Collection locations, dates, and weight and length measurements of individuals of three fish species from the Matagorda Bay region of Texas in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico from 2021 to 2023

Abstract

This dataset describes the collection locations of individuals of three fish species (Red Drum Sciaenops ocellatus, Southern Flounder Paralichthys lethostigma, and Atlantic Croaker Micropogonias undulatus) in the Matagorda Bay region of Texas in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. Fish carcasses were obtained from anglers at boat docks, fish cleaning stations, or other locations in the region. Fish were also obtained from bait shops where the proprietors verified the fish were sourced from the Matagorda Bay study region. These fish will be dissected to subsample muscle tissue, eye lenses, and otoliths for chemical analysis to reconstruct environmental histories (trace element proxies for hypoxia, salinity, and other parameters), mercury concentrations, and stable isotopes to reconstruct food web interactions.

For a complete list of measurements, refer to the full dataset description in the supplemental file 'Dataset_description.pdf'. The most current version of this dataset is available at: https://www.bco-dmo.org/dataset/916418