TPWD 1964 F-5-R-11 #905: Fisheries Investigations and Surveys of the Waters of Region I-B: Experimental Introduction of Marine Fish into Saline Waters of Western Texas, Job Completion Report

JOB COMPLETION REPORT As required by FEDERAL AID IN FISHERIES RESTORATION ACT TEXAS Federal Aid Project No. F-S-R-ll FISHERIES INVESTIGATIONS AND SURVEYS OF THE WATERS 0F REGION I-B Job No. F-l Experimental Introduction of Marine Fish into Saline Waters of Western Texas Project Leader: Lawrence S. Campbell J. Weldon Watson Executive Director Parks and Wildlife Department Austin, Texas Marion Toole Eugene A. Walker D-J Coordinator Assistant Director, Wildlife May 29, 1964 At the end of the sixth year 1,920 marine fish of five species had been introduced into saline waters of the Pecos River watershed. Survival of two Species was confirmed by recaptures during 1963. During the past year 171 red drum, 28 flounder, and 4 black drum were tranSported from the coaSt and released in Red Bluff Reservoir. Extensive reconnaissance netting recaptured 10 red drum from previous releases. These fish varied in size from 1 pound 7 ounces to 25 pounds 6 ounces. An analysis of data indicates: (1) most red drum have survived initial transplantation; (2) red drum and flounder experience a high degree of survival for at least 4 years and exhibit growth equal or greater than for the same Species along the Texas coast; (3) degree of survival and rate of growth of red drum and flounder exceeds that for species of warm water fish that have been released from State fish hatcheries; (4) positive evidence of reproduction has not been obtained. Some data may be interpreted as being possible indices of attempted reproduction. Recommendations include; (1) Additional fish be stocked in sites where survival is proven; (2) if possible, releases should be made in new sites where conditions indicate their logical choice; (3) greater quantities of fish should be released to permit expansion of the study to include food habits and sexual development; (4) future work should have the benefit of more frequent council of a marine biologist with research experience; (5) consideration should be given to deve10ping a more ex— tensive program whose coordination and supervision would be the primary duty of a qualified individual. JOB COMPLETION REPORT State of Texas Project No. F-5-R-1l ‘ Name: Fisheries Investigations and Surveys of the Waters of Region I-B Job No. F-l Title: Experimental Introduction of Marine Fish into Saline Waters of Western Texas ____i_____n_____i____________i___i_________“ March 1, 1963 - February 28, 1964 Period Covered Objectives: To determine adaptability of marine Species in inland waters. Techniques used: 1. To obtain fish, close contact was maintained with the coastal division of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. When suitable fish were captured and retained at the marine laboratory, project personnel left for the coast. April 8 and 9, 1963 were Spent obtaining additional fish. 2. Captured fish were released in Red Bluff Reservoir on the morning of April 10, 1963. Released were 171 red drum, (Sciaenops ocellata), 28 flounders, (Paralichthys lethostigma), and 4 black drum, (Pogonias cromis). 3. Six field trips were made to Red Bluff and Imperial Reservoirs. In addition to recapturing marine fish, sampling of fish populations was designed to provide data contributive to objectives for Jobs B—28 and B-32. Gill netting included 139 standard or Specific sets 26,200 feet long. Thirty-five seining collections were taken to determine reproductive activity or progeny survival. Background Information: waters where saline properties limit game fish production in variety and quantity. Potentially, these waters are of tremendous recreational importance because of their nearness to heavily pOpulated urban areas, located in semi-desert country that is cleaved by two primary tourist routes. Success in this effort should have wide application. To date 1,920 marine fish have been released. Except for a few year-old fish that were introduced into the Pecos River, fingerling size fish were used. All smaller fish were released in Red Bluff and Imperial Reservoirs. Atlantic croaker, (Micr0pogon undulatus), Spot, (Leiostomus xanthurus), and seatrout, (Cynoscion nebulosus) have survived initial tranSplantation. Plans to release stripped bass, (Roccus saxatalis), have not materialized. Details of previous findings are in completion reports for Job F-l, Project F-5-R-7, 8, 9 and 10. ' Distribution of Species Introduced into Red_Bluff Reservoir, Imperial Reservoir and the Pecos River Red Bluff Reservoir I I Condition 6n Average Size Arrival at Date Species Number Inches Release Site 4—10—63 Red drum 171 2.7 Fair Flounder 28 3.3 Good Black drum 4 5.5 Good 4-10—61 Red drum _ 50 2.7 Poor Seatrout 30 3.8 Poor Flounder 25 3.3 Poor 4-12—61 Red drum 183 3.0 Good Seatrout 24 4.9 Fair Flounder 14 3.3' Good Croakers 470 3.5 Good Totals Red drum _ 404 Croakers 470 Seatrout 54 Flounder 67 Black drum .4 999 Imperial Reservoir I Condition On Average Size Arrival at Date Species Number Inches _ Release Site 4—15-60 Red drum 246 3.0 Good Seatrout 50 4.9 Poor Flounder 75 3.8 _Good Croakers 500 3.8 Fair Total 871 Pecos River I Condition on Average Size Arrival at Date Species: Number ' Inches Release Site 9-18-59 Red drum 50 12.00 Fair Results: Within the year water levels in the concerned reservoirs were drastically reduced. Salinitkm were higher than in many previous years and crowding of fish into lesser areas increased competition for the means of subsistence. Reported catches of marine fish were less frequent. Recaptures in nets drOpped significantly. In interpreting data that follows several assumptions are made. (1) Size averages of fish released are assumed sufficient for present needs. The rapid mortality of juvenile fish while awaiting transport, the impracticality of individual indentification, the difficulty of obtaining fish, and the limited facilities available resulted in a decision to sacrifice positive measure to promote survival. A few flounders were 5 inches. A few red drum were 4 inches. Approximately 90 per cent of individuals were near the mean sizes indicated. Nearly all fish released were significantly smaller than averages indicated for similar age groups in previously completed marine life history studies. (2) It is assumed that all fish released were spawned between September and November. The l'estimated age” of individuals is the number of days occurring between October 1 of the fall prior to release and the date of recapture. (i.e. Spawned Oct. 1, 1960- recaptured Oct. 1, 1961 ~ estimated age 365 days). ”Tenure” is the number of days between the individuals release and its recapture (i.e. released April 15, 1960 - recaptured April 15, 1961 - tenure 365 days). (3) Probably, spawning of any of the species is spread over a two to 4 week period, and the annual spawning period may deviate by two or three weeks. Assuming this to be true, individuals from several spawns (some occurring earlier than others) were probably included in transplants. This could partially account for the variation in subsequent growth. The actual age of individuals probably varied from the estimated age by as much as 30 days, but should not greatly exceed that quantity. Recaptures of Marine Fish Introduced Recaptures from Imperial Reservoir WWW“ Date Date Tenure Est. Age Length Weight _ R___<aleased Reca . . IDCheS Grams {tured_ _Lbs._IOZ.I_K,_ Red drum 4-15-60 9d8~60 146 301 260 10.24 445 1 0 Dead 4-15-60 9-8-60 146 301 279 11.00 445 1 0 4-15-60 6-15-61 427 582 440 17.32 1588 3 8 1.85 4-15-60 6-15-61 427 582 430 16.92 1389 3 1 1.75 4-15-60 6-15-61 427 582 425 16.73 1361 3 0 1.80 4—15-60 6—15-61 427 582 445 17.52 1474 3 4 1.67 4-15-60 10‘19-61 552 707 583 22.95 3515 7 12 1.78 4-15-60 10-19-61 552 707 539 21.22 2778 6 2 1.77 4—15-60 10-19r61 552 707 543 21.38 2750 6 1 1.73 4-15-60 10-19-61 552 707 562 22.12 2892 6 6 1.64 4—15-60 10-19-61 552 707 556 21.89 2920 6 7 1.70 4-15-60 10-19-61 552 707 578 22.76 3289 7 4 1.70 4—15-60* 10-19-61 552 707 570 22.44 3345 7 6 1.83 4—15-60 10-19-61 552 707 540 21.26 2722 6 0 1.74 4—15-60 10-19-61 552 707 582 22.91 3345 7 6 1.70 4-15-60 10—19-61 552 707 572 22.52 3232 7 2 1.75 4-15-60 10-19-61 552 707 556 21.89 2863 6 5 1.72 Imperial Reservoir Continued Length Species Released Recaptured (Days) (Days) MM Inches Grams Lbs. Oz. K Date Date Tenure Est. Age Weight Red drum 4—15-60 10-19-61 552 707 559 22.00 2977 6 9 1.75 4—15-60 10—19—61 552 707 548 21.57 2778' 6 2 1.69 4-15-60 10-19-61 552 707 520 20.47 2438 5 6 1.74 4-15—60 10-19—61 552 707 512 20.16 2381 5 4 1.77 4—15-60 10-19-61 552 707 538 21.18 2835 6 4 1.83 4—15-60 10—19-61 552 707 549 21.62 2892 6 6 1.75 4—15-60 10—19-61 552 707 544 21.42 2835 6 4 1.76 4-15-60 10-19-61 552 707 509 20.04 2466 5 7 1.88 4-15-60' 4-18-62 733 888 540 21.26 2722 6 0 1.74 4-15-60 11-9-62 968 1123 695 27.36 5670 12 4 1.65 4-15-60 1148-63 1332 1487 709 27.91 11368 25 1 3.19 Golden Croaker 4—15—60 10-19—61 552 707 235 9.25 307 10.5 2.36 Spot Croaker 4-15-60 10—19-61 552 707 192 7.56 180 6.35.2.54 Flounder 4-15-60 10-19-61 552 707 430 16.93 1899 4 3 2.38 Flounder 4—15-60 11—9162 968 1123 505 19.88 3374 7 7 2.61 Flounder 4-15-60 2-27-63 1048 1203 504 19.84 2948 6 8 2.30 ______________________________________n__________—________fl______i_____fl__n______ Recaptures from Red Bluff Reservoir ___________i_______i__u___________________________w______________m____w_______ Date Date Tenure Est. Age Length Weight Species Released Recaptured (Days) (Days) MM Inches Grams Lbs. Oz. K' Red drum 4—12-61 11-7-61 209 372 308 12.13 1049 2 5 3.59 4-12-61 ll-7-6l 209 372 305 12.00 879 1 15 3.09 4-12-61 11-7—61 209 372 372 11.92 794 1 12 2.85 4—12—61 5-9-62 392 555 432 17.00 1588 3 8 1.96 4-12-61 12-5w62 602 765 574 22.60 3317 7 5 1.75 4-10—63 11-5-63 209 370 391 15.39 1219 2 11 2.10 4—10-63 11—5—63 209 370 349 13.74 737 1 10 1.70 4-10-63 11-5-63 209 370 335 13.19 652 l 7 1.73 4-10-63 11-5-63 209 370 349 13.74 879 ‘ l 15 2.07 4—10-63 11-5—63 209 370 330 12.99 I765 1 11 2.13 4-10-63 11-5-63 209 370 364 14.29 .964 2 2 2.00 4~10-63 11-5w63 209 370 375 14.76 936 2 1 1.77 4-10-63 11-5-63 209 370 324 12.76 709 l 9 2.08 4~10~63 11-5-63 209 370 330 12.99 794 1 12 2.21 Red Drum at 370 Days (Age Group II) WWW Estimated Age Length Weight .l wear 5 daHS. ..MM._ ._ Inches .. ._ Grams _Lbsy OZ: .. .K Days 370 308 12.13 1049 2 5 3.59 370 303 11.92 794 1 12 2.85 370 305 12.00 879 1 15 3.09 370 391 15.39 1219 2 11 2.10 370 349 13.74 737 1 10 1.70 370 335 13.19 '652 1 7 1.73 370 349 13.74 879 1 15 2.05 370 330 12.99 765 1 11 2.13 370 364 14.29 964 2 2 2.00 370 375 14.76 936 2 1 1.77 370 324 12.76 709 1 9 2.08 _..u..370 __ _. _ 330. _.12.99___ 794... 1 12... 2.21 Mean ,____,______ 338.5__y13.32__ ..... 864.75, 1 14.5 2.28 In the above data extreme deviation in length from the median is 44 mm. (1.73 inches). Sixtywsix per cent of lengths deviated from the median by 25 mm. (1 inch) or less and 50 per cent deviated by less than 10 mm. (.39 inches). Extremes and deviations from weight and K factor means or medians was greater than for lengths, however this may be attributable to the ratio of males to females. This group of fish is. slightly longer and exhibit Significantly greater weight and condition than is indicated in life history studies from fish of the same age group occurring in coastal waters. Red Drum at 550 to 582 Days (Age Group III) Estimated Age Length Weight ..18~l9.monthsf . 555 432 17.00 1588 3 8 1.96 582 440 17.32 1588 3 8 1.85 582 430 16.92 1389 3 1 1.75 582 425 16.73 1361 3 0 1.80 582 __d _445 _W__17.52 _ 1474 3 _.4_ I_1.67H_ 3 _4._ 1. Although the above sample is too small to be statistically reliable; the mean length is the identical figure found in life history studies by the coastal division. The maximum length deviates from the median by only 10 mm (.39 inches) and weights and K factors are more uniform than for other age groups. Figure 1. One of 50 red drum released in the Pecos River near Imperial in 1959. Fish had traveled approximately 200 miles prior to his recapture by sportsman Stanley Adams of Marfa. Fish weighed about 5 pounds and was 24 inches long. Stanley reported seeing other red drum in the area at that time, but none since. __...__.__._._.-.-_——-I Figure 2 Three year old Red Drum found dead on beach of Imperial Reservoir. Fish was 25 inches long and would weigh between 17 and 20 pounds living. Figure 3 summer recorded for the area. Red Drum at 707 Days (Age Group IV) Estimated Age-ll . . . . III’LengthVI- .. .__ (_lilweight 707 583 22 95 3515 7 12 1.78 707 539 21 22 2778 6 2 1.77 707 543 21.38 2750 6 1 1.73 707 562 22 13 2892 6 6 1.64 707 556 21.89 2920 6 7 1.70 707 578 22.76 3289 7 4 1.70 707 570 22 44 3345 7 6 1.83 707 540 21.26 2722 6 0 1.74 707 582 22 91 3345 7 6 1.70 707 572 22 52 3232 7 2 1.75 707 556 21.89 2863 6 5 1.72 707 559 22 00 2977 6 9 1.75 707 548 21 57 2778 6 2 1.69 707 520 20 47 2438 5 6 1.74 707 512 20.16 2381 5 4 1.77 707 538 21.18 2835 6 4 1.83 707 549 21.62 2892 6 6 1,75 707 544 21 42 2835 6 4 1.76 _. 707.. . _ _ .. _._ . 509 ...20a04......2466 5 . 7 _ ..1-88 _ Mean ____________ 550.52_Zl.67 w___ 2908 6 _6.57_ ..l.75_, In this sample 1ength.extremes deviate from the median by 37 mm (1.45 inches), and 78 per cent of the individuals lengths deviate by less than 25 mm (1 inch). Fifty~three per cent deviate by less than 13 mm (1/2 inch). The mean length for this group (21.67 inches) is 1.17 inches greater than life history studies inn dicated for fish occurring in coastal waters. Red Drum 765 to 888 Days (Age Group V) Estimated Age- A ‘1‘— ... Length .... Weight 26 months, . .. .,.... ._ ...._.-. . LbSo_. ._« _ _.. K ”WWW—fl Estimated Age Length Weight 3 ears 6 months MM Inches Grams Lbs. Oz. K 1123 695 27.36 5670 12 8 1.65 1203 Dead on_Beachi _ 709___ 25.00 Est. 17-20 lbs.