TPWD 1963 F-5-R-10 #837: Experimental Stocking of Marine Fish Species in Saline Waters of Western Texas, Job Completion Report, Project F-5-R-10

JOB COMPLETION REPORT As required by FEDERAL AID IN FISHERIES RESTORATION ACT TEXAS Federal Aid Project Non F-SwR-IO FISHERIES INVESTIGATIONS AND SURVEYS 0F THE WATERS 0F REGION I—B Job N0a le Experimental Stocking of Marine Fish Species in Saline Waters of Western Texas . Project Leader: Lawrence Sn Campbell Ho Do Dodgen Executive Secretary Texas Game and Fish Commission Austing Texas IMarion Toole Eugene Au Walker D-J Coordinator Director? Program Planning . March 283 196.3 ABSTRACT Evidence obtained is insufficient and inconclusive. Data obtained indicates that at least two Species of marine fish introduced into inland waters continue to survive and exhibit remarkable growtha Fish recaptured from Imperial Reservoir suggest that red drum have grown from the 7 pound class in their third year to the 15 pound class in their fourth year. Post-mortem examination of two of these fish indicated gonadal development was normalo Data from flounders recovered from the same waters implies growth from 4 pounds to nearly 7 pounds within the past yeara In Red Bluff Reservoir red drum apparently grew from about 2 pounds, at ages of approximately one year, to over 7 pounds within the second year of growtha Data confirming reproduction has not been obtained; however, natural reproduction may not be absolutely essential to the success of the program. Sportsmen have reported many catches of red drum from both reservoirs, and it this efforto At least four additional marine species may be potentially adaptable to inland waters or at least warrant further investigations JOB COMPLETION REPORT State of Texas Project N00 F—5-R—10 Name: Fisheries Investigations and Surveys of the Waters of Region lnB Job Noo le Title: 'v Axgerimental_Stockin;_of_Marine_FishpS ‘yecies in Saline Waters of Western Texas Period Covered______'__‘_§Marchqlc l962.j_Februar_ Objectives: To experimentally introduce desirable marine game fish species into saline waters of western Texaso Techniques Used: 10 Contact was maintained with personnel of the Coastal Fisheries Division in an attempt to determine the time when an abundant supply of fingerling sized fish would be concentrated in shore waterso It was pr0posed to collect the required supply of juvenile fish with drag seineso The fish would then immediately be transported to previously selected sites for their releaseo Misfortune, in adverse and unpredictable weather con~ ditions, prevented an accurate prediction of when the fish would be concentrated near the beaches and thus available for captureo The single field trip to the coast met with failureo 2° Attempts to secure striped bass (Roccus saxatilis) were equally unsuccessfulo 33 Five periodic field trips were made to Imperial Reservoir, and three field trips were made to Red Bluff Reservoiro Sixty-four gill nets were set in Imperial Reservoir and 21 seining efforts were madeo Twenty" five gill nets were set in Red Bluff Reservoir and seining was attempted at six locationso 4a A more detailed study of salinity and biological conditions was planned, but the loss of the assistant project leader and subsequent failure to secure a replacement until the last two months of the segment prevented completion of that worka Marine Species of fish totalling 1,723 individuals have been introduced into saline waters in western Texaso Except for a few yearling fish introduced into the Pecos River (Figure l), fingerling size fish were usedo Most of these smaller fish were released in Red Bluff Reservoir and Imperial Reservoira Red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus ), atlantic croaker (Micropogon undulatus), Spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) and southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigmus) were the Species introducedo Previous reconnaissance data has indicated survival of four species in undetermined quantity and has also established exceptionally high rate of growth for all fishes recapturedo Additional details of previous findings are in the completion report for Job F-l, Project F—5-R~9o Distribution of Species Introduced into Red Bluff Reservoir, Imperial Reservoir and the Pecos River ____a_._____a___________a___________a______.__________a__________i_______________ Date S ecies Number Avera s Size inches Arrival Condition ' Red Bluff Reservoir 4—10-61 Red drum 50 2.7 Poor Seatrout 30 3.8 Poor Flounder 25 3.3 Poor 4w12-61 Red drum 183 3.0 Good Seatrout 24 4.9 Fair Flounder 14 3.3 Good Croakers 470 3.5 Good Imperial Reservoir 4-15-60 Red drum 246 3.0 Good Seatrout 50 4.9 Poor Flounder 75 3.8 Good Croakers 500 3.8 fiFair Pecos River 9-18-59 Red drum 50 12.0 Fair _____.______a__a___a_.___.____a__a_____i___________________i_____*___________.___ Results: The number of fish recaptured per netting effort dr0pped significantly during the period. However, survival of two species, red drum (SciaenoEs Ocellata) and southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma), was confirmed in the sampling effort that followed the most severe winter ever recorded for the concerned area. Recaptures for Marine Fish Introduced into Western Reservoirs Imperial Reservoir Tenure Avg. Length Avg. Weight Average S ecies No. Months Inches Pounds _ K Factor Red drum 2 5 515.0 1.15 1.22 Red drum 1 12 17.0 1.90 1.43 Red drum 4 14 20.0 ' 3.20 1.37 Red drum 19 18 26.0 6.75 1.94 Red drum 1 24 21.25 6.00 1.72 Red drum 1 32 27.36 12.25 1.65 Red drum * 2 34 29.00 17.00 - Flounder 1 18 18.00 4.20 2.38 Flounder 1 25 19.88 7.50 2.61 Flounder 1 34 19.00 6.50 2.57 Croakers l 5 7.00 .30 2.07 Croakers 2 18 8.4 .75 2.36 .a__________________________________________I________________fl____________a_____ Red Bluff Reservoir Tenure Avg. Length Avg. Weight Average S ecies No. Months) Inches Pounds) K Factor Red drum 3 5 16.90 1.95 1.60 Red drum 1 12 17.00 3.50 1.96 Red drum 1 20 22.54 7.26 1.75 W * These fish were not taken in gill nets, but were found dead on the shores of Imperial reservoir. Mutilation and desiccation prevented obtaining accurate length-weight data. Weights are best available estimate. Discussion: Relatively few final conclusions are possible from the evidence available. Probably, of the four marine species introduced, only red drum and flounder have survived in significant numbers. Since atlantic croakers have not been recaptured in the past 14 months, this species is considered unsuited for the primary purpose of their introduction, that of providing a game fishery. Spotted seatrout have not been recovered and their survival is doubted. Positive evidence of repro- duction by any of the species introduced is lacking. However, postvmortem examination of two red drum indicated that gonadal development was apparently normal. One of these fish may have spawned or otherwise discharged eggs. Data obtained proves that red drum have survived and exhibited remarkable growth, and that this species has probably grown more rapidly in Red Bluff Reservoir than in the smaller lake at Imperial. Of 1,723 fish released 4.13 per.cent have been recaptured. Over 12.19 per cent of the 246 red drum released in Imperial reservoir have been recovered, and 4 per cent of the flounder have been recaptured. In addition to fish recovered by project personnel, a significant number of red drum have been taken by sportsmen. At least four of the catches reported during the past five months are probably authentic. In these instances records of the length and weight of fish caught were available and this information is relatively consis— tent with data taken from fish captured in gill nets. Sportsmen probably would not have an accurate enough concept of this relationship to fabricate such evidence. If 25 per cent of reported catches are assumed to be authentic, and the natural pr0pensity of fish p0pulations within a specific age group to decrease is considered, probably few red drum remain of original releases. It may even be doubtful if adequate breeding potential has existed since the fish have reached maturity. For these reasons it is absolutely essential that additional fish be secured for release. A failure of natural spawning may not be pro- hibitive to the development and maintenance of an inland marine fishery. An economical method of trapping an adequate supply of fingerling sized fish from coastal waters may be developed and/or a practical means of artificially pro- pagating the fish may be evolved through research. It is difficult to estimate the true recreational value of catching a 20—pound red drum from an inland lake 500 miles from the Texas coast, but there is little doubt such a value is exceedingly high. Recommendations: Having acquired the knowledge that marine fish will survive in these saline waters and experience a high degree of fitness, it is recommended that this investigation be continued and supplemented as follows: (1) (2) (4) (5) Additional introductions of Species whose survival and growth has been established should be made in order to assure a breeding potential in the event of reproduction. acts that permit the Texas Game and Fish Commission to legally determine seasons, bag, and possession limits for waters of the concerned area. Additional Species may be introduced. Common pompano (Trachinotus carolinus), striped bass, snook (CentroRomus undecimalis) tripletail, (Lobotes surinamensis), sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus), and tarponflMeeelopi atlanticus), are marine Species considered worth trying. A more thorough knowledge of Spawning requirements and other life history habits of these species should be acquired. More frequent reconnaissance surveys should be conducted to determine species condition, develoPment and possible reproduction. Prepared by Lawrence S. Campbell Approved by 26w: Jy—é Coordinator Date Project Leader March 28, 1963 Leo D. Lewis Regional Supervisor