The population structure of the species is not clear but there are indications that the Northern Gulf of Mexico and NW Atlantic distributions may constitute a single contiguous population (McMillen-Jackson & Bert, 2003) that are currently assessed and managed independently in the US region: NW Atlantic (Scott-Denton, 2012) and in Northern Gulf of Mexico (Hart, 2012). A distinct assessment unit is considered to exist in the SW Gulf of Mexico (SAGARPA 2012).