Striped Mullet Migration Patterns in the Indian River Lagoon: A Network Analysis Approach to Spatial Fisheries Management. Issue 6 (6th December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Myers, Olivia M.; Reyier, Eric; Ahr, Bonnie; Cook, Geoffrey S.
• Is Part Of: Marine and coastal fisheries. Volume 12:Issue 6(2020)
• Page Start: 423
• Page End: 440
• Publication Date: 2020-12-06
• Subjects: Fisheries -- Periodicals; Pêches -- Périodiques; Fisheries; Periodicals; 639.205
• DOI: 10.1002/mcf2.10137
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1942-5120

Abstract

Abstract: Striped Mullet Mugil cephalus are numerically abundant forage fish, highly valuable as prey, and commercially valuable to humans. From September to December, Striped Mullet in the Indian River Lagoon (IRL), Florida, undergo an annual migration from inshore foraging habitats to oceanic spawning sites. However, their migratory pathways—particularly their intra‐estuarine movement pathways—remain unknown. To address this knowledge gap, we utilized passive acoustic telemetry to assess the movement patterns of Striped Mullet within the IRL. Thirty‐two fish were tagged, generating usable tracks from 18 individuals. The mean (±SD) time that fish were detected in the array was about 38 ± 90 d, with the longest detection period being 444 d. We also document the first evidence of skipped spawning in Striped Mullet inhabiting waters of the southeastern United States. These data suggest that impoundments around the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge serve as important refugia for Striped Mullet, while the Banana and Indian rivers act as corridors during their inshore migratory movements. Through spatial fisheries management, high‐value habitat and connective elements utilized by Striped Mullet and other vital forage fish may be identified so as to benefit both natural and human dynamics in estuarine systems.