SIMULATION MODELING OF CONSERVATION STANDARDS FOR SPOTTED SEA-TROUT (CYNOSCION-NEBULOSUS) IN EVERGLADES-NATIONAL-PARK

A stock assessment was conducted on the spotted seatrout (Cynoscion ne bulosus) stock of Florida Bay in Everglades National Park including si mulated outcomes of six possible regulatory options. Female ovarian we ight (grams) was regressed on total length (inches) (ovarian weight = 9.62E-04.total length3.542661; r = 0.78). Annual estimates of fishing mortality (F) for fully recruited fish (age 4-8) ranged from F = 0.28 in 1981 to F = 0.91 in 1974 with an overall average of F = 0.54. Annua l estimates of spawning potential ratio ranged from a low of 28% in 19 74 to a high of 35% in 1981. Yield-per-recruit analysis suggests that with 10% release mortality the fishery is now operating very near the level of mortality that would produce the maximum yield-per-recruit. H owever, a 25% release mortality would place the fishery beyond this le vel. Simulations indicate that if fishing mortality continues at the e stimated levels for 1990 then increasing the minimum size to 16 inches would increase yield-per-recruit by 15% and increase the spawning pot ential ratio to 40% within 5 years.