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CCA Texas Funds $30,500 Snook Study
Broodstock Collection and Induced Spawning of Common Snook
CCA Texas Executive Board recently funded a $30,500 snook study that will take place at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute (UTMSI) in Port Aransas. This study will be conducted in the recently completed CCA Texas Marine Larviculture Laboratory and will focus on brood stock collection and induced spawning of common snook. Izhar Khan, Ph.D. and Rick Kline, Ph.D. candidate will be the researchers in this project.
In the early to mid 1900's, there was a viable snook fishery in South Texas with yearly landings of 10,000 and a maximum of 200,000 lbs. in 1928 in the commercial fishery. The snook population today is growing slowly, but it could use further assistance in the process. Snook populations are susceptible to freezes and red tide blooms, thus leading to an interest in stock enhancement efforts that have been so successful with red drum. A successful enhancement program would be a great benefit for the snook population and add to an already great fishery in South Texas that is enjoyed by many anglers.
"CCA is excited about the possibilities of this new snook research," said CCA Texas Executive Director Robby Byers. "We could only hope that one day CCA Texas could be part of the first snook restocking program in Texas. Think of it, Texas anglers would have the ability to consistently catch a Texas Grand Slam; snook, redfish, speckled trout and flounder."
Florida researchers have a considerable amount of information on the timing and locations of snook spawning for Florida stocks, however very little is known about the snook population in Texas. To date there has been only one snook captured in spawning condition by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). This project will focus on the collection of mature male and female snook for captive spawning trials and gather information about the spawning season and spawning locations in Lower Laguna Madre.
The Lower Laguna Madre holds the largest population of snook in Texas and thus has been determined to be the best location for this data collection. Researchers in Florida have had success in hormone-induced spawning of snook; however these offspring from Florida stocks can not be released in Texas because of genetic differences. This project will develop techniques for induced spawning of snook in Texas and will be transferred to TPWD for potential stock enhancement of the species in Texas waters.
CCA Texas will remain committed to science-based fisheries management as it continues to move forward to ensure the great coastal resources of Texas for future generations to come. For more information about CCA Texas, be sure to visit www.ccatexas.org.
CCA Texas Executive Board recently funded a $30,500 snook study that will take place at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute (UTMSI) in Port Aransas. This study will be conducted in the recently completed CCA Texas Marine Larviculture Laboratory and will focus on brood stock collection and induced spawning of common snook. Izhar Khan, Ph.D. and Rick Kline, Ph.D. candidate will be the researchers in this project.
In the early to mid 1900's, there was a viable snook fishery in South Texas with yearly landings of 10,000 and a maximum of 200,000 lbs. in 1928 in the commercial fishery. The snook population today is growing slowly, but it could use further assistance in the process. Snook populations are susceptible to freezes and red tide blooms, thus leading to an interest in stock enhancement efforts that have been so successful with red drum. A successful enhancement program would be a great benefit for the snook population and add to an already great fishery in South Texas that is enjoyed by many anglers.
"CCA is excited about the possibilities of this new snook research," said CCA Texas Executive Director Robby Byers. "We could only hope that one day CCA Texas could be part of the first snook restocking program in Texas. Think of it, Texas anglers would have the ability to consistently catch a Texas Grand Slam; snook, redfish, speckled trout and flounder."
Florida researchers have a considerable amount of information on the timing and locations of snook spawning for Florida stocks, however very little is known about the snook population in Texas. To date there has been only one snook captured in spawning condition by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). This project will focus on the collection of mature male and female snook for captive spawning trials and gather information about the spawning season and spawning locations in Lower Laguna Madre.
The Lower Laguna Madre holds the largest population of snook in Texas and thus has been determined to be the best location for this data collection. Researchers in Florida have had success in hormone-induced spawning of snook; however these offspring from Florida stocks can not be released in Texas because of genetic differences. This project will develop techniques for induced spawning of snook in Texas and will be transferred to TPWD for potential stock enhancement of the species in Texas waters.
CCA Texas will remain committed to science-based fisheries management as it continues to move forward to ensure the great coastal resources of Texas for future generations to come. For more information about CCA Texas, be sure to visit www.ccatexas.org.