Changes in the age structure and population size of red snapper, Lutja
nus campechanus, from North Carolina through the Florida Keys were exa
mined using records of landings and size frequencies of fish from comm
ercial, recreational, and headboat fisheries from 1986 to 1995. Popula
tion size in numbers at age was estimated for each year by applying se
parable virtual population analysis (SVPA) to the landings in numbers
at age. SVPA was used to estimate annual, age-specific fishing mortali
ty (F) for four levels of natural mortality (M = 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, and
0.30). Although landings of red snapper for the three fisheries have
declined, minimum fish size regulations have also resulted in an incre
ase in the mean size of red snapper landed. Age at entry and age at fu
ll recruitment were age-1 for 1986-1991, compared with age-2 and age-6
, respectively, for 1992-1995. Levels of mortality from fishing (F) ra
nged from 0.31 to 0.69 for the entire period. Spawning potential ratio
(SPR) increased from 0.09 to 0.24 (M = 0.25) from 1986 to 1995. The S
PR level could be improved with a decrease in F, or an increase in age
at entry to the fisheries. The latter could be enhanced now if fisher
men, particularly recreational fishermen, comply with minimum size reg
ulations. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.