804 
Fishery Bulletin 96(4), 1998 
North Carolina r=358 
Northern Florida n=586 
South Carolina n=l,338 
J FMAMJ JASOND 
Southern Florida «=307 
J FMAMJ JASOND 
100 
80 
60 
40 
20 
0 
J FMAMJ JASOND 
Georgia n=861 
Month 
= Developing 
= Spawning 
= POF present 
= Spent 
- Resting 
Month 
Figure 3 
Reproductive seasonality of female gag, Mycteroperca microlepis, in North Carolina, South 
Carolina, Georgia, northern Florida, and southern Florida during 1994—95. POF = postovulatory 
follicles. 
the gag population is stressed. Although probit analy- 
sis suggested size at maturity is decreasing, it is dif- 
ficult to conclude that this is happening in the popu- 
lation on the basis of estimates of L 50 because there 
is overlap in the confidence intervals. A cautious in- 
terpretation is also warranted given the small num- 
ber of females (n= 422) sampled during 1976-82. 
Coleman et al. (1996) found that female gag collected 
in the Gulf of Mexico during 1991-93 became sexu- 
ally mature and underwent transition at smaller 
sizes than those reported by Hood and Schlieder 
(1992) for the same region during 1977-80. Changes 
in life history aspects of gag from the Gulf of Mexico 
were attributed to steadily increasing fishing pressure. 
Gag were in spawning condition from December 
through mid May in southern Florida, January 
through May in northern Florida, and January 
through April in South Carolina. Although no speci- 
mens were collected during January in North Caro- 
lina and Georgia, individuals in spawning condition 
were landed during February through April. Peak 
spawning activity occurred from March through mid- 
April in all areas. Collins et al. (1987) and Keener et 
al. (1988) also reported that peak spawning occurred 
