Movement of tagged red snapper in the northern Gulf of Mexico

A tagging study of adult red snapper Lutjanus campechanus was conducted in an area of artificial reefs in the northcentral Gulf of Mexico during March 1995 through August 1999. A total of 2.932 red snapper angled at nine arti ficial reef tagging sites were measured and ragged with internal anchor rag s. Tagged fish were either released over their site of capture or transport ed to another tagging site for release. Of the 561 recaptures made of 519 f ish (42 multiple recaptures). 235 recaptures were made at tagging sites on subsequent tagging trips and 326 recoveries were reported by recreational a nd commercial fishers. Mean distance moved was 29.6 km; the farthest distan ce moved was 352 km. Mean time at liberty was 404 d; the longest time at li berty was 1,501 d. During the study, two strong hurricanes passed near the study area. The occurrence of hurricanes significantly affected the probabi lity of red snapper movement. as did time at liberty, total length of fish tagged, and transportation of fish to other release sires. The occurrence o f hurricanes also significantly affected the distance of red snapper moveme nt, as did time at liberty. Resultant direction of reported movement for al l fish was to the east. Observed movement was greater than previously repor ted for adult red snapper and may be sufficient to facilitate stock mixing in the northern Gulf of Mexico.