The status of the scup (Stenotomus chrysops) in winter trawl fishery

Abstract

Commercial landings of scup were sampled at Hampton, Virginia, to obtain estimates of the size and age composition of the catch. The size composition of the catch varied during the fishing season and the polymodal nature of the length-frequency distribution indicated a number of age groups present in the catch. Scales and otoliths were examined to ascertain the age structure of the catch. Inconsistent sculpturing of scales from the same fish and failure to delineate entire rings on the scale past the first two rings did not permit aging of fish suspected of being older than two years. Annular marks on otoliths were not resolved. The length-weight relationship was derived. It is suggested that the scup resource is being over-exploited. Both total landings of scup throughout their range and catch per trip of the winter trawler fleet have declined. Small fish, by market sorting standards, have become an increasingly important component of the landed catch because of the scarcity of larger fish. A larger meshed trawl net is recommended to permit escapement of small fish.