Growth, Mortality, and Yield of Southern Flounder in Texas

Abstract

The Texas saltwater fishery harvests many species of fish intentionally and as by-catch in bays and the adjacent Gulf of Mexico. Among the fishes caught are two bothids, southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma ) and Gulf flounder (P. albigutta ). However, southern flounder account for most of the flounder catch and almost all of the landings. The objective of this study was to estimate growth and mortality rates and determine the minimum size limit and fishing mortality that would produce the maximum yield from southern flounder escaping the shrimp fishery