A comparison of larval and postlarval gulf menhaden, Brevoortia patronus, growth rates between an offshore spawning ground and an estuarine nursery

The fishery for gulf menhaden, Brevoortia patronus, was the largest by weight in the United States from 1963 through 1988 and has had a significant impact on the economy of the northern Gulf of Mexico coast. The species is also an ecologically important prey item for a number of commercially and recreationally important species. In the estuary, larval gulf menhaden move into bayous and other low salinity areas at the onset of transformation into juveniles. Estuarine residence is typical during summer months. As juveniles grow larger, they tend to move downstream to higher salinity waters and from late summer to winter many emigrate to open coastal waters.