NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Marine Fisheries - 39 Black Drum SSR 2016
Marine Fisheries
Web Content Display
Black Drum — 2016Stock Status – Viable –The 2015 Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) Black Drum Stock Assessment determined that the stock is not overfished and not experiencing overfishing. Prior to this coastwide stock assessment, the stock status was unknown. Based on the results of the stock assessment the median biomass was estimated to be 90.78 million pounds, well above the median biomass that produces maximum sustainable yield (BMSY; 47.26 million pounds). Average Commercial Landings and Value 2006-2015 – 117,354 lbs./$52,670 2015 Commercial Landings and Value – 51,089 lbs./$43,340 Average Recreational Landings 2006-2015 – 261,851 lbs., 2015 – 115,609 lbs. Average Number of Award Citations (35 lbs./40 in.) 2006-2015 – 19, 2015 – 24 (16 kept, 8 released) Status of Fishery Management Plan (FMP) – In North Carolina, black drum are included in the Interstate FMP, which defers to Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) FMP compliance requirements. In May 2013, the ASMFC adopted the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Black Drum and required all states to maintain their current regulations for black drum and implement a maximum possession limit and minimum size limit. Based on the findings of the 2015 stock assessment it was determined that no additional management measures were needed beyond those established in the 2013 FMP. Research and Data Needs – Collection of ageing structures, migration studies (tagging), update or conduct research on age, growth, maturity, and fecundity 2015 Regulations – 14- to 25-inch total length slot size limit (except one fish greater than 25 inches total length may be kept), 10-fish recreational bag limit, and a 500-pound commercial trip limit Harvest Season – Year round Size and Age at Maturity – Females mature at 4-6 years (25-28 inches), Males at 3-4 years (22-25 inches) Maximum Age – 60 years Juvenile Abundance Index – Not Available Habits and Habitats – Black Drum are typically found along the nearshore waters of the western Atlantic from the Gulf of Maine to Florida, as well as the Gulf of Mexico. Juveniles can be found throughout the estuarine waters of North Carolina, while adults tend to congregate around structure including bridge and dock pilings. Along the Atlantic coast, black drum are thought to migrate northward and inshore each spring and southward and offshore by the late fall. They are primarily bottom feeders; juvenile diets consist mainly of small of fish and invertebrates, while the adult diet consists primarily of mollusks and crustaceans. For more information, contact Chris Stewart at Chris.Stewart@ncdenr.gov or 910-796-7370. |
