Comparison of Red Grouper Populations from Campeche Bank, Mexico and West Florida Shelf, United States

Epinephelus morio (Red Grouper) is an important component of com- mercial fi sheries for the United States and Mexico. Fishery-independent long-line surveys that utilized standardized sampling designs were conducted along the west Florida shelf, Florida and Campeche Bank, Mexico (2001-2002). Detecting true dif- ferences in abundance and sizes are diffi cult, but by using standard collection and aging methodologies, the level of bias was kept at a minimum. Relative abundance was higher in the Campeche Bank compared to the west Florida shelf (1.74 and 0.63 Red Grouper/100 hook hr, respectively). Fish from the Campeche Bank were also signifi cantly smaller at length and weight. Differences in length, weight, and relative abundance of Red Grouper may be because of historical fi shing pressure and man- agement regulations, or the available carrying capacity of each area for Red Grouper. These differences have a substantial impact on how an overfi shed population can recover and be sustained.