Evidence of Density‐Dependent Growth in Juvenile Black Drum ( <i>Pogonias cromis</i> ) in the Western Gulf of Mexico

ABSTRACT Black drum ( Pogonias cromis ) is an economically important marine finfish species in the Gulf of Mexico, but knowledge on the environmental factors that affect growth is limited. This study aimed to determine how juvenile black drum growth in Texas bays varies regionally and the factors that cause such variability by using samples from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's fishery‐independent monitoring program. Generalized additive and pathway models were used to evaluate density dependence and water quality effects on the annual mean growth throughout a 38‐year period. Water quality had little direct effect on annual growth, while abundance was the greatest predictive factor determining growth directly, suggesting density‐dependent growth. This evidence of variable density‐dependent growth among bays highlights the need to consider both fish populations and environmental variation on a bay‐specific scale for effective management rather than focusing solely on a holistic approach.