Title: Hogfish Cooperative Research Project: Science with Spearfishers

Presenter: Collins, Angela B.

Abstract: Hogfish (/Lachnolaimus maximus/) are an important fishery in the southeastern United States and are highly sought after by both commercial and recreational divers. Collaboration between scientists and the dominant user group of a resource can allow for an efficient and successful method of data collection. A cooperative team of scientific, recreational and commercial divers was developed to compile information regarding hogfish biology and ecology in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Dive sites were distributed over depth strata (0-60 meters) and habitat type. Size estimates and abundance of hogfish at all dive locations were recorded via visual transects. Gonads and otoliths were removed from hogfish samples collected by spearfishing and are being analyzed for life history information. During the first 15 months of the study, 480 hogfish have been collected and over 1,250 have been observed during 356 dives. Fish size increases with depth and distance from shore. Males in shallow water (<20 m) are significantly smaller than those (either males or females) found in deeper water (>20 m). Although larger fish are found offshore, groups are smaller in number and less concentrated. Females are usually not solitary, with at least one other female present within 3 meters. Males were less abundant than females over all depths and habitat and showed increases in courtship behaviors and aggression toward divers during spawning months. Habitat associations and distribution by depth do not appear to change with season.