Identifying spawning areas and offshore migration patterns of sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus) in North Carolina Grant uri icon

abstract

  • Sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus) is an economically important species for North Carolina (NC) and the majority of landings (~68%) are from recreational fishers. Sheepshead management has recently been transferred from federal to state-level jurisdiction, but no formal stock assessment of this species has been conducted and NC lacks a fishery management plan. There is a need for key sheepshead life-history data, particularly with regard to offshore movements, spawning locations and stock structure. In recognition of this, the NC Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) currently identifies the following research need: identify spawning and offshore migration patterns of sheepshead and how these patterns may affect the unit stock. The goal of this research is to investigate the offshore overwintering movement patterns and spawning habitat use of sheepshead. Specifically, we propose to use a combination of acoustic telemetry tags and Pop-up Satellite Archival Tags (PSATs) to obtain information about the movement patterns and spawning locations of adult sheepshead. Acoustic tags placed on sheepshead will be detected by the extensive array of acoustic receivers located in coastal areas and also on the continental shelf, allowing us to determine the location and timing of offshore sheepshead migrations. In addition, PSAT tags programmed to pop-off during sheepshead spawning times will provide important information about spawning areas and habitat types. This information will help inform future policy and management decisions in terms of habitat use during the spawning season and also determine the spatial scale at which this stock should be assessed.

date/time interval

  • March 2021 - December 2021