Ultrasonic Telemetry of Red Snapper, Lutjanus campechanus, at Artificial Reef Sites in the Northeast Gulf of Mexico

An extensive artificial reef system exists in the northeast Gulf of Mexico, and red snapper, Lutjanus campechanus, is a major faunal component of this system. This species is actively sought by commercial and recreational fishers, but it is uncertain whether artificial reefs simply aggregate red snapper or actually increase their production (Bohnsack, 1989). Production of red snapper on artificial reefs is difficult to estimate without information on movements and residence. In this study, the movements and site fidelity of red snapper at artificial reefs were estimated by tracking fish with ultrasonic transmitters. This study was unique for red snapper in that it allowed locations and times for individual fish to be recorded repeatedly over different seasons.