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Scup

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Scup Scup range from Nova Scotia to eastern Florida but are rarely found south of North Carolina. They can grow to a maximum size of 45 cm (1.5 ft) and are considered a good tasting pan fish.
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Scup In Chesapeake Bay scup are most common during the summer months in the lower regions of the estuary. The estuary is rarely used as a nursery area by early juveniles (25-40 mm FL) but older juveniles can be found in the Bay during their second summer and first appear in catches in May.
scup3
Scup Scup belong to the Sparidae family, otherwise known as porgies. Here is a scup (top) and a pinfish representing the porgy family. Another similar looking fish, the pigfish, but from a slightly different family (Haemulidae), is on the bottom. All three species are possible to catch on the trawl at the same time.
scup teeth
Scup Scup and many other fish in the Sparidae family have strong molars which help them eat hard shelled prey like crabs, snails, and clams.

scup index graph

  • This species first recruits to the survey gear in May. 
  • The Young-of-Year cutoff values are:
    • May: 35-90 mm.
    • June: 40-100 mm.
    • July: 50-125 mm.
    • August: 60-145 mm.
    • September: 75-160 mm.
    • October: 85-170 mm.
    • November: 90-170 mm.
    • December: 90-170 mm.
    • January: 90-170 mm.
    • February: 90-170 mm.
    • March: 90-170 mm.
    • April: 90-170 mm.
  • YOY Index months are in bold.
  • Stations in only the lower and bottom segments of the Bay are used.

Data collected after the transition to a new vessel and net (June 2015) have been adjusted by a species-specific calibration factor.

Scup Excel file

For more information on how this species is managed please visit the ASMFC website.