Small Marine Reserves May Increase Escapement of Red Drum

An experimental stock enhancement program was conducted in Port Royal Sound estuary, South Carolina, in which cultured juvenile red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus, 2–3 cm TL, ∼40 days old) were released into a system of shallow tidal creeks that flow into the Colleton River. All fish were immersed in oxytetracycline (OTC) prior to release to produce an identifiable, chemical mark on the otoliths. The release area was typical of primary nursery habitat in this region. For four years post‐stocking, fish were collected throughout the sound using hook and line, spear, and trammel net. Otoliths were examined for OTC marks to determine which fish were of hatchery origin. It was found that while dispersal was substantial, many stocked fish stayed in the general area of release (1.8 × 3.2 km) until reaching the age of maturity (∼age 3) when they left the estuary, and at all ages they were mixed with wild fish. This suggests that relatively small areas containing the appropriate suite of habitat types could be designated as marine reserves (no‐take zones) in order to increase escapement of red drum, thus enhancing recruitment to the spawning stock. Establishing a system of these very small reserves in a number of estuaries would minimize interference with anglers while assisting recovery of red drum stocks, and perhaps enhancing stocks of other estuarine species as well.