Trends in Tilefish Distribution and Relative Abundance off South Carolina and Georgia

Abundanes of tilefish Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps off South Carolina and Georgia are lower than previously estimated. Mean density of tilefish burrows, determined by counts from side-scan sonar records, decreased from 258 burrows/km² in 1986 to 13 burrows/km² in 1987 in overlapping transect segments at one site. A bimodal depth distribution of burrows was believed to be due to the presence of burrows of blueline tilefish Caulolatilus microps in water shallower than 160 m, especially at the southernmost site, and L. chamaeleonticeps burrows typically in greater depths. The mean catch of L. chamaeleonticeps per 100 hooks was greatest within the water temperature interval of 13.0–14.4°C (5.4 fish/ 100 hooks) and within the depth interval of 194–203 m (5.3 fish/100 hooks). Within comparable areas and depths, a general trend in decreasing L. chamaeleonticeps lengths and catch per unit effort from research fishing was supported by similar trends in data from South Carolina commercial landings between 1977 and 1989. Recent landings indicated that L. chamaeleonticeps is still being harvested and mean length has continued to decrease. Presently, the fishery should be managed by reducing the fishing effort.