Scup

  • 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.  
  • 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.  
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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.