Characterization of the Massachusetts commercial and recreational scup (Stenotomus chrysops) fisheries Characterization of the Massachusetts scup (Stenotomus chrysops) fisheries

Throughout the 2001 fishing season (April-November), DMF personnel collected biological data (length and age) on scup through sea sampling and port sampling from both the recreational and commercial fisheries in the Commonwealth. Biological data were collected from five different fisheries that target scup and from one fishery (spring small-mesh otter trawl) that targets Loligo sp.,in which scup is a bycatch. In addition, DMF personnel collected length, weight, and age data from seafood dealers that process scup caught from local fishermen. Data collected were used to characterize landings and releases/discards by length, age and ratios of release/discard to landings for each fishery. Length frequency distributions and age keys were constructed for both landed and released/discarded catches of scup. Project: 3-ACA-090 Completion Report Grant no. NA16FG1156