Analysis of Catch per Unit of Effort and Length Composition in the South Carolina Commercial Handline Fishery, 1976-1982

Abstract Catch-per-unit-of-effort (CPUE) data for catch/trip, catch/boat-day, and catch/reel-day for major demersal species groups were analyzed by season, boat length, and number of crew. Seasonality was a major component of variability in CPUE. There was no significant difference in catch/reel-day by boat length for any species group, while catch/boat-day increased with crew size for all species combined, groupers (Mycteroperca spp.), and vermilion snapper (Rhomboplites aurorubens). Correlations between catch/trip and catch/reel-day were good (r = 0.80-0.85) for red porgy (Pagrus pagrus), groupers, and red snapper (Lutjanus campechauus). Time trends in seasonally adjusted quarterly mean trip production were negative for all species groups, with significant correlations for red porgy, groupers, and red snapper. Estimates of annual maximum sustainable physical yield (MSY) calculated using a Schaefer model and parameter values from the negative regressions of catch/trip on the number of trips were approxim...