• Highly abundant: species is numerically 

 dominant relative to other species. 



Adults were defined as reproductively mature 

 individuals, juveniles as immature but otherwise 

 similar to adults, and spawning adults as those 

 releasing eggs and sperm. There were a few 

 exceptions to these defined life stages, such as 

 parturition (livebearing) in bull shark (Carcharhinus 

 leucas), and mating in crabs. 



For well-studied species such as shrimp, quantitative 

 data were used to estimate abundance levels. For 

 many species, however, reliable quantitative data 

 were limited. Therefore, regional and local experts 



were consulted to estimate relative abundance based 

 on the above criteria. These data represent species 

 relative abundance levels within a specific estuary. 

 Relative abundance levels across a suite of estuaries 

 in the Central Gulf of Mexico have not been 

 determined. 



Data Verification. Approximately two years were 

 required to develop the 396 data sheets (Figure 4) 

 and consult with regional and local experts. Each 

 data sheet was reviewed during consultations or by 

 mail. These consultations complemented the 

 published and unpublished literature and data sets 

 compiled by NOAA. Eighteen scientists and 

 managers at eleven institutions or agencies were 



Figure 4. Example of a species/estuary data sheet: bay anchovy in Barataria Bay. 



