead 40 0.01 17.76 0.14 Cynoscion nothus Silver Seatrout 352 0.07 17.25 0.13 Opsanus tau Oyster Toadfish 27 0.01 14.75 0.11 continued
110 Table 41. continued. Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Paralichthys dentatus Summer Flounder 71 0.01 11.82 0.09 Citharichthys spilopterus Bay Whiff 921 0.18 10.55 0.08 Anchoa spp. Anchovies 5,225 1.00 7.73 0.06 Chaetodipterus faber Atlantic Spadefish 92 0.02 7.29 0.06 Brevoortia tyrannus Atlantic Menhaden 55 0.01 5.92 0.05 Rachycentron canadum Cobia 10 <0.01 5.52 0.04 Lagocephalus laevigatus Smooth Puffer 24 <0.01 5.33 0.04 Symphurus spp. Tonguefishes 692 0.13 4.40 0.03 Bairdiella chrysoura Silver Perch 214 0.04 3.34 0.03 Urophycis regia Spotted Hake 60 0.01 2.79 0.02 Ancylopsetta quadrocellata Ocellated Flounder 24 <0.01 2.39 0.02 Trinectes maculatus Hogchoker 174 0.03 2.25 0.02 Peprilus triacanthus Butterfish 27 0.01 1.51 0.01 Limulus polyphemus Horseshoe Crab 1 <0.01 1.38 0.01 Stellifer lanceolatus Star Drum 147 0.03 1.37 0.01 Dasyatis americana Southern Stingray 2 <0.01 1.18 0.01 Libinia spp. Libinia Spider Crabs 23 <0.01 1.05 0.01 Chlorophyta Unidentified Green Algae * * 1.00 0.01 Busycon spp. Whelks 6 <0.01 0.86 0.01 Peprilus spp. Peprilus Butterfish 40 0.01 0.81 0.01 Scophthalmus aquosus Windowpane 24 <0.01 0.60 <0.01 Dasyatis sabina Atlantic Stingray 2 <0.01 0.59 <0.01 Centropristis ocyurus Bank Sea Bass 7 <0.01 0.53 <0.01 Alosa mediocris Hickory Shad 1 <0.01 0.46 <0.01 Anchoa hepsetus Striped Anchovy 433 0.08 0.43 <0.01 Lachnolaimus maximus Hogfish 2 <0.01 0.19 <0.01 Porichthys plectrodon Atlantic Midshipman 1 <0.01 0.12 <0.01 Paralichthys oblongus Fourspot Flounder 6 <0.01 0.12 <0.01 Prionotus evolans Striped Searobin 3 <0.01 0.06 <0.01 Caranx hippos Crevalle Jack 1 <0.01 0.05 <0.01 Selene vomer Lookdown 4 <0.01 0.04 <0.01
Totals 523,423 100.00 12,894.29 100.00
111 Table 42. Relative biomass (kg) observed in the summer season in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, July – September 2013.
Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Micropogonias undulatus Atlantic Croaker 169,711 27.72 4,750.95 36.39 Farfantepenaeus aztecus Brown Shrimp 139,318 22.75 2,976.39 22.80 Leiostomus xanthurus Spot 150,719 24.61 2,456.49 18.82 Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish 28,183 4.60 396.67 3.04 Cynoscion regalis Weakfish 9,365 1.53 382.32 2.93 Litopenaeus setiferus White Shrimp 12,832 2.10 324.33 2.48 Paralichthys lethostigma Southern Flounder 1,025 0.17 209.55 1.61 Purgamentum Rubbish * * 195.74 1.50 Peprilus paru Harvestfish 20,212 3.30 160.05 1.23 Brevoortia tyrannus Atlantic Menhaden 3,289 0.54 130.11 1.00 Callinectes sapidus Blue Crab 4,808 0.79 121.02 0.93 Menticirrhus americanus Southern Kingfish 1,150 0.19 116.99 0.90 Lolliguncula brevis Atlantic Brief Squid 36,116 5.90 77.00 0.59 Synodus foetens Inshore Lizardfish 1,056 0.17 70.54 0.54 Scomberomorus maculatus Spanish Mackerel 239 0.04 64.29 0.49 Trichiurus lepturus Atlantic Cutlassfish 1,082 0.18 63.77 0.49 Opisthonema oglinum Atlantic Thread Herring 5,931 0.97 59.44 0.46 Squilla empusa Mantis Shrimp 12,634 2.06 56.39 0.43 Farfantepenaeus duorarum Pink Shrimp 2,586 0.42 55.28 0.42 Triglidae Searobins 4,485 0.73 49.68 0.38 Urophycis floridana Southern Hake 240 0.04 41.93 0.32 Pomatomus saltatrix Bluefish 373 0.06 33.33 0.26 Dasyatidae Stingrays 90 0.01 27.77 0.21 Orthopristis chrysoptera Pigfish 665 0.11 27.18 0.21 Chaetodipterus faber Atlantic Spadefish 510 0.08 24.75 0.19 Peprilus triacanthus Butterfish 382 0.06 21.37 0.16 Larimus fasciatus Banded Drum 208 0.03 21.11 0.16 Gymnura micrura Smooth Butterfly Ray 115 0.02 16.37 0.13 Lagocephalus laevigatus Smooth Puffer 136 0.02 15.50 0.12 Centropristis ocyurus Bank Sea Bass 170 0.03 13.59 0.10 Rachycentron canadum Cobia 8 0.00 11.22 0.09 Anchoa spp. Anchovies 3,059 0.50 10.01 0.08 Cynoscion nebulosus Spotted Seatrout 78 0.01 8.72 0.07 Citharichthys spilopterus Bay Whiff 427 0.07 7.58 0.06 Cynoscion nothus Silver Seatrout 324 0.05 7.44 0.06 Ancylopsetta quadrocellata Ocellated Flounder 142 0.02 6.37 0.05 Scyliorhinidae Cat Sharks 11 <0.01 5.99 0.05 Cnidaria Jellyfish * * 5.36 0.04 Callinectes ornatus Shelligs 143 0.02 5.26 0.04 Trinectes maculatus Hogchoker 161 0.03 3.56 0.03 Paralichthys dentatus Summer Flounder 19 <0.01 3.46 0.03 Centropristis striata Black Sea Bass 21 <0.01 3.05 0.02 Dorosoma cepedianum Gizzard Shad 4 <0.01 2.40 0.02 Bairdiella chrysoura Silver Perch 92 0.01 2.02 0.02 Symphurus spp. Tonguefishes 84 0.01 1.93 0.01 Zosteraceae Sea Grasses * * 1.88 0.01 Opsanus tau Oyster Toadfish 7 <0.01 1.88 0.01 Chilomycterus schoepfii Striped Burrfish 13 <0.01 1.69 0.01 Dasyatis americana Southern Stingray 4 <0.01 1.63 0.01 Paralichthys albigutta Gulf Flounder 7 <0.01 1.21 0.01 Carcharhinus limbatus Blacktip Shark 4 <0.01 0.34 <0.01 Sphoeroides maculatus Northern Puffer 8 <0.01 0.33 <0.01 Aluterus spp. Aluterus Filefishes 24 <0.01 0.32 <0.01 Caranx hippos Crevalle Jack 7 <0.01 0.29 <0.01 Mollusca cephalopoda Squids 27 <0.01 0.21 <0.01 Lachnolaimus maximus Hogfish 4 <0.01 0.16 <0.01
Totals 612,308 100.00 13,054.22 100.00
112 Table 43. Relative biomass (kg) observed in the fall season in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, October – December 2013.
Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Micropogonias undulatus Atlantic Croaker 104,504 27.57 3,438.74 34.37 Leiostomus xanthurus Spot 109,563 28.90 2,558.64 25.57 Litopenaeus setiferus White Shrimp 68,308 18.02 1,990.74 19.90 Cynoscion regalis Weakfish 11,828 3.12 376.68 3.76 Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish 15,888 4.19 273.34 2.73 Brevoortia tyrannus Atlantic Menhaden 4,831 1.27 136.49 1.36 Farfantepenaeus aztecus Brown Shrimp 4,182 1.10 133.30 1.33 Paralichthys lethostigma Southern Flounder 423 0.11 124.34 1.24 Miscellaneous Miscellaneous * * 116.22 1.16 Purgamentum Rubbish * * 101.20 1.01 Lolliguncula brevis Atlantic Brief Squid 19,481 5.14 70.00 0.70 Orthopristis chrysoptera Pigfish 1,320 0.35 60.94 0.61 Triglidae Searobins 4,851 1.28 60.64 0.61 Dasyatidae Stingrays 233 0.06 56.89 0.57 Menticirrhus americanus Southern Kingfish 1,181 0.31 55.64 0.56 Callinectes sapidus Blue Crab 1,320 0.35 54.18 0.54 Synodus foetens Inshore Lizardfish 593 0.16 53.57 0.54 Opisthonema oglinum Atlantic Thread Herring 4,621 1.22 49.26 0.49 Squilla empusa Mantis Shrimp 5,594 1.48 30.96 0.31 Scomberomorus maculatus Spanish Mackerel 58 0.02 30.58 0.31 Cnidaria Jellyfish * * 28.43 0.28 Peprilus paru Harvestfish 2,996 0.79 20.74 0.21 Pomatomus saltatrix Bluefish 123 0.03 14.64 0.15 Synodus intermedius Sand Diver 102 0.03 14.34 0.14 Paralichthys dentatus Summer Flounder 122 0.03 14.03 0.14 Chaetodipterus faber Atlantic Spadefish 1,855 0.49 13.25 0.13 Cynoscion nothus Silver Seatrout 506 0.13 12.20 0.12 Paralichthys albigutta Gulf Flounder 42 0.01 11.58 0.12 Trichiurus lepturus Atlantic Cutlassfish 146 0.04 10.44 0.10 Pogonias cromis Black Drum 22 0.01 9.85 0.10 Anchoa hepsetus Striped Anchovy 9,816 2.59 9.77 0.10 Lagocephalus laevigatus Smooth Puffer 78 0.02 7.97 0.08 Farfantepenaeus duorarum Pink Shrimp 456 0.12 7.96 0.08 Scyliorhinidae Cat Sharks 48 0.01 7.27 0.07 Peprilus triacanthus Butterfish 417 0.11 5.49 0.05 Bairdiella chrysoura Silver Perch 201 0.05 5.22 0.05 Cynoscion nebulosus Spotted Seatrout 30 0.01 4.70 0.05 Portunus spp. Portunus Crabs 99 0.03 4.37 0.04 Marl Marl Number 4 * * 4.34 0.04 Opsanus tau Oyster Toadfish 55 0.01 3.74 0.04 Dorosoma cepedianum Gizzard Shad 7 <0.01 3.27 0.03 Citharichthys spilopterus Bay Whiff 134 0.04 3.00 0.03 Cynoscion arenarius Sand Seatrout 85 0.02 2.98 0.03 Anchoa spp. Anchovies 1,546 0.41 2.93 0.03 Chloroscombrus chrysurus Atlantic Bumper 893 0.24 2.18 0.02 Dasyatis sabina Atlantic Stingray 4 <0.01 1.85 0.02 Centropristis striata Black Sea Bass 17 <0.01 1.71 0.02 Chilomycterus schoepfii Striped Burrfish 15 <0.01 1.24 0.01 Selene setapinnis Atlantic Moonfish 445 0.12 1.18 0.01 Ancylopsetta quadrocellata Ocellated Flounder 13 <0.01 0.81 0.01 Centropristis ocyurus Bank Sea Bass 8 <0.01 0.66 0.01 Gymnura micrura Smooth Butterfly Ray 4 <0.01 0.56 0.01 Symphurus spp. Tonguefishes 10 <0.01 0.38 <0.01 Echinodermata Starfish 15 <0.01 0.31 <0.01 Penaeus monodon Giant Tiger Prawn 3 <0.01 0.28 <0.01 Scophthalmus aquosus Windowpane 3 <0.01 0.09 <0.01
Totals 379,099 100.00 10,006.12 100.00
113 Table 44. Relative biomass (kg) observed in all seasons combined in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014. Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Micropogonias undulatus Atlantic Croaker 2,531,242 48.61 61,215.66 49.41 Farfantepenaeus aztecus Brown Shrimp 1,153,807 22.16 21,458.24 17.32 Leiostomus xanthurus Spot 838,454 16.10 17,032.18 13.75 Cynoscion regalis Weakfish 232,170 4.46 6,439.07 5.20 Menticirrhus americanus Southern Kingfish 19,901 0.38 2,505.71 2.02 Brevoortia tyrannus Atlantic Menhaden 49,765 0.96 2,014.63 1.63 Miscellaneous Miscellaneous * * 1,672.85 1.35 Portunus spp. Portunus Crabs 56,110 1.08 1,185.19 0.96 Paralichthys lethostigma Southern Flounder 8,312 0.16 816.70 0.66 Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish 28,156 0.54 813.45 0.66 Litopenaeus setiferus White Shrimp 59,909 1.15 774.50 0.63 Zosteraceae Sea Grasses * * 757.20 0.61 Paralichthys dentatus Summer Flounder 10,184 0.20 679.23 0.55 Callinectes sapidus Blue Crab 17,071 0.33 622.04 0.50 Trinectes maculatus Hogchoker 19,428 0.37 563.74 0.46 Opisthonema oglinum Atlantic Thread Herring 10,286 0.20 559.01 0.45 Gymnura micrura Smooth Butterfly Ray 1,189 0.02 439.67 0.35 Synodus foetens Inshore Lizardfish 8,164 0.16 439.25 0.35 Orthopristis chrysoptera Pigfish 11,359 0.22 344.40 0.28 Farfantepenaeus duorarum Pink Shrimp 34,025 0.65 304.72 0.25 Lolliguncula brevis Atlantic Brief Squid 17,631 0.34 258.69 0.21 Cnidaria Jellyfish 2,112 0.04 248.53 0.20 Dasyatis sabina Atlantic Stingray 1,049 0.02 240.61 0.19 Squilla empusa Mantis Shrimp 17,396 0.33 207.96 0.17 Pomatomus saltatrix Bluefish 1,310 0.03 178.87 0.14 Citharichthys spilopterus Bay Whiff 10,661 0.20 152.83 0.12 Trichiurus lepturus Atlantic Cutlassfish 2,080 0.04 147.66 0.12 Peprilus triacanthus Butterfish 2,314 0.04 144.28 0.12 Symphurus spp. Tonguefishes 4,616 0.09 140.97 0.11 Triglidae Searobins 7,193 0.14 140.18 0.11 Limulus polyphemus Horseshoe Crab 107 <0.01 128.58 0.10 Peprilus paru Harvestfish 2,153 0.04 103.47 0.08 Raja eglanteria Clearnose Skate 215 <0.01 95.16 0.08 Bairdiella chrysoura Silver Perch 5,557 0.11 93.26 0.08 Rhinoptera bonasus Cownose Ray 82 0.00 87.10 0.07 Cynoscion nothus Silver Seatrout 2,176 0.04 81.61 0.07 Scomberomorus maculatus Spanish Mackerel 705 0.01 68.95 0.06 Mollusca cephalopoda Squids 6,404 0.12 67.39 0.05 Chaetodipterus faber Atlantic Spadefish 1,868 0.04 66.77 0.05 Anchoa spp. Anchovies 18,954 0.36 65.90 0.05 Myliobatis freminvillei Bullnose Ray 38 0.00 63.14 0.05 Larimus fasciatus Banded Drum 1,068 0.02 60.49 0.05 Anchoa hepsetus Striped Anchovy 4,873 0.09 52.21 0.04 Aluterus spp. Aluterus Filefishes 1,818 0.03 52.12 0.04 Stomolophus meleagris Jelly Bomb 173 <0.01 32.23 0.03 Rhizoprionodon terraenovae Atlantic Sharpnose Shark 77 <0.01 30.26 0.02 Archosargus probatocephalus Sheepshead 18 <0.01 28.39 0.02 Carcharhinus limbatus Blacktip Shark 91 <0.01 26.30 0.02 Selene setapinnis Atlantic Moonfish 1,207 0.02 22.13 0.02 continued
114 Table 44. continued. Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Selene vomer Lookdown 1,206 0.02 18.23 0.01 Trachinotus carolinus Florida Pompano 32 <0.01 17.58 0.01 Dasyatidae Stingrays 101 <0.01 14.44 0.01 Balistes spp. Balistes Triggerfishes 431 0.01 11.27 0.01 Scophthalmus aquosus Windowpane 296 0.01 10.53 0.01 Sphoeroides maculatus Northern Puffer 43 <0.01 9.94 0.01 Paralichthys albigutta Gulf Flounder 115 <0.01 9.11 0.01 Dorosoma cepedianum Gizzard Shad 20 <0.01 8.06 0.01 Calamus spp. Calamus Porgies 33 <0.01 4.97 <0.01 Opsanus tau Oyster Toadfish 29 <0.01 4.80 <0.01 Ancylopsetta quadrocellata Ocellated Flounder 96 <0.01 4.73 <0.01 Pogonias cromis Black Drum 16 <0.01 4.58 <0.01 Lobotes surinamensis Atlantic Tripletail 5 <0.01 4.02 <0.01 Centropristis ocyurus Bank Sea Bass 113 <0.01 3.89 <0.01 Lagocephalus laevigatus Smooth Puffer 62 <0.01 3.25 <0.01 Prionotus carolinus Northern Searobin 147 <0.01 2.94 <0.01 Menippe mercenaria Florida Stone Crab 18 <0.01 2.80 <0.01 Chilomycterus schoepfii Striped Burrfish 17 <0.01 2.73 <0.01 Stenotomus caprinus Longspine Porgy 46 <0.01 2.31 <0.01 Dasyatis americana Southern Stingray 17 <0.01 2.21 <0.01 Penaeus monodon Giant Tiger Prawn 43 <0.01 2.19 <0.01 Menidia beryllina Inland Silverside 14 <0.01 1.43 <0.01 Arenaeus cribarius Speckled Swimming Crab 168 <0.01 1.40 <0.01 Carangidae Jacks 7 <0.01 1.33 <0.01 Caranx ruber Bar Jack 31 <0.01 1.22 <0.01 Neogastropoda stenoglossa Conchs 6 <0.01 1.08 <0.01 Scomberomorus regalis Cero 27 <0.01 1.07 <0.01 Libinia spp. Libinia Spider Crabs 11 <0.01 0.89 <0.01 Caranx crysos Blue Runner 35 <0.01 0.70 <0.01 Scomberomorus cavalla King Mackerel 13 <0.01 0.66 <0.01 Lachnolaimus maximus Hogfish 18 <0.01 0.64 <0.01 Chloroscombrus chrysurus Atlantic Bumper 33 <0.01 0.53 <0.01 Anchoa mitchilli Bay Anchovy 23 <0.01 0.47 <0.01 Cynoscion nebulosus Spotted Seatrout 7 <0.01 0.46 <0.01 Syngnathus spp. Sygnathus Pipefishes 30 <0.01 0.45 <0.01 Aluterus heudelotii Dotterel Filefish 58 <0.01 0.42 <0.01 Scyliorhinidae Cat Sharks 3 <0.01 0.34 <0.01 Abudefduf saxatilis Sergeant Major 29 <0.01 0.29 <0.01 Aluterus schoepfii Orange Filefish 14 <0.01 0.27 <0.01 Busycon spp. Whelks 2 <0.01 0.24 <0.01 Loligo spp. Loligo Squid 8 <0.01 0.17 <0.01 Mercenaria spp. Quahogs 4 <0.01 0.16 <0.01 Mugil cephalus Striped Mullet 5 <0.01 0.11 <0.01 Eucinostomus argenteus Spotfin Mojarra 5 <0.01 0.10 <0.01 Arbacia punctulata Atlantic Purple Sea Urchin 2 <0.01 0.04 <0.01 Belonidae Needlefishes 2 <0.01 0.04 <0.01
Totals 5,206,917 100.00 123,882.60 100.00
115 Table 45. Relative biomass (kg) observed in the spring season in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – June 2014. Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Micropogonias undulatus Atlantic Croaker 77,435 31.18 1,381.13 30.61 Leiostomus xanthurus Spot 68,449 27.56 1,150.71 25.50 Farfantepenaeus aztecus Brown Shrimp 67,787 27.30 933.77 20.69 Brevoortia tyrannus Atlantic Menhaden 8,554 3.44 188.38 4.17 Callinectes sapidus Blue Crab 2,776 1.12 158.03 3.50 Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish 8,100 3.26 128.27 2.84 Miscellaneous Miscellaneous * * 112.13 2.48 Cnidaria Jellyfish * * 92.85 2.06 Cynoscion regalis Weakfish 1,624 0.65 72.95 1.62 Farfantepenaeus duorarum Pink Shrimp 4,607 1.86 68.57 1.52 Paralichthys lethostigma Southern Flounder 404 0.16 41.43 0.92 Bairdiella chrysoura Silver Perch 2,147 0.86 37.18 0.82 Opisthonema oglinum Atlantic Thread Herring 463 0.19 29.39 0.65 Trichiurus lepturus Atlantic Cutlassfish 934 0.38 23.69 0.52 Orthopristis chrysoptera Pigfish 305 0.12 15.90 0.35 Triglidae Searobins 1,658 0.67 11.80 0.26 Lolliguncula brevis Atlantic Brief Squid 2,134 0.86 10.60 0.23 Synodus foetens Inshore Lizardfish 88 0.04 7.86 0.17 Paralichthys albigutta Gulf Flounder 70 0.03 6.81 0.15 Scomberomorus maculatus Spanish Mackerel 32 0.01 6.65 0.15 Citharichthys spilopterus Bay Whiff 272 0.11 5.39 0.12 Pomatomus saltatrix Bluefish 32 0.01 5.28 0.12 Lobotes surinamensis Atlantic Tripletail 5 <0.01 4.02 0.09 Pogonias cromis Black Drum 10 <0.01 3.99 0.09 Dorosoma cepedianum Gizzard Shad 4 <0.01 2.09 0.05 Squilla empusa Mantis Shrimp 194 0.08 2.00 0.04 Gymnura micrura Smooth Butterfly Ray 14 0.01 1.50 0.03 Carcharhinus limbatus Blacktip Shark 23 0.01 1.48 0.03 Peprilus triacanthus Butterfish 33 0.01 1.23 0.03 Peprilus paru Harvestfish 32 0.01 1.20 0.03 Rhizoprionodon terraenovae Atlantic Sharpnose Shark 8 <0.01 1.10 0.02 Litopenaeus setiferus White Shrimp 14 0.01 1.05 0.02 Menticirrhus americanus Southern Kingfish 27 0.01 0.77 0.02 Chaetodipterus faber Atlantic Spadefish 14 0.01 0.73 0.02 Libinia spp. Libinia Spider Crabs 5 <0.01 0.57 0.01 Chilomycterus schoepfii Striped Burrfish 7 <0.01 0.52 0.01 Opsanus tau Oyster Toadfish 4 <0.01 0.47 0.01 Lagocephalus laevigatus Smooth Puffer 5 <0.01 0.37 0.01 Caranx ruber Bar Jack 15 0.01 0.30 0.01 Ancylopsetta quadrocellata Ocellated Flounder 5 <0.01 0.20 <0.01 Selene vomer Lookdown 29 0.01 0.15 <0.01 Mercenaria spp. Quahogs 2 <0.01 0.13 <0.01 Aluterus spp. Aluterus Filefishes 4 <0.01 0.04 <0.01
Totals 248,325 100.00 4,512.69 100.00
116 Table 46. Relative biomass (kg) observed in the summer season in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, July – September 2014. Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Micropogonias undulatus Atlantic Croaker 2,443,372 49.71 59,432.46 50.30 Farfantepenaeus aztecus Brown Shrimp 1,084,451 22.06 20,492.90 17.35 Leiostomus xanthurus Spot 768,141 15.63 15,808.99 13.38 Cynoscion regalis Weakfish 227,263 4.62 6,288.15 5.32 Menticirrhus americanus Southern Kingfish 19,756 0.40 2,498.96 2.12 Brevoortia tyrannus Atlantic Menhaden 41,130 0.84 1,825.61 1.55 Miscellaneous Miscellaneous * * 1,518.74 1.29 Portunus spp. Portunus Crabs 56,098 1.14 1,185.00 1.00 Paralichthys lethostigma Southern Flounder 7,863 0.16 763.23 0.65 Zosteraceae Sea Grasses * * 757.20 0.64 Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish 19,695 0.40 676.74 0.57 Paralichthys dentatus Summer Flounder 10,134 0.21 669.92 0.57 Litopenaeus setiferus White Shrimp 42,989 0.87 532.18 0.45 Opisthonema oglinum Atlantic Thread Herring 9,823 0.20 529.63 0.45 Trinectes maculatus Hogchoker 17,941 0.37 516.23 0.44 Callinectes sapidus Blue Crab 14,198 0.29 461.74 0.39 Synodus foetens Inshore Lizardfish 7,684 0.16 398.40 0.34 Gymnura micrura Smooth Butterfly Ray 976 0.02 397.61 0.34 Orthopristis chrysoptera Pigfish 10,763 0.22 316.41 0.27 Lolliguncula brevis Atlantic Brief Squid 15,314 0.31 244.86 0.21 Farfantepenaeus duorarum Pink Shrimp 29,359 0.60 235.48 0.20 Dasyatis sabina Atlantic Stingray 966 0.02 226.71 0.19 Squilla empusa Mantis Shrimp 17,202 0.35 205.96 0.17 Pomatomus saltatrix Bluefish 1,271 0.03 172.68 0.15 Cnidaria Jellyfish 2,112 0.04 155.68 0.13 Peprilus triacanthus Butterfish 2,281 0.05 143.05 0.12 Symphurus spp. Tonguefishes 4,540 0.09 138.97 0.12 Citharichthys spilopterus Bay Whiff 9,888 0.20 138.08 0.12 Limulus polyphemus Horseshoe Crab 107 <0.01 128.58 0.11 Triglidae Searobins 5,450 0.11 126.82 0.11 Peprilus paru Harvestfish 2,122 0.04 102.26 0.09 Trichiurus lepturus Atlantic Cutlassfish 881 0.02 93.72 0.08 Raja eglanteria Clearnose Skate 208 <0.01 92.16 0.08 Rhinoptera bonasus Cownose Ray 82 <0.01 87.10 0.07 Cynoscion nothus Silver Seatrout 2,154 0.04 81.06 0.07 Mollusca cephalopoda Squids 6,404 0.13 67.39 0.06 Chaetodipterus faber Atlantic Spadefish 1,853 0.04 66.05 0.06 Anchoa spp. Anchovies 18,766 0.38 65.22 0.06 Myliobatis freminvillei Bullnose Ray 38 0.00 63.14 0.05 Scomberomorus maculatus Spanish Mackerel 667 0.01 60.60 0.05 Aluterus spp. Aluterus Filefishes 1,810 0.04 52.04 0.04 Anchoa hepsetus Striped Anchovy 4,226 0.09 44.82 0.04 Larimus fasciatus Banded Drum 584 0.01 36.79 0.03 Rhizoprionodon terraenovae Atlantic Sharpnose Shark 69 <0.01 29.16 0.02 continued
117 Table 46. continued. Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Archosargus probatocephalus Sheepshead 15 <0.01 25.76 0.02 Carcharhinus limbatus Blacktip Shark 52 <0.01 19.37 0.02 Bairdiella chrysoura Silver Perch 758 0.02 19.17 0.02 Trachinotus carolinus Florida Pompano 30 <0.01 17.38 0.01 Selene setapinnis Atlantic Moonfish 407 0.01 16.87 0.01 Selene vomer Lookdown 1,155 0.02 16.58 0.01 Dasyatidae Stingrays 101 <0.01 14.44 0.01 Balistes spp. Balistes Triggerfishes 431 0.01 11.27 0.01 Sphoeroides maculatus Northern Puffer 43 <0.01 9.94 0.01 Stomolophus meleagris Jelly Bomb 52 <0.01 8.16 0.01 Scophthalmus aquosus Windowpane 223 <0.01 7.35 0.01 Dorosoma cepedianum Gizzard Shad 17 <0.01 5.98 0.01 Calamus spp. Calamus Porgies 33 <0.01 4.97 <0.01 Ancylopsetta quadrocellata Ocellated Flounder 91 <0.01 4.53 <0.01 Centropristis ocyurus Bank Sea Bass 111 <0.01 3.86 <0.01 Opsanus tau Oyster Toadfish 22 <0.01 3.83 <0.01 Prionotus carolinus Northern Searobin 147 <0.01 2.94 <0.01 Lagocephalus laevigatus Smooth Puffer 58 <0.01 2.87 <0.01 Menippe mercenaria Florida Stone Crab 17 <0.01 2.66 <0.01 Stenotomus caprinus Longspine Porgy 46 <0.01 2.31 <0.01 Paralichthys albigutta Gulf Flounder 45 <0.01 2.29 <0.01 Dasyatis americana Southern Stingray 17 <0.01 2.21 <0.01 Chilomycterus schoepfii Striped Burrfish 10 <0.01 2.21 <0.01 Menidia beryllina Inland Silverside 14 <0.01 1.43 <0.01 Arenaeus cribarius Speckled Swimming Crab 168 <0.01 1.40 <0.01 Neogastropoda stenoglossa Conchs 6 <0.01 1.08 <0.01 Scomberomorus regalis Cero 27 <0.01 1.07 <0.01 Caranx ruber Bar Jack 15 <0.01 0.92 <0.01 Caranx crysos Blue Runner 35 <0.01 0.70 <0.01 Scomberomorus cavalla King Mackerel 13 <0.01 0.66 <0.01 Lachnolaimus maximus Hogfish 18 <0.01 0.64 <0.01 Anchoa mitchilli Bay Anchovy 23 <0.01 0.47 <0.01 Syngnathus spp. Sygnathus Pipefishes 30 <0.01 0.45 <0.01 Chloroscombrus chrysurus Atlantic Bumper 28 <0.01 0.43 <0.01 Aluterus heudelotii Dotterel Filefish 58 <0.01 0.42 <0.01 Cynoscion nebulosus Spotted Seatrout 5 <0.01 0.40 <0.01 Scyliorhinidae Cat Sharks 3 <0.01 0.34 <0.01 Libinia spp. Libinia Spider Crabs 5 <0.01 0.32 <0.01 Abudefduf saxatilis Sergeant Major 29 <0.01 0.29 <0.01 Aluterus schoepfii Orange Filefish 14 <0.01 0.27 <0.01 Loligo spp. Loligo Squid 8 <0.01 0.17 <0.01 Penaeus monodon Giant Tiger Prawn 2 <0.01 0.15 <0.01
Totals 4,915,009 100.00 118,147.00 100.00
118 Table 47. Relative biomass (kg) observed in the fall season in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, October – December 2014.
Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Micropogonias undulatus Atlantic Croaker 10,434 23.94 402.08 32.88 Litopenaeus setiferus White Shrimp 16,906 38.79 241.27 19.73 Cynoscion regalis Weakfish 3,283 7.53 77.97 6.38 Leiostomus xanthurus Spot 1,864 4.28 72.48 5.93 Trinectes maculatus Hogchoker 1,487 3.41 47.51 3.89 Miscellaneous Miscellaneous * * 41.98 3.43 Gymnura micrura Smooth Butterfly Ray 198 0.46 40.56 3.32 Bairdiella chrysoura Silver Perch 2,653 6.09 36.90 3.02 Synodus foetens Inshore Lizardfish 391 0.90 32.99 2.70 Farfantepenaeus aztecus Brown Shrimp 1,568 3.60 31.57 2.58 Trichiurus lepturus Atlantic Cutlassfish 265 0.61 30.25 2.47 Stomolophus meleagris Jelly Bomb 122 0.28 24.07 1.97 Larimus fasciatus Banded Drum 484 1.11 23.70 1.94 Dasyatis sabina Atlantic Stingray 83 0.19 13.90 1.14 Orthopristis chrysoptera Pigfish 292 0.67 12.09 0.99 Paralichthys lethostigma Southern Flounder 45 0.10 12.04 0.98 Citharichthys spilopterus Bay Whiff 502 1.15 9.36 0.77 Paralichthys dentatus Summer Flounder 50 0.11 9.31 0.76 Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish 361 0.83 8.44 0.69 Anchoa hepsetus Striped Anchovy 646 1.48 7.39 0.60 Menticirrhus americanus Southern Kingfish 119 0.27 5.98 0.49 Carcharhinus limbatus Blacktip Shark 16 0.04 5.46 0.45 Selene setapinnis Atlantic Moonfish 800 1.84 5.26 0.43 Lolliguncula brevis Atlantic Brief Squid 183 0.42 3.23 0.26 Scophthalmus aquosus Windowpane 73 0.17 3.18 0.26 Raja eglanteria Clearnose Skate 7 0.02 3.00 0.25 Archosargus probatocephalus Sheepshead 3 0.01 2.63 0.22 Callinectes sapidus Blue Crab 97 0.22 2.28 0.19 Penaeus monodon Giant Tiger Prawn 41 0.09 2.04 0.17 Symphurus spp. Tonguefishes 76 0.17 2.00 0.16 Scomberomorus maculatus Spanish Mackerel 7 0.02 1.69 0.14 Triglidae Searobins 85 0.19 1.56 0.13 Selene vomer Lookdown 23 0.05 1.49 0.12 Carangidae Jacks 7 0.02 1.33 0.11 Pomatomus saltatrix Bluefish 7 0.02 0.92 0.07 Anchoa spp. Anchovies 188 0.43 0.68 0.06 Farfantepenaeus duorarum Pink Shrimp 60 0.14 0.67 0.06 Brevoortia tyrannus Atlantic Menhaden 82 0.19 0.64 0.05 Pogonias cromis Black Drum 5 0.01 0.60 0.05 Cynoscion nothus Silver Seatrout 23 0.05 0.55 0.04 Opsanus tau Oyster Toadfish 3 0.01 0.50 0.04 Busycon spp. Whelks 2 <0.01 0.24 0.02 Trachinotus carolinus Florida Pompano 2 <0.01 0.19 0.02 Portunus spp. Portunus Crabs 11 0.03 0.19 0.02 Menippe mercenaria Florida Stone Crab 1 <0.01 0.14 0.01 Mugil cephalus Striped Mullet 5 0.01 0.11 0.01 Chloroscombrus chrysurus Atlantic Bumper 5 0.01 0.10 0.01 Eucinostomus argenteus Spotfin Mojarra 5 0.01 0.10 0.01 Cynoscion nebulosus Spotted Seatrout 2 <0.01 0.06 <0.01 Arbacia punctulata Atlantic Purple Sea Urchin 2 <0.01 0.04 <0.01 Aluterus spp. Aluterus Filefishes 4 0.01 0.04 <0.01 Belonidae Needlefishes 2 <0.01 0.04 <0.01 Mercenaria spp. Quahogs 2 <0.01 0.04 <0.01 Centropristis ocyurus Bank Sea Bass 2 <0.01 0.04 <0.01
Totals 43,583 100.00 1,222.86 100.00
119 Table 48. Relative biomass (kg) observed in all seasons combined in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – August 2015.
Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Farfantepenaeus aztecus Brown Shrimp 686,989 45.32 15,514.06 40.12 Micropogonias undulatus Atlantic Croaker 466,009 30.74 12,228.06 31.62 Leiostomus xanthurus Spot 221,420 14.61 5,313.88 13.74 Squalus acanthias Spiny Dogfish 451 0.03 979.80 2.53 Cynoscion regalis Weakfish 31,421 2.07 770.11 1.99 Callinectes sapidus Blue Crab 23,247 1.53 694.76 1.80 Limulus polyphemus Horseshoe Crab 187 0.01 305.57 0.79 Brevoortia tyrannus Atlantic Menhaden 2,735 0.18 210.37 0.54 Trinectes maculatus Hogchoker 7,149 0.47 201.53 0.52 Dasyatidae Stingrays 94 0.01 163.66 0.42 Paralichthys lethostigma Southern Flounder 1,818 0.12 155.03 0.40 Farfantepenaeus duorarum Pink Shrimp 12,109 0.80 138.57 0.36 Carcharhinus limbatus Blacktip Shark 104 0.01 136.46 0.35 Gymnura micrura Smooth Butterfly Ray 135 0.01 131.42 0.34 Paralichthys dentatus Summer Flounder 2,158 0.14 127.89 0.33 Miscellaneous Miscellaneous * * 108.98 0.29 Opisthonema oglinum Atlantic Thread Herring 3,032 0.20 104.57 0.27 Menticirrhus spp. Kingfishes 1,274 0.08 97.55 0.25 Scomberomorus maculatus Spanish Mackerel 624 0.04 83.81 0.22 Orthopristis chrysoptera Pigfish 2,093 0.14 81.73 0.21 Dasyatis sabina Atlantic Stingray 299 0.02 72.05 0.19 Wood Wood * * 71.78 0.19 Anchoa spp. Anchovies 28,803 1.90 65.95 0.17 Menticirrhus americanus Southern Kingfish 845 0.06 58.85 0.15 Sphoeroides maculatus Northern Puffer 414 0.03 48.48 0.13 Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish 1,199 0.08 48.15 0.12 Citharichthys spp. Whiff Flounders 2,284 0.15 43.12 0.11 Synodus foetens Inshore Lizardfish 773 0.05 40.35 0.10 Mollusca cephalopoda Squids 3,143 0.21 38.56 0.10 Squalus spp. Squalus Dogfish 171 0.01 38.32 0.10 Gymnura spp. Butterfly Rays 29 <0.01 38.18 0.10 Archosargus probatocephalus Sheepshead 9 <0.01 37.47 0.10 Vegetation Vegetation * * 34.88 0.09 Litopenaeus setiferus White Shrimp 23 <0.01 33.54 0.09 Rhinoptera bonasus Cownose Ray 17 <0.01 31.87 0.08 Menticirrhus saxatilis Northern Kingfish 307 0.02 30.20 0.08 Portunus spp. Portunus Crabs 1,468 0.10 30.08 0.08 Bairdiella chrysoura Silver Perch 613 0.04 29.75 0.08 Alosa aestivalis Blueback Herring 328 0.02 27.14 0.07 Chaetodipterus faber Atlantic Spadefish 1,063 0.07 26.13 0.07 Rajiformes Rays 154 0.01 25.48 0.07 Peprilus paru Harvestfish 266 0.02 23.90 0.06 Carcharhinus plumbeus (milberti) Sandbar Shark 8 0.00 19.07 0.05 Paralichthys spp. Paralicthid Flounders 320 0.02 16.79 0.04 Prionotus spp. Prionotus Searobins 747 0.05 16.43 0.04 Ancylopsetta quadrocellata Ocellated Flounder 396 0.03 16.24 0.04 Peprilus triacanthus Butterfish 189 0.01 14.31 0.04 Pomatomus saltatrix Bluefish 157 0.01 14.12 0.04 Crassostrea virginica Eastern Oyster 268 0.02 11.59 0.03 Menidia menidia Atlantic Silverside 2,940 0.19 11.12 0.03 Cynoscion nothus Silver Seatrout 1,044 0.07 9.44 0.02 Squilla empusa Mantis Shrimp 948 0.06 8.22 0.02 Balistes capriscus Gray Triggerfish 845 0.06 7.09 0.02 Alosa spp. River Herrings 83 0.01 6.25 0.02 Paralichthys albigutta Gulf Flounder 24 <0.01 5.37 0.01 continued
120 Table 48. continued. Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass A. mandibulata crustacea Crustaceans * * 4.32 0.01 Trichiurus lepturus Atlantic Cutlassfish 24 <0.01 4.20 0.01 Osteicthyes teleostei Unidentified Fishes 1 <0.01 4.18 0.01 Lagocephalus laevigatus Smooth Puffer 102 0.01 3.78 0.01 Triglidae Searobins 89 0.01 3.33 0.01 Scyphozoa Jellyfish (Scyphozoa) 114 0.01 3.31 0.01 Detritus Detritus * * 3.18 0.01 Zosteraceae Sea Grasses * * 3.03 0.01 Larimus fasciatus Banded Drum 30 <0.01 2.98 0.01 Clupea harengus Atlantic Herring 71 <0.01 2.97 0.01 Aluterus spp. Aluterus Filefishes 178 0.01 2.88 0.01 Symphurus spp. Tonguefishes 227 0.01 2.74 0.01 Trachinotus carolinus Florida Pompano 28 <0.01 2.66 0.01 Selene vomer Lookdown 178 0.01 2.36 0.01 Symphurus diomedeanus Spottedfin Tonguefish 187 0.01 2.31 0.01 Chondrichthyes Sharks 1 <0.01 2.20 0.01 Morone americana White Perch 19 <0.01 1.89 <0.01 Anchoa mitchilli Bay Anchovy 293 0.02 1.88 <0.01 Chlorophyta Unidentified Green Algae * * 1.64 <0.01 Balistidae Triggerfishes 94 0.01 1.64 <0.01 Urophycis spp. Urophycis Hakes 33 <0.01 1.50 <0.01 Cynoscion spp. Seatrouts 9 <0.01 1.37 <0.01 Paralichthys oblongus Fourspot Flounder 214 0.01 1.35 <0.01 Selene setapinnis Atlantic Moonfish 125 0.01 1.35 <0.01 Osteicthyes Bony Fishes 1 <0.01 1.28 <0.01 Canthidermis sufflamen Ocean Triggerfish 146 0.01 1.26 <0.01 Balistes spp. Balistes Triggerfishes 114 0.01 1.18 <0.01 Pleuronectiformes Flounders 0 <0.01 1.00 <0.01 Citharichthys spilopterus Bay Whiff 36 <0.01 0.78 <0.01 Sargassum spp. Sargassum Weed * * 0.57 <0.01 Plastic Plastic * * 0.53 <0.01 Leucoraga ocellata Winter Skate 11 <0.01 0.53 <0.01 Calamus bajonado Jolthead Porgy 12 <0.01 0.40 <0.01 Alosa sapidissima American Shad 6 <0.01 0.37 <0.01 Cynoscion nebulosus Spotted Seatrout 13 <0.01 0.34 <0.01 Clupeidae Herrings 16 <0.01 0.32 <0.01 Rhizoprionodon terraenovae Atlantic Sharpnose Shark 3 <0.01 0.30 <0.01 Caranx hippos Crevalle Jack 28 <0.01 0.28 <0.01 Majidae Spider Crabs 11 <0.01 0.21 <0.01 Fishing line Fishing line * * 0.19 <0.01 Scophthalmus aquosus Windowpane 17 <0.01 0.17 <0.01 Syngnathus spp. Sygnathus Pipefishes 16 <0.01 0.16 <0.01 Neogastropoda stenoglossa Conchs 1 <0.01 0.15 <0.01 Chloroscombrus chrysurus Atlantic Bumper 15 <0.01 0.15 <0.01 Gobionellus spp. Gobionellus Gobies 1 <0.01 0.10 <0.01 Centropristis striata Black Sea Bass 9 <0.01 0.09 <0.01 Monacanthus spp. Monacanthus Filefishes 9 <0.01 0.09 <0.01 Stenotomus chrysops Scup 8 <0.01 0.08 <0.01 Selar crumenophthalmus Bigeye Scad 6 <0.01 0.06 <0.01 Alectis ciliaris African Pompano 1 <0.01 0.04 <0.01 Mugil cephalus Striped Mullet 1 <0.01 0.02 <0.01 Penaeus monodon Giant Tiger Prawn 1 <0.01 0.01 <0.01
Totals 1,515,820 100.00 38,671.79 100.00
121 Table 49. Relative biomass (kg) observed in the spring season in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – June 2015.
Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Squalus acanthias Spiny Dogfish 451 0.58 979.80 33.55 Micropogonias undulatus Atlantic Croaker 20,451 26.48 861.61 29.50 Farfantepenaeus aztecus Brown Shrimp 33,512 43.40 195.32 6.69 Leiostomus xanthurus Spot 5,555 7.19 151.23 5.18 Farfantepenaeus duorarum Pink Shrimp 9,299 12.04 120.46 4.12 Dasyatidae Stingrays 76 0.10 114.87 3.93 Limulus polyphemus Horseshoe Crab 96 0.12 91.15 3.12 Callinectes sapidus Blue Crab 2,153 2.79 73.81 2.53 Squalus spp. Squalus Dogfish 171 0.22 38.32 1.31 Orthopristis chrysoptera Pigfish 828 1.07 38.19 1.31 Rhinoptera bonasus Cownose Ray 17 0.02 31.87 1.09 Gymnura spp. Butterfly Rays 21 0.03 29.38 1.01 Sphoeroides maculatus Northern Puffer 212 0.27 26.37 0.90 Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish 537 0.70 23.85 0.82 Paralichthys dentatus Summer Flounder 613 0.79 19.64 0.67 Carcharhinus plumbeus (milberti) Sandbar Shark 8 0.01 19.07 0.65 Carcharhinus limbatus Blacktip Shark 75 0.10 17.14 0.59 Miscellaneous Miscellaneous * * 11.55 0.40 Bairdiella chrysoura Silver Perch 220 0.29 7.38 0.25 Prionotus spp. Prionotus Searobins 358 0.46 7.10 0.24 Squilla empusa Mantis Shrimp 818 1.06 6.82 0.23 Opisthonema oglinum Atlantic Thread Herring 244 0.32 6.35 0.22 Brevoortia tyrannus Atlantic Menhaden 111 0.14 4.80 0.16 Osteicthyes teleostei Unidentified Fishes 1 <0.01 4.18 0.14 Detritus Detritus * * 3.18 0.11 Clupea harengus Atlantic Herring 71 0.09 2.97 0.10 Scomberomorus maculatus Spanish Mackerel 8 0.01 2.38 0.08 Paralichthys lethostigma Southern Flounder 51 0.07 2.35 0.08 Symphurus diomedeanus Spottedfin Tonguefish 187 0.24 2.31 0.08 Chaetodipterus faber Atlantic Spadefish 14 0.02 2.05 0.07 Cynoscion regalis Weakfish 26 0.03 2.01 0.07 Morone americana White Perch 19 0.02 1.89 0.06 Anchoa mitchilli Bay Anchovy 293 0.38 1.88 0.06 Chlorophyta Unidentified Green Algae * * 1.64 0.06 Urophycis spp. Urophycis Hakes 33 0.04 1.50 0.05 Mollusca cephalopoda Squids 43 0.06 1.45 0.05 Peprilus triacanthus Butterfish 34 0.04 1.41 0.05 Synodus foetens Inshore Lizardfish 4 0.01 1.39 0.05 Cynoscion spp. Seatrouts 9 0.01 1.37 0.05 Osteicthyes Bony Fishes 1 <0.01 1.28 0.04 Paralichthys spp. Paralicthid Flounders 46 0.06 1.21 0.04 Pomatomus saltatrix Bluefish 5 0.01 1.13 0.04 Ancylopsetta quadrocellata Ocellated Flounder 151 0.20 1.01 0.03 Pleuronectiformes Flounders 0 0.00 1.00 0.03 Symphurus spp. Tonguefishes 111 0.14 0.89 0.03 Trinectes maculatus Hogchoker 108 0.14 0.55 0.02 Leucoraga ocellata Winter Skate 11 0.01 0.53 0.02 Paralichthys oblongus Fourspot Flounder 39 0.05 0.40 0.01 Zosteraceae Sea Grasses * * 0.40 0.01 Calamus bajonado Jolthead Porgy 12 0.02 0.40 0.01 Alosa sapidissima American Shad 6 0.01 0.37 0.01 Cynoscion nebulosus Spotted Seatrout 12 0.02 0.33 0.01 Balistes spp. Balistes Triggerfishes 26 0.03 0.30 0.01 Majidae Spider Crabs 11 0.01 0.21 0.01 Scophthalmus aquosus Windowpane 17 0.02 0.17 0.01 Centropristis striata Black Sea Bass 9 0.01 0.09 <0.01 Monacanthus spp. Monacanthus Filefishes 9 0.01 0.09 <0.01 Stenotomus chrysops Scup 8 0.01 0.08 <0.01 Selar crumenophthalmus Bigeye Scad 6 0.01 0.06 <0.01 Menticirrhus spp. Kingfishes 7 0.01 0.05 <0.01 Menticirrhus americanus Southern Kingfish 1 <0.01 0.01 <0.01 Lagocephalus laevigatus Smooth Puffer 2 <0.01 0.01 <0.01
Totals 77,223 100.00 2,920.59 100.00
122 Table 50. Relative biomass (kg) observed in the summer season in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, July – August 2015. Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Farfantepenaeus aztecus Brown Shrimp 653,477 45.42 15,318.74 42.85 Micropogonias undulatus Atlantic Croaker 445,558 30.97 11,366.45 31.79 Leiostomus xanthurus Spot 215,865 15.01 5,162.65 14.44 Cynoscion regalis Weakfish 31,395 2.18 768.10 2.15 Callinectes sapidus Blue Crab 21,093 1.47 620.95 1.74 Limulus polyphemus Horseshoe Crab 91 0.01 214.42 0.60 Brevoortia tyrannus Atlantic Menhaden 2,625 0.18 205.57 0.58 Trinectes maculatus Hogchoker 7,042 0.49 200.98 0.56 Paralichthys lethostigma Southern Flounder 1,767 0.12 152.68 0.43 Gymnura micrura Smooth Butterfly Ray 135 0.01 131.42 0.37 Carcharhinus limbatus Blacktip Shark 30 <0.01 119.32 0.33 Paralichthys dentatus Summer Flounder 1,545 0.11 108.25 0.30 Opisthonema oglinum Atlantic Thread Herring 2,788 0.19 98.22 0.27 Menticirrhus spp. Kingfishes 1,267 0.09 97.49 0.27 Miscellaneous Miscellaneous * * 97.43 0.27 Scomberomorus maculatus Spanish Mackerel 616 0.04 81.42 0.23 Dasyatis sabina Atlantic Stingray 299 0.02 72.05 0.20 Wood Wood * * 71.78 0.20 Anchoa spp. Anchovies 28,803 2.00 65.95 0.18 Menticirrhus americanus Southern Kingfish 844 0.06 58.83 0.16 Dasyatidae Stingrays 18 <0.01 48.79 0.14 Orthopristis chrysoptera Pigfish 1,265 0.09 43.54 0.12 Citharichthys spp. Whiff Flounders 2,284 0.16 43.12 0.12 Synodus foetens Inshore Lizardfish 769 0.05 38.96 0.11 Archosargus probatocephalus Sheepshead 9 <0.01 37.47 0.10 Mollusca cephalopoda Squids 3,100 0.22 37.11 0.10 Vegetation Vegetation * * 34.88 0.10 Litopenaeus setiferus White Shrimp 23 <0.01 33.54 0.09 Menticirrhus saxatilis Northern Kingfish 307 0.02 30.20 0.08 Portunus spp. Portunus Crabs 1,468 0.10 30.08 0.08 Alosa aestivalis Blueback Herring 328 0.02 27.14 0.08 Rajiformes Rays 154 0.01 25.48 0.07 Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish 661 0.05 24.30 0.07 Chaetodipterus faber Atlantic Spadefish 1,049 0.07 24.08 0.07 Peprilus paru Harvestfish 266 0.02 23.90 0.07 Bairdiella chrysoura Silver Perch 393 0.03 22.37 0.06 Sphoeroides maculatus Northern Puffer 202 0.01 22.11 0.06 Farfantepenaeus duorarum Pink Shrimp 2,809 0.20 18.11 0.05 Paralichthys spp. Paralicthid Flounders 274 0.02 15.57 0.04 Ancylopsetta quadrocellata Ocellated Flounder 244 0.02 15.23 0.04 Pomatomus saltatrix Bluefish 153 0.01 13.00 0.04 Peprilus triacanthus Butterfish 155 0.01 12.91 0.04 Crassostrea virginica Eastern Oyster 268 0.02 11.59 0.03 continued
123 Table 50. continued. Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Menidia menidia Atlantic Silverside 2,940 0.20 11.12 0.03 Cynoscion nothus Silver Seatrout 1,044 0.07 9.44 0.03 Prionotus spp. Prionotus Searobins 389 0.03 9.34 0.03 Gymnura spp. Butterfly Rays 8 <0.01 8.80 0.02 Balistes capriscus Gray Triggerfish 845 0.06 7.09 0.02 Alosa spp. River Herrings 83 0.01 6.25 0.02 Paralichthys albigutta Gulf Flounder 24 <0.01 5.37 0.02 A. mandibulata crustacea Crustaceans 0 <0.01 4.32 0.01 Trichiurus lepturus Atlantic Cutlassfish 24 <0.01 4.20 0.01 Lagocephalus laevigatus Smooth Puffer 100 0.01 3.77 0.01 Triglidae Searobins 89 0.01 3.33 0.01 Scyphozoa Jellyfish (Scyphozoa) 114 0.01 3.31 0.01 Larimus fasciatus Banded Drum 30 <0.01 2.98 0.01 Aluterus spp. Aluterus Filefishes 178 0.01 2.88 0.01 Trachinotus carolinus Florida Pompano 28 <0.01 2.66 0.01 Zosteraceae Sea Grasses * * 2.63 0.01 Selene vomer Lookdown 178 0.01 2.36 0.01 Chondrichthyes Sharks 1 <0.01 2.20 0.01 Symphurus spp. Tonguefishes 116 0.01 1.85 0.01 Balistidae Triggerfishes 94 0.01 1.64 <0.01 Squilla empusa Mantis Shrimp 130 0.01 1.40 <0.01 Selene setapinnis Atlantic Moonfish 125 0.01 1.35 <0.01 Canthidermis sufflamen Ocean Triggerfish 146 0.01 1.26 <0.01 Paralichthys oblongus Fourspot Flounder 175 0.01 0.94 <0.01 Balistes spp. Balistes Triggerfishes 88 0.01 0.88 <0.01 Citharichthys spilopterus Bay Whiff 36 <0.01 0.78 <0.01 Sargassum spp. Sargassum Weed * * 0.57 <0.01 Plastic Plastic * * 0.53 <0.01 Clupeidae Herrings 16 <0.01 0.32 <0.01 Rhizoprionodon terraenovae Atlantic Sharpnose Shark 3 <0.01 0.30 <0.01 Caranx hippos Crevalle Jack 28 <0.01 0.28 <0.01 Fishing line Fishing line * * 0.19 <0.01 Syngnathus spp. Sygnathus Pipefishes 16 <0.01 0.16 <0.01 Neogastropoda stenoglossa Conchs 1 <0.01 0.15 <0.01 Chloroscombrus chrysurus Atlantic Bumper 15 <0.01 0.15 <0.01 Gobionellus spp. Gobionellus Gobies 1 <0.01 0.10 <0.01 Alectis ciliaris African Pompano 1 <0.01 0.04 <0.01 Mugil cephalus Striped Mullet 1 <0.01 0.02 <0.01 Penaeus monodon Giant Tiger Prawn 1 <0.01 0.01 <0.01 Cynoscion nebulosus Spotted Seatrout 1 <0.01 0.01 <0.01
Totals 1,438,597 100.00 35,751.20 100.00
124 Table 51. Relative biomass (kg) observed in all seasons combined in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the ocean waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012. Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Leiostomus xanthurus Spot 152,013 26.19 4,859.95 21.46 Micropogonias undulatus Atlantic Croaker 94,320 16.25 4,483.70 19.80 Trichiurus lepturus Atlantic Cutlassfish 18,303 3.15 2,452.99 10.83 Litopenaeus setiferus White Shrimp 117,077 20.17 2,373.60 10.48 Cnidaria Jellyfish 1,941 0.33 1,506.08 6.65 Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish 27,474 4.73 801.93 3.54 Farfantepenaeus aztecus Brown Shrimp 34,120 5.88 663.09 2.93 Gymnura micrura Smooth Butterfly Ray 1,967 0.34 589.32 2.60 Menticirrhus americanus Southern Kingfish 13,036 2.25 468.32 2.07 Cynoscion regalis Weakfish 6,115 1.05 446.38 1.97 Cynoscion nothus Silver Seatrout 10,574 1.82 401.50 1.77 Larimus fasciatus Banded Drum 8,175 1.41 352.93 1.56 Bairdiella chrysoura Silver Perch 12,157 2.09 345.97 1.53 Stellifer lanceolatus Star Drum 20,466 3.53 186.68 0.82 Synodus foetens Inshore Lizardfish 1,399 0.24 162.71 0.72 Peprilus triacanthus Butterfish 3,674 0.63 159.95 0.71 Lolliguncula brevis Atlantic Brief Squid 11,237 1.94 147.39 0.65 Orthopristis chrysoptera Pigfish 4,215 0.73 144.53 0.64 Scyliorhinidae Cat Sharks 113 0.02 136.94 0.60 Miscellaneous Miscellaneous * * 115.75 0.51 Peprilus paru Harvestfish 2,833 0.49 113.98 0.50 Chloroscombrus chrysurus Atlantic Bumper 1,065 0.18 105.53 0.47 Sphoeroides maculatus Northern Puffer 410 0.07 101.31 0.45 Urophycis floridana Southern Hake 470 0.08 93.49 0.41 Stenotomus caprinus Longspine Porgy 1,569 0.27 85.78 0.38 Paralichthys dentatus Summer Flounder 474 0.08 84.62 0.37 Anchoa hepsetus Striped Anchovy 7,361 1.27 77.05 0.34 Carcharhinus limbatus Blacktip Shark 234 0.04 75.24 0.33 Squalus spp. Squalus Dogfish 40 0.01 74.45 0.33 Purgamentum Rubbish * * 72.11 0.32 Raja eglanteria Clearnose Skate 116 0.02 64.02 0.28 Paralichthys lethostigma Southern Flounder 289 0.05 54.75 0.24 Pomatomus saltatrix Bluefish 418 0.07 54.30 0.24 Selene setapinnis Atlantic Moonfish 4,449 0.77 49.59 0.22 Sphyrna tiburo Bonnethead Shark 20 <0.01 49.25 0.22 Lagocephalus laevigatus Smooth Puffer 208 0.04 46.35 0.20 Urophycis regia Spotted Hake 322 0.06 44.12 0.19 Zosteraceae Sea Grasses * * 43.49 0.19 Anchoa spp. Anchovies 4,082 0.70 43.40 0.19 Brevoortia tyrannus Atlantic Menhaden 1,508 0.26 43.09 0.19 Opisthonema oglinum Atlantic Thread Herring 1,503 0.26 42.98 0.19 Rhinoptera bonasus Cownose Ray 23 0.00 32.27 0.14 Scomberomorus maculatus Spanish Mackerel 209 0.04 30.07 0.13 Menidia menidia Atlantic Silverside 1,932 0.33 29.59 0.13 Portunus spp. Portunus Crabs 1,960 0.34 25.52 0.11 Scophthalmus aquosus Windowpane 435 0.07 21.51 0.09 Selene vomer Lookdown 2,016 0.35 20.87 0.09 continued
125 Table 51. continued. Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Triglidae Searobins 962 0.17 20.02 0.09 Dasyatidae Stingrays 30 0.01 19.52 0.09 Dasyatis americana Southern Stingray 41 0.01 16.78 0.07 Stenotomus chrysops Scup 303 0.05 16.48 0.07 Etropus crossotus Fringed Flounder 773 0.13 14.88 0.07 Dasyatis sabina Atlantic Stingray 34 0.01 14.43 0.06 Cynoscion nebulosus Spotted Seatrout 88 0.02 13.03 0.06 Paralichthys albigutta Gulf Flounder 97 0.02 12.45 0.05 Citharichthys spilopterus Bay Whiff 700 0.12 12.44 0.05 Rhizoprionodon terraenovae Atlantic Sharpnose Shark 15 0.00 12.29 0.05 Squilla empusa Mantis Shrimp 415 0.07 10.31 0.05 Pogonias cromis Black Drum 117 0.02 9.90 0.04 Trachinotus carolinus Florida Pompano 48 0.01 9.67 0.04 Menticirrhus saxatilis Northern Kingfish 188 0.03 8.94 0.04 Callinectes similis Lesser Blue Crab 163 0.03 7.19 0.03 Callinectes sapidus Blue Crab 261 0.04 7.01 0.03 Symphurus spp. Tonguefishes 247 0.04 6.51 0.03 Elopmorpha ang. anguilloidea Eels 5 <0.01 6.47 0.03 Anchoa mitchilli Bay Anchovy 363 0.06 4.93 0.02 Ascidicea Tunicates 60 0.01 4.80 0.02 Caranx ruber Bar Jack 145 0.02 4.69 0.02 Caranx spp. Caranx Jacks 29 0.01 4.11 0.02 Thyone briareus Sea Cucumber 66 0.01 3.96 0.02 Farfantepenaeus duorarum Pink Shrimp 207 0.04 3.93 0.02 Chaetodipterus faber Atlantic Spadefish 66 0.01 3.60 0.02 Centropristis striata Black Sea Bass 29 <0.01 3.47 0.02 Trinectes maculatus Hogchoker 89 0.02 2.29 0.01 Stomolophus meleagris Jelly Bomb 9 <0.01 2.28 0.01 Sphyraena borealis Northern Sennet 68 0.01 1.42 0.01 Urophycis spp. Urophycis Hakes 11 <0.01 1.35 0.01 Peprilus spp. Peprilus Butterfish 12 <0.01 1.00 <0.01 Squalus acanthias Spiny Dogfish 9 <0.01 0.75 <0.01 Menidia beryllina Inland Silverside 36 0.01 0.71 <0.01 Echinodermata Starfish 9 <0.01 0.54 <0.01 Eucinostomus argenteus Spotfin Mojarra 24 <0.01 0.48 <0.01 Sphyraena spp. Barracudas 20 <0.01 0.41 <0.01 Majidae Spider Crabs 9 <0.01 0.36 <0.01 Centropristis ocyurus Bank Sea Bass 9 <0.01 0.36 <0.01 Arbacia punctulata Atlantic Purple Sea Urchin 8 <0.01 0.16 <0.01 Menticirrhus littoralis Gulf Kingfish 2 <0.01 0.10 <0.01 Ancylopsetta quadrocellata Ocellated Flounder 1 <0.01 0.08 <0.01 Prionotus evolans Striped Searobin 8 <0.01 0.08 <0.01 Syngnathus spp. Sygnathus Pipefishes 6 <0.01 0.06 <0.01 Hippocampus spp. Seahorses 3 <0.01 0.05 <0.01
Totals 580,345 100.00 22,642.71 100.00
126 Table 52. Relative biomass (kg) observed in the summer season in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the ocean waters of North Carolina, August – September 2012.
Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Micropogonias undulatus Atlantic Croaker 77,107 23.21 3,921.77 24.59 Leiostomus xanthurus Spot 94,757 28.53 3,476.87 21.80 Trichiurus lepturus Atlantic Cutlassfish 16,467 4.96 2,284.82 14.33 Cnidaria Jellyfish 1,937 0.58 1,505.57 9.44 Farfantepenaeus aztecus Brown Shrimp 33,518 10.09 645.40 4.05 Litopenaeus setiferus White Shrimp 29,941 9.01 631.63 3.96 Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish 12,082 3.64 591.68 3.71 Gymnura micrura Smooth Butterfly Ray 1,846 0.56 539.86 3.38 Cynoscion nothus Silver Seatrout 8,548 2.57 348.31 2.18 Larimus fasciatus Banded Drum 7,047 2.12 329.02 2.06 Cynoscion regalis Weakfish 3,361 1.01 301.63 1.89 Stellifer lanceolatus Star Drum 16,028 4.83 142.35 0.89 Orthopristis chrysoptera Pigfish 3,854 1.16 132.62 0.83 Synodus foetens Inshore Lizardfish 1,068 0.32 110.34 0.69 Menticirrhus americanus Southern Kingfish 1,971 0.59 102.71 0.64 Chloroscombrus chrysurus Atlantic Bumper 988 0.30 100.85 0.63 Bairdiella chrysoura Silver Perch 1,113 0.34 89.01 0.56 Peprilus paru Harvestfish 1,133 0.34 81.20 0.51 Carcharhinus limbatus Blacktip Shark 234 0.07 75.24 0.47 Stenotomus caprinus Longspine Porgy 1,216 0.37 62.33 0.39 Lolliguncula brevis Atlantic Brief Squid 2,735 0.82 45.68 0.29 Miscellaneous Miscellaneous * * 37.53 0.24 Purgamentum Rubbish * * 35.50 0.22 Selene setapinnis Atlantic Moonfish 3,701 1.11 33.55 0.21 Rhinoptera bonasus Cownose Ray 23 0.01 32.27 0.20 Scomberomorus maculatus Spanish Mackerel 209 0.06 30.07 0.19 Paralichthys dentatus Summer Flounder 118 0.04 26.51 0.17 Selene vomer Lookdown 1,978 0.60 20.57 0.13 Peprilus triacanthus Butterfish 325 0.10 20.24 0.13 Anchoa spp. Anchovies 3,445 1.04 19.63 0.12 Stenotomus chrysops Scup 303 0.09 16.48 0.10 Pomatomus saltatrix Bluefish 53 0.02 13.74 0.09 Dasyatis americana Southern Stingray 24 0.01 13.66 0.09 Triglidae Searobins 816 0.25 12.33 0.08 Lagocephalus laevigatus Smooth Puffer 148 0.04 11.06 0.07 Citharichthys spilopterus Bay Whiff 595 0.18 10.67 0.07 Opisthonema oglinum Atlantic Thread Herring 245 0.07 9.50 0.06 Trachinotus carolinus Florida Pompano 44 0.01 8.35 0.05 Brevoortia tyrannus Atlantic Menhaden 80 0.02 8.19 0.05 Paralichthys lethostigma Southern Flounder 36 0.01 8.01 0.05 Etropus crossotus Fringed Flounder 341 0.10 6.30 0.04 Scophthalmus aquosus Windowpane 224 0.07 6.29 0.04 Anchoa mitchilli Bay Anchovy 322 0.10 4.83 0.03 Ascidicea Tunicates 60 0.02 4.80 0.03 Caranx ruber Bar Jack 145 0.04 4.69 0.03 Callinectes sapidus Blue Crab 206 0.06 4.53 0.03 Caranx spp. Caranx Jacks 29 0.01 4.11 0.03 Thyone briareus Sea Cucumber 66 0.02 3.96 0.02 Anchoa hepsetus Striped Anchovy 493 0.15 3.55 0.02 Centropristis striata Black Sea Bass 29 0.01 3.47 0.02 Paralichthys albigutta Gulf Flounder 20 0.01 3.22 0.02 Chaetodipterus faber Atlantic Spadefish 55 0.02 3.15 0.02 Portunus spp. Portunus Crabs 296 0.09 2.40 0.02 Squilla empusa Mantis Shrimp 83 0.03 1.82 0.01 Menticirrhus saxatilis Northern Kingfish 70 0.02 1.02 0.01 Sphoeroides maculatus Northern Puffer 23 0.01 0.91 0.01 Trinectes maculatus Hogchoker 65 0.02 0.89 0.01 Sphyraena borealis Northern Sennet 40 0.01 0.81 0.01 Squalus acanthias Spiny Dogfish 9 <0.01 0.75 <0.01 Menidia beryllina Inland Silverside 36 0.01 0.71 <0.01 Ancylopsetta quadrocellata Ocellated Flounder 1 <0.01 0.08 <0.01
Totals 332,153 100.00 15,949.04 100.00
127 Table 53. Relative biomass (kg) observed in the fall season in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the ocean waters of North Carolina, October – December 2012. Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Litopenaeus setiferus White Shrimp 87,137 35.11 1,741.97 26.02 Leiostomus xanthurus Spot 57,256 23.07 1,383.09 20.66 Micropogonias undulatus Atlantic Croaker 17,213 6.94 561.94 8.40 Menticirrhus americanus Southern Kingfish 11,065 4.46 365.61 5.46 Bairdiella chrysoura Silver Perch 11,044 4.45 256.96 3.84 Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish 15,392 6.20 210.25 3.14 Trichiurus lepturus Atlantic Cutlassfish 1,836 0.74 168.17 2.51 Cynoscion regalis Weakfish 2,753 1.11 144.75 2.16 Peprilus triacanthus Butterfish 3,349 1.35 139.70 2.09 Scyliorhinidae Cat Sharks 113 0.05 136.94 2.05 Lolliguncula brevis Atlantic Brief Squid 8,502 3.43 101.71 1.52 Sphoeroides maculatus Northern Puffer 387 0.16 100.41 1.50 Urophycis floridana Southern Hake 470 0.19 93.49 1.40 Miscellaneous Miscellaneous * * 78.22 1.17 Squalus spp. Squalus Dogfish 40 0.02 74.45 1.11 Anchoa hepsetus Striped Anchovy 6,868 2.77 73.51 1.10 Raja eglanteria Clearnose Skate 116 0.05 64.02 0.96 Paralichthys dentatus Summer Flounder 355 0.14 58.12 0.87 Cynoscion nothus Silver Seatrout 2,025 0.82 53.19 0.79 Synodus foetens Inshore Lizardfish 331 0.13 52.37 0.78 Gymnura micrura Smooth Butterfly Ray 121 0.05 49.46 0.74 Sphyrna tiburo Bonnethead Shark 20 0.01 49.25 0.74 Paralichthys lethostigma Southern Flounder 254 0.10 46.73 0.70 Stellifer lanceolatus Star Drum 4,437 1.79 44.33 0.66 Urophycis regia Spotted Hake 322 0.13 44.12 0.66 Zosteraceae Sea Grasses * * 43.49 0.65 Pomatomus saltatrix Bluefish 365 0.15 40.56 0.61 Purgamentum Rubbish * * 36.61 0.55 Lagocephalus laevigatus Smooth Puffer 60 0.02 35.30 0.53 Brevoortia tyrannus Atlantic Menhaden 1,428 0.58 34.90 0.52 Opisthonema oglinum Atlantic Thread Herring 1,257 0.51 33.47 0.50 Peprilus paru Harvestfish 1,700 0.68 32.79 0.49 Menidia menidia Atlantic Silverside 1,932 0.78 29.59 0.44 Larimus fasciatus Banded Drum 1,127 0.45 23.91 0.36 Anchoa spp. Anchovies 637 0.26 23.76 0.36 Stenotomus caprinus Longspine Porgy 354 0.14 23.45 0.35 Portunus spp. Portunus Crabs 1,664 0.67 23.12 0.35 Dasyatidae Stingrays 30 0.01 19.52 0.29 Farfantepenaeus aztecus Brown Shrimp 603 0.24 17.70 0.26 continued
128 Table 53. continued. Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Selene setapinnis Atlantic Moonfish 748 0.30 16.04 0.24 Scophthalmus aquosus Windowpane 211 0.08 15.21 0.23 Dasyatis sabina Atlantic Stingray 34 0.01 14.43 0.22 Cynoscion nebulosus Spotted Seatrout 88 0.04 13.03 0.19 Rhizoprionodon terraenovae Atlantic Sharpnose Shark 15 0.01 12.29 0.18 Orthopristis chrysoptera Pigfish 361 0.15 11.91 0.18 Pogonias cromis Black Drum 117 0.05 9.90 0.15 Paralichthys albigutta Gulf Flounder 77 0.03 9.23 0.14 Etropus crossotus Fringed Flounder 432 0.17 8.58 0.13 Squilla empusa Mantis Shrimp 332 0.13 8.48 0.13 Menticirrhus saxatilis Northern Kingfish 118 0.05 7.92 0.12 Triglidae Searobins 146 0.06 7.68 0.11 Callinectes similis Lesser Blue Crab 163 0.07 7.19 0.11 Symphurus spp. Tonguefishes 247 0.10 6.51 0.10 Elopmorpha ang. anguilloidea Eels 5 <0.01 6.47 0.10 Chloroscombrus chrysurus Atlantic Bumper 76 0.03 4.68 0.07 Farfantepenaeus duorarum Pink Shrimp 207 0.08 3.93 0.06 Dasyatis americana Southern Stingray 17 0.01 3.12 0.05 Callinectes sapidus Blue Crab 55 0.02 2.48 0.04 Stomolophus meleagris Jelly Bomb 9 <0.01 2.28 0.03 Citharichthys spilopterus Bay Whiff 105 0.04 1.77 0.03 Trinectes maculatus Hogchoker 24 0.01 1.40 0.02 Urophycis spp. Urophycis Hakes 11 <0.01 1.35 0.02 Trachinotus carolinus Florida Pompano 5 <0.01 1.33 0.02 Peprilus spp. Peprilus Butterfish 12 0.01 1.00 0.01 Sphyraena borealis Northern Sennet 28 0.01 0.62 0.01 Echinodermata Starfish 9 <0.01 0.54 0.01 Cnidaria Jellyfish 4 <0.01 0.51 0.01 Eucinostomus argenteus Spotfin Mojarra 24 0.01 0.48 0.01 Chaetodipterus faber Atlantic Spadefish 11 <0.01 0.45 0.01 Sphyraena spp. Barracudas 20 0.01 0.41 0.01 Majidae Spider Crabs 9 <0.01 0.36 0.01 Centropristis ocyurus Bank Sea Bass 9 <0.01 0.36 0.01 Selene vomer Lookdown 38 0.02 0.30 <0.01 Arbacia punctulata Atlantic Purple Sea Urchin 8 <0.01 0.16 <0.01 Anchoa mitchilli Bay Anchovy 41 0.02 0.10 <0.01 Menticirrhus littoralis Gulf Kingfish 2 <0.01 0.10 <0.01 Prionotus evolans Striped Searobin 8 <0.01 0.08 <0.01 Syngnathus spp. Sygnathus Pipefishes 6 <0.01 0.06 <0.01 Hippocampus spp. Seahorses 3 <0.01 0.05 <0.01
Totals 248,191 100.00 6,693.67 100.00
129 Table 54. Relative biomass (kg) observed in all seasons combined in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the ocean waters of North Carolina, April – December 2013. Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Micropogonias undulatus Atlantic Croaker 172,335 18.55 6,760.71 25.59 Leiostomus xanthurus Spot 88,592 9.53 3,111.30 11.78 Farfantepenaeus aztecus Brown Shrimp 245,320 26.40 2,384.36 9.02 Farfantepenaeus duorarum Pink Shrimp 158,803 17.09 1,643.45 6.22 Cnidaria Jellyfish 2,549 0.27 1,609.79 6.09 Litopenaeus setiferus White Shrimp 62,516 6.73 1,444.51 5.47 Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish 35,120 3.78 1,308.00 4.95 Ascidicea Tunicates 5,942 0.64 958.68 3.63 Raja eglanteria Clearnose Skate 1,634 0.18 809.34 3.06 Trichiurus lepturus Atlantic Cutlassfish 10,058 1.08 759.63 2.87 Larimus fasciatus Banded Drum 4,254 0.46 410.39 1.55 Myliobatis freminvillei Bullnose Ray 643 0.07 407.44 1.54 Portunus spp. Portunus Crabs 22,098 2.38 390.23 1.48 Gymnura micrura Smooth Butterfly Ray 1,080 0.12 342.37 1.30 Zosteraceae Sea Grasses * * 328.71 1.24 Cynoscion regalis Weakfish 2,633 0.28 252.03 0.95 Cynoscion nothus Silver Seatrout 6,260 0.67 221.55 0.84 Menticirrhus americanus Southern Kingfish 1,836 0.20 184.44 0.70 Lolliguncula brevis Atlantic Brief Squid 15,255 1.64 170.70 0.65 Peprilus triacanthus Butterfish 5,546 0.60 165.35 0.63 Dasyatidae Stingrays 334 0.04 148.29 0.56 Selene setapinnis Atlantic Moonfish 5,436 0.59 144.39 0.55 Stellifer lanceolatus Star Drum 15,318 1.65 134.03 0.51 Purgamentum Rubbish * * 124.85 0.47 Triglidae Searobins 13,462 1.45 123.16 0.47 Rhinoptera bonasus Cownose Ray 226 0.02 120.87 0.46 Orthopristis chrysoptera Pigfish 2,486 0.27 113.45 0.43 Synodus foetens Inshore Lizardfish 1,319 0.14 110.58 0.42 Peprilus paru Harvestfish 4,064 0.44 110.02 0.42 Dasyatis americana Southern Stingray 149 0.02 104.08 0.39 Carcharhinus limbatus Blacktip Shark 587 0.06 102.64 0.39 Pomatomus saltatrix Bluefish 582 0.06 88.18 0.33 Rhizoprionodon terraenovae Atlantic Sharpnose Shark 436 0.05 87.59 0.33 Brevoortia tyrannus Atlantic Menhaden 1,159 0.12 82.62 0.31 Scomberomorus maculatus Spanish Mackerel 392 0.04 82.13 0.31 Paralichthys dentatus Summer Flounder 789 0.08 80.25 0.30 Chlorophyta Unidentified Green Algae * * 77.86 0.29 Urophycis regia Spotted Hake 4,077 0.44 76.79 0.29 Paralichthys lethostigma Southern Flounder 421 0.05 73.34 0.28 Scophthalmus aquosus Windowpane 2,919 0.31 59.99 0.23 Miscellaneous Miscellaneous * * 56.95 0.22 Anchoa hepsetus Striped Anchovy 6,884 0.74 56.81 0.22 Dasyatis sabina Atlantic Stingray 72 0.01 56.60 0.21 Menidia menidia Atlantic Silverside 7,409 0.80 50.51 0.19 Trinectes maculatus Hogchoker 1,535 0.17 44.89 0.17 Opisthonema oglinum Atlantic Thread Herring 2,617 0.28 44.88 0.17 Squilla empusa Mantis Shrimp 4,926 0.53 44.86 0.17 Callinectes sapidus Blue Crab 828 0.09 44.14 0.17 continued
130 Table 54. continued. Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Selene vomer Lookdown 686 0.07 27.52 0.10 Urophycis floridana Southern Hake 174 0.02 25.92 0.10 Lagocephalus laevigatus Smooth Puffer 133 0.01 18.19 0.07 Chloroscombrus chrysurus Atlantic Bumper 372 0.04 15.23 0.06 Chilomycterus schoepfii Striped Burrfish 145 0.02 14.70 0.06 Stenotomus caprinus Longspine Porgy 296 0.03 12.95 0.05 Opsanus tau Oyster Toadfish 46 <0.01 12.46 0.05 Symphurus spp. Tonguefishes 544 0.06 12.36 0.05 Centropristis ocyurus Bank Sea Bass 299 0.03 11.96 0.05 Porifera Sponges * * 11.82 0.04 Caranx hippos Crevalle Jack 173 0.02 11.25 0.04 Citharichthys spilopterus Bay Whiff 487 0.05 10.18 0.04 Arbacia punctulata Atlantic Purple Sea Urchin 501 0.05 10.14 0.04 Paralichthys albigutta Gulf Flounder 47 0.01 9.93 0.04 Menticirrhus saxatilis Northern Kingfish 68 0.01 9.22 0.03 Peprilus spp. Peprilus Butterfish 630 0.07 8.81 0.03 Centropristis striata Black Sea Bass 82 0.01 8.53 0.03 Chaetodipterus faber Atlantic Spadefish 76 0.01 8.20 0.03 Bairdiella chrysoura Silver Perch 189 0.02 8.15 0.03 Pogonias cromis Black Drum 18 <0.01 6.74 0.03 Dorosoma cepedianum Gizzard Shad 16 <0.01 6.43 0.02 Scyliorhinidae Cat Sharks 13 <0.01 6.04 0.02 Trachinotus carolinus Florida Pompano 39 <0.01 5.11 0.02 Ancylopsetta quadrocellata Ocellated Flounder 162 0.02 5.06 0.02 Sphyrna tiburo Bonnethead Shark 3 <0.01 4.36 0.02 Anchoa spp. Anchovies 2,058 0.22 4.06 0.02 Sphoeroides maculatus Northern Puffer 17 <0.01 3.99 0.02 Cynoscion arenarius Sand Seatrout 22 <0.01 3.29 0.01 Astroscopus spp. Astroscopus Stargazers 188 0.02 3.25 0.01 Etropus crossotus Fringed Flounder 114 0.01 2.50 0.01 Scomberomorus cavalla King Mackerel 105 0.01 2.47 0.01 Echinoidea Echinoides 106 0.01 2.44 0.01 Archosargus probatocephalus Sheepshead 17 0.00 2.10 0.01 Echeneis naucrates Sharksucker 20 0.00 1.97 0.01 Lachnolaimus maximus Hogfish 57 0.01 1.70 0.01 Penaeus monodon Giant Tiger Prawn 10 <0.01 1.07 <0.01 Libinia spp. Libinia Spider Crabs 11 <0.01 0.87 <0.01 Sphyraena borealis Northern Sennet 109 0.01 0.58 <0.01 Aluterus spp. Aluterus Filefishes 54 0.01 0.54 <0.01 Cynoscion nebulosus Spotted Seatrout 4 <0.01 0.53 <0.01 Sicyonia brevirostris Brown Rock Shrimp 40 <0.01 0.53 <0.01 Paralichthys oblongus Fourspot Flounder 20 <0.01 0.39 <0.01 Mugil cephalus Striped Mullet 3 <0.01 0.33 <0.01 Xiphopenaeus kroyeri Atlantic Seabob 66 0.01 0.26 <0.01 Sicyonia spp. Rock Shrimps 18 <0.01 0.18 <0.01
Totals 929,222 100.00 26,422.07 100.00
131 Table 55. Relative biomass (kg) observed in the spring season in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the ocean waters of North Carolina, April – June 2013. Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Micropogonias undulatus Atlantic Croaker 76,846 13.62 2,347.93 19.29 Farfantepenaeus duorarum Pink Shrimp 157,083 27.83 1,620.16 13.31 Farfantepenaeus aztecus Brown Shrimp 171,472 30.38 1,425.53 11.71 Leiostomus xanthurus Spot 46,028 8.16 1,098.73 9.03 Ascidicea Tunicates 5,942 1.05 958.68 7.88 Myliobatis freminvillei Bullnose Ray 643 0.11 407.44 3.35 Portunus spp. Portunus Crabs 21,634 3.83 380.94 3.13 Raja eglanteria Clearnose Skate 1,137 0.20 374.32 3.08 Litopenaeus setiferus White Shrimp 10,732 1.90 329.63 2.71 Larimus fasciatus Banded Drum 2,894 0.51 328.53 2.70 Cnidaria Jellyfish 362 0.06 303.94 2.50 Zosteraceae Sea Grasses * * 294.48 2.42 Gymnura micrura Smooth Butterfly Ray 744 0.13 220.19 1.81 Dasyatidae Stingrays 334 0.06 148.29 1.22 Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish 7,097 1.26 141.58 1.16 Cynoscion nothus Silver Seatrout 2,852 0.51 129.99 1.07 Peprilus paru Harvestfish 3,121 0.55 105.65 0.87 Dasyatis americana Southern Stingray 149 0.03 104.08 0.86 Carcharhinus limbatus Blacktip Shark 585 0.10 102.16 0.84 Trichiurus lepturus Atlantic Cutlassfish 2,040 0.36 100.82 0.83 Triglidae Searobins 12,056 2.14 99.37 0.82 Lolliguncula brevis Atlantic Brief Squid 8,436 1.49 81.79 0.67 Purgamentum Rubbish * * 81.32 0.67 Urophycis regia Spotted Hake 4,077 0.72 76.79 0.63 Menticirrhus americanus Southern Kingfish 866 0.15 67.94 0.56 Pomatomus saltatrix Bluefish 383 0.07 64.44 0.53 Cynoscion regalis Weakfish 868 0.15 63.88 0.52 Miscellaneous Miscellaneous 36 0.01 56.95 0.47 Menidia menidia Atlantic Silverside 7,200 1.28 50.32 0.41 Orthopristis chrysoptera Pigfish 1,588 0.28 45.00 0.37 Squilla empusa Mantis Shrimp 4,923 0.87 44.75 0.37 Chlorophyta Unidentified Green Algae * * 43.75 0.36 Paralichthys dentatus Summer Flounder 573 0.10 43.07 0.35 Callinectes sapidus Blue Crab 613 0.11 39.61 0.33 Synodus foetens Inshore Lizardfish 401 0.07 35.15 0.29 Scophthalmus aquosus Windowpane 2,272 0.40 34.21 0.28 Brevoortia tyrannus Atlantic Menhaden 443 0.08 26.63 0.22 Urophycis floridana Southern Hake 174 0.03 25.92 0.21 Paralichthys lethostigma Southern Flounder 176 0.03 23.64 0.19 Rhinoptera bonasus Cownose Ray 33 0.01 23.61 0.19 Rhizoprionodon terraenovae Atlantic Sharpnose Shark 81 0.01 21.47 0.18 Lagocephalus laevigatus Smooth Puffer 127 0.02 17.79 0.15 Peprilus triacanthus Butterfish 498 0.09 14.03 0.12 continued
132 Table 55. continued Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Stellifer lanceolatus Star Drum 684 0.12 12.89 0.11 Opsanus tau Oyster Toadfish 46 0.01 12.46 0.10 Porifera Sponges * * 11.82 0.10 Scomberomorus maculatus Spanish Mackerel 95 0.02 10.85 0.09 Arbacia punctulata Atlantic Purple Sea Urchin 501 0.09 10.14 0.08 Paralichthys albigutta Gulf Flounder 47 0.01 9.93 0.08 Chilomycterus schoepfii Striped Burrfish 80 0.01 9.63 0.08 Anchoa hepsetus Striped Anchovy 907 0.16 9.58 0.08 Symphurus spp. Tonguefishes 410 0.07 8.52 0.07 Opisthonema oglinum Atlantic Thread Herring 685 0.12 8.47 0.07 Trinectes maculatus Hogchoker 223 0.04 7.90 0.06 Centropristis striata Black Sea Bass 68 0.01 7.78 0.06 Pogonias cromis Black Drum 11 <0.01 6.40 0.05 Scyliorhinidae Cat Sharks 13 <0.01 6.04 0.05 Anchoa spp. Anchovies 2,058 0.36 4.06 0.03 Cynoscion arenarius Sand Seatrout 22 <0.01 3.29 0.03 Chaetodipterus faber Atlantic Spadefish 41 0.01 3.15 0.03 Ancylopsetta quadrocellata Ocellated Flounder 114 0.02 2.60 0.02 Echinoidea Echinoides 106 0.02 2.44 0.02 Selene setapinnis Atlantic Moonfish 108 0.02 2.31 0.02 Etropus crossotus Fringed Flounder 103 0.02 2.07 0.02 Echeneis naucrates Sharksucker 20 <0.01 1.97 0.02 Menticirrhus saxatilis Northern Kingfish 11 <0.01 1.94 0.02 Lachnolaimus maximus Hogfish 57 0.01 1.70 0.01 Bairdiella chrysoura Silver Perch 21 <0.01 1.25 0.01 Centropristis ocyurus Bank Sea Bass 16 <0.01 1.09 0.01 Stenotomus caprinus Longspine Porgy 36 0.01 1.07 0.01 Dasyatis sabina Atlantic Stingray 2 <0.01 1.06 0.01 Libinia spp. Libinia Spider Crabs 11 <0.01 0.87 0.01 Citharichthys spilopterus Bay Whiff 35 0.01 0.87 0.01 Chloroscombrus chrysurus Atlantic Bumper 20 <0.01 0.79 0.01 Sphyraena borealis Northern Sennet 109 0.02 0.58 <0.01 Sicyonia brevirostris Brown Rock Shrimp 40 0.01 0.53 <0.01 Aluterus spp. Aluterus Filefishes 51 0.01 0.51 <0.01 Paralichthys oblongus Fourspot Flounder 20 <0.01 0.39 <0.01 Peprilus spp. Peprilus Butterfish 7 <0.01 0.28 <0.01 Xiphopenaeus kroyeri Atlantic Seabob 66 0.01 0.26 <0.01 Sicyonia spp. Rock Shrimps 18 <0.01 0.18 <0.01 Trachinotus carolinus Florida Pompano 2 <0.01 0.08 <0.01 Selene vomer Lookdown 4 <0.01 0.04 <0.01
Totals 564,384 100.00 12,172.32 100.00
133 Table 56. Relative biomass (kg) observed in the summer season in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the ocean waters of North Carolina, July – September 2013.
Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Micropogonias undulatus Atlantic Croaker 39,877 18.98 1,715.49 27.38 Farfantepenaeus aztecus Brown Shrimp 67,882 32.31 795.52 12.70 Cnidaria Jellyfish 2,188 1.04 792.49 12.65 Trichiurus lepturus Atlantic Cutlassfish 7,922 3.77 645.92 10.31 Litopenaeus setiferus White Shrimp 25,860 12.31 443.23 7.07 Leiostomus xanthurus Spot 14,813 7.05 412.42 6.58 Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish 14,111 6.72 394.79 6.30 Stellifer lanceolatus Star Drum 14,633 6.97 121.14 1.93 Gymnura micrura Smooth Butterfly Ray 249 0.12 83.69 1.34 Cynoscion nothus Silver Seatrout 2,523 1.20 71.02 1.13 Rhizoprionodon terraenovae Atlantic Sharpnose Shark 355 0.17 66.12 1.06 Lolliguncula brevis Atlantic Brief Squid 5,833 2.78 58.83 0.94 Brevoortia tyrannus Atlantic Menhaden 537 0.26 50.60 0.81 Larimus fasciatus Banded Drum 924 0.44 49.52 0.79 Synodus foetens Inshore Lizardfish 717 0.34 48.02 0.77 Purgamentum Rubbish * * 43.53 0.69 Cynoscion regalis Weakfish 360 0.17 41.39 0.66 Paralichthys lethostigma Southern Flounder 203 0.10 40.18 0.64 Trinectes maculatus Hogchoker 1,312 0.62 36.98 0.59 Chlorophyta Unidentified Green Algae * * 34.11 0.54 Scomberomorus maculatus Spanish Mackerel 134 0.06 31.71 0.51 Menticirrhus americanus Southern Kingfish 340 0.16 31.61 0.50 Orthopristis chrysoptera Pigfish 435 0.21 24.43 0.39 Selene setapinnis Atlantic Moonfish 1,328 0.63 23.36 0.37 Farfantepenaeus duorarum Pink Shrimp 1,716 0.82 23.26 0.37 Triglidae Searobins 1,333 0.63 21.98 0.35 Peprilus triacanthus Butterfish 232 0.11 15.71 0.25 Pomatomus saltatrix Bluefish 144 0.07 14.91 0.24 Scophthalmus aquosus Windowpane 458 0.22 12.99 0.21 Zosteraceae Sea Grasses * * 11.37 0.18 Chloroscombrus chrysurus Atlantic Bumper 246 0.12 9.73 0.16 Caranx hippos Crevalle Jack 97 0.05 9.49 0.15 Portunus spp. Portunus Crabs 464 0.22 9.29 0.15 Selene vomer Lookdown 305 0.14 8.08 0.13 Dorosoma cepedianum Gizzard Shad 16 0.01 6.43 0.10 Stenotomus caprinus Longspine Porgy 120 0.06 6.25 0.10 Citharichthys spilopterus Bay Whiff 298 0.14 5.84 0.09 Chilomycterus schoepfii Striped Burrfish 65 0.03 5.07 0.08 Trachinotus carolinus Florida Pompano 37 0.02 5.03 0.08 Dasyatis sabina Atlantic Stingray 5 0.00 5.00 0.08 Peprilus paru Harvestfish 943 0.45 4.37 0.07 Sphyrna tiburo Bonnethead Shark 3 <0.01 4.36 0.07 Callinectes sapidus Blue Crab 158 0.08 3.91 0.06 Paralichthys dentatus Summer Flounder 42 0.02 3.68 0.06 Opisthonema oglinum Atlantic Thread Herring 176 0.08 3.57 0.06 Chaetodipterus faber Atlantic Spadefish 19 0.01 3.46 0.06 Astroscopus spp. Astroscopus Stargazers 188 0.09 3.25 0.05 Ancylopsetta quadrocellata Ocellated Flounder 48 0.02 2.46 0.04 Archosargus probatocephalus Sheepshead 17 0.01 2.10 0.03 Peprilus spp. Peprilus Butterfish 54 0.03 1.08 0.02 Penaeus monodon Giant Tiger Prawn 10 <0.01 1.07 0.02 Symphurus spp. Tonguefishes 13 0.01 0.73 0.01 Sphoeroides maculatus Northern Puffer 5 <0.01 0.67 0.01 Scomberomorus cavalla King Mackerel 25 0.01 0.50 0.01 Carcharhinus limbatus Blacktip Shark 3 <0.01 0.48 0.01 Etropus crossotus Fringed Flounder 11 0.01 0.43 0.01 Centropristis ocyurus Bank Sea Bass 7 <0.01 0.41 0.01 Lagocephalus laevigatus Smooth Puffer 7 <0.01 0.40 0.01 Pogonias cromis Black Drum 7 <0.01 0.34 0.01 Mugil cephalus Striped Mullet 3 <0.01 0.33 0.01 Bairdiella chrysoura Silver Perch 3 <0.01 0.29 <0.01 Centropristis striata Black Sea Bass 6 <0.01 0.22 <0.01 Menidia menidia Atlantic Silverside 210 0.10 0.19 <0.01 Squilla empusa Mantis Shrimp 3 <0.01 0.11 <0.01 Aluterus spp. Aluterus Filefishes 3 <0.01 0.03 <0.01
Totals 210,077 100.00 6,264.96 100.00
134 Table 57. Relative biomass (kg) observed in the fall season in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the ocean waters of North Carolina, October – December 2013. Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Micropogonias undulatus Atlantic Croaker 55,612 35.93 2,697.29 33.78 Leiostomus xanthurus Spot 27,751 17.93 1,600.15 20.04 Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish 13,912 8.99 771.63 9.66 Litopenaeus setiferus White Shrimp 25,924 16.75 671.65 8.41 Cnidaria Jellyfish * * 513.36 6.43 Raja eglanteria Clearnose Skate 497 0.32 435.02 5.45 Farfantepenaeus aztecus Brown Shrimp 5,966 3.85 163.32 2.05 Cynoscion regalis Weakfish 1,405 0.91 146.76 1.84 Peprilus triacanthus Butterfish 4,816 3.11 135.61 1.70 Selene setapinnis Atlantic Moonfish 4,000 2.58 118.72 1.49 Rhinoptera bonasus Cownose Ray 192 0.12 97.26 1.22 Menticirrhus americanus Southern Kingfish 630 0.41 84.90 1.06 Dasyatis sabina Atlantic Stingray 66 0.04 50.53 0.63 Anchoa hepsetus Striped Anchovy 5,978 3.86 47.23 0.59 Orthopristis chrysoptera Pigfish 464 0.30 44.02 0.55 Scomberomorus maculatus Spanish Mackerel 163 0.11 39.57 0.50 Gymnura micrura Smooth Butterfly Ray 87 0.06 38.48 0.48 Paralichthys dentatus Summer Flounder 173 0.11 33.50 0.42 Opisthonema oglinum Atlantic Thread Herring 1,756 1.13 32.83 0.41 Larimus fasciatus Banded Drum 437 0.28 32.34 0.40 Lolliguncula brevis Atlantic Brief Squid 986 0.64 30.08 0.38 Synodus foetens Inshore Lizardfish 201 0.13 27.41 0.34 Zosteraceae Sea Grasses * * 22.86 0.29 Cynoscion nothus Silver Seatrout 886 0.57 20.55 0.26 Selene vomer Lookdown 378 0.24 19.40 0.24 Trichiurus lepturus Atlantic Cutlassfish 97 0.06 12.89 0.16 Scophthalmus aquosus Windowpane 190 0.12 12.80 0.16 Centropristis ocyurus Bank Sea Bass 276 0.18 10.46 0.13 Paralichthys lethostigma Southern Flounder 41 0.03 9.52 0.12 Pomatomus saltatrix Bluefish 55 0.04 8.83 0.11 Peprilus spp. Peprilus Butterfish 570 0.37 7.45 0.09 Menticirrhus saxatilis Northern Kingfish 57 0.04 7.28 0.09 Bairdiella chrysoura Silver Perch 165 0.11 6.61 0.08 Stenotomus caprinus Longspine Porgy 141 0.09 5.63 0.07 Brevoortia tyrannus Atlantic Menhaden 178 0.12 5.39 0.07 Chloroscombrus chrysurus Atlantic Bumper 106 0.07 4.72 0.06 Citharichthys spilopterus Bay Whiff 154 0.10 3.47 0.04 Sphoeroides maculatus Northern Puffer 12 0.01 3.32 0.04 Symphurus spp. Tonguefishes 121 0.08 3.11 0.04 Scomberomorus cavalla King Mackerel 80 0.05 1.97 0.02 Triglidae Searobins 72 0.05 1.81 0.02 Caranx hippos Crevalle Jack 76 0.05 1.76 0.02 Chaetodipterus faber Atlantic Spadefish 16 0.01 1.58 0.02 Callinectes sapidus Blue Crab 58 0.04 0.62 0.01 Centropristis striata Black Sea Bass 9 0.01 0.53 0.01 Cynoscion nebulosus Spotted Seatrout 4 <0.01 0.53 0.01 Farfantepenaeus duorarum Pink Shrimp 3 <0.01 0.03 <0.01
Totals 154,762 100.00 7,984.78 100.00
135 Table 58. Relative biomass (kg) observed in all seasons combined in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the ocean waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014.
Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Micropogonias undulatus Atlantic Croaker 759,309 29.31 27,322.14 42.11 Leiostomus xanthurus Spot 146,901 5.67 6,468.94 9.97 Farfantepenaeus aztecus Brown Shrimp 886,139 34.21 6,029.80 9.29 Cynoscion regalis Weakfish 61,997 2.39 3,395.54 5.23 Miscellaneous Miscellaneous * * 2,664.81 4.11 Litopenaeus setiferus White Shrimp 183,872 7.10 1,971.44 3.04 Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish 48,495 1.87 1,868.49 2.88 Larimus fasciatus Banded Drum 24,407 0.94 1,724.77 2.66 Farfantepenaeus duorarum Pink Shrimp 127,209 4.91 1,006.58 1.55 Cnidaria Jellyfish 444 0.02 972.78 1.50 Synodus foetens Inshore Lizardfish 15,590 0.60 971.25 1.50 Gymnura micrura Smooth Butterfly Ray 3,757 0.15 967.55 1.49 Rhizoprionodon terraenovae Atlantic Sharpnose Shark 5,348 0.21 847.32 1.31 Trichiurus lepturus Atlantic Cutlassfish 3,547 0.14 669.20 1.03 Portunus spp. Portunus Crabs 30,263 1.17 578.60 0.89 Anchoa hepsetus Striped Anchovy 49,922 1.93 544.81 0.84 Anchoa spp. Anchovies 52,825 2.04 480.05 0.74 Carcharhinus limbatus Blacktip Shark 1,661 0.06 449.44 0.69 Orthopristis chrysoptera Pigfish 14,755 0.57 432.17 0.67 Selene setapinnis Atlantic Moonfish 60,360 2.33 411.68 0.63 Dasyatis sabina Atlantic Stingray 1,314 0.05 395.24 0.61 Menticirrhus americanus Southern Kingfish 4,763 0.18 335.08 0.52 Pogonias cromis Black Drum 5,273 0.20 295.91 0.46 Bairdiella chrysoura Silver Perch 17,973 0.69 286.80 0.44 Raja eglanteria Clearnose Skate 802 0.03 285.22 0.44 Chlorophyta Unidentified Green Algae * * 233.38 0.36 Lolliguncula brevis Atlantic Brief Squid 6,786 0.26 221.38 0.34 Scomberomorus maculatus Spanish Mackerel 3,367 0.13 220.80 0.34 Paralichthys dentatus Summer Flounder 1,633 0.06 196.02 0.30 Paralichthys lethostigma Southern Flounder 1,254 0.05 192.37 0.30 Opisthonema oglinum Atlantic Thread Herring 5,465 0.21 181.05 0.28 Triglidae Searobins 14,522 0.56 176.44 0.27 Rhinoptera bonasus Cownose Ray 191 0.01 142.47 0.22 Stenotomus caprinus Longspine Porgy 2,413 0.09 131.67 0.20 Dasyatis americana Southern Stingray 257 0.01 131.39 0.20 Scophthalmus aquosus Windowpane 4,427 0.17 126.08 0.19 Mollusca cephalopoda Squids 7,795 0.30 104.83 0.16 Limulus polyphemus Horseshoe Crab 46 0.00 104.35 0.16 Squilla empusa Mantis Shrimp 3,971 0.15 92.96 0.14 Cynoscion nothus Silver Seatrout 1,622 0.06 84.14 0.13 Myliobatis freminvillei Bullnose Ray 138 0.01 82.59 0.13 Peprilus paru Harvestfish 3,520 0.14 75.23 0.12 Citharichthys spilopterus Bay Whiff 4,515 0.17 69.06 0.11 Dasyatidae Stingrays 181 0.01 67.39 0.10 Sphyrna tiburo Bonnethead Shark 98 <0.01 66.17 0.10 Pomatomus saltatrix Bluefish 411 0.02 62.53 0.10 Anchoa mitchilli Bay Anchovy 6,105 0.24 57.74 0.09 Gymnura spp. Butterfly Rays 28 <0.01 50.90 0.08 Dasyatis say Bluntnose Stingray 71 <0.01 45.86 0.07 Menticirrhus spp. Kingfishes 668 0.03 45.62 0.07 Selene vomer Lookdown 854 0.03 44.69 0.07 Trinectes maculatus Hogchoker 719 0.03 43.83 0.07 Sphyraena guachancho Guaguanche 1,347 0.05 43.27 0.07 Symphurus spp. Tonguefishes 1,376 0.05 41.62 0.06 Menticirrhus saxatilis Northern Kingfish 461 0.02 38.13 0.06 continued
136 Table 58. continued. Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Saurida brasiliensis Largescale Lizardfish 417 0.02 27.25 0.04 Ancylopsetta quadrocellata Ocellated Flounder 1,054 0.04 26.85 0.04 Synodus spp. Synodus Lizardfishes 442 0.02 24.71 0.04 Peprilus triacanthus Butterfish 558 0.02 22.03 0.03 Callinectes sapidus Blue Crab 242 0.01 20.99 0.03 Brevoortia tyrannus Atlantic Menhaden 495 0.02 20.64 0.03 Trachinotus carolinus Florida Pompano 129 <0.01 20.36 0.03 Eucinostomus argenteus Spotfin Mojarra 999 0.04 18.03 0.03 Chloroscombrus chrysurus Atlantic Bumper 2,116 0.08 16.65 0.03 Menippe mercenaria Florida Stone Crab 47 <0.01 14.34 0.02 Centropristis ocyurus Bank Sea Bass 278 0.01 10.13 0.02 Chaetodipterus faber Atlantic Spadefish 109 <0.01 9.23 0.01 Penaeus monodon Giant Tiger Prawn 95 <0.01 8.91 0.01 Urophycis floridana Southern Hake 190 0.01 8.00 0.01 Stomolophus meleagris Jelly Bomb 15 <0.01 6.59 0.01 Zosteraceae Sea Grasses * * 5.76 0.01 Arbacia punctulata Atlantic Purple Sea Urchin 170 0.01 5.70 0.01 Centropristis striata Black Sea Bass 86 <0.01 5.56 0.01 Elagatis bipinnulata Rainbow Runner 57 <0.01 5.21 0.01 Merluccius bilinearis Silver Hake 81 <0.01 5.08 0.01 Caranx crysos Blue Runner 205 0.01 4.47 0.01 Cynoscion nebulosus Spotted Seatrout 140 0.01 4.38 0.01 Cynoscion spp. Seatrouts 206 0.01 3.43 0.01 Paralichthys oblongus Fourspot Flounder 142 0.01 3.31 0.01 Libinia spp. Libinia Spider Crabs 127 <0.01 3.28 0.01 Carangidae Jacks 49 <0.01 2.97 <0.01 Caranx latus Horse-eye Jack 36 <0.01 2.78 <0.01 Dorosoma petenense Threadfin Shad 18 <0.01 2.65 <0.01 Lagocephalus laevigatus Smooth Puffer 43 <0.01 2.32 <0.01 Perca flavescens Yellow Perch 92 <0.01 2.29 <0.01 Elops saurus Ladyfish 7 <0.01 2.04 <0.01 Anomura paguridea Hermit Crabs 32 <0.01 1.58 <0.01 Neogastropoda stenoglossa Conchs 28 <0.01 1.50 <0.01 Gnathosomata i Jawed Fishes 25 <0.01 1.26 <0.01 Caranx ruber Bar Jack 12 <0.01 1.20 <0.01 Calamus bajonado Jolthead Porgy 10 <0.01 1.16 <0.01 Majidae Spider Crabs 69 <0.01 1.15 <0.01 Sicyonia spp. Rock Shrimps 83 <0.01 1.13 <0.01 Clupeidae Herrings 24 <0.01 1.08 <0.01 Clupea harengus Atlantic Herring 43 <0.01 1.06 <0.01 Caranx spp. Caranx Jacks 11 <0.01 1.05 <0.01 Scomberomorus cavalla King Mackerel 13 <0.01 0.98 <0.01 Ameiurus catus White Catfish 16 <0.01 0.96 <0.01 Aluterus spp. Aluterus Filefishes 59 <0.01 0.86 <0.01 Scyliorhinidae Cat Sharks 5 <0.01 0.73 <0.01 Calamus spp. Calamus Porgies 16 <0.01 0.63 <0.01 Sciaenops ocellatus Red Drum 5 <0.01 0.50 <0.01 Balistes spp. Balistes Triggerfishes 25 <0.01 0.44 <0.01 Lachnolaimus maximus Hogfish 13 <0.01 0.32 <0.01 Echinacea (Superorder) Sea Urchins 105 <0.01 0.26 <0.01 Centropristis spp. Centopristis Sea Basses 3 <0.01 0.13 <0.01 Echinodermata Starfish 10 <0.01 0.11 <0.01 Peprilus spp. Peprilus Butterfish 3 <0.01 0.06 <0.01
Totals 2,590,419 100.00 64,883.64 100.00
137 Table 59. Relative biomass (kg) observed in the spring season in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the ocean waters of North Carolina, April – June 2014. Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Micropogonias undulatus Atlantic Croaker 519,610 35.07 16,635.23 50.07 Farfantepenaeus aztecus Brown Shrimp 581,095 39.22 3,556.38 10.71 Cynoscion regalis Weakfish 42,474 2.87 2,225.87 6.70 Leiostomus xanthurus Spot 71,052 4.79 2,186.26 6.58 Miscellaneous Miscellaneous * * 1,755.50 5.28 Larimus fasciatus Banded Drum 14,260 0.96 1,004.39 3.02 Farfantepenaeus duorarum Pink Shrimp 118,121 7.97 908.99 2.74 Rhizoprionodon terraenovae Atlantic Sharpnose Shark 4,679 0.32 680.05 2.05 Gymnura micrura Smooth Butterfly Ray 2,044 0.14 573.06 1.72 Portunus spp. Portunus Crabs 27,557 1.86 544.65 1.64 Synodus foetens Inshore Lizardfish 6,005 0.41 403.40 1.21 Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish 7,378 0.50 297.29 0.89 Pogonias cromis Black Drum 5,015 0.34 286.38 0.86 Anchoa spp. Anchovies 25,235 1.70 270.04 0.81 Triglidae Searobins 12,659 0.85 136.83 0.41 Anchoa hepsetus Striped Anchovy 10,180 0.69 123.43 0.37 Rhinoptera bonasus Cownose Ray 176 0.01 120.86 0.36 Lolliguncula brevis Atlantic Brief Squid 2,367 0.16 110.87 0.33 Dasyatis sabina Atlantic Stingray 193 0.01 106.49 0.32 Paralichthys lethostigma Southern Flounder 964 0.07 87.74 0.26 Carcharhinus limbatus Blacktip Shark 505 0.03 85.26 0.26 Squilla empusa Mantis Shrimp 3,647 0.25 84.65 0.25 Scophthalmus aquosus Windowpane 3,083 0.21 79.39 0.24 Sphyrna tiburo Bonnethead Shark 98 0.01 66.17 0.20 Orthopristis chrysoptera Pigfish 929 0.06 61.94 0.19 Anchoa mitchilli Bay Anchovy 6,105 0.41 57.74 0.17 Mollusca cephalopoda Squids 2,929 0.20 55.25 0.17 Myliobatis freminvillei Bullnose Ray 107 0.01 52.22 0.16 Gymnura spp. Butterfly Rays 28 <0.01 50.90 0.15 Menticirrhus americanus Southern Kingfish 800 0.05 50.18 0.15 Raja eglanteria Clearnose Skate 134 0.01 39.93 0.12 Limulus polyphemus Horseshoe Crab 24 <0.01 38.15 0.11 Stenotomus caprinus Longspine Porgy 665 0.04 36.87 0.11 Paralichthys dentatus Summer Flounder 737 0.05 36.01 0.11 Bairdiella chrysoura Silver Perch 1,481 0.10 35.86 0.11 Trinectes maculatus Hogchoker 432 0.03 35.42 0.11 Cynoscion nothus Silver Seatrout 659 0.04 29.36 0.09 continued
138 Table 59. continued. Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Symphurus spp. Tonguefishes 810 0.05 28.95 0.09 Menticirrhus saxatilis Northern Kingfish 420 0.03 28.35 0.09 Citharichthys spilopterus Bay Whiff 1,786 0.12 26.31 0.08 Saurida brasiliensis Largescale Lizardfish 406 0.03 25.65 0.08 Trichiurus lepturus Atlantic Cutlassfish 417 0.03 25.14 0.08 Litopenaeus setiferus White Shrimp 636 0.04 24.23 0.07 Ancylopsetta quadrocellata Ocellated Flounder 960 0.06 23.32 0.07 Opisthonema oglinum Atlantic Thread Herring 410 0.03 21.07 0.06 Peprilus triacanthus Butterfish 412 0.03 17.56 0.05 Selene setapinnis Atlantic Moonfish 327 0.02 16.87 0.05 Pomatomus saltatrix Bluefish 124 0.01 13.61 0.04 Brevoortia tyrannus Atlantic Menhaden 409 0.03 12.75 0.04 Callinectes sapidus Blue Crab 150 0.01 8.17 0.02 Urophycis floridana Southern Hake 190 0.01 8.00 0.02 Menticirrhus spp. Kingfishes 156 0.01 5.52 0.02 Sphyraena guachancho Guaguanche 110 0.01 4.46 0.01 Paralichthys oblongus Fourspot Flounder 142 0.01 3.31 0.01 Dorosoma petenense Threadfin Shad 18 <0.01 2.65 0.01 Centropristis ocyurus Bank Sea Bass 81 0.01 2.58 0.01 Perca flavescens Yellow Perch 92 0.01 2.29 0.01 Anomura paguridea Hermit Crabs 32 <0.01 1.58 <0.01 Cnidaria Jellyfish 17 <0.01 1.34 <0.01 Gnathosomata i Jawed Fishes 25 <0.01 1.26 <0.01 Sicyonia spp. Rock Shrimps 83 0.01 1.13 <0.01 Clupeidae Herrings 24 <0.01 1.08 <0.01 Clupea harengus Atlantic Herring 43 <0.01 1.06 <0.01 Caranx spp. Caranx Jacks 11 <0.01 1.05 <0.01 Ameiurus catus White Catfish 16 <0.01 0.96 <0.01 Sciaenops ocellatus Red Drum 5 <0.01 0.50 <0.01 Balistes spp. Balistes Triggerfishes 25 <0.01 0.44 <0.01 Arbacia punctulata Atlantic Purple Sea Urchi 15 <0.01 0.34 <0.01 Lachnolaimus maximus Hogfish 13 <0.01 0.32 <0.01 Selene vomer Lookdown 14 <0.01 0.14 <0.01 Peprilus paru Harvestfish 7 <0.01 0.14 <0.01 Echinodermata Starfish 1 <0.01 0.07 <0.01
Totals 1,481,814 100.00 33,221.24 100.00
139 Table 60. Relative biomass (kg) observed in the summer season in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the ocean waters of North Carolina, July – September 2014. Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Micropogonias undulatus Atlantic Croaker 164,076 23.44 7,251.96 38.86 Leiostomus xanthurus Spot 58,794 8.40 2,096.64 11.24 Farfantepenaeus aztecus Brown Shrimp 283,428 40.49 2,055.40 11.02 Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish 34,093 4.87 1,204.95 6.46 Miscellaneous Miscellaneous * * 745.94 4.00 Cynoscion regalis Weakfish 11,899 1.70 743.65 3.99 Litopenaeus setiferus White Shrimp 54,623 7.80 565.69 3.03 Cnidaria Jellyfish 427 0.06 558.20 2.99 Larimus fasciatus Banded Drum 6,157 0.88 504.21 2.70 Synodus foetens Inshore Lizardfish 6,968 1.00 393.02 2.11 Carcharhinus limbatus Blacktip Shark 1,024 0.15 304.77 1.63 Trichiurus lepturus Atlantic Cutlassfish 1,628 0.23 220.54 1.18 Dasyatis sabina Atlantic Stingray 597 0.09 179.24 0.96 Menticirrhus americanus Southern Kingfish 2,062 0.29 172.74 0.93 Orthopristis chrysoptera Pigfish 6,900 0.99 162.64 0.87 Rhizoprionodon terraenovae Atlantic Sharpnose Shark 617 0.09 138.43 0.74 Gymnura micrura Smooth Butterfly Ray 449 0.06 130.17 0.70 Anchoa spp. Anchovies 15,381 2.20 116.69 0.63 Scomberomorus maculatus Spanish Mackerel 2,832 0.40 109.55 0.59 Selene setapinnis Atlantic Moonfish 15,739 2.25 105.75 0.57 Lolliguncula brevis Atlantic Brief Squid 3,287 0.47 71.78 0.38 Chlorophyta Unidentified Green Algae * * 61.56 0.33 Limulus polyphemus Horseshoe Crab 17 <0.01 58.00 0.31 Bairdiella chrysoura Silver Perch 4,492 0.64 56.28 0.30 Anchoa hepsetus Striped Anchovy 4,184 0.60 53.03 0.28 Paralichthys dentatus Summer Flounder 349 0.05 51.72 0.28 Mollusca cephalopoda Squids 4,866 0.70 49.58 0.27 Raja eglanteria Clearnose Skate 182 0.03 48.16 0.26 Opisthonema oglinum Atlantic Thread Herring 1,035 0.15 46.32 0.25 Stenotomus caprinus Longspine Porgy 846 0.12 42.84 0.23 Scophthalmus aquosus Windowpane 1,108 0.16 34.69 0.19 Selene vomer Lookdown 589 0.08 28.93 0.16 Triglidae Searobins 1,640 0.23 28.33 0.15 Portunus spp. Portunus Crabs 2,423 0.35 27.93 0.15 Sphyraena guachancho Guaguanche 1,023 0.15 27.83 0.15 Paralichthys lethostigma Southern Flounder 81 0.01 27.37 0.15 Cynoscion nothus Silver Seatrout 309 0.04 25.49 0.14 Rhinoptera bonasus Cownose Ray 14 <0.01 21.60 0.12 continued
140 Table 60. continued. Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Citharichthys spilopterus Bay Whiff 1,246 0.18 15.29 0.08 Callinectes sapidus Blue Crab 34 0.00 11.66 0.06 Chloroscombrus chrysurus Atlantic Bumper 1,771 0.25 10.30 0.06 Farfantepenaeus duorarum Pink Shrimp 544 0.08 10.29 0.06 Menticirrhus saxatilis Northern Kingfish 41 0.01 9.78 0.05 Symphurus spp. Tonguefishes 377 0.05 7.79 0.04 Pomatomus saltatrix Bluefish 66 0.01 7.03 0.04 Squilla empusa Mantis Shrimp 265 0.04 7.00 0.04 Myliobatis freminvillei Bullnose Ray 12 <0.01 5.77 0.03 Centropristis striata Black Sea Bass 80 0.01 5.36 0.03 Peprilus triacanthus Butterfish 147 0.02 4.47 0.02 Caranx crysos Blue Runner 205 0.03 4.47 0.02 Brevoortia tyrannus Atlantic Menhaden 54 0.01 4.34 0.02 Eucinostomus argenteus Spotfin Mojarra 250 0.04 3.75 0.02 Ancylopsetta quadrocellata Ocellated Flounder 94 0.01 3.53 0.02 Trinectes maculatus Hogchoker 129 0.02 3.25 0.02 Centropristis ocyurus Bank Sea Bass 87 0.01 2.60 0.01 Chaetodipterus faber Atlantic Spadefish 17 <0.01 2.49 0.01 Lagocephalus laevigatus Smooth Puffer 43 0.01 2.32 0.01 Libinia spp. Libinia Spider Crabs 102 0.01 2.06 0.01 Zosteraceae Sea Grasses * * 2.05 0.01 Elops saurus Ladyfish 7 <0.01 2.04 0.01 Peprilus paru Harvestfish 55 0.01 1.74 0.01 Saurida brasiliensis Largescale Lizardfish 11 <0.01 1.60 0.01 Calamus bajonado Jolthead Porgy 10 <0.01 1.16 0.01 Arbacia punctulata Atlantic Purple Sea Urchi 70 0.01 1.13 0.01 Scomberomorus cavalla King Mackerel 13 <0.01 0.98 0.01 Menippe mercenaria Florida Stone Crab 17 <0.01 0.86 <0.01 Dasyatidae Stingrays 14 <0.01 0.74 <0.01 Scyliorhinidae Cat Sharks 5 <0.01 0.73 <0.01 Aluterus spp. Aluterus Filefishes 51 0.01 0.69 <0.01 Calamus spp. Calamus Porgies 16 <0.01 0.63 <0.01 Centropristis spp. Centopristis Sea Basses 3 <0.01 0.13 <0.01 Peprilus spp. Peprilus Butterfish 3 <0.01 0.06 <0.01 Echinodermata Starfish 8 <0.01 0.04 <0.01
Totals 699,982 100.00 18,659.76 100.00
141 Table 61. Relative biomass (kg) observed in the fall season in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the ocean waters of North Carolina, October – December 2014. Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Micropogonias undulatus Atlantic Croaker 75,623 18.51 3,434.95 26.42 Leiostomus xanthurus Spot 17,056 4.17 2,186.04 16.81 Litopenaeus setiferus White Shrimp 128,613 31.47 1,381.52 10.62 Cynoscion regalis Weakfish 7,625 1.87 426.02 3.28 Trichiurus lepturus Atlantic Cutlassfish 1,502 0.37 423.51 3.26 Farfantepenaeus aztecus Brown Shrimp 21,615 5.29 418.01 3.21 Cnidaria Jellyfish * * 413.24 3.18 Anchoa hepsetus Striped Anchovy 35,559 8.70 368.35 2.83 Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish 7,024 1.72 366.25 2.82 Selene setapinnis Atlantic Moonfish 44,295 10.84 289.06 2.22 Gymnura micrura Smooth Butterfly Ray 1,265 0.31 264.33 2.03 Larimus fasciatus Banded Drum 3,991 0.98 216.17 1.66 Orthopristis chrysoptera Pigfish 6,926 1.69 207.59 1.60 Raja eglanteria Clearnose Skate 485 0.12 197.14 1.52 Bairdiella chrysoura Silver Perch 11,999 2.94 194.66 1.50 Synodus foetens Inshore Lizardfish 2,617 0.64 174.83 1.34 Chlorophyta Unidentified Green Algae * * 171.82 1.32 Miscellaneous Miscellaneous * * 163.38 1.26 Dasyatis americana Southern Stingray 257 0.06 131.39 1.01 Opisthonema oglinum Atlantic Thread Herring 4,020 0.98 113.65 0.87 Menticirrhus americanus Southern Kingfish 1,902 0.47 112.15 0.86 Scomberomorus maculatus Spanish Mackerel 535 0.13 111.25 0.86 Dasyatis sabina Atlantic Stingray 524 0.13 109.52 0.84 Paralichthys dentatus Summer Flounder 547 0.13 108.29 0.83 Anchoa spp. Anchovies 12,208 2.99 93.33 0.72 Farfantepenaeus duorarum Pink Shrimp 8,544 2.09 87.30 0.67 Paralichthys lethostigma Southern Flounder 209 0.05 77.25 0.59 Peprilus paru Harvestfish 3,458 0.85 73.35 0.56 Dasyatidae Stingrays 167 0.04 66.65 0.51 Carcharhinus limbatus Blacktip Shark 132 0.03 59.40 0.46 Stenotomus caprinus Longspine Porgy 902 0.22 51.96 0.40 Dasyatis say Bluntnose Stingray 71 0.02 45.86 0.35 Pomatomus saltatrix Bluefish 221 0.05 41.89 0.32 Menticirrhus spp. Kingfishes 513 0.13 40.10 0.31 Lolliguncula brevis Atlantic Brief Squid 1,132 0.28 38.73 0.30 Cynoscion nothus Silver Seatrout 654 0.16 29.29 0.23 Rhizoprionodon terraenovae Atlantic Sharpnose Shark 52 0.01 28.84 0.22 Citharichthys spilopterus Bay Whiff 1,483 0.36 27.47 0.21 Synodus spp. Synodus Lizardfishes 442 0.11 24.71 0.19 continued
142 Table 61. continued. Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Myliobatis freminvillei Bullnose Ray 19 <0.01 24.60 0.19 Trachinotus carolinus Florida Pompano 129 0.03 20.36 0.16 Selene vomer Lookdown 250 0.06 15.61 0.12 Eucinostomus argenteus Spotfin Mojarra 749 0.18 14.28 0.11 Menippe mercenaria Florida Stone Crab 30 0.01 13.48 0.10 Scophthalmus aquosus Windowpane 235 0.06 11.99 0.09 Triglidae Searobins 223 0.05 11.29 0.09 Sphyraena guachancho Guaguanche 213 0.05 10.98 0.08 Pogonias cromis Black Drum 257 0.06 9.54 0.07 Penaeus monodon Giant Tiger Prawn 95 0.02 8.91 0.07 Limulus polyphemus Horseshoe Crab 5 0.00 8.21 0.06 Chaetodipterus faber Atlantic Spadefish 93 0.02 6.74 0.05 Stomolophus meleagris Jelly Bomb 15 0.00 6.59 0.05 Chloroscombrus chrysurus Atlantic Bumper 345 0.08 6.34 0.05 Portunus spp. Portunus Crabs 284 0.07 6.01 0.05 Elagatis bipinnulata Rainbow Runner 57 0.01 5.21 0.04 Trinectes maculatus Hogchoker 158 0.04 5.17 0.04 Merluccius bilinearis Silver Hake 81 0.02 5.08 0.04 Centropristis ocyurus Bank Sea Bass 110 0.03 4.96 0.04 Symphurus spp. Tonguefishes 189 0.05 4.87 0.04 Cynoscion nebulosus Spotted Seatrout 140 0.03 4.38 0.03 Arbacia punctulata Atlantic Purple Sea Urchi 85 0.02 4.23 0.03 Zosteraceae Sea Grasses * * 3.71 0.03 Brevoortia tyrannus Atlantic Menhaden 32 0.01 3.55 0.03 Cynoscion spp. Seatrouts 206 0.05 3.43 0.03 Carangidae Jacks 49 0.01 2.97 0.02 Caranx latus Horse-eye Jack 36 0.01 2.78 0.02 Neogastropoda stenoglossa Conchs 28 0.01 1.50 0.01 Squilla empusa Mantis Shrimp 59 0.01 1.31 0.01 Libinia spp. Libinia Spider Crabs 24 0.01 1.22 0.01 Caranx ruber Bar Jack 12 <0.01 1.20 0.01 Callinectes sapidus Blue Crab 58 0.01 1.17 0.01 Majidae Spider Crabs 69 0.02 1.15 0.01 Echinacea (Superorder) Sea Urchins 105 0.03 0.26 <0.01 Centropristis striata Black Sea Bass 7 <0.01 0.20 <0.01 Aluterus spp. Aluterus Filefishes 9 <0.01 0.17 <0.01
Totals 408,622 100.00 13,002.64 100.00
143 Table 62. Relative biomass (kg) observed in all seasons combined in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the ocean waters of North Carolina, April – August 2015.
Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Cnidaria Jellyfish * * 4,600.79 20.64 Micropogonias undulatus Atlantic Croaker 94,457 15.63 4,561.68 20.47 Farfantepenaeus aztecus Brown Shrimp 306,829 50.79 2,355.66 10.57 Leiostomus xanthurus Spot 43,680 7.23 1,806.94 8.11 Limulus polyphemus Horseshoe Crab 1,012 0.17 1,003.50 4.50 Portunidae Swimming Crabs 12,472 2.06 926.54 4.16 Farfantepenaeus duorarum Pink Shrimp 33,983 5.62 688.06 3.09 Scyphozoa Jellyfish (Scyphozoa) 4,189 0.69 636.72 2.86 Synodus foetens Inshore Lizardfish 6,465 1.07 621.20 2.79 Larimus fasciatus Banded Drum 6,602 1.09 508.03 2.28 Orthopristis chrysoptera Pigfish 9,539 1.58 479.24 2.15 Mollusca cephalopoda Squids 5,686 0.94 385.81 1.73 Cynoscion regalis Weakfish 9,024 1.49 336.70 1.51 Gymnura micrura Smooth Butterfly Ray 652 0.11 321.35 1.44 Trichiurus lepturus Atlantic Cutlassfish 6,113 1.01 273.30 1.23 Paralichthys lethostigma Southern Flounder 1,112 0.18 262.10 1.18 Chlorophyta Unidentified Green Algae * * 194.38 0.87 Myliobatis freminvillei Bullnose Ray 96 0.02 167.51 0.75 Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish 3,540 0.59 165.12 0.74 Scyliorhinidae Cat Sharks 1,198 0.20 159.27 0.71 Stomolophus meleagris Jelly Bomb 1 <0.01 156.66 0.70 Litopenaeus setiferus White Shrimp 6,496 1.08 123.84 0.56 Zosteraceae Sea Grasses * * 123.23 0.55 Symphurus spp. Tonguefishes 4,826 0.80 113.44 0.51 Dasyatis americana Southern Stingray 244 0.04 106.93 0.48 Menticirrhus saxatilis Northern Kingfish 681 0.11 102.56 0.46 Triglidae Searobins 7,728 1.28 101.60 0.46 Lolliguncula brevis Atlantic Brief Squid 5,495 0.91 95.03 0.43 Miscellaneous Miscellaneous * * 93.38 0.42 Raja eglanteria Clearnose Skate 135 0.02 87.25 0.39 Scophthalmus aquosus Windowpane 3,320 0.55 78.29 0.35 Bairdiella chrysoura Silver Perch 9,340 1.55 56.48 0.25 Citharichthys spp. Whiff Flounders 1,893 0.31 48.27 0.22 Rhizoprionodon terraenovae Atlantic Sharpnose Shark 251 0.04 45.43 0.20 Squilla empusa Mantis Shrimp 1,362 0.23 40.35 0.18 Anchoa spp. Anchovies 2,743 0.45 39.22 0.18 Paralichthys dentatus Summer Flounder 153 0.03 34.40 0.15 Haemulon plumierii White Grunt 499 0.08 29.33 0.13 Selene setapinnis Atlantic Moonfish 2,775 0.46 27.56 0.12 Peprilus triacanthus Butterfish 388 0.06 22.99 0.10 Centropristis ocyurus Bank Sea Bass 371 0.06 22.34 0.10 Pomatomus saltatrix Bluefish 247 0.04 21.21 0.10 Cynoscion nebulosus Spotted Seatrout 141 0.02 21.18 0.10 Stenotomus caprinus Longspine Porgy 379 0.06 20.16 0.09 Sphoeroides maculatus Northern Puffer 200 0.03 17.24 0.08 Rajiformes Rays 66 0.01 16.56 0.07 Portunus spp. Portunus Crabs 1,003 0.17 12.54 0.06 Dasyatis sabina Atlantic Stingray 38 0.01 11.52 0.05 Callinectes sapidus Blue Crab 1,266 0.21 11.14 0.05 Dasyatidae Stingrays 36 0.01 9.73 0.04 Anchoa hepsetus Striped Anchovy 688 0.11 9.70 0.04 Peprilus paru Harvestfish 1,641 0.27 9.51 0.04 Menticirrhus spp. Kingfishes 322 0.05 8.21 0.04 Porifera Sponges * * 7.69 0.03 Gymnura spp. Butterfly Rays 19 <0.01 7.35 0.03 continued
144 Table 62. continued. Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Lagocephalus laevigatus Smooth Puffer 235 0.04 6.94 0.03 Chondrichthyes Sharks 19 <0.01 6.62 0.03 Squalus acanthias Spiny Dogfish 21 <0.01 6.15 0.03 Kyphosus incisor Yellow Chub 18 <0.01 4.96 0.02 Sparidae Porgies 64 0.01 4.87 0.02 Paralichthys spp. Paralicthid Flounders 216 0.04 4.63 0.02 Atherinidae Silversides 67 0.01 4.40 0.02 Ancylopsetta quadrocellata Ocellated Flounder 178 0.03 4.26 0.02 Synodus spp. Synodus Lizardfishes 81 0.01 3.82 0.02 Callinectes spp. Swimming Crabs 341 0.06 3.49 0.02 Vegetation Vegetation * * 3.30 0.01 Citharichthys spilopterus Bay Whiff 203 0.03 3.30 0.01 Prionotus spp. Prionotus Searobins 342 0.06 3.27 0.01 Brevoortia tyrannus Atlantic Menhaden 61 0.01 3.06 0.01 Osteicthyes teleostei Unidentified Fishes 1 <0.01 3.04 0.01 Ascidicea Tunicates 52 0.01 2.99 0.01 Rhinoptera bonasus Cownose Ray 4 <0.01 2.90 0.01 Trinectes maculatus Hogchoker 98 0.02 2.86 0.01 Libinia spp. Libinia Spider Crabs 43 0.01 2.65 0.01 Dasyatis spp. Dasyatis Stingrays 13 <0.01 2.55 0.01 Discards Discarded Fishes 1 <0.01 2.42 0.01 Scomberomorus maculatus Spanish Mackerel 27 <0.01 2.15 0.01 Porichthys plectrodon Atlantic Midshipman 38 0.01 1.92 0.01 Urophycis floridana Southern Hake 19 <0.01 1.92 0.01 Trachinotus carolinus Florida Pompano 15 <0.01 1.48 0.01 Mercenaria spp. Quahogs 7 <0.01 1.43 0.01 Carangidae Jacks 16 <0.01 1.00 <0.01 Filamentous Algae Filamentous Algae * * 0.99 <0.01 Urophycis spp. Urophycis Hakes 18 <0.01 0.90 <0.01 A. mandibulata crustacea Crustaceans 1 <0.01 0.80 <0.01 Pogonias cromis Black Drum 42 0.01 0.61 <0.01 Hepatus epheliticus Calico Box Crab 12 <0.01 0.59 <0.01 Centropristis striata Black Sea Bass 6 <0.01 0.58 <0.01 Selene vomer Lookdown 205 0.03 0.48 <0.01 Sphyraena guachancho Guaguanche 23 <0.01 0.47 <0.01 Detritus Detritus 4 <0.01 0.41 <0.01 Echinodermata Starfish 7 <0.01 0.32 <0.01 Echinoidea Echinoides 17 <0.01 0.29 <0.01 Opisthonema oglinum Atlantic Thread Herring 8 <0.01 0.19 <0.01 Menticirrhus littoralis Gulf Kingfish 8 <0.01 0.14 <0.01 Chloroscombrus chrysurus Atlantic Bumper 35 0.01 0.12 <0.01 Stephanolepis hispidus Planehead Filefish {u} 5 <0.01 0.10 <0.01 Lagocephalus spp. Lagocephalus Puffers 5 <0.01 0.10 <0.01 Plastic Plastic * * 0.06 <0.01 Chaetodipterus faber Atlantic Spadefish 109 0.02 0.06 <0.01 Balistes spp. Balistes Triggerfishes 6 <0.01 0.06 <0.01 Sphyraena spp. Barracudas 4 <0.01 0.04 <0.01 Esox spp. Pikes 4 <0.01 0.04 <0.01 Crassostrea virginica Eastern Oyster 3 <0.01 0.03 <0.01 Sicyonia parri Parri Rock Shrimp 2 <0.01 0.02 <0.01 Priacanthus arenatus Bigeye 2 <0.01 0.02 <0.01 Menticirrhus americanus Southern Kingfish 5 <0.01 0.02 <0.01 Balistes capriscus Gray Triggerfish 2 <0.01 0.02 <0.01
Totals 604,150 100.00 22,286.07 100.00
145 Table 63. Relative biomass (kg) observed in the spring season in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the ocean waters of North Carolina, April – June 2015.
Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Micropogonias undulatus Atlantic Croaker 83,448 19.90 4,089.72 30.29 Leiostomus xanthurus Spot 34,820 8.30 1,557.48 11.53 Farfantepenaeus aztecus Brown Shrimp 192,289 45.85 1,147.24 8.50 Limulus polyphemus Horseshoe Crab 1,010 0.24 1,003.21 7.43 Portunidae Swimming Crabs 12,421 2.96 925.90 6.86 Farfantepenaeus duorarum Pink Shrimp 33,983 8.10 688.06 5.10 Synodus foetens Inshore Lizardfish 6,062 1.45 593.68 4.40 Orthopristis chrysoptera Pigfish 9,512 2.27 476.82 3.53 Larimus fasciatus Banded Drum 5,571 1.33 475.00 3.52 Gymnura micrura Smooth Butterfly Ray 585 0.14 287.99 2.13 Paralichthys lethostigma Southern Flounder 1,079 0.26 257.83 1.91 Chlorophyta Unidentified Green Algae * * 194.38 1.44 Myliobatis freminvillei Bullnose Ray 96 0.02 167.51 1.24 Litopenaeus setiferus White Shrimp 5,538 1.32 114.02 0.84 Symphurus spp. Tonguefishes 4,806 1.15 112.79 0.84 Cynoscion regalis Weakfish 1,849 0.44 110.60 0.82 Scyliorhinidae Cat Sharks 946 0.23 109.45 0.81 Dasyatis americana Southern Stingray 244 0.06 106.93 0.79 Menticirrhus saxatilis Northern Kingfish 596 0.14 101.71 0.75 Triglidae Searobins 7,704 1.84 101.08 0.75 Raja eglanteria Clearnose Skate 135 0.03 87.25 0.65 Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish 2,235 0.53 74.77 0.55 Miscellaneous Miscellaneous * * 74.02 0.55 Scophthalmus aquosus Windowpane 3,053 0.73 68.40 0.51 Mollusca cephalopoda Squids 1,031 0.25 55.09 0.41 Citharichthys spp. Whiff Flounders 1,796 0.43 46.35 0.34 Zosteraceae Sea Grasses * * 42.64 0.32 Squilla empusa Mantis Shrimp 1,353 0.32 40.24 0.30 Rhizoprionodon terraenovae Atlantic Sharpnose Shark 186 0.04 36.63 0.27 Trichiurus lepturus Atlantic Cutlassfish 1,663 0.40 32.30 0.24 Paralichthys dentatus Summer Flounder 135 0.03 29.43 0.22 Haemulon plumierii White Grunt 499 0.12 29.33 0.22 Centropristis ocyurus Bank Sea Bass 371 0.09 22.34 0.17 Peprilus triacanthus Butterfish 328 0.08 21.90 0.16 Pomatomus saltatrix Bluefish 247 0.06 21.21 0.16 Cynoscion nebulosus Spotted Seatrout 141 0.03 21.18 0.16 Stomolophus meleagris Jelly Bomb * * 18.21 0.13 Sphoeroides maculatus Northern Puffer 200 0.05 17.24 0.13 Stenotomus caprinus Longspine Porgy 327 0.08 16.33 0.12 Cnidaria Jellyfish * * 16.04 0.12 Rajiformes Rays 59 0.01 15.86 0.12 Dasyatis sabina Atlantic Stingray 38 0.01 11.52 0.09 Anchoa hepsetus Striped Anchovy 688 0.16 9.70 0.07 Porifera Sponges * * 7.69 0.06 Lolliguncula brevis Atlantic Brief Squid 486 0.12 7.49 0.06 Dasyatidae Stingrays 11 <0.01 6.62 0.05 Squalus acanthias Spiny Dogfish 21 <0.01 6.15 0.05 Bairdiella chrysoura Silver Perch 228 0.05 5.55 0.04 Paralichthys spp. Paralicthid Flounders 181 0.04 4.28 0.03 Lagocephalus laevigatus Smooth Puffer 88 0.02 3.79 0.03 Menticirrhus spp. Kingfishes 98 0.02 3.70 0.03 Ancylopsetta quadrocellata Ocellated Flounder 161 0.04 3.54 0.03 Portunus spp. Portunus Crabs 389 0.09 3.19 0.02 Brevoortia tyrannus Atlantic Menhaden 61 0.01 3.06 0.02 Osteicthyes teleostei Unidentified Fishes 1 <0.01 3.04 0.02 Citharichthys spilopterus Bay Whiff 181 0.04 2.55 0.02 Porichthys plectrodon Atlantic Midshipman 38 0.01 1.92 0.01 Urophycis floridana Southern Hake 19 <0.01 1.92 0.01 Anchoa spp. Anchovies 130 0.03 1.65 0.01 Trinectes maculatus Hogchoker 40 0.01 1.60 0.01 Libinia spp. Libinia Spider Crabs 7 <0.01 1.32 0.01 Selene setapinnis Atlantic Moonfish 118 0.03 1.29 0.01 Chondrichthyes Sharks 1 <0.01 1.22 0.01 Prionotus spp. Prionotus Searobins 45 0.01 1.13 0.01 Urophycis spp. Urophycis Hakes 18 <0.01 0.90 0.01 Centropristis striata Black Sea Bass 6 <0.01 0.58 <0.01 Callinectes sapidus Blue Crab 1 <0.01 0.02 <0.01 Scyphozoa Jellyfish (Scyphozoa) * * 0.01 <0.01
Totals 419,374 100.00 13,503.59 100.00
146 Table 64. Relative biomass (kg) observed in the summer season in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fisheries in the ocean waters of North Carolina, July – August 2015. Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Cnidaria Jellyfish * * 4,584.75 52.20 Farfantepenaeus aztecus Brown Shrimp 114,540 61.99 1,208.42 13.76 Scyphozoa Jellyfish (Scyphozoa) * * 636.70 7.25 Micropogonias undulatus Atlantic Croaker 11,009 5.96 471.96 5.37 Mollusca cephalopoda Squids 4,655 2.52 330.71 3.77 Leiostomus xanthurus Spot 8,860 4.79 249.46 2.84 Trichiurus lepturus Atlantic Cutlassfish 4,450 2.41 240.99 2.74 Cynoscion regalis Weakfish 7,175 3.88 226.10 2.57 Stomolophus meleagris Jelly Bomb * * 138.46 1.58 Lagodon rhomboides Pinfish 1,304 0.71 90.35 1.03 Lolliguncula brevis Atlantic Brief Squid 5,009 2.71 87.54 1.00 Zosteraceae Sea Grasses * * 80.60 0.92 Bairdiella chrysoura Silver Perch 9,112 4.93 50.93 0.58 Scyliorhinidae Cat Sharks 252 0.14 49.82 0.57 Anchoa spp. Anchovies 2,613 1.41 37.57 0.43 Gymnura micrura Smooth Butterfly Ray 67 0.04 33.36 0.38 Larimus fasciatus Banded Drum 1,030 0.56 33.02 0.38 Synodus foetens Inshore Lizardfish 404 0.22 27.53 0.31 Selene setapinnis Atlantic Moonfish 2,658 1.44 26.27 0.30 Miscellaneous Miscellaneous * * 19.37 0.22 Callinectes sapidus Blue Crab 1,266 0.68 11.12 0.13 Scophthalmus aquosus Windowpane 267 0.14 9.89 0.11 Litopenaeus setiferus White Shrimp 958 0.52 9.83 0.11 Peprilus paru Harvestfish 1,641 0.89 9.51 0.11 Portunus spp. Portunus Crabs 614 0.33 9.35 0.11 Rhizoprionodon terraenovae Atlantic Sharpnose Shark 65 0.04 8.80 0.10 Gymnura spp. Butterfly Rays 19 0.01 7.35 0.08 Chondrichthyes Sharks 19 0.01 5.40 0.06 Paralichthys dentatus Summer Flounder 17 0.01 4.97 0.06 Kyphosus incisor Yellow Chub 18 0.01 4.96 0.06 Sparidae Porgies 64 0.03 4.87 0.06 Menticirrhus spp. Kingfishes 224 0.12 4.51 0.05 Atherinidae Silversides 67 0.04 4.40 0.05 Paralichthys lethostigma Southern Flounder 34 0.02 4.27 0.05 Stenotomus caprinus Longspine Porgy 52 0.03 3.83 0.04 Synodus spp Synodus Lizardfishes 81 0.04 3.82 0.04 Callinectes spp. Swimming Crabs 341 0.18 3.49 0.04 Vegetation Vegetation * * 3.30 0.04 Lagocephalus laevigatus Smooth Puffer 148 0.08 3.15 0.04 Dasyatidae Stingrays 25 0.01 3.11 0.04 Ascidicea Tunicates 52 0.03 2.99 0.03 Rhinoptera bonasus Cownose Ray 4 <0.01 2.90 0.03 Dasyatis spp. Dasyatis Stingrays 13 0.01 2.55 0.03 Discards Discarded Fishes 1 <0.01 2.42 0.03 Orthopristis chrysoptera Pigfish 27 0.01 2.42 0.03 continued
147 Table 64. continued. Scientific Name Common Name Total Number % Number Total Weight % Biomass Scomberomorus maculatus Spanish Mackerel 27 0.01 2.15 0.02 Prionotus spp. Prionotus Searobins 297 0.16 2.14 0.02 Citharichthys spp. Whiff Flounders 96 0.05 1.92 0.02 Trachinotus carolinus Florida Pompano 15 0.01 1.48 0.02 Mercenaria spp. Quahogs 7 <0.01 1.43 0.02 Libinia spp. Libinia Spider Crabs 36 0.02 1.33 0.02 Trinectes maculatus Hogchoker 58 0.03 1.26 0.01 Peprilus triacanthus Butterfish 60 0.03 1.09 0.01 Carangidae Jacks 16 0.01 1.00 0.01 Filamentous Algae Filamentous Algae * * 0.99 0.01 Menticirrhus saxatilis Northern Kingfish 85 0.05 0.85 0.01 A. mandibulata crustacea Crustaceans * * 0.80 0.01 Citharichthys spilopterus Bay Whiff 21 0.01 0.75 0.01 Ancylopsetta quadrocellata Ocellated Flounder 17 0.01 0.72 0.01 Rajiformes Rays 7 <0.01 0.70 0.01 Symphurus spp. Tonguefishes 20 0.01 0.66 0.01 Portunidae Swimming Crabs 51 0.03 0.64 0.01 Pogonias cromis Black Drum 42 0.02 0.61 0.01 Hepatus epheliticus Calico Box Crab 12 0.01 0.59 0.01 Triglidae Searobins 24 0.01 0.53 0.01 Selene vomer Lookdown 205 0.11 0.48 0.01 Sphyraena guachancho Guaguanche 23 0.01 0.47 0.01 Detritus Detritus * * 0.41 <0.01 Paralichthys spp. Paralicthid Flounders 36 0.02 0.35 <0.01 Echinodermata Starfish 7 <0.01 0.32 <0.01 Echinoidea Echinoides 17 0.01 0.29 <0.01 Limulus polyphemus Horseshoe Crab 2 <0.01 0.29 <0.01 Opisthonema oglinum Atlantic Thread Herring 8 <0.01 0.19 <0.01 Menticirrhus littoralis Gulf Kingfish 8 <0.01 0.14 <0.01 Chloroscombrus chrysurus Atlantic Bumper 35 0.02 0.12 <0.01 Squilla empusa Mantis Shrimp 9 <0.01 0.11 <0.01 Stephanolepis hispidus Planehead Filefish 5 <0.01 0.10 <0.01 Lagocephalus spp. Lagocephalus Puffers 5 <0.01 0.10 <0.01 Plastic Plastic * * 0.06 <0.01 Chaetodipterus faber Atlantic Spadefish 109 0.06 0.06 <0.01 Balistes spp. Balistes Triggerfishes 6 <0.01 0.06 <0.01 Sphyraena spp. Barracudas 4 <0.01 0.04 <0.01 Esox spp. Pikes 4 <0.01 0.04 <0.01 Crassostrea virginica Eastern Oyster 3 <0.01 0.03 <0.01 Sicyonia parri Parri Rock Shrimp 2 <0.01 0.02 <0.01 Priacanthus arenatus Bigeye 2 <0.01 0.02 <0.01 Menticirrhus americanus Southern Kingfish 5 <0.01 0.02 <0.01 Balistes capriscus Gray Triggerfish 2 <0.01 0.02 <0.01
Totals 184,776 100.00 8,782.48 100.00
148 Table 65. Tabulation of observed catch and discards by weight (kg) and species status (landed, unmarketable, regulatory discards) in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012. Species Discards Landings Regulatory Unmarketable Weakfish 625.28 0.00 20.02 Southern Flounder 109.79 0.00 6.97 Summer Flounder 63.11 0.00 1.73 Atlantic Sharpnose Shark 51.83 0.00 0.00 Gulf Flounder 28.98 0.00 0.00 Spanish Mackerel 11.84 0.00 0.00 Blue Crab 11.28 622.92 0.00 Spotted Seatrout 10.19 0.00 0.00 Black Sea Bass 7.80 0.00 0.00 Cobia 1.78 0.00 0.00 Gulf Kingfish 0.10 0.00 0.00 Alewife 0.08 0.00 0.00 Atlantic Croaker 0.00 13,877.50 303.11 Spot 0.00 3,236.46 12.91 Atlantic Cutlassfish 0.00 616.38 0.00 Pinfish 0.00 480.90 0.00 Jellyfish 0.00 372.36 0.00 Atlantic Brief Squid 0.00 224.16 24.33 Southern Kingfish 0.00 195.70 198.13 Smooth Butterfly Ray 0.00 177.99 0.00 Atlantic Menhaden 0.00 170.69 0.00 Silver Seatrout 0.00 157.29 0.00 Pigfish 0.00 152.14 0.00 Inshore Lizardfish 0.00 134.49 0.00 Atlantic Stingray 0.00 122.55 0.00 Oyster Toadfish 0.00 122.19 0.00 Star Drum 0.00 121.01 0.00 Butterfish 0.00 120.99 24.76 Silver Perch 0.00 112.06 0.00 Mantis Shrimp 0.00 101.45 0.00 Searobins 0.00 96.61 0.00 Northern Puffer 0.00 78.26 0.00 Atlantic Thread Herring 0.00 74.34 0.00 Hogchoker 0.00 73.14 0.00 Anchovies 0.00 64.90 0.00 Bay Whiff 0.00 48.03 0.00 Cat Sharks 0.00 47.60 0.00 Cownose Ray 0.00 45.52 0.00 Harvestfish 0.00 37.44 18.66 Atlantic Spadefish 0.00 36.93 3.28 Stingrays 0.00 35.73 0.00 6 Holed Keyhole Urchin 0.00 33.63 0.00 Southern Stingray 0.00 31.87 0.00 Striped Anchovy 0.00 31.59 0.00 Northern Kingfish 0.00 27.46 59.93 continued
149 Table 65. continued. Species Discards Landings Regulatory Unmarketable Bluefish 0.00 26.86 82.55 Florida Pompano 0.00 19.73 0.00 Striped Burrfish 0.00 16.79 0.00 Portunus Crabs 0.00 16.78 0.00 Tunicates 0.00 16.74 0.00 Banded Drum 0.00 15.72 0.00 Horseshoe Crab 0.00 13.69 0.00 Ocellated Flounder 0.00 11.16 0.00 Gizzard Shad 0.00 11.02 0.00 Tonguefishes 0.00 10.68 0.00 Longspine Porgy 0.00 10.13 0.00 Atlantic Threadfin 0.00 9.44 0.00 Sheepshead 0.00 8.45 1.17 Aluterus Filefishes 0.00 7.53 0.00 Windowpane 0.00 6.60 0.00 Hermit Crabs 0.00 5.25 0.00 Lookdown 0.00 4.61 0.00 Clearnose Skate 0.00 3.70 0.00 Atlantic Bumper 0.00 3.31 0.00 Fringed Flounder 0.00 3.17 0.00 Crevalle Jack 0.00 3.13 0.00 Atlantic Moonfish 0.00 3.10 0.00 Bank Sea Bass 0.00 2.44 0.00 Lady Crab 0.00 2.22 0.00 Atlantic Silverstripe Hal 0.00 1.88 0.00 Smooth Puffer 0.00 1.72 0.00 Lesser Blue Crab 0.00 1.17 0.00 Sea Cucumber 0.00 1.09 0.00 Needlefishes 0.00 1.03 0.00 Libinia Spider Crabs 0.00 0.64 0.00 Bay Anchovy 0.00 0.58 0.00 Speckled Swimming Crab 0.00 0.47 0.00 Swimming Crabs 0.00 0.45 0.00 Striped Mullet 0.00 0.44 0.00 Fourspot Flounder 0.00 0.34 0.00 Quahogs 0.00 0.31 0.00 Blood Ark 0.00 0.31 0.00 Barracudas 0.00 0.27 0.00 Bar Jack 0.00 0.25 0.00 Atlantic Silverside 0.00 0.23 0.00 White Mullet 0.00 0.07 0.00 White Shrimp 0.00 0.00 3,527.22 Brown Shrimp 0.00 0.00 3,130.64 Pink Shrimp 0.00 0.00 119.25
150 Table 66. Tabulation of observed catch and discards by weight (kg) and species status (landed, unmarketable, regulatory discards) in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – December 2013. Species Discards Landings Regulatory Unmarketable Weakfish 910.87 0.00 0.00 Southern Flounder 249.94 3.97 310.65 Spanish Mackerel 74.12 0.00 42.91 Summer Flounder 26.93 2.38 0.00 Cobia 16.73 0.00 0.00 Spotted Seatrout 13.42 0.00 0.00 Gulf Flounder 12.79 0.00 0.00 Black Sea Bass 4.76 0.00 0.00 Atlantic Croaker 0.00 12,107.36 173.16 Spot 0.00 8,133.80 78.66 Pinfish 0.00 1,396.80 0.00 Blue Crab 0.00 380.42 0.00 Banded Drum 0.00 304.63 0.00 Atlantic Menhaden 0.00 272.52 0.00 Atlantic Thread Herring 0.00 262.60 0.00 Harvestfish 0.00 235.53 4.09 Searobins 0.00 196.42 0.00 Inshore Lizardfish 0.00 182.67 0.00 Stingrays 0.00 180.58 0.00 Atlantic Brief Squid 0.00 178.84 3.01 Mantis Shrimp 0.00 170.78 0.00 Bluefish 0.00 165.24 2.49 Cat Sharks 0.00 149.87 0.00 Southern Kingfish 0.00 138.57 138.57 Pigfish 0.00 141.07 0.00 Atlantic Cutlassfish 0.00 104.12 0.00 Smooth Butterfly Ray 0.00 102.06 0.00 Jellyfish 0.00 70.86 0.00 Southern Hake 0.00 62.64 0.00 Atlantic Spadefish 0.00 45.29 0.00 Striped Burrfish 0.00 41.13 0.00 Silver Seatrout 0.00 36.90 0.00 Smooth Puffer 0.00 28.80 0.00 Butterfish 0.00 27.92 0.45 Conchs 0.00 22.68 0.00 Bay Whiff 0.00 21.13 0.00 Anchovies 0.00 20.68 0.00 Oyster Toadfish 0.00 20.36 0.00 Sheepshead 0.00 17.76 0.00 continued
151 Table 66. continued. Species Discards Landings Regulatory Unmarketable Bank Sea Bass 0.00 14.78 0.00 Sand Diver 0.00 14.34 0.00 Silver Perch 0.00 10.58 0.00 Striped Anchovy 0.00 10.20 0.00 Ocellated Flounder 0.00 9.57 0.00 Tonguefishes 0.00 6.72 0.00 Hogchoker 0.00 5.80 0.00 Gizzard Shad 0.00 5.67 0.00 Shelligs 0.00 5.26 0.00 Portunus Crabs 0.00 4.37 0.00 Black Drum 0.00 3.96 5.89 Sand Seatrout 0.00 2.98 0.00 Southern Stingray 0.00 2.81 0.00 Spotted Hake 0.00 2.79 0.00 Atlantic Stingray 0.00 2.44 0.00 Atlantic Bumper 0.00 2.18 0.00 Horseshoe Crab 0.00 1.38 0.00 Star Drum 0.00 1.37 0.00 Atlantic Moonfish 0.00 1.18 0.00 Libinia Spider Crabs 0.00 1.05 0.00 Whelks 0.00 0.86 0.00 Peprilus Butterfish 0.00 0.81 0.00 Windowpane 0.00 0.70 0.00 Hickory Shad 0.00 0.46 0.00 Hogfish 0.00 0.35 0.00 Crevalle Jack 0.00 0.34 0.00 Blacktip Shark 0.00 0.34 0.00 Northern Puffer 0.00 0.33 0.00 Aluterus Filefishes 0.00 0.32 0.00 Starfish 0.00 0.31 0.00 Squids 0.00 0.21 0.00 Atlantic Midshipman 0.00 0.12 0.00 Fourspot Flounder 0.00 0.12 0.00 Striped Searobin 0.00 0.06 0.00 Lookdown 0.00 0.04 0.00 Brown Shrimp 0.00 0.00 3,566.32 White Shrimp 0.00 0.00 2,424.12 Pink Shrimp 0.00 0.00 1,267.97 Giant Tiger Prawn 0.00 0.00 0.28
152 Table 67. Tabulation of observed catch and discards by weight (kg) and species status (landed, unmarketable, regulatory discards) in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014. Species Discards Landings Regulatory Unmarketable Weakfish 6,419.57 0.00 19.50 Summer Flounder 600.51 78.72 0.00 Southern Flounder 580.73 122.81 113.17 Spanish Mackerel 68.95 0.00 0.00 Atlantic Sharpnose Shark 30.26 0.00 0.00 Gulf Flounder 9.11 0.00 0.00 King Mackerel 0.66 0.00 0.00 Spotted Seatrout 0.46 0.00 0.00 Atlantic Croaker 0.00 60,526.27 689.39 Spot 0.00 17,029.75 2.43 Atlantic Menhaden 0.00 2,014.63 0.00 Southern Kingfish 0.00 1,720.44 1,724.65 Portunus Crabs 0.00 1,185.19 0.00 Pinfish 0.00 813.45 0.00 Blue Crab 0.00 622.04 0.00 Hogchoker 0.00 563.74 0.00 Atlantic Thread Herring 0.00 559.01 0.00 Smooth Butterfly Ray 0.00 439.67 0.00 Inshore Lizardfish 0.00 439.25 0.00 Pigfish 0.00 344.40 0.00 Atlantic Brief Squid 0.00 250.84 7.85 Jellyfish 0.00 248.53 0.00 Atlantic Stingray 0.00 240.61 0.00 Mantis Shrimp 0.00 207.96 0.00 Bluefish 0.00 177.86 1.01 Bay Whiff 0.00 152.83 0.00 Atlantic Cutlassfish 0.00 147.66 0.00 Butterfish 0.00 144.28 0.00 Tonguefishes 0.00 140.97 0.00 Searobins 0.00 140.18 0.00 Horseshoe Crab 0.00 128.58 0.00 Harvestfish 0.00 103.47 0.00 Clearnose Skate 0.00 95.16 0.00 Cownose Ray 0.00 87.10 0.00 Silver Perch 0.00 84.30 8.95 Silver Seatrout 0.00 81.61 0.00 Squids 0.00 67.39 0.00 Atlantic Spadefish 0.00 66.77 0.00 Anchovies 0.00 65.90 0.00 Bullnose Ray 0.00 63.14 0.00 Banded Drum 0.00 60.49 0.00 Striped Anchovy 0.00 52.21 0.00 Aluterus Filefishes 0.00 52.12 0.00 Jelly Bomb 0.00 32.23 0.00 Blacktip Shark 0.00 26.30 0.00 Atlantic Moonfish 0.00 22.13 0.00 Lookdown 0.00 18.23 0.00 continued
153 Table 67. continued. Species Discards Landings Regulatory Unmarketable Stingrays 0.00 14.44 0.00 Balistes Triggerfishes 0.00 11.27 0.00 Windowpane 0.00 10.53 0.00 Northern Puffer 0.00 9.94 0.00 Gizzard Shad 0.00 8.06 0.00 Calamus Porgies 0.00 4.97 0.00 Oyster Toadfish 0.00 4.80 0.00 Ocellated Flounder 0.00 4.73 0.00 Black Drum 0.00 4.58 0.00 Bank Sea Bass 0.00 3.89 0.00 Smooth Puffer 0.00 3.25 0.00 Northern Searobin 0.00 2.94 0.00 Florida Stone Crab 0.00 2.80 0.00 Striped Burrfish 0.00 2.73 0.00 Longspine Porgy 0.00 2.31 0.00 Southern Stingray 0.00 2.21 0.00 Inland Silverside 0.00 1.43 0.00 Speckled Swimming Crab 0.00 1.40 0.00 Jacks 0.00 1.33 0.00 Bar Jack 0.00 1.22 0.00 Conchs 0.00 1.08 0.00 Cero 0.00 1.07 0.00 Libinia Spider Crabs 0.00 0.89 0.00 Blue Runner 0.00 0.70 0.00 Hogfish 0.00 0.64 0.00 Atlantic Bumper 0.00 0.53 0.00 Bay Anchovy 0.00 0.47 0.00 Sygnathus Pipefishes 0.00 0.45 0.00 Dotterel Filefish 0.00 0.42 0.00 Cat Sharks 0.00 0.34 0.00 Sergeant Major 0.00 0.29 0.00 Orange Filefish 0.00 0.27 0.00 Whelks 0.00 0.24 0.00 Florida Pompano 0.00 0.19 17.38 Loligo Squid 0.00 0.17 0.00 Quahogs 0.00 0.16 0.00 Striped Mullet 0.00 0.11 0.00 Spotfin Mojarra 0.00 0.10 0.00 Atlantic Purple Sea Urchin 0.00 0.04 0.00 Needlefishes 0.00 0.04 0.00 Brown Shrimp 0.00 0.00 21,458.24 White Shrimp 0.00 0.00 774.50 Pink Shrimp 0.00 0.00 304.72 Sheepshead 0.00 0.00 28.39 Atlantic Tripletail 0.00 0.00 4.02 Giant Tiger Prawn 0.00 0.00 2.19
154 Table 68. Tabulation of observed catch and discards by weight (kg) and species status (landed, unmarketable, regulatory discards) in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery in the estuarine waters of North Carolina, April – August 2015.
Species Discards Landings Regulatory Unmarketable Weakfish 770.11 0.00 0.00 Southern Flounder 99.97 54.53 0.53 Spanish Mackerel 83.81 0.00 0.00 Summer Flounder 63.32 63.12 1.45 Paralicthid Flounders 4.98 11.81 0.00 Blacktip Shark 3.46 133.00 0.00 Spotted Seatrout 0.34 0.00 0.00 Atlantic Sharpnose Shark 0.30 0.00 0.00 Black Sea Bass 0.09 0.00 0.00 Atlantic Croaker 0.00 12,228.06 0.00 Spot 0.00 5,299.09 14.79 Spiny Dogfish 0.00 979.80 0.00 Blue Crab 0.00 694.76 0.00 Horseshoe Crab 0.00 268.82 36.75 Atlantic Menhaden 0.00 210.37 0.00 Hogchoker 0.00 201.53 0.00 Stingrays 0.00 163.66 0.00 Smooth Butterfly Ray 0.00 131.42 0.00 Atlantic Thread Herring 0.00 104.57 0.00 Pigfish 0.00 81.73 0.00 Kingfishes 0.00 75.31 22.24 Atlantic Stingray 0.00 72.05 0.00 Anchovies 0.00 65.95 0.00 Southern Kingfish 0.00 57.11 1.74 Northern Puffer 0.00 48.48 0.00 Pinfish 0.00 48.15 0.00 Whiff Flounders 0.00 43.12 0.00 Inshore Lizardfish 0.00 40.35 0.00 Squalus Dogfish 0.00 38.32 0.00 Butterfly Rays 0.00 38.18 0.00 Cownose Ray 0.00 31.87 0.00 Portunus Crabs 0.00 30.08 0.00 Silver Perch 0.00 29.75 0.00 Blueback Herring 0.00 27.14 0.00 Atlantic Spadefish 0.00 26.13 0.00 Rays 0.00 25.48 0.00 Harvestfish 0.00 20.19 3.71 Sandbar Shark 0.00 19.07 0.00 Prionotus Searobins 0.00 16.43 0.00 Ocellated Flounder 0.00 16.24 0.00 Northern Kingfish 0.00 14.16 16.04 Bluefish 0.00 14.12 0.00 Butterfish 0.00 13.24 1.07 Eastern Oyster 0.00 11.59 0.00 Atlantic Silverside 0.00 11.12 0.00 Silver Seatrout 0.00 9.44 0.00 Mantis Shrimp 0.00 8.22 0.00 Gray Triggerfish 0.00 7.09 0.00 River Herrings 0.00 6.25 0.00 continued
155 Table 68. continued. Species Discards Landings Regulatory Unmarketable Gulf Flounder 0.00 5.37 0.00 Squids 0.00 5.32 33.24 Crustaceans 0.00 4.32 0.00 Atlantic Cutlassfish 0.00 4.20 0.00 Unidentified Fishes 0.00 4.18 0.00 Smooth Puffer 0.00 3.78 0.00 Searobins 0.00 3.33 0.00 Jellyfish (Scyphozoa) 0.00 3.31 0.00 Banded Drum 0.00 2.98 0.00 Atlantic Herring 0.00 2.97 0.00 Aluterus Filefishes 0.00 2.88 0.00 Tonguefishes 0.00 2.74 0.00 Florida Pompano 0.00 2.66 0.00 Lookdown 0.00 2.36 0.00 Spottedfin Tonguefish 0.00 2.31 0.00 Sharks 0.00 2.20 0.00 White Perch 0.00 1.89 0.00 Bay Anchovy 0.00 1.88 0.00 Triggerfishes 0.00 1.64 0.00 Urophycis Hakes 0.00 1.50 0.00 Seatrouts 0.00 1.37 0.00 Fourspot Flounder 0.00 1.35 0.00 Atlantic Moonfish 0.00 1.35 0.00 Bony Fishes 0.00 1.28 0.00 Ocean Triggerfish 0.00 1.26 0.00 Balistes Triggerfishes 0.00 1.18 0.00 Bay Whiff 0.00 0.78 0.00 Sargassum Weed 0.00 0.57 0.00 Winter Skate 0.00 0.53 0.00 Jolthead Porgy 0.00 0.40 0.00 American Shad 0.00 0.37 0.00 Herrings 0.00 0.32 0.00 Crevalle Jack 0.00 0.28 0.00 Spider Crabs 0.00 0.21 0.00 Windowpane 0.00 0.17 0.00 Sygnathus Pipefishes 0.00 0.16 0.00 Atlantic Bumper 0.00 0.15 0.00 Conchs 0.00 0.15 0.00 Gobionellus Gobies 0.00 0.10 0.00 Monacanthus Filefishes 0.00 0.09 0.00 Scup 0.00 0.08 0.00 Bigeye Scad 0.00 0.06 0.00 African Pompano 0.00 0.04 0.00 Striped Mullet 0.00 0.02 0.00 Giant Tiger Prawn 0.00 0.01 0.00 Brown Shrimp 0.00 0.00 15,514.06 Pink Shrimp 0.00 0.00 138.57 Sheepshead 0.00 0.00 37.47 White Shrimp 0.00 0.00 33.54
156 Table 69. Tabulation of observed catch and discards by weight (kg) and species status (landed, unmarketable, regulatory discards) in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery in the ocean waters of North Carolina, August – December 2012. Species Discards Landings Regulatory Unmarketable Weakfish 436.93 0.00 9.45 Summer Flounder 79.83 0.00 4.79 Spanish Mackerel 30.07 0.00 0.00 Southern Flounder 28.87 0.00 25.88 Spotted Seatrout 13.03 0.00 0.00 Gulf Flounder 12.45 0.00 0.00 Atlantic Sharpnose Shark 12.29 0.00 0.00 Black Sea Bass 3.47 0.00 0.00 Spot 0.00 4,802.04 57.92 Atlantic Croaker 0.00 4,425.76 57.94 Atlantic Cutlassfish 0.00 2,452.99 0.00 Jellyfish 0.00 1,506.08 0.00 Pinfish 0.00 801.93 0.00 Smooth Butterfly Ray 0.00 589.32 0.00 Southern Kingfish 0.00 451.41 453.69 Silver Seatrout 0.00 401.50 0.00 Banded Drum 0.00 352.93 0.00 Silver Perch 0.00 345.97 0.00 Star Drum 0.00 186.68 0.00 Inshore Lizardfish 0.00 162.71 0.00 Butterfish 0.00 155.23 4.72 Pigfish 0.00 144.53 0.00 Atlantic Brief Squid 0.00 143.38 4.01 Cat Sharks 0.00 136.94 0.00 Harvestfish 0.00 113.98 0.00 Atlantic Bumper 0.00 105.53 0.00 Southern Hake 0.00 93.49 0.00 Northern Puffer 0.00 93.05 8.27 Striped Anchovy 0.00 77.05 0.00 Blacktip Shark 0.00 75.24 0.00 Squalus Dogfish 0.00 74.45 0.00 Longspine Porgy 0.00 66.74 19.04 Clearnose Skate 0.00 64.02 0.00 Atlantic Moonfish 0.00 49.59 0.00 Bonnethead Shark 0.00 49.25 0.00 Smooth Puffer 0.00 46.35 0.00 Spotted Hake 0.00 44.12 0.00 Anchovies 0.00 43.40 0.00 Atlantic Menhaden 0.00 43.09 0.00 Bluefish 0.00 43.01 11.28 Atlantic Thread Herring 0.00 42.98 0.00 Cownose Ray 0.00 32.27 0.00 Atlantic Silverside 0.00 29.59 0.00 Portunus Crabs 0.00 25.52 0.00 continued
157 Table 69. continued. Species Discards Landings Regulatory Unmarketable Windowpane 0.00 21.51 0.00 Lookdown 0.00 20.87 0.00 Searobins 0.00 20.02 0.00 Stingrays 0.00 19.52 0.00 Southern Stingray 0.00 16.78 0.00 Scup 0.00 16.48 0.00 Fringed Flounder 0.00 14.88 0.00 Atlantic Stingray 0.00 14.43 0.00 Bay Whiff 0.00 12.44 0.00 Mantis Shrimp 0.00 10.31 0.00 Black Drum 0.00 9.90 0.00 Lesser Blue Crab 0.00 7.19 0.00 Blue Crab 0.00 7.01 0.00 Florida Pompano 0.00 6.85 2.82 Tonguefishes 0.00 6.51 0.00 Eels 0.00 6.47 0.00 Northern Kingfish 0.00 5.13 3.81 Bay Anchovy 0.00 4.93 0.00 Tunicates 0.00 4.80 0.00 Bar Jack 0.00 4.69 0.00 Caranx Jacks 0.00 4.11 0.00 Sea Cucumber 0.00 3.96 0.00 Atlantic Spadefish 0.00 3.60 0.00 Hogchoker 0.00 2.29 0.00 Jelly Bomb 0.00 2.28 0.00 Northern Sennet 0.00 1.42 0.00 Urophycis Hakes 0.00 1.35 0.00 Peprilus Butterfish 0.00 1.00 0.00 Spiny Dogfish 0.00 0.75 0.00 Inland Silverside 0.00 0.71 0.00 Starfish 0.00 0.54 0.00 Spotfin Mojarra 0.00 0.48 0.00 Barracudas 0.00 0.41 0.00 Bank Sea Bass 0.00 0.36 0.00 Spider Crabs 0.00 0.36 0.00 Atlantic Purple Sea Urchi 0.00 0.16 0.00 Gulf Kingfish 0.00 0.10 0.00 Ocellated Flounder 0.00 0.08 0.00 Striped Searobin 0.00 0.08 0.00 Sygnathus Pipefishes 0.00 0.06 0.00 Seahorses 0.00 0.05 0.00 White Shrimp 0.00 0.00 2,373.60 Brown Shrimp 0.00 0.00 663.09 Pink Shrimp 0.00 0.00 3.93
158 Table 70. Tabulation of observed catch and discards by weight (kg) and species status (landed, unmarketable, regulatory discards) in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery in the ocean waters of North Carolina, April – December 2013. Species Discards Landings Regulatory Unmarketable Weakfish 249.48 0.00 2.55 Atlantic Sharpnose Shark 87.59 0.00 0.00 Summer Flounder 78.31 0.00 1.94 Southern Flounder 64.21 2.82 6.30 Spanish Mackerel 17.37 0.00 64.76 Gulf Flounder 9.93 0.00 0.00 Black Sea Bass 8.53 0.00 0.00 Blue Crab 6.34 37.80 0.00 King Mackerel 2.47 0.00 0.00 Spotted Seatrout 0.53 0.00 0.00 Atlantic Croaker 0.00 6,518.02 242.69 Spot 0.00 3,084.58 26.71 Jellyfish 0.00 1,609.79 0.00 Pinfish 0.00 1,308.00 0.00 Tunicates 0.00 958.68 0.00 Clearnose Skate 0.00 809.34 0.00 Atlantic Cutlassfish 0.00 759.63 0.00 Banded Drum 0.00 410.39 0.00 Bullnose Ray 0.00 407.44 0.00 Portunus Crabs 0.00 390.23 0.00 Smooth Butterfly Ray 0.00 342.37 0.00 Silver Seatrout 0.00 221.55 0.00 Butterfish 0.00 164.89 0.46 Stingrays 0.00 148.29 0.00 Atlantic Moonfish 0.00 144.39 0.00 Star Drum 0.00 134.03 0.00 Searobins 0.00 123.16 0.00 Cownose Ray 0.00 120.87 0.00 Pigfish 0.00 113.45 0.00 Inshore Lizardfish 0.00 110.58 0.00 Harvestfish 0.00 110.02 0.00 Southern Stingray 0.00 104.08 0.00 Blacktip Shark 0.00 102.64 0.00 Southern Kingfish 0.00 91.54 96.06 Bluefish 0.00 84.61 3.57 Atlantic Brief Squid 0.00 82.81 87.89 Atlantic Menhaden 0.00 82.62 0.00 Spotted Hake 0.00 76.79 0.00 Windowpane 0.00 59.99 0.00 Striped Anchovy 0.00 56.81 0.00 Atlantic Stingray 0.00 56.60 0.00 Atlantic Silverside 0.00 48.69 0.00 Hogchoker 0.00 44.89 0.00 Atlantic Thread Herring 0.00 44.88 0.00 Mantis Shrimp 0.00 44.86 0.00 continued
159 Table 70. continued. Species Discards Landings Regulatory Unmarketable Lookdown 0.00 27.52 0.00 Southern Hake 0.00 25.92 0.00 Smooth Puffer 0.00 18.19 0.00 Atlantic Bumper 0.00 15.23 0.00 Striped Burrfish 0.00 14.70 0.00 Longspine Porgy 0.00 12.95 0.00 Oyster Toadfish 0.00 12.46 0.00 Tonguefishes 0.00 12.36 0.00 Bank Sea Bass 0.00 11.96 0.00 Sponges 0.00 11.82 0.00 Crevalle Jack 0.00 11.25 0.00 Bay Whiff 0.00 10.18 0.00 Atlantic Purple Sea Urchin 0.00 10.14 0.00 Peprilus Butterfish 0.00 8.81 0.00 Atlantic Spadefish 0.00 8.20 0.00 Silver Perch 0.00 8.15 0.00 Black Drum 0.00 6.74 0.00 Gizzard Shad 0.00 6.43 0.00 Cat Sharks 0.00 6.04 0.00 Ocellated Flounder 0.00 5.06 0.00 Bonnethead Shark 0.00 4.36 0.00 Anchovies 0.00 4.06 0.00 Northern Puffer 0.00 3.99 0.00 Sand Seatrout 0.00 3.29 0.00 Astroscopus Stargazers 0.00 3.25 0.00 Fringed Flounder 0.00 2.50 0.00 Echinoides 0.00 2.44 0.00 Sheepshead 0.00 2.10 0.00 Sharksucker 0.00 1.97 0.00 Hogfish 0.00 1.70 0.00 Libinia Spider Crabs 0.00 0.87 0.00 Northern Sennet 0.00 0.58 0.00 Aluterus Filefishes 0.00 0.54 0.00 Brown Rock Shrimp 0.00 0.53 0.00 Fourspot Flounder 0.00 0.39 0.00 Striped Mullet 0.00 0.33 0.00 Atlantic Seabob 0.00 0.26 0.00 Rock Shrimps 0.00 0.18 0.00 Florida Pompano 0.00 0.08 5.03 Brown Shrimp 0.00 0.00 2,384.36 Pink Shrimp 0.00 0.00 1,643.45 White Shrimp 0.00 0.00 1,444.51 Northern Kingfish 0.00 0.00 9.22 Giant Tiger Prawn 0.00 0.00 1.07
160 Table 71. Tabulation of observed catch and discards by weight (kg) and species status (landed, unmarketable, regulatory discards) in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery in the ocean waters of North Carolina, April – December 2014.
Species Discards Landings Regulatory Unmarketable Weakfish 3,395.54 0.00 0.00 Atlantic Sharpnose Shark 847.32 0.00 0.00 Spanish Mackerel 195.38 16.72 8.70 Summer Flounder 169.30 26.72 0.00 Southern Flounder 151.32 11.49 29.56 Black Sea Bass 5.56 0.00 0.00 Spotted Seatrout 4.38 0.00 0.00 King Mackerel 0.98 0.00 0.00 Red Drum 0.50 0.00 0.00 Atlantic Croaker 0.00 27,307.08 15.06 Spot 0.00 6,468.94 0.00 Pinfish 0.00 1,868.49 0.00 Banded Drum 0.00 1,721.12 3.66 Jellyfish 0.00 972.78 0.00 Inshore Lizardfish 0.00 971.25 0.00 Smooth Butterfly Ray 0.00 967.55 0.00 Atlantic Cutlassfish 0.00 665.00 4.20 Portunus Crabs 0.00 578.60 0.00 Striped Anchovy 0.00 544.81 0.00 Anchovies 0.00 480.05 0.00 Blacktip Shark 0.00 449.44 0.00 Pigfish 0.00 432.17 0.00 Atlantic Moonfish 0.00 411.68 0.00 Atlantic Stingray 0.00 395.24 0.00 Southern Kingfish 0.00 323.21 331.43 Black Drum 0.00 295.91 0.00 Silver Perch 0.00 285.46 1.33 Clearnose Skate 0.00 285.22 0.00 Atlantic Thread Herring 0.00 181.05 0.00 Searobins 0.00 176.44 0.00 Cownose Ray 0.00 142.47 0.00 Longspine Porgy 0.00 131.67 0.00 Southern Stingray 0.00 131.39 0.00 Windowpane 0.00 126.08 0.00 Horseshoe Crab 0.00 104.35 0.00 Mantis Shrimp 0.00 92.96 0.00 Silver Seatrout 0.00 84.14 0.00 Bullnose Ray 0.00 82.59 0.00 Atlantic Brief Squid 0.00 75.31 146.07 Harvestfish 0.00 75.23 0.00 Bay Whiff 0.00 69.06 0.00 Stingrays 0.00 67.39 0.00 Bonnethead Shark 0.00 66.17 0.00 Bluefish 0.00 62.53 0.00 Bay Anchovy 0.00 57.74 0.00 Butterfly Rays 0.00 50.90 0.00 Squids 0.00 50.86 53.98 Bluntnose Stingray 0.00 45.86 0.00 Lookdown 0.00 44.69 0.00 Hogchoker 0.00 43.83 0.00 Guaguanche 0.00 43.27 0.00 Tonguefishes 0.00 41.62 0.00 Kingfishes 0.00 41.03 4.59 continued
161 Table 71. continued.
Species Discards Landings Regulatory Unmarketable Northern Kingfish 0.00 30.07 8.06 Largescale Lizardfish 0.00 27.25 0.00 Ocellated Flounder 0.00 26.85 0.00 Synodus Lizardfishes 0.00 24.71 0.00 Butterfish 0.00 22.03 0.00 Atlantic Menhaden 0.00 20.64 0.00 Spotfin Mojarra 0.00 18.03 0.00 Florida Pompano 0.00 17.67 2.69 Atlantic Bumper 0.00 16.65 0.00 Blue Crab 0.00 15.74 5.25 Bank Sea Bass 0.00 10.13 0.00 Atlantic Spadefish 0.00 9.23 0.00 Florida Stone Crab 0.00 8.03 6.31 Southern Hake 0.00 8.00 0.00 Jelly Bomb 0.00 6.59 0.00 Atlantic Purple Sea Urchin 0.00 5.70 0.00 Rainbow Runner 0.00 5.21 0.00 Silver Hake 0.00 5.08 0.00 Blue Runner 0.00 4.47 0.00 Seatrouts 0.00 3.43 0.00 Fourspot Flounder 0.00 3.31 0.00 Libinia Spider Crabs 0.00 3.28 0.00 Jacks 0.00 2.97 0.00 Horse-eye Jack 0.00 2.78 0.00 Threadfin Shad 0.00 2.65 0.00 Smooth Puffer 0.00 2.32 0.00 Yellow Perch 0.00 2.29 0.00 Ladyfish 0.00 2.04 0.00 Rock Shrimps 0.00 1.84 0.00 Hermit Crabs 0.00 1.58 0.00 Conchs 0.00 1.50 0.00 Jawed Fishes 0.00 1.26 0.00 Bar Jack 0.00 1.20 0.00 Jolthead Porgy 0.00 1.16 0.00 Spider Crabs 0.00 1.15 0.00 Herrings 0.00 1.08 0.00 Atlantic Herring 0.00 1.06 0.00 Caranx Jacks 0.00 1.05 0.00 White Catfish 0.00 0.96 0.00 Aluterus Filefishes 0.00 0.86 0.00 Cat Sharks 0.00 0.73 0.00 Calamus Porgies 0.00 0.63 0.00 Balistes Triggerfishes 0.00 0.44 0.00 Hogfish 0.00 0.32 0.00 Sea Urchins 0.00 0.26 0.00 Centopristis Sea Basses 0.00 0.13 0.00 Starfish 0.00 0.11 0.00 Peprilus Butterfish 0.00 0.06 0.00 Brown Shrimp 0.00 0.00 6,029.80 White Shrimp 0.00 0.00 1,971.44 Pink Shrimp 0.00 0.00 1,006.58 Giant Tiger Prawn 0.00 0.00 8.91
162 Table 72. Tabulation of observed catch and discards by weight (kg) and species status (landed, unmarketable, regulatory discards) in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery in the ocean waters of North Carolina, April – August 2015.
Species Discards Landings Regulatory Unmarketable Weakfish 336.67 0.00 0.00 Southern Flounder 216.63 45.47 0.00 Atlantic Sharpnose Shark 45.43 0.00 0.00 Summer Flounder 31.97 2.41 0.00 Spotted Seatrout 21.18 0.00 0.00 Spanish Mackerel 2.15 0.00 0.00 Black Sea Bass 0.58 0.00 0.00 Jellyfish 0.00 4,600.79 0.00 Atlantic Croaker 0.00 4,177.71 383.50 Spot 0.00 1,606.12 200.74 Horseshoe Crab 0.00 1,003.50 0.00 Swimming Crabs 0.00 930.03 0.00 Jellyfish (Scyphozoa) 0.00 636.70 0.00 Inshore Lizardfish 0.00 621.18 0.00 Banded Drum 0.00 508.03 0.00 Pigfish 0.00 479.24 0.00 Squids 0.00 356.10 29.68 Smooth Butterfly Ray 0.00 321.35 0.00 Atlantic Cutlassfish 0.00 273.26 0.00 Bullnose Ray 0.00 167.51 0.00 Pinfish 0.00 165.10 0.00 Cat Sharks 0.00 159.27 0.00 Jelly Bomb 0.00 156.66 0.00 Tonguefishes 0.00 113.44 0.00 Southern Stingray 0.00 106.93 0.00 Searobins 0.00 101.60 0.00 Northern Kingfish 0.00 95.63 6.93 Clearnose Skate 0.00 87.25 0.00 Windowpane 0.00 78.28 0.00 Silver Perch 0.00 56.48 0.00 Whiff Flounders 0.00 48.27 0.00 Mantis Shrimp 0.00 40.35 0.00 Anchovies 0.00 39.22 0.00 White Grunt 0.00 29.33 0.00 Atlantic Moonfish 0.00 27.56 0.00 Butterfish 0.00 22.99 0.00 Bank Sea Bass 0.00 22.34 0.00 Bluefish 0.00 21.21 0.00 Longspine Porgy 0.00 20.16 0.00 Atlantic Brief Squid 0.00 19.72 75.32 Northern Puffer 0.00 17.24 0.00 Rays 0.00 16.56 0.00 Portunus Crabs 0.00 12.54 0.00 Atlantic Stingray 0.00 11.52 0.00 Blue Crab 0.00 11.12 0.00 Stingrays 0.00 9.73 0.00 Striped Anchovy 0.00 9.70 0.00 Harvestfish 0.00 9.51 0.00 Kingfishes 0.00 8.21 0.00 Sponges 0.00 7.69 0.00 continued
163 Table 72. continued.
Species Discards Landings Regulatory Unmarketable Butterfly Rays 0.00 7.35 0.00 Smooth Puffer 0.00 6.94 0.00 Sharks 0.00 6.62 0.00 Spiny Dogfish 0.00 6.15 0.00 Yellow Chub 0.00 4.96 0.00 Porgies 0.00 4.87 0.00 Paralicthid Flounders 0.00 4.63 0.00 Silversides 0.00 4.40 0.00 Ocellated Flounder 0.00 4.26 0.00 Synodus Lizardfishes 0.00 3.82 0.00 Bay Whiff 0.00 3.30 0.00 Prionotus Searobins 0.00 3.27 0.00 Atlantic Menhaden 0.00 3.06 0.00 Unidentified Fishes 0.00 3.04 0.00 Tunicates 0.00 2.99 0.00 Cownose Ray 0.00 2.90 0.00 Hogchoker 0.00 2.85 0.00 Libinia Spider Crabs 0.00 2.65 0.00 Dasyatis Stingrays 0.00 2.55 0.00 Discarded Fishes 0.00 2.42 0.00 Atlantic Midshipman 0.00 1.92 0.00 Southern Hake 0.00 1.92 0.00 Florida Pompano 0.00 1.48 0.00 Quahogs 0.00 1.43 0.00 Jacks 0.00 1.00 0.00 Urophycis Hakes 0.00 0.90 0.00 Crustaceans 0.00 0.80 0.00 Black Drum 0.00 0.61 0.00 Calico Box Crab 0.00 0.59 0.00 White Shrimp 0.00 0.48 123.84 Lookdown 0.00 0.48 0.00 Guaguanche 0.00 0.47 0.00 Starfish 0.00 0.32 0.00 Echinoides 0.00 0.29 0.00 Atlantic Thread Herring 0.00 0.19 0.00 Gulf Kingfish 0.00 0.14 0.00 Atlantic Bumper 0.00 0.12 0.00 Lagocephalus Puffers 0.00 0.10 0.00 Planehead Filefish {u} 0.00 0.10 0.00 Atlantic Spadefish 0.00 0.06 0.00 Balistes Triggerfishes 0.00 0.06 0.00 Barracudas 0.00 0.04 0.00 Pikes 0.00 0.04 0.00 Eastern Oyster 0.00 0.03 0.00 Bigeye 0.00 0.02 0.00 Parri Rock Shrimp 0.00 0.02 0.00 Southern Kingfish 0.00 0.02 0.00 Gray Triggerfish 0.00 0.02 0.00 Brown Shrimp 0.00 0.00 2,355.02 Pink Shrimp 0.00 0.00 688.06
164 Table 73. Tabulation of at net mortality of select species in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery in the estuarine and ocean (0-3 miles) of North Carolina, 1 July 2012 to 31 August 2015. Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Combined n % n % n % n % n % Atlantic Croaker Alive 4,739 86.54 4,752 77.63 8,978 77.55 2,091 57.07 20,560 76.61 Dead 737 13.46 1,369 22.37 2,599 22.45 1,573 42.93 6,278 23.39 Spot Alive 2,630 60.71 2,551 45.01 2,369 22.80 449 13.88 7,999 33.86 Dead 1,702 39.29 3,116 54.99 8,023 77.20 2,786 86.12 15,627 66.14 Weakfish Alive 625 46.68 206 17.24 534 7.54 26 1.97 1,391 12.72 Dead 714 53.32 989 82.76 6,548 92.46 1,294 98.03 9,545 87.28 Gulf Flounder Alive 5 100.00 7 100.00 8 100.00 * * 20 100.00 Dead 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 * * 0 0.00 Southern Flounder Alive 14 100.00 173 86.50 157 78.11 4 12.50 348 77.85 Dead 0 0.00 27 13.50 44 21.89 28 87.50 99 22.15 Summer Flounder Alive 25 100.00 27 49.09 30 29.13 17 15.74 99 34.02 Dead 0 0.00 28 50.91 73 70.87 91 84.26 192 65.98
Table 74. Protected species interactions observed in the commercial shrimp otter trawl fishery in the estuarine and ocean (0-3 miles) of North Carolina, August 2012 to August 2015. Date Species Latitude Longitude CCW (mm) CCL (mm) Tag #
10-Sep-14 Caretta caretta 35.14.661 N 76.00.302 W 812.8 901.7 AOODB6F
165