![]() ![]() Recorded yields range from a few tens or hundreds, to several thousand tonnes annually at the national level. not just lumped in as generic ‘snapper’ data) to better understand trends over time, outcomes of management and for planning and assessment purposes.įisheries/Conservation: The mutton snapper is a prized fishery species and among the more abundant snappers landed, thereby supporting many local economies. It is recommended that precautionary management measures be taken and that catch and effort data are collected at the species-specific level (i.e. However, more management is needed to stem declines in multiple countries. Management: Some species-specific management is in place in multiple countries across the region, ranging from minimum sizes, gear controls, bag limits, export controls, and temporal and/or seasonal controls during the spawning period. The large cloud to the left of the fish in the right photo contains the released eggs and sperm of the gathered spawners which quickly return to the substrate. Group spawning of mutton snapper small groups form within much larger aggregations and rise up into the water (left and middle photo). These sharks may time their movements to take advantage of these massive and predictable pulses of eggs each year, and regularly gather at known spawning aggregation sites in the spawning season. In an interesting example of a possible ecosystem role for mutton snapper spawning aggregations, mating adults at Gladden Spit, Belize, release large clouds of eggs that are preyed upon by whale sharks. Spawning aggregations are known from at least 10 countries or territories with over 25 aggregation sites identified to date in the region. Aggregation sites have sandy, rocky or coral habitat and occur on or adjacent to shelf breaks, with most recorded sites at 20-40 m. However, month of spawning can vary even within a country, as in Cuba where peaks can occur between May and August depending on the location. sexes are separate with no sex change) and forms annual spawning aggregations of about a week around the full moon period, for several months annually, typically peaking in May and June. Maximum age is variable by location but typically less than 20 years, although a fish of 29 years was reported from east Florida.Ī relatively solitary species, mutton snapper occurs in small groups outside the spawning season and gathers in large aggregations to find a mate and to spawn. Maximum total length can exceed 90 cm TL and the species is commonly taken up to a length of 50-70 cm. Mutton snapper are relatively long-lived with individuals reaching estimated sexual maturity at four years and about 40 – 50 cm FL in Cuba. The species feeds mainly on crustaceans, fishes and mollusks. The species produces pelagic eggs and the larvae are estimated to remain in the plankton for approximately 25-37 days before settling in seagrass beds and associated shallow habitats. Species summary: Mutton snapper are found in a range of different habitats, predominantly associated with seagrass beds when younger, and coral reefs as it grows and matures. The adult depth range for mutton snapper is down to 95 m, possibly deeper. The species is most abundant around the Antilles, the Bahamas and off southern Florida. Range Description: Distributed in the Western Atlantic: Massachusetts, USA and Bermuda to southeastern Brazil, including the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. ![]()
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