Depth-Related Distribution of Postjuvenile Red Snapper in Southeastern U.S. Atlantic Ocean Waters: Ontogenic Patterns and Implications for Management

For the economically and ecologically important Red Snapper Lutjanus campechanus, depth distribution patterns across ontogeny are not well understood, particularly in the southeastern U.S. Atlantic Ocean (SEUSA). Using data derived from two fishery-independent surveys targeting hardbottom habitats, we examined patterns of age- and length-specific depth distributions of postjuvenile (age 1+) Red Snapper in the SEUSA. We also compared age and length distributions between fishery-independent surveys and commercial hook-and-line catches to make inferences about gear-specific age and size selectivity, which could have implications for gear-specific interpretations of Red Snapper depth distribution patterns and for determining selectivity functions used in stock assessments. Older, larger Red Snapper were generally distributed throughout all depths, whereas the younger and smaller Red Snapper occurred disproportionately in relatively shallow waters. For Red Snapper equal to or larger than 50 cm FL, we found no evidence of a positive relationship between depth and age or length. Additionally, age and length distributions of Red Snapper ≥ 50 cm FL did not differ between fishery-independent surveys and the commercial hook-and-line fishery. These results provide no support for assertions of greater abundances of older and larger Red Snapper in deeper SEUSA waters. As observed in this study for Red Snapper in SEUSA waters, we suggest that patterns of increasing age and size with depth for multiple reef-associated fish species in SEUSA and Gulf of Mexico waters may be driven by younger and smaller fish occurring in shallower waters, and older and larger fish being distributed more equally across depths. Analyses to test this hypothesis for multiple species would be informative for their assessment and management and are recommended.