Basic Commercial Fishing Regulations - Gulf States Marine ...

How to measure a fish
Use these guidelines to measure a fish correctly (refer to illustrations):
1. Place the fish on its side on a flat board with the jaw closed.
2. Total length - Measure in a straight line from the tip of the snout to the extreme tip of the tail fin.
(illustration 1, example 1)
3. Total length - Squeeze the tail fin together or turn it in a way to obtain the maximum overall length.
(illustration 1, example 2)
4. Fork length - Measure in a straight line from the tip of the snout to the fork of the tail. (illustration 2)
5. Lower jaw fork length - Measure in a straight line length from the tip of the lower jaw to the fork of the
tail. (illustration 3)
6. Curved fork length - Measure from the tip of the upper jaw to fork of tail measured along the contour
of the middle of the body. (illustration 4)
7. Carcass length - Measure curve from posterior edge of gill opening to anterior portion of caudal keel.
(illustration 4)
illustration 1
Example 1. Total length measurement.
Example 2. Total length measurement.
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