Habitat Suitability Index Models: Southern and gulf flounders

Both the southern and gulf flounders (paralichthrS lethostigma, f. albi~utta) are important commercial and recreationa species. Catch statlstics for flounder do not differentiate between species; however, southern flounders are more common than gulf flounders except on the gulf coast of Florida (Topp and Hoff 1972). The commercial fishery consists of incidental catches by shrimp trawlers. A total of 853,162 kg (1,880,900 lb) of unclassified flounder worth \$572,142 was caught from the Gulf of Mexico in 1976 (U.S. Dep. Commerce 1980). The sport fishery consists of both hook-and-line fishing and gigging.