CroakerAtlantic croaker

Details

  • Latin name: 
    Micropogonias undulatus
  • Seafood type: Croaker
  • Harvest method: Bottom trawl
  • Region: Atlantic US
  • Wild/Farmed: 
    Wild
Status: 
Not Recommended

Atlantic Croaker

Credit: FAO
Sustainable alternatives: 
Atlantic Croaker harvested with a gill-net, haul seine or pound nets are sustainable seafood alternatives.
Sustainability concerns: 
Bottom Trawls disturb the seabed, often causing irreversible damage to the species and habitats found in trawled areas of the seafloor.
Notes/other details: 
The Environmental Defense Fund has issued a health advisory due to high levels of PCBs.
Atlantic croaker is an imporant commercial species. A third of the catch from this fishery are from Bottom Trawls, which cause significant habitat damage. The other two-thirds are caught using gill-nets, haul seines and pound nets, which have less of an ecological footprint.
Life History and Population Status: 
Atlantic croaker are fast growing and reached maturity at an early age (~2yrs). These characteristics make them inherently resilient to fishing pressure. Recent stock assessments have indicated a healthy and abundant population. Information on the population status for the Southern part of their range in unavailable.
Management: 
A Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Atlantic Croaker was established in 1987. These plans are under review and suggestions have been made for amendments. Currently there are no specific management requirements; however this may change following the review of the 1987 FMP.
Impact on Other Species: 
Bottom trawling causes the removal and/or damage of non-target species. Bycatch is of high concern.
Habitat and Ecosystem Impacts: 
Otter trawls--used to capture over a third of the Atlantic Croaker harvest---damage both physical and biological components of the seabed. The extent of this damage varies depending on the seafloor environment; however, bottom trawling can permanently alter the seabed, by reducing or modifying habitat and food sources of target and non-target species. The majority of Croaker are harvested from sandy seafloor areas which are less susceptible to long-term damage and typically have lower habitat complexity and species diversity.

Notes:

  • No or little concern in this area.
  • Significant concern in this area.
  • Area under study.