WHITE PERCH
(06/07 NCDMF)

Stock Status - Unknown - Due to budget and personnel constraints the Division of Marine Fisheries has not had a directed sampling program since 1980. Federal aid project F-80 began March 2004 to fulfill data needs for upcoming Fishery Management Plan (FMP). Data show juvenile abundance indices are near historical averages after severe decline in the mid 1980s and early 1990s. Landings have a positive trend over the last 14 years.

Average Commercial Landings and Value 1997-2006 – 239,753 lbs./$158,666

2006 Commercial Landings and Value – 156,426 lbs./$124,299

Average Recreational Landings 1997-2006 - Unknown 2006 - Unknown

Average Recreational Commercial Gear Landings for 2002-2006 – 14,196 lbs. 2006 – 6,474 lbs.

Average Number of Citations 1997-2006 - N/A, 2006-N/A

Status of Fishery Management Plan (FMP) - No state or federal plan. A state plan is scheduled to begin after 2010.

Research and Data Needs - validation of juvenile indices, size, age and sex composition of recreational and commercial harvests, fecundity estimates, updated maturity estimates, gear selectivity estimates, gut content analysis, characterize species composition between waterbodies, spawning area surveys, identify movement and migration patterns, evaluate similarities of age, growth, and productivity between waterbodies

Current Regulations (2007) - None

Harvest Season - Open year round

Size and Age at Maturity - Males - 3 inches Total Length (TL)/2 years, Females - 4 inches/3-4 years

Historical and Current Maximum Age - 17 years/13 years

Juvenile Abundance Index 2004 – 2006 – 6.6 2006 – 2.6 (not validated)

Habits and Habitats – Spawning occurs in rivers and tributaries over fine gravel, sand, or mud from late March to early May. Eggs hatch within six days, depending on the water temperature. Young utilize the rivers and sounds as a nursery area, within the same area as the adults.

For more information, contact Michael Loeffler at michael.loeffler@ncmail.net (800-338-7805 or 252-264-3911).