New Jersey's voluntary collection program for bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix)

Presented by Steven Luell at the 2011 Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting held at the Lighthouse Center for Natural Resource Education in Waretown, NJ. Abstract The bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) is an important marine fish species on the East Coast of the United States. They are popular amongst fishers, and are targeted both recreationally and commercially. Since 2005, the assessment of bluefish has been conducted via age structured assessment methods (ASAP). Concerns have been expressed about the adequacy of age information to assess this species. In an effort to help resolve these problems, the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife initiated a pilot voluntary biological collection program in 2010. A number of sampling strategies was used to sample the recreational fishery, including: collections from volunteer anglers, fishing tournaments, party boats, and opportunistic collections associated with fishery-independent sampling programs for non-bluefish species. In 2010, otoliths were extracted from 219 bluefish harvested from a variety of locations in NJ between April and November. Thus far in 2011, otoliths were extracted from 214 bluefish. Comparison of the 2010 size frequency of bluefish from New Jersey with the coastal 2010 ALK shows that while there was some overlap, samples were often complementary but ALK gaps remain even when all data are combined.Read less