Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Population Demographics Of Golden Tilefish Lopholatilus Chamaeleonticeps In The Gulf Of Mexico, Greta J. Helmueller

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill had catastrophic impacts on aquatic organisms in the Northern Gulf of Mexico (GoM). Longline gear was used to sample demersal fish species at 344 locations distributed throughout the GoM in the seven years following DWH. Sampling was accomplished deploying 450-500 baited hooks per station in depths ranging from 20-600 m. Using data from these surveys, I analyzed the length and age frequency, condition, growth, and mortality rates of Golden Tilefish (Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps) throughout the GoM. Demersal habitat use and apparent high contaminant levels in Golden Tilefish makes them potentially vulnerable to oil spills such …