Mullets (Hugil spp.) 



Mullets are abundant in Alabama and contribute significantly to the total 

 harvest of fish. Fishing is primarily inshore (Swingle 1977), where mullet 

 are found in tidal rivers and bay waters (Swingle and Bland 1974b). The 

 market price for mullet is low and the commercial harvest is declining 

 (Swingle 1977). Recreational fishermen harvest mullet by line and cast net. 



Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) 



Red drum are not a commercially valuable fish species in Alabama. They 

 are found along the shore in shallow waters, where they are more easily 

 accessible to sport fishermen. Most of the red drum harvested are by private 

 boat or by shoreline and pier fishing. They are the largest fish caught by 

 these anglers and are usually taken during spawning (Wade 1977). 



Sardines (Anchoa spp.) 



The sardine fishery is not an important industry off Alabama shores. The 

 only nearby sardine fishery is off Florida and is relatively insignificant 

 (Wade 1977). 



Seatrout (Cynoscion spp.) 



There are three species of seatrout found along the Alabama coast 

 (Swingle 1977). Sand seatrout (C. arenarius ) and silver seatrout(C. nothus ) 

 are primarily caught offshore by "shrimp trawls (Swingle 1977). Sand - seatrout 

 may also be found in estuaries during cooler months where they are caught by 

 sport fishermen. Spotted seatrout (C^ nebulosus ) are commonly found in 

 Mobile Bay and its tributaries. They are important to both commercial and 

 sport fisheries (Swingle and Bland 1974b). In fact, spotted seatrout may be 

 the most important sport fish caught in Alabama coastal waters. The major 

 saltwater river fishing for seatrout is in the Mobile Delta, the Fish River, 

 and the Bon Secour River. In these areas fishing is good around submerged 

 objects and near bridges. The fishing season ends in mid-February when 

 drainage from rains reduces the salinity in the rivers. Juvenile seatrout 

 are found in tidal creeks less commonly than adults, but juveniles do inhabit 

 open-bay areas in grassbeds (Swingle and Bland 19 74b). 



ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES OF MOBILE AND BALDWIN COUNTIES, ALABAMA 



Coastal Alabama provides habitat for vulnerable species, both plant and 

 animal, that receive a high degree of public concern and are subject to 

 legislative protection. These species are not mapped in this atlas in order 

 not to contribute to the decline of their numbers. The U.S. Fish and 

 Wildlife Service (USFWS) (Endanaered Species Field Office, 300 Woodrow Wilson 

 Avenue, Jackson, Mississippi 39213, telephone 601-490-4900) will provide 

 detailed information if contacted by industries and aoencies planning 

 projects impacting Mobile and Baldwin Counties. For State of Alabama 

 coordination, please contact the Alabama Department of Conservation, 64 North 

 Union Street, Montgomery, Alabama 36130, telephone (205) 261-3471. 



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