Northeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program (NEAMAP)

Mid-Atlantic Nearshore Trawl Program

Progress Report: Fall 2007 Survey Data Summary

20 March 2008

Submitted to:

Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Washington, DC

By:

Christopher F. Bonzek James Gartland J. David Lange

Robert J. Latour, Ph.D.

Department of Fisheries Science Virginia Institute of Marine Science

College of William and Mary Gloucester Point, VA

NEAMAP ASMFC Progress Report

I. Project Title: Data collection and analysis in support of multispecies stock assessments in the mid-Atlantic: Northeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program Nearshore Trawl Program.

II. Grantee State and Contact Name: Virginia/Virginia Institute of Marine Science –

Christopher F. Bonzek

III. Project Period: 1 August 2005 – 31 May 2009 Reporting Period: 1 August 2007 – 31 January 2008

IV. Project Description: This is a new fisheries-independent bottom trawl survey operating

in the near coastal ocean waters of the Mid-Atlantic region. The survey is an element of the ASMFC Northeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program (NEAMAP) and is designed to sample fishes and invertebrates from coastal waters bounded by the 20ft.and 60ft. depth contours between Montauk, New York and Cape Hatteras, North Carolina and waters between the 60ft.and 120ft. depth contours in Rhode Island Sound and Block Island Sound using a bottom trawl. The main objective of the survey is the estimation of biomass, length and age structures, various other assessment related parameters and diet compositions of select finfishes inhabiting the area.

V. Project Summary/Accomplishments: The fall 2007 survey was successfully completed

during a research cruise which occurred between 27 September and 20 October 2007. A total of 150 stations, the target number, were sampled. About 1.1 million individual fishes weighing almost 50,000kg and representing about 130 species (including selected invertebrates which where processed similarly to fishes) were captured. Individual length measurements were recorded for over 73,000 specimens. Lab processing is proceeding on the 5,150 otoliths and 3,905 stomach samples which were collected (2,433 otoliths and 1,930 stomachs have been fully processed as of the date of this report). A full report is attached to this standard project summary.

VI. Challenges/Changes: Beyond completion of laboratory samples, no significant

challenges remain for this contract segment.

VII. Participants: Primary program personnel remain unchanged.

VIII. Quality Assurance: Previous progress reports provided brief descriptions of quality assurance procedures in selecting fishing gear, conducting fishing operations, and processing the catch. These are interwoven into the attached report as well. Data collected during the survey have been processed through several data quality checks which were previously developed for other survey work and new checks developed specifically for NEAMAP.

IX. Funding Status: Expenditures have been generally in line with expectations. We

anticipate sufficient funds will be available until Research Set Aside Program funds are dispersed later in 2008.

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X. Future Activities: The future of this program is dependent upon continued funding. We

anticipate sufficient funds to complete both the spring and fall 2008 cruises.

XI. Presentations/Public Outreach: Since completion of field sampling, presentations of survey results have been (or will be) made as follows:

• February 2008: Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council • February 2008: Cape May NJ Party and Charter Boat Association • February 2008: NMFS NEFSC Trawl Advisory Panel • February 2008: Bass Pro Shops Fishing Classic (Hampton, VA), Booth exhibit • March 2008: NEAMAP Operations Committee • March 2008: NEAMAP Board • April 2008: New England Fishery Management Council

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Introduction Concerns regarding the status of fishery-independent data collection from the continental shelf waters between Cape Hatteras, North Carolina and the U.S. / Canadian border led the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (ASMFC) Management and Science Committee (MSC) to draft a resolution in 1997 calling for the formation the Northeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program (NEAMAP) (ASMFC 2002). NEAMAP is a cooperative state-federal program modeled after the Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program (SEAMAP), which had been coordinating fishery-independent data collection south of Cape Hatteras since the mid-1980s (Rester 2001). The four main goals of this new program directly address the deficiencies noted by the MSC for this region and include 1) developing fishery-independent surveys where current sampling is either inadequate or absent 2) coordinating data collection amongst existing surveys as well as any new surveys 3) providing for efficient management and dissemination of data and 4) establishing outreach programs (ASMFC 2002). The NEAMAP Memorandum of Understanding was signed by all partner agencies by July 2004. One of the first major efforts of the NEAMAP was to design a trawl survey intended to operate in the coastal zone of the Middle Atlantic Bight (MAB - i.e., Montauk, New York to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina). While the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Northeast Fisheries Science Center’s (NEFSC) bottom trawl survey has been sampling from Cape Hatteras to the U.S. / Canadian border in waters less than 91.4m since 1963, few stations are sampled in waters less than 27.4m due to the sizes of the sampling area and vessels (NEFSC 1988, R. Brown, NMFS, pers. comm). In addition, of the six coastal states in the MAB, only New Jersey conducts a fishery-independent trawl survey in its coastal zone (Byrne 2004). This new NEAMAP Inshore Trawl Survey is intended to fill the aforementioned gap in fishery-independent survey coverage, which is consistent with the program goals. In early 2005, the ASMFC made $250,000 of “plus-up” funds that it had received through the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act (ACFCMA) available for pilot work in an effort to assess the viability of the NEAMAP Inshore Trawl Survey. The Virginia Institute of Marine Science provided the sole response to the Commission’s request for proposals and was awarded the funding in August 2005. Two brief pre-pilot cruises and the full pilot cruise were conducted in 2006 (Bonzek et al., 2007). Early in 2007 ASMFC bundled funds from a combination of sources which were sufficient to begin full scale sampling operations in the fall of 2007. This report summarizes results from the fall 2007 cruise. Two significant changes to the area sampled by the NEAMAP Nearshore Trawl Program occurred prior to the fall 2007 cruise:

• In 2007 NEFSC took delivery of the FSV Henry B. Bigelow, began preliminary sampling operations, and determined that the vessel could safely operate in waters as shallow as 18.3m. NEFSC then made a determination that future surveys would likely extend inshore to that depth contour (R. Brown, NMFS, pers. comm.). The NEAMAP Operations Committee subsequently decided that the offshore boundary of the NEAMAP survey coastal sampling (i.e., Montauk to Cape Hatteras) should be realigned to coincide

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with the inshore boundary of the NEFSC survey, and that NEAMAP should discontinue sampling between the 18.3m and 27.4m contours along the coast.

• NEFSC contributed significant funds toward NEAMAP full implementation with the provision that the additional under-sampled areas of Block Island Sound and Rhode Island Sound be added to the NEAMAP sampling area. These areas are deeper than other NEAMAP regions but from a ‘distance from shore’ standpoint are within the range covered by NEAMAP in other states.

Methods Station Selection Primary consideration in regards to survey stratification was consistency with the NMFS bottom trawl surveys. However, those surveys will be redesigned and re-stratified for 2009 (and beyond) and so re-stratification for the inshore NEAMAP areas was open for consideration as well. Examination of existing NMFS strata revealed that the major divisions among survey areas (latitudinal divisions from New Jersey to the south, longitudinal divisions off Long Island) generally corresponded well with major estuarine outflow areas. Therefore these boundary definitions, with minor modifications so that regional boundaries would more closely correspond to state borders, were used for the NEAMAP survey. However, examination of the current NMFS depth stratum definitions reveals that in some areas (primarily off the southern states) current stratum boundaries do not correspond well to actual depth contours. Depth stratum assignments were redrawn using depth sounding data from the National Ocean Service using depth strata 20ft.-40ft. and 40ft.-60ft. Finally, each stratum was subdivided into a grid pattern of potential sampling locations, with each cell measuring 1.5 x 1.5 minutes (2.25sq. nm). The number of stations (cells) selected for each stratum was assigned by proportional sampling according to surface area within the stratum, with a minimum of two stations per stratum. During the pilot cruise, an equal number of stations was selected for each depth stratum within a particular region. This assured that sufficient sampling occurred in the small, shallow strata closest to shore. As the large offshore (60ft. – 90ft.) strata were not sampled in the fall of 2007, this procedure was no longer required and straight proportional sampling was implemented. Species Priority Lists During the survey design phase, the NEAMAP Operations Committee developed a set of species priority lists. Priority ‘A’ species were to be subjected to the full processing procedure (see Procedures at Each Station below) at each station in which they were collected. Compared to the list used for the 2006 pilot survey, several Priority ‘A’ species were added due to the expanded survey area (should lead to collections of additional species of management importance) and the requests of the Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council. Priority ‘B’ species were to be sampled for full processing as time allowed. Priority ‘C’ species would only be taken for full processing if sampling of A and B species would not be affected. These three categories might be summarized as ‘must have’ ‘great to have’ and ‘nice to have,’ respectively. All other species (here called Priority ‘D’) were to have aggregate weights recorded and all or an appreciable subsample to be measured. A fifth category (‘E’) was later defined, including

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species which required special handling. This category included sharks (other than dogfish) and sturgeon, which were measured, tagged, and released; and selected invertebrates which were processed similarly to Priority D fish species. Species included in categories A-C are presented below (Table 1). Table 1. Species priority lists (categories A-C only).

A LIST

Atlantic Cod Gadus morhua Black Sea Bass Centropristis striata Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix Butterfish Peprilus triacanthus Haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus Pollock Pollachius virens Scup Stenotomus chrysops Silver Hake Merluccius bilinearis Striped Bass Morone saxatilis Summer Flounder Paralichthys dentatus Weakfish Cynoscion regalis Winter Founder Pleuronectes americanus

B LIST American Shad Alosa sapidissima Atlantic Menhaden Brevoortia tyrannus Atlantic Croaker Micropogonias undulatus Monkfish Lophius americanus Skate and Ray Species Smooth Dogfish Mustelus canis Spiny Dogfish Squalus acanthias Spot Leiostomus xanthurus Yellowtail Flounder Limanda ferruginea

C LIST Alewife Alosa pseudoharengus Atlantic Herring Clupea harengus Atlantic Mackerel Scomber scombrus Black Drum Pogonias cromis Blueback Herring Alosa aestivalis Red Drum Sciaenops ocellatus Speckled Trout Cynoscion nebulosus Tautog Tautoga onitis

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Gear Performance Wingspread, doorspread, and headrope height were measured on each tow during the fall 2007 cruise using a digital Netmind Trawl Monitoring System. Wingspread sensors were positioned on the middle net ‘jib’ in accordance with NFMS procedures. The headrope sensor was mounted at the midpoint of the headrope. A catch sensor was mounted in the cod-end, set to signal when the catch reached roughly 5,000lbs. GPS coordinates and vessel speed were recorded every 60 seconds using the ship’s chartplotting software. These data can be used to plot tow tracks for each station. The same computer used to record Netmind readings was also employed to plot station locations (and the corners of each sampling cell) and to run the countdown clock for each tow. Procedures at Each Station All fishing operations were conducted during daylight hours. Each tow was 20 minutes in duration with a target tow speed of between 2.9 and 3.3 knots. No tows were truncated due to known hangs in the tow path, surface traffic etc. One tow was terminated at 15 minutes due to an anticipated (and realized – 6,400kg) large catch, as indicated by triggering of the catch sensor midway through the tow. At each station several standard parameters were recorded. These included:

• All necessary station identification parameters (date, station number, stratum, depth). • All necessary vessel operation parameters (beginning and ending GPS position,

beginning and ending tow times, compass course, engine RPMs). • All necessary gear identification and operational parameters (net type code and net

number, door type code and door numbers, amount of cable deployed). • Atmospheric and weather data (air temperature, wind speed, wind direction, general

weather state, sea state, barometric pressure). • Hydrographic data at the surface and at the bottom (water temperature, salinity, and

dissolved oxygen). Upon arrival near a sampling cell, the Captain and Chief Scientist jointly determined the desired starting point and tow path. Flexibility was allowed with regard to these parameters such that a clear tow could be accomplished while staying within the boundaries of the defined cell. Hydrographic data were taken prior to the beginning of each tow, except rarely when taking these readings would have delayed the tow until after sunset; in these cases hydrographic data were recorded at the completion of the tow. Vessel crew were responsible for all aspects of deployment and retrieval of the fishing gear. Due to the relatively shallow waters, 75fm. or less of warp was set out at all stations. One scientist was present in the wheelhouse during deployment and retrieval. The Captain signaled when the gear was fully set (winch brakes engaged), at which time the Netmind software and the countdown clock were both activated. At the conclusion of each tow, the scientist signaled the Captain when the clock reached zero, haulback commenced, and the Netmind recording software was stopped. Vessel crew dumped the catch into one of two enclosed locations on deck for sorting.

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The catch was sorted by species and modal size group. Aggregate biomass (kg) was measured for each species-size group combination. For priority A species, and often for priority B and C species, a subsample of five individuals from each group was selected for full processing (see next paragraph). For certain common priority B species including spot (Leiostomus xanthurus), Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus), skates, rays, and dogfish only three individuals per group were sampled for full laboratory processing. Data collected from each subsampled specimen included length (to the nearest millimeter), total and eviscerated weight (measured in grams, accuracy depended upon the balance on which individuals were measured), and macroscopic sex and maturity stage (immature, mature-resting, mature-ripe, mature-spent) determination. Stomachs were removed (except for spot and butterfish, for which previous sampling indicated that little useful data could be obtained from the stomach contents) and those containing prey items were preserved for subsequent examination. Otoliths or other appropriate ageing structures were removed from each subsampled specimen for later age determination. All specimens not selected for the complete processing were weighed (aggregate weight), and individual length measurements were recorded for either all or a large proportion, in accordance with approved subsampling procedures when necessary. Laboratory Methods Otoliths (or, depending upon the species, other appropriate ageing structures) were (and are being) prepared according to methodology established for other VIMS surveys. One otolith was selected and mounted on a piece of 100 weight paper with a thin layer of Crystal Bond. A thin transverse section was cut through the nucleus of the otolith using two Buehler diamond wafering blades and a low speed Isomet saw. The section was then mounted on a glass slide and covered with Crystal Bond. If necessary, the section was wet-sanded to an appropriate thickness before being covered with Crystal Bond. Some smaller, fragile otoliths were read whole. Both sectioned and whole otoliths were most commonly read using transmitted light under a dissecting microscope. Age was determined as the mode of three independent readings, one by each of three readers. Stomach samples were (and are being) analyzed according to standard procedures (Hyslop 1980). Prey were identified to the lowest possible taxon. Experienced laboratory personnel are able to process, on average, approximately 30 to 40 stomachs per person per day. Analytical Methods (Abundance) Estimates of abundance are expressed in terms of minimum trawlable number or biomass according to the general formula:

a

cA N = , (1)

where N is the minimum number (or biomass) of fish present within the sampling area that are susceptible to the sampling gear, c is the mean number (or weight) of fish captured per tow, a is the area swept by one trawl tow, and A is the total survey area. Specifically, abundance was calculated in accordance with standard stratified random sampling:

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∑=

=sn

sss NAN

1

ˆˆ , (2)

where As is the area of stratum s, ns is the total number of strata in which striped bass were

captured, and sN is an estimate of the mean area-swept catch in stratum s given by:

st

n

i i

i

s nac

N

st

,

1

,

ˆˆ∑== , (3)

In equation (3), ci and represent the catch (number or weight) and an estimate of the trawl area-swept at sampling location i, respectively, and n

iat,s is the number of tows in stratum s. Note

that the ai estimates were calculated using vessel GPS data for distance towed and net mensuration gear for measurements of net opening (an average value was calculated from the measurements taken during each tow). As no correction is made for gear efficiency these estimates represent the minimum number (or biomass) of fish present within the sampling area that are susceptible to the sampling gear. This method produces estimates of abundance for each stratum, which are totaled to produce estimates for the entire survey area. As regional stratum boundaries were drawn to generally correspond with state borders, estimates of abundance (and certain other stock parameters) can be produced on a state-specific basis. While usually not biologically meaningful, for some parameters it was considered worthwhile to present results in this way due to the potential usefulness for fishery managers. Analytical Methods (Sex Ratios) Sex ratios were determined by summation of data from fully processed specimens. For this and several other stock parameters, data from fully processed specimens are expanded to the entire sample (i.e., catch level) for parameter estimation. Because workup procedures result in differential subsampling rates among size groups, failure to account for such factors would bias resulting stock parameter estimates. In the NEAMAP database each specimen has a calculated expansion factor associated with it which represents the number of fish that the specimen represents in the total sample for that station. Analytical Methods (Length Frequency) Length frequency histograms were designed using 10mm bins and the expansion factors as previously described. Length bins were identified using the bin midpoint (e.g. the 250mm bin represents individuals between 245mm and 254mm). Analytical Methods (Length-Weight Regressions) Power regressions for length-weight relationships were calculated and plotted by sex as well as both sexes combined. No tests for differences in growth by sex were performed. No expansion factors were used in these calculations as they do not depend on subsampling rates.

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Analytical Methods (Maturity Regressions) Logistic regressions were calculated and plotted separately for males and females. No expansion factors were used in these calculations as they do not depend on subsampling rates. Analytical Methods (Diets) Diets for each species were determined by estimating the mean proportional contribution of prey type (k) to predator (x) by weight or number (Wk,x) using the following equation:

∑

∑

=

== n

ixi

n

ixkixi

xk

M

qMW

1,

1,,,

, , (4)

where

xi

xkixki w

wq

,

,,,, = , (5)

where Mi,x is the number of predator x captured at station i, wi,k,x is the total weight (or number) of prey type k encountered in the stomachs of predator x collected at station i, and wi,x is the total weight (or number) of all prey items encountered in these stomachs (Buckel et al. 1999). This cluster sampling estimator was used since trawl collections yield a cluster of each predator at each station. Results Gear Performance As was the case during the pilot survey and prior work, the 4-seam net performed consistently within the expected parameters (Figure 1). The addition of doorspread sensors provided valuable supplementary information. Mounting these sensors onto the relatively small trawl doors however (Figure 2), decreased the efficiency (i.e., spreading power) of the doors, and early in the cruise wingspread measurements were 1-2m less than previously achieved. Slight modifications to the warp and backstrap attachment points on the doors, combined with additional scope, brought the net back within specifications and provided the expected door spread measurements. Discounting the early stations at which the gear was slightly underspread, there did not appear to be an increasing trend in either the doorspread or wingspread measurements as was observed in the 2006 pilot survey. The same net was used for the fall 2007 survey as was used for the pilot survey. We will monitor whether this phenomenon appears in future surveys using new nets. No major gear damage occurred during the survey.

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Stations Sampled Based on a specified sampling rate of one station per 30sq.nm, the target number of stations to be sampled was 150 for the entire sampling area (1,938 cells x 2.25sq.mi. per cell / 30 stations per sq.nm. = 145 stations) and 150 stations were successfully occupied. The number of stations available and the number sampled in each stratum is given (Table 2). Of the 150 stations sampled, 129 were sampled within the specified primary sampling cell and 21 were chosen from the available randomly selected alternate sites, due to issues such as known hangs or other obstructions, fixed gear, or vessel traffic. One extra station was occupied in Region 12 (Virginia) to make up for one station not sampled in BI Sound (data from this station were assigned to Region 12, not to BI Sound). The highest number of alternate stations occupied was in BI Sound (2 out of 10) and RI Sound (7 out of 17) due to a high degree of caution, to unfamiliarity with the area, and to a relatively small number of towable locations in this area. For future surveys we anticipate obtaining a better sample of known towable locations through cooperation with local industry representatives. A region-by-region summary of these results is presented (Table 3). Maps comparing selected and actual stations sampled are shown (Figure 3).

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Table 2. Number of available sample cells and number sampled in each stratum.

Table 3. Number of primary and alternate stations occupied in each region.

Region State* Stations Sampled 20ft.-40ft. 40ft. – 60ft. 60ft. – 90ft. 90ft. – 120ft. Stations

sampled Total cells

Stations sampled

Total cells

Stations sampled

Total cells

Stations sampled

Total cells

Stations per sq.

nm.

RI Sound RI 6 85 11 161 32.6 BI Sound RI 4 42 5 88 32.5

1 NY 0 0 2 19 21.4 2 NY 2 8 3 19 12.2 3 NY 2 16 3 28 19.8 4 NY 2 16 3 29 20.3 5 NY 2 27 3 45 32.4 6 NJ 2 20 3 42 27.9 7 NJ 4 49 6 97 32.9 8 NJ 2 32 7 90 30.5 9 DE 4 53 8 113 31.1

10 MD 2 33 8 114 33.1 11 VA 5 62 9 122 29.6 12 VA 5 60 6 67 26.0 13 VA 7 94 11 142 29.5 14 NC 2 24 5 61 27.3 15 NC 2 25 4 55 30.0

Total 43 519 81 1043 10 127 16 249 29.1 * Note that region boundaries are not perfectly aligned with all state boundaries:

• Some stations in RI Sound may occur in MA • Some stations in BI Sound may occur in NY • Region 5 spans the NY-NJ Harbor area • Some stations in Region 9 may occur in NJ

Region

Primary Stations

Alternate Stations

Total

Region

Primary Stations

Alternate Stations

Total

RI Sound 10 7 17 8 8 1 9BI Sound 7 2* 9 9 11 1 12

1 1 1 2 10 10 0 102 4 1 5 11 13 1 143 5 0 5 12 9 2* 114 5 0 5 13 15 3 185 5 0 5 14 7 0 76 4 1 5 15 5 1 67 10 0 10 Total 129 21 150

* One planned station in BI Sound was not sampled; an extra station was occupied in Region 12.

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On the 17 full sampling days (i.e., no long steam times or port calls), an average of 7.9 stations per day were sampled. Counting all 24 days at sea, including transit days and partial sampling days, the number of stations averaged 6.25. Day-by-day vessel activities and work schedules are presented (Table 4). Table 4. Summary of activities conducted during each day at sea during the fall 2007 NEAMAP cruise.

Date

12: 00 AM

6: 00 AM

12: 00 PM

6: 00 PM

11: 00 PM

No. Station

24-Sep 025-Sep 026-Sep 027-Sep 728-Sep 729-Sep 730-Sep 71-Oct 62-Oct 23-Oct 74-Oct 85-Oct 96-Oct 107-Oct 108-Oct 29-Oct 910-Oct 911-Oct 712-Oct 913-Oct 614-Oct 015-Oct 016-Oct 117-Oct 718-Oct 719-Oct 820-Oct 421-Oct 0

= Fishing hours = Personnel hours

No Fishing / Crew Change and Resupply in Hampton

Time of DayHours Worked and Stations Sampled Each Day

Survey Finished

Final Survey PreparationsSteaming Day - Hampton to MontaukSteaming Day - Hampton to Montauk

Crew Change / Survey Demo. Montauk

Survey Demo. Cape May

No Fishing / Crew Change and Resupply in Hampton

Catch Summary A total of 1,101,152 specimens weighing 49,868kg were collected during the fall 2007 survey. A total of 73,473 individuals were measured (laying all individuals head-to-tail 11,465m, or 7.1miles, of fish were measured). Of those specimens taken for full workup, 5,150 otoliths (or other ageing structures) were taken and 3,905 full stomachs were preserved for later analysis. On average at each station, 7,132 (range 75 – 151,598) specimens were captured (Figure 4) weighing 332kg (range 7.4kg – 6,396kg) (Figure 5), 490 specimens were measured (range 57 – 1,394), and 34 specimens were processed for the full workup (range 4 – 77). At each station, an average of 20.4 species was captured (range 7 – 36) (Figure 6). The number of specimens processed for each species, separately for each priority category, is summarized in Table 5.

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Species Data Summaries Several graphical data summaries are shown for each species (Figures 7-173). Species are organized alphabetically. For priority A species, most or all of the following figures are presented (at the time of report preparation 2,433 otoliths and 1,930 stomachs for priority A species have been analyzed):

• Distribution maps showing catch rates by number and biomass for all stations. • Bar graphs showing the minimum trawlable number (MTN) and biomass (MTB) by state,

annotated with estimates of the overall MTN and MTB and percent standard error for each.

• Length-frequency histograms annotated with the total number of specimens captured and measured and the number of otoliths and stomachs removed for processing.

• Length-frequency histograms by age. • Histograms of sex ratio by state, and for species with adequate sample size, by size

groups, annotated with the number of specimens examined. • Logistic regressions for maturity, by sex, annotated with sizes at 50% and 99% maturity. • von Bertalanffy growth regressions, by sex if appropriate. • Age distribution graphs (ageing has been completed only for black sea bass, scup,

summer flounder, weakfish, and striped bass (not shown) ) shown with the total number of specimens by age if all specimens had been aged.

• Length-weight power regressions for sexes combined and separately. • Diet compositions by weight and number, with prey types separated into broad

taxonomic groups, annotated with the number of stomachs analyzed.

These data summaries are numbered as follows: • Black seabass – Figures 33-42. • Bluefish – Figures 43-49. • Butterfish – Figures 59-64. • Scup – Figures 96-105. • Silver hake – Figures 106-111. • Summer flounder – Figures 139-148. • Weakfish – Figures 149-158. • Winter flounder – Figures 159-168.

For priority B species, some or all of the following data summaries are presented:

• Distribution maps showing catch rates by number and biomass for all stations. • Bar graphs showing the MTN and MTB by state, annotated with estimates of the overall

MTN and MTB and percent standard error for each. • Length-frequency histograms annotated with the total number of specimens captured and

measured and the number of otoliths (or vertebrae for elasmobranchs) and stomachs removed for processing.

• Histograms of sex ratio by state, and for species with adequate sample size, by size groups, annotated with the number of specimens examined.

• Logistic regressions for maturity, by sex, annotated with sizes at 50% and 99% maturity.

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• Length-weight power regressions for sexes combined and separately.

These data summaries are numbered as follows: • Atlantic croaker – Figures 12-17. • Atlantic menhaden – Figures 18-23. • Bluntnose stingray – Figures 50-52. • Bullnose ray – Figures 56-58. • Clearnose skate – Figures 65-70. • Cownose ray – Figures 71-73. • Little skate – Figures 82-86. • Smooth butterfly ray – Figures 115-117. • Smooth dogfish – Figures 118-123. • Spot – Figures 127-132. • Winter skate – Figures 169-173.

No Priority C species were captured in sufficient numbers to allow meaningful data summaries to be presented. Several other species were captured in significant numbers as well (labeled as Priority D in Table 5). Data summaries for these species that are shown are:

• Distribution maps showing catch rates by number and biomass for all stations. • Bar graphs showing the MTN and MTB by state, annotated with estimates of the overall

MTN and MTB and percent standard error for each. • Length-frequency histograms annotated with the total number of specimens captured and

measured.

These data summaries are numbered as follows: • Atlantic spadefish – Figures 24-26. • Atlantic thread herring – Figures 27-29. • Bay anchovy – Figures 30-32. • Kingfish spp. – Figures 79-81. • Northern searobin – Figures 90-92. • Pinfish – Figures 93-95. • Silver perch – Figures 112-114. • Spanish mackerel – Figures 124-126. • Striped anchovy – Figures 133-135. • Striped searobin – Figures 136-138.

Finally, several invertebrate species (or species groups) and selected sharks were captured in sufficient numbers to be of note (described as Priority D species in Table 5). Data summaries for these species that are shown are:

• Distribution maps showing catch rates by number and biomass for all stations. • Bar graphs showing the MTN and MTB by state, annotated with estimates of the overall

MTN and MTB and percent standard error for each.

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• Length-frequency histograms annotated with the total number of specimens captured and measured.

• Histograms of sex ratio by state, annotated with the number of specimens examined (horseshoe crab only).

• Length-weight power regressions for sexes combined and separately (horseshoe crab only).

These data summaries are numbered as follows:

• American lobster – Figures 7-11. • Brown shrimp – Figures 53-55. • Horseshoe crab – Figures 74-78. • Loligo squid – Figures 87-89.

Literature Cited Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). 2002. Development of a Cooperative State/Federal Fisheries Independent Sampling Program. ASMFC Document, Washington, DC. Bonzek, C.F., J. Gartland, R.J. Latour. 2007. Northeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program (NEAMAP) Mid-Atlantic Nearshore Trawl Program Pilot Survey Completion Report. ASMFC. 97pp. Byrne, Don. 2004. Counting the fish in the ocean. Online. Internet. <http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/artoceancount.htm> Hyslop, E. J. 1980. Stomach contents analysis – a review of methods and their application. Journal of Fish Biology 17:411-429. NEFC. 1988. An evaluation of the bottom trawl survey program of the Northeast Fisheries Center. NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFS-F/NEC-52, p. 83. Rester, J.K. 2001. Annual report to the Technical Coordinating Committee Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission. Report of the Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program (SEAMAP) to the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission, Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

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Table 5. Number of specimens captured and measured and number of otoliths (or other hard parts) and stomachs sampled, by species priority level.

Priority A Species

Species

Total Number Caught

Total Species

Weight (kg) Number

Measured

Number of

Otoliths Number of Stomachs

black seabass 401 85.3 401 219 210bluefish 4,635 394.5 2,613 588 485butterfish 148,182 1,904.9 6,015 538 11scup 276,234 3,928.7 13,718 808 797silver hake (whiting) 346 24.8 346 59 59striped bass 17 66.3 17 16 16summer flounder 960 625.5 926 716 448weakfish 60,990 4,168.1 5,747 572 471winter flounder 391 98.7 391 118 114

Priority B Species

Species

Total Number Caught

Total Species

Weight (kg) Number

Measured

Number of

Otoliths Number of Stomachs

American shad 9 0.8 9 9 9Atlantic croaker 58,763 7,616.5 2,843 211 193Atlantic menhaden 740 30.2 288 78 78Atlantic torpedo 8 92.3 8 7 3bluntnose stingray 349 1,178.9 307 bullnose ray 731 1,155.0 631 clearnose skate 1,499 1,847.7 1,355 340 324cownose ray 451 3,976.6 150 Leucoraja spp. 20 5.7 20 little skate 5,288 3,026.2 2,659 194 187monkfish 6 31.2 6 6 6roughtail stingray 92 510.1 92 1 1skate spp. 60 37.0 60 smooth butterfly ray 292 557.1 292 smooth dogfish 1,690 1,555.6 765 202 200southern stingray 18 139.0 18 spiny butterfly ray 133 1,366.7 133 spiny dogfish 17 51.3 17 13 12spot 44,437 3,942.0 2,507 160 9winter skate 951 925.3 735 171 160yellowtail flounder 1 0.1 1 1 1

Priority C Species

Species

Total Number Caught

Total Species

Weight (kg) Number

Measured

Number of

Otoliths Number of Stomachs

alewife 56 3.1 56 24 24Atlantic herring 198 5.4 198 20 20Atlantic mackerel 3 0.3 3 3 1black drum 35 5.8 35 33 25blueback herring 50 1.6 50 18 18red drum 2 14.9 2 1 1tautog 4 3.7 4 4 4

continued

- 16 -

Table 5. cont.. Priority D Species

Species

Total Number Caught

Total Species

Weight(kg) Number

Measured

Number of

Otoliths Number of Stomachs

African pompano 2 0.2 2 Atlantic bumper 2 0.0 2 Atlantic cutlassfish 212 2.1 117 Atlantic moonfish 2,803 15.1 1,196 Atlantic pomfret 2 0.2 2 Atlantic spadefish 673 31.0 478 Atlantic sturgeon 2 29.4 2 Atlantic thread herring 3,345 167.7 554 Atlantic threadfin 3 0.3 3 banded drum 655 50.7 210 bay anchovy 119,741 203.4 3,961 Berycidae 5 13.7 5 bigeye 11 1.7 11 bigeye scad 75 2.4 75 blackcheek tonguefish 3 0.2 3 blue runner 175 9.9 160 bluespotted cornetfish 1 0.0 1 cobia 4 33.1 4 conger eel 1 0.7 1 crevalle jack 31 1.1 31 dwarf goatfish 13 0.2 8 Etropus sp. 24 0.3 24 Florida pompano 43 7.6 43 flying gurnard 1 0.0 1 fourbeard rockling 1 0.1 1 fourspot flounder 73 15.7 73 fringed flounder 27 0.4 27 gray triggerfish 23 9.2 23 Gulf Stream flounder 91 1.9 91 harvestfish 102 10.0 57 hickory shad 7 2.4 7 hogchoker 130 14.3 129 inshore lizardfish 514 56.9 514 jellyfish spp 818.3 king mackerel 5 22.1 5 kingfish spp 9,124 1,398.8 1,707 lane snapper 4 0.1 4 lined seahorse 2 0.0 2 longspine snipefish 1 0.2 1 lookdown 5 0.2 5

continued

- 17 -

Table 5. cont.

Priority D Species (continued)

Species

Total Number Caught

Total Species

Weight (kg) Number

Measured

Number of

Otoliths Number of Stomachs

mackerel scad 38 0.4 38 mantis shrimp 14 0.4 14 northern pipefish 1 0.0 1 northern puffer 93 5.8 93 northern searobin 881 104.2 782 northern sennet 222 19.7 76 northern stargazer 12 21.1 12 orange filefish 1 0.1 1 pigfish 287 18.7 269 pinfish 2,744 107.3 331 planehead filefish 1 0.0 1 red goatfish 1 0.0 1 red hake 74 8.4 74 rock crab 117 12.6 117 rough scad 140 2.9 70 round herring 452 9.1 447 round scad 258 1.9 243 sea raven 4 3.8 4 sharksucker 3 0.2 3 sheepshead 6 21.5 6 short bigeye 3 0.1 3 silver anchovy 42 0.5 42 silver perch 1,398 39.0 141 smallmouth flounder 32 0.5 32 Spanish mackerel 161 42.5 161 Spanish sardine 276 5.2 114 species unidentified 40 22.8 40 spotfin mojarra 87 1.3 82 spotted hake 207 25.7 207 striped anchovy 224,369 2,519.3 4,990 striped burrfish 25 11.2 23 striped searobin 760 171.5 546 threadfin shad 2 0.2 2 triggerfish spp. 1 0.1 1 windowpane 744 114.0 694

continued

- 18 -

Table 5. cont.

Priority E Species

Species

Total Number Caught

Total Species

Weight (kg) Number

Measured

Number of

Otoliths Number of Stomachs

American lobster 262 59.0 262 Atlantic angel shark 3 12.8 3 Atlantic sharpnose shark 68 257.4 68 10 8 blue crab - juvenile female 1 0.0 1 blue crab - male 4 0.1 4 blue crab, adult female 12 1.6 12 brown shrimp 898 21.6 459 dusky shark 4 18.1 4 1 1 horseshoe crab 795 1,447.9 342 jonah crab 2 0.2 2 Loligo squid 119,501 2,277.5 9,614 sandbar shark 15 100.1 15 9 9 sea scallop 32 4.3 32 squid spp 11 1.1 11 thresher shark 5 73.6 5 white shrimp 48 1.8 20 Total 1,101,152 49,868 73,473 5,150 3,905

Figure 1. Chronological summary of average net performance parameters for each tow. Accepted ranges for each parameter are given by the dotted lines.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

1 10 19 28 37 46 55 64 73 82 91 100 109 118 127 136 145

Station Number

Dis

tanc

e (m

)

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Speed (kts)

D. Spread - 32.6m

W. Spread – 13.1m

Height – 5.3m

Speed – 3.2kts

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 1500

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

1 10 19 28 37 46 55 64 73 82 91 100 109 118 127 136 145

Station Number

Dis

tanc

e (m

)

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Speed (kts)

D. Spread - 32.6m

W. Spread – 13.1m

Speed – 3.2kts

Height – 5.3m0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

1 10 19 28 37 46 55 64 73 82 91 100 109 118 127 136 145

Station Number

Dis

tanc

e (m

)

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Speed (kts)

D. Spread - 32.6m

W. Spread – 13.1m

Speed – 3.2kts

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150

Height – 5.3m

Tow Number

- 19 -

Figure 2. Thyboron Type IV 66” trawl doors frontside (A) and backside (B) with mounting bracket for Netmind sensor.

A.

B.

- 20 -

Figure 3. Comparison of stations selected (red) to locations sampled (black) in Rhode Island to New York (A), New Jersey to Maryland (B), and Virginia to North Carolina (C).

RI BI12

35 4

A

6

7

8

9

10

B 11

12

13

14

15

C

- 21 -

Figure 4. Frequency histogram of number of species captured at each station.

Num

ber o

f Tow

s

0

10

20

Number of Species per Tow

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40

Figure 5. Frequency histogram of number of specimens captured at each station (note irregularly incremented values at the high end of the x-axis).

Num

ber o

f Tow

s

0123456789

101112131415161718

Number of Fish per Tow

050

01,0

001,5

002,0

002,5

003,0

003,5

004,0

004,5

005,0

005,5

006,0

006,5

007,0

007,5

008,0

008,5

009,0

009,5

00

10,00

0

10,50

0

11,00

0

11,50

0

12,00

0

12,50

0

13,00

0

13,50

0

14,00

0

14,50

0

15,00

0

15,50

0

16,00

0

16,50

0

17,00

0

17,50

0

18,00

0

18,50

0

19,00

0

19,50

0

20,00

0

25,00

0

26,00

0

27,00

0

28,00

0

29,00

0

30,00

0

31,00

0

32,00

0

33,00

0

34,00

0

35,00

0

50,00

0

68,00

0

150,0

00

- 22 -

Figure 6. Frequency histogram of biomass of all specimens captured at each station (note irregularly incremented values at the high end of the x-axis).

Num

ber o

f Tow

s

0

10

20

30

Total Weight per Tow (kg)

0 50 100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

500

550

600

650

700

750

800

850

900

950

1,000

1,050

1,100

1,150

1,200

1,250

1,300

3,600

6,500

- 23 -

AmericanLobster

(Priority E)A

B

- 24 -

Figure 7. Number (A) and biomass (B) of specimens captured at each station for American lobster.

Figure 8. Minimum trawlable number and biomass by state for American lobster.N

umbe

r

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

800,000

900,000

1,000,000

1,100,000

1,200,000

StateRI NY NJ DE MD VA NC

Biom

ass (kg)

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

Minimum Trawlable Number = 1,164,274

Minimum Trawlable Biomass (kg)= 262,773

Pct. S.E. = 50% (number) 46% (biomass)

Avg Wt:0.344kg

Avg Wt:0.284kg

Avg Wt:0.224kg

Expa

nded

Num

ber

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Carapace Length (cm)0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Figure 9. Length frequency histogram for American lobster.

Number Captured = 262

Number Measured = 262

- 25 -

Figure 10. Sex ratios for American lobster, by state.

Sex

UMF

49

51100

100100

67

33100

Perc

ent

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

STATE

1-RI 2-NY 3-NJ

n = 126 2 3

- 26 -

Weight(g) = 1.8115 x Length(cm)2.4836(n = 131)

Wei

ght(g

)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

Carapace Length(cm)

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Figure 11. Length-weight regression for American lobster, sexes combined (A) and by sex (B).

A

Females: Weight(g) = 1.923 x Length(cm) 2.4553(n = 65)

Males: Weight(g) = 1.6928 x Length(cm)2.5167(n = 65)

Wei

ght(

g)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

Carapace Length(cm)

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

- 27 -

B

AtlanticCroaker

(Priority B)A

B

Figure 12. Number (A) and biomass (B) of specimens captured at each station for Atlantic croaker.

- 28 -

Figure 13. Minimum trawlable number and biomass by state for Atlantic croaker.N

umbe

r

0

10,000,000

20,000,000

30,000,000

40,000,000

50,000,000

60,000,000

70,000,000

80,000,000

90,000,000

100,000,000

110,000,000

120,000,000

130,000,000

140,000,000

150,000,000

StateRI NY NJ DE MD VA NC

Biom

ass (kg)

0

1,000,000

2,000,000

3,000,000

4,000,000

5,000,000

6,000,000

7,000,000

8,000,000

9,000,000

10,000,000

11,000,000

12,000,000

13,000,000

14,000,000

15,000,000

16,000,000

17,000,000

18,000,000

Minimum Trawlable Number = 231,508,457

Minimum Trawlable Biomass (kg)= 30,231,523

Pct. S.E. = 42% (number) 40% (biomass)

Avg Wt:0.281kg

Avg Wt:0.305kg

Avg Wt:0.194kg

Avg Wt:0.122kg

Avg Wt:0.086kg

Avg Wt:0.794kg

Expa

nded

Num

ber

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

7,000

8,000

9,000

Total Length (cm)0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45

Figure 14. Length frequency histogram for Atlantic croaker.

Number Captured = 58,763

Number Measured = 2,843

Number of Otoliths = 211

Number of Stomachs = 193

- 29 -

Sex

UMF

100100.00

41

59100.00

25

74

99.99

42

57

100.00

58

42100.00

62

38100.00

Perc

ent

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

STATE

2-NY 3-NJ 4-DE 5-MD 6-VA 7-NC

n = 3 54 25 31 71 27

Sex

UMF

26

74100

86

14100

57

43100

48

52100

60

39

100

26

74100

53

46

100

82

18100

85

15100

100100

100100

Percent SUM

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Length (cm)

15.0-

17.5

17.5-

20.0

20.0-

22.5

22.5-

25.0

25.0-

27.5

27.5-

30.0

30.0-

32.5

32.5-

35.0

35.0-

37.5

37.5-

40.0

40.0-

42.5

n = 7 14 32 43 40 30 18 15 8 3 1

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Inch-class

Figure 15. Sex ratios for Atlantic croaker by state (A) and length group (B).

- 30 -

A

B

Figure 16. Maturity logistic regression for Atlantic croaker, by sex.

50% maturity

99% maturity

SEX FM

Prob

abili

ty o

f Mat

urity

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1.0

Total Length (cm)10 20 30 40 50

- 31 -

Females: W eight(g) = 0.0103 x Length(cm) 3.0676(n = 132)

Males: W eight(g) = 0.0123 x Length(cm) 3.0124(n = 75)

Wei

ght(g

)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

1100

Total Length(cm)10 20 30 40 50

Weight(g) = 0.0104 x Length(cm)3.0628(n = 209)

Wei

ght(g

)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

1100

Total Length(cm)10 20 30 40 50

Figure 17. Length-weight regression for Atlantic croaker, sexes combined (A) and by sex (B).

A

B

- 32 -

AtlanticMenhaden(Priority B)A

B

Figure 18. Number (A) and biomass (B) of specimens captured at each station for Atlantic menhaden.

- 33 -

Figure 19. Minimum trawlable number and biomass by state for Atlantic menhaden.N

umbe

r

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

800,000

900,000

1,000,000

1,100,000

1,200,000

1,300,000

1,400,000

1,500,000

1,600,000

StateRI NY NJ DE MD VA NC

Biom

ass (kg)

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

Minimum Trawlable Number = 2,255,876

Minimum Trawlable Biomass (kg)= 109,297

Pct. S.E. = 70% (number) 32% (biomass)

Avg Wt:0.012kg

Avg Wt:0.202kg

Avg Wt:0.018kg

Avg Wt:0.269kg

Avg Wt:0.330kg

Avg Wt:0.187kg

Expa

nded

Num

ber

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200

Fork Length (cm)0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Figure 20. Length frequency histogram for Atlantic menhaden.

Number Captured = 740

Number Measured = 288

Number of Otoliths = 78

Number of Stomachs = 78

- 34 -

Sex

UMF

20

60

20100

6

94100

21

53

26100

50

38

13100

100100

33

67100

Perc

ent

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

STATE

1-RI 2-NY 3-NJ 4-DE 5-MD 6-VA

n = 7 12 33 8 7 6

Sex

UMF

46

54100

96

100

50

50100

100100

100100

19

81100

32

627

100

53

48100

83

17100

Percent SUM

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Length (cm)

07.5-

10.0

10.0-

12.5

12.5-

15.0

17.5-

20.0

20.0-

22.5

22.5-

25.0

25.0-

27.5

27.5-

30.0

30.0-

32.5

n = 12 2 1 2 9 18 9 6 14

3 4 5 7 8 9 10 11 12 Inch-class

Figure 21. Sex ratios for Atlantic menhaden by state (A) and length group (B).

- 35 -

A

B

Figure 22. Maturity logistic regression for Atlantic menhaden, by sex.

50% maturity

99% maturity

SEX FM

Prob

abili

ty o

f Mat

urity

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1.0

Fork Length (cm)0 10 20 30 40

- 36 -

Weight(g) = 0.0331 x Length(cm)2.7901(n = 78)

Wei

ght(g

)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

Fork Length(cm)

0 10 20 30 40

Figure 23. Length-weight regression for Atlantic menhaden, sexes combined (A) and by sex (B).

A

Females: Weight(g) = 0.0358 x Length(cm)2.7632(n = 19)

Males: Weight(g) = 0.0319 x Length(cm)2.8059(n = 35)

Wei

ght(

g)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

Fork Length(cm)

0 10 20 30 40

B

- 37 -

AtlanticSpadefish(Priority D)A

B

Figure 24. Number (A) and biomass (B) of specimens captured at each station for Atlantic spadefish.

- 38 -

Figure 25. Minimum trawlable number and biomass by state for Atlantic spadefish.N

umbe

r

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

800,000

900,000

1,000,000

1,100,000

1,200,000

1,300,000

1,400,000

1,500,000

1,600,000

1,700,000

1,800,000

StateRI NY NJ DE MD VA NC

Biom

ass (kg)

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

70,000

80,000

90,000

Minimum Trawlable Number = 2,595,794

Minimum Trawlable Biomass (kg)= 102,415

Pct. S.E. = 35% (number) 32% (biomass)

Expa

nded

Num

ber

0

100

200

300

Fork Length (cm)0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Avg Wt:0.045kg

Avg Wt:0..047kg

Figure 26. Length frequency histogram for Atlantic spadefish.

Number Captured = 673

Number Measured = 478

- 39 -

AtlanticThreadHerring

(Priority D)A

B

Figure 27. Number (A) and biomass (B) of specimens captured at each station for Atlantic thread herring.

- 40 -

Figure 28. Minimum trawlable number and biomass by state for Atlantic thread herring.N

umbe

r

0

1,000,000

2,000,000

3,000,000

4,000,000

5,000,000

6,000,000

7,000,000

StateRI NY NJ DE MD VA NC

Biom

ass (kg)

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

Minimum Trawlable Number = 13,526,564

Minimum Trawlable Biomass (kg)= 710,948

Pct. S.E. = 52% (number) 65% (biomass)

Avg Wt:0.005kg

Avg Wt:0.141kg

Avg Wt:0.080kg

Avg Wt:0.027kg

Expa

nded

Num

ber

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

Fork Length (cm)0 5 10 15 20 25

Figure 29. Length frequency histogram for Atlantic thread herring.

Number Captured = 3,345

Number Measured = 554

- 41 -

BayAnchovy

(Priority D)A

B

- 42 -

Figure 30. Number (A) and biomass (B) of specimens captured at each station for bay anchovy.

Figure 31. Minimum trawlable number and biomass by state for bay anchovy.N

umbe

r

0

10,000,000

20,000,000

30,000,000

40,000,000

50,000,000

60,000,000

70,000,000

80,000,000

90,000,000

100,000,000

110,000,000

120,000,000

130,000,000

140,000,000

150,000,000

160,000,000

170,000,000

180,000,000

StateRI NY NJ DE MD VA NC

Biom

ass (kg)

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

Minimum Trawlable Number = 452,812,195

Minimum Trawlable Biomass (kg)= 799,420

Pct. S.E. = 28% (number) 15% (biomass)

Expa

nded

Num

ber

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

Fork Length (cm)0 5 10 15

Avg Wt:0.005kg

Avg Wt:0.001kg

Avg Wt:0.002kg

Avg Wt:0.002kg Avg Wt:

0.002kgAvg Wt:0.003kg

Figure 32. Length frequency histogram for bay anchovy.

Number Captured = 119,741

Number Measured = 3,961

- 43 -

BlackSea Bass(Priority A)A

B

Figure 33. Number (A) and biomass (B) of specimens captured at each station for black sea bass.

- 44 -

Figure 34. Minimum trawlable number and biomass by state for black sea bass.N

umbe

r

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

StateRI NY NJ DE MD VA NC

Biom

ass (kg)

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

70,000

80,000

90,000

100,000

110,000

Minimum Trawlable Number = 1,568,759

Minimum Trawlable Biomass (kg)= 326,991

Pct. S.E. = 22% (number) 23% (biomass)

Avg Wt:0.741kg

Avg Wt:0.253kg

Avg Wt:0.198kg

Avg Wt:0.102kg Avg Wt:

0.111kg

Avg Wt:0.074kg

Avg Wt:0. 069kg

Expa

nded

Num

ber

0

10

20

30

40

Total Length (cm)0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60

Figure 35. Length frequency histogram for black sea bass.

Number Captured =401

Number Measured = 401

Number of Otoliths = 219

Number of Stomachs = 210

- 45 -

Sex

UMF

79

14

7100.00

67

31

100.00

87

85

100.00100

100.00

74

22100.00

82

16

100.00

43

14

43100.01

Perc

ent

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

STATE

1-RI 2-NY 3-NJ 4-DE 5-MD 6-VA 7-NC

n = 24 45 69 22 18 34 7

Sex

UMF

100100.0

946

100.0

86

10

100.0

86

11

100.0

78

18

100.0

52

38

10100.1

74

26100.0

60

40100.0

100100.0

67

33100.0

100100.0

Percent SUM

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Length (cm)

05-10

10-15

15-20

20-25

25-30

30-35

35-40

40-45

45-50

50-55

55-60

n = 2 13 97 32 29 24 11 5 2 3 1

2-4 4-6 6-8 8-10 10-12 12-14 14-16 16-18 18-20 20-22 22-24 Inch-class

Figure 36. Sex ratios for black sea bass, by state (A) and length group (B).

- 46 -

A

B

Figure 37. Maturity logistic regression for black sea bass, by sex.

50% maturity

99% maturity

SEX FM

Prob

abili

ty o

f Mat

urity

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1.0

Total Length (cm)10 20 30 40 50 60

Figure 38. Expanded age frequency histogram for black sea bass.

54

169

93

61

6 3 2 1 0 2 0

Expa

nded

Num

ber

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

120

130

140

150

160

170

Age (Year Class)

0 (2007

)

1 (2006

)

2 (2005

)

3 (2004

)

4 (2003

)

5 (2002

)

6 (2001

)

7 (2000

)

8 (1999

)

9 (1998

)

10 (199

7)

Catch curve Z ages 1-9 = -0.68Catch curve Z ages 2-9 = -0.63

- 47 -

Figure 39. Age-specific length-frequency histograms for black sea bass for ages 0 through 3, and 5.

AG E =0

0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9

1 0 1 1

To ta l Le n g th (c m )0 5 1 0 1 5 2 0 2 5 3 0 3 5 4 0 4 5 5 0 5 5 6 0

AG E =1

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

1 0 1 1 1 2 1 3 1 4

To ta l Le n g th (c m )0 5 1 0 1 5 2 0 2 5 3 0 3 5 4 0 4 5 5 0 5 5 6 0

AG E =2

0

1

2

3

4

5

To ta l Le n g th (c m )0 5 1 0 1 5 2 0 2 5 3 0 3 5 4 0 4 5 5 0 5 5 6 0

AG E =3

0

1

2

3

4

5

To ta l Le n g th (c m )0 5 1 0 1 5 2 0 2 5 3 0 3 5 4 0 4 5 5 0 5 5 6 0

AG E =5

0

1

2

To ta l Le n g th (c m )0 5 1 0 1 5 2 0 2 5 3 0 3 5 4 0 4 5 5 0 5 5 6 0

- 48 -

Figure 40. von Bertalanffy growth curves for black sea bass, by sex.

Fem ales : L(m ax) = 70.5 T(zero) = 0.263 K = 0.232M ales: L(m ax) = 46.2 T(zero) = 0.401 K = 0.453

Leng

th (c

m)

10

20

30

40

50

60

Age

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

- 49 -

Weight(g) = 0.0286 x Length(cm)2.7973(n = 219)

Wei

ght(g

)

0

1000

2000

3000

Total Length(cm)0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Figure 41. Length-weight regression for black sea bass, sexes combined (A) and by sex (B)..

A

Females: W eight(g) = 0.0251 x Length(cm) 2.8433(n = 177)

Males: W eight(g) = 0.1191 x Length(cm) 2.3719(n = 26)

Wei

ght(g

)

0

1000

2000

3000

Total Length(cm)10 20 30 40 50 60

- 50 -

B

Figure 42. Diets of black sea bass by percent weight (A) and percent number (B).

A

B

- 51 -

Bluefish(Priority A)A

B

Figure 43. Number (A) and biomass (B) of specimens captured at each station for bluefish.

- 52 -

Figure 44. Minimum trawlable number and biomass by state for bluefish.N

umbe

r

0

1,000,000

2,000,000

3,000,000

4,000,000

5,000,000

6,000,000

7,000,000

8,000,000

StateRI NY NJ DE MD VA NC

Biom

ass (kg)

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

Minimum Trawlable Number = 16,765,929

Minimum Trawlable Biomass (kg)= 1,519,012

Pct. S.E. = 17% (number) 13% (biomass)

Avg Wt:0.453kg

Avg Wt:0.028kg

Avg Wt:0.103kg

Avg Wt:0.297kg

Avg Wt:0.134kg

Avg Wt:0.100kg

Avg Wt:0. 149kg

Expa

nded

Num

ber

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

Fork Length (cm)0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75

Figure 45. Length frequency histogram for bluefish.

Number Captured = 4,635

Number Measured = 2,613

Number of Otoliths = 588

Number of Stomachs = 485

- 53 -

Sex

UMF

24.6

66.2

9.2100

13.9

84.7100

32.0

45.7

22.3100

53.5

46.5100

37.9

57.05.1100

31.6

21.3

47.1100

28.7

54.3

17.0100

Perc

ent

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

STATE

1-RI 2-NY 3-NJ 4-DE 5-MD 6-VA 7-NC

n = 64 99 164 43 70 104 37

Sex

UMF

99100

21

78100

20

35

45100

39

47

14100

42

58100

64

36100

88

12100

60

40100

50

50100

14

86100

50

50100

73

27100

100100

100100

Percent SUM

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Length (cm)

05-10

10-15

15-20

20-25

25-30

30-35

35-40

40-45

45-50

50-55

55-60

60-65

65-70

70-75

n = 18 78 123 194 56 67 13 5 2 7 4 11 2 1

2-4 4-6 6-8 8-10 10-12 12-14 14-16 16-18 18-20 20-22 22-24 24-26 26-28 28-30 Inch-class

Figure 46. Sex ratios for bluefish, by state (A) and length group (B).

A

B

- 54 -

Figure 47. Maturity logistic regression for bluefish, by sex.

50% maturity

99% maturity

SEX FM

Prob

abili

ty o

f Mat

urity

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1.0

Fork Length (cm)0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

- 55 -

Weight(g) = 0.0211 x Length(cm)2.8645(n = 588)

Wei

ght(g

)

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

Fork Length(cm)

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Figure 48. Length-weight regression for bluefish, sexes combined (A) and by sex (B)..

A

Females: Weight(g) = 0.0218 x Length(cm)2.8541(n = 236)

Males: Weight(g) = 0.0179 x Length(cm)2.9133(n = 229)

Wei

ght(

g)

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

Fork Length(cm)

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

- 56 -

B

Figure 49. Diets of bluefish by percent weight (A) and percent number (B).

A

B

- 57 -

BluntnoseStingray

(Priority B)A

B

- 58 -

Figure 50. Number (A) and biomass (B) of specimens captured at each station for bluntnosestingray.

Figure 51. Minimum trawlable number and biomass by state for bluntnose stingray.N

umbe

r

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

800,000

900,000

1,000,000

StateRI NY NJ DE MD VA NC

Biom

ass (kg)

0

1,000,000

2,000,000

3,000,000

4,000,000

Minimum Trawlable Number = 1,342,462

Minimum Trawlable Biomass (kg)= 4,613,305

Pct. S.E. = 21% (number) 23% (biomass)

Avg Wt:0.492kg

Avg Wt:0.772kg

Avg Wt:2.493kg

Avg Wt:3.874kg

Avg Wt:2.542kg

Expa

nded

Num

ber

0

10

20

30

Disk Width (cm)0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85

Figure 52. Width frequency histogram for bluntnose stingray.

Number Captured = 349

Number Measured = 307

- 59 -

BrownShrimp

(Priority E)A

B

Figure 53. Number (A) and biomass (B) of specimens captured at each station for brown shrimp.

- 60 -

Figure 54. Minimum trawlable number and biomass by state for brown shrimp.N

umbe

r

0

1,000,000

2,000,000

3,000,000

StateRI NY NJ DE MD VA NC

Biom

ass (kg)

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

Minimum Trawlable Number = 3,364,019

Minimum Trawlable Biomass (kg)= 81,052

Pct. S.E. = 20% (number) 16% (biomass)

Avg Wt:0.021kg

Avg Wt:0.023kg

Avg Wt:0.026kg

Avg Wt:0.024kg

Expa

nded

Num

ber

0

100

200

300

Total Length (cm)0 5 10 15 20

Figure 55. Length frequency histogram for brown shrimp.

Number Captured = 898

Number Measured = 459

- 61 -

BullnoseStingray

(Priority B)A

B

Figure 56. Number (A) and biomass (B) of specimens captured at each station for bullnosestingray.

- 62 -

Figure 57. Minimum trawlable number and biomass by state for bullnose stingray.N

umbe

r

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

800,000

900,000

1,000,000

1,100,000

1,200,000

1,300,000

1,400,000

1,500,000

1,600,000

StateRI NY NJ DE MD VA NC

Biom

ass (kg)

0

1,000,000

2,000,000

3,000,000

Minimum Trawlable Number = 2,989,245

Minimum Trawlable Biomass (kg)= 4,747,851

Pct. S.E. = 16% (number) 17% (biomass)

Avg Wt:1.209kg

Avg Wt:1.360kg

Avg Wt:1.236kg

Avg Wt:1.938kg

Avg Wt:1.127kg

Expa

nded

Num

ber

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Disk Width (cm)0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80

Figure 58. Width frequency histogram for bullnose stingray.

Number Captured = 731

Number Measured = 631

- 63 -

Butterfish(Priority A)A

B

Figure 59. Number (A) and biomass (B) of specimens captured at each station for butterfish.

- 64 -

Figure 60. Minimum trawlable number and biomass by state for butterfish.N

umbe

r

0

100,000,000

200,000,000

300,000,000

StateRI NY NJ DE MD VA NC

Biom

ass (kg)

0

1,000,000

2,000,000

3,000,000

4,000,000

5,000,000

Minimum Trawlable Number = 556,339,149

Minimum Trawlable Biomass (kg)= 7,433,615

Pct. S.E. = 30% (number) 18% (biomass)

Avg Wt:0.018kg

Avg Wt:0.004kg

Avg Wt:0.012kg

Avg Wt:0.018kg

Avg Wt:0.023kg

Avg Wt:0.037kg

Avg Wt:0.043kg

Expa

nded

Num

ber

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

Fork Length (cm)0 5 10 15 20

Figure 61. Length frequency histogram for butterfish.

Number Captured = 148,182

Number Measured = 6,015

Number of Otoliths = 538

Number of Stomachs = 11

- 65 -

Figure 62. Sex ratios for butterfish, by state (A) and length group (B).

Sex

UMF

6.7

14.0

79.3100.0

97.8100.0

11.5

6.7

81.8100.0

99.6100.0

17.05.3

77.7100.0

37.3

10.4

52.3100.0

60.5

30.5

9.1100.1

Perc

ent

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

STATE

1-RI 2-NY 3-NJ 4-DE 5-MD 6-VA 7-NC

n = 120 90 107 30 54 104 24

Sex

UMF

100100.0

100100.0

99100.0

17

26

57100.0

39

50

11100.0

55

42

100.1

82

18100.0

Percent SUM

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Length (cm)

02.5-

05.0

05.0-

07.5

07.5-

10.0

10.0-

12.5

12.5-

15.0

15.0-

17.5

17.5-

20.0

n = 33 135 121 75 79 66 20

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Inch-class

- 66 -

A

B

Figure 63. Maturity logistic regression for butterfish, by sex.

50% maturity

99% maturity

SEX FM

Prob

abili

ty o

f Mat

urity

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1.0

Fork Length (cm)7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

- 67 -

Weight(g) = 0.015 x Length(cm) 3.1259(n = 535)

Wei

ght(g

)

0102030405060708090

100110120130140150160170180

Fork Length(cm)3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

Figure 64. Length-weight regression for butterfish, sexes combined (A) and by sex (B).

A

Females: W eight(g) = 0.0269 x Length(cm) 2.9149(n = 106)

Males: W eight(g) = 0.0113 x Length(cm) 3.2363(n = 96)

Wei

ght(g

)

0102030405060708090

100110120130140150160170180

Fork Length(cm)7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

- 68 -

B

ClearnoseSkate

(Priority B)A

B

- 69 -

Figure 65. Number (A) and biomass (B) of specimens captured at each station for clearnose skate.

Figure 66. Minimum trawlable number and biomass by state for clearnose skate.N

umbe

r

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

800,000

900,000

1,000,000

1,100,000

1,200,000

1,300,000

1,400,000

1,500,000

1,600,000

1,700,000

1,800,000

1,900,000

2,000,000

2,100,000

StateRI NY NJ DE MD VA NC

Biom

ass (kg)

0

1,000,000

2,000,000

3,000,000

Minimum Trawlable Number = 5,728,724

Minimum Trawlable Biomass (kg)= 6,975,177

Pct. S.E. = 8% (number) 8% (biomass)

Avg Wt:1.178kg

Avg Wt:1.542kg

Avg Wt:1.414kg

Avg Wt:1.177kg

Avg Wt:1.052kg

Avg Wt:1.084kg

Avg Wt:1.295kg

Expa

nded

Num

ber

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

120

130

Disk Width (cm)0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55

Figure 67. Width frequency histogram for clearnose skate.

Number Captured = 1,499

Number Measured = 1,355

Number of Vertebrae = 340

Number of Stomachs = 324

- 70 -

Sex

UMF

68.7

31.3100

11.8

88.2100

25.4

74.6100

39.0

61.0100

25.0

75.0100

73.0

27.0100

66.7

33.3100

Perc

ent

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

STATE

1-RI 2-NY 3-NJ 4-DE 5-MD 6-VA 7-NC

n = 9 58 63 39 22 121 28

Sex

UMF

72

28100

100100

45

55100

48

52100

25

75100

39

61100

41

59100

73

27100

62

38100

60

40100

100100

Percent SUM

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Length (cm)

25.0-

27.5

27.5-

30.0

30.0-

32.5

32.5-

35.0

35.0-

37.5

37.5-

40.0

40.0-

42.5

42.5-

45.0

45.0-

47.5

47.5-

50.0

52.5-

55.0

n = 4 2 18 46 45 72 69 48 28 7 1

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 21 Inch-class

Figure 68. Sex ratios for clearnose skate, by state (A) and width group (B).

- 71 -

Disk Width (cm)

A

B

Figure 69. Maturity logistic regression for clearnose skate, by sex.

50% maturity

99% maturity

SEX FM

Prob

abili

ty o

f Mat

urity

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1.0

Disk Width (cm)20 30 40 50 60

- 72 -

Weight(g) = 0.0283 x Length(cm) 2.9061(n = 339)

Wei

ght(g

)

0

1000

2000

3000

Disk Width(cm)20 30 40 50 60

Figure 70. Width-weight regression for clearnose skate, sexes combined (A) and by sex (B).

A

Females: W eight(g) = 0.0265 x Length(cm) 2.9201(n = 166)

Males: W eight(g) = 0.0231 x Length(cm) 2.9641(n = 173)

Wei

ght(g

)

0

1000

2000

3000

Disk Width(cm)20 30 40 50 60

- 73 -

B

CownoseRay

(Priority B)A

B

Figure 71. Number (A) and biomass (B) of specimens captured at each station for cownose ray.

- 74 -

Figure 72. Minimum trawlable number and biomass by state for cownose ray.N

umbe

r

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

800,000

900,000

1,000,000

1,100,000

1,200,000

1,300,000

1,400,000

1,500,000

1,600,000

1,700,000

1,800,000

1,900,000

StateRI NY NJ DE MD VA NC

Biom

ass (kg)

0

1,000,000

2,000,000

3,000,000

4,000,000

5,000,000

6,000,000

7,000,000

8,000,000

9,000,000

10,000,000

11,000,000

12,000,000

13,000,000

14,000,000

15,000,000

16,000,000

17,000,000

18,000,000

19,000,000

Minimum Trawlable Number = 2,015,335

Minimum Trawlable Biomass (kg)= 18,366,308

Pct. S.E. = 63% (number) 88% (biomass)

Avg Wt:1.681kg

Avg Wt:1.705kg

Avg Wt:10.089kg

Avg Wt:1.232kg

Expa

nded

Num

ber

0

10

20

30

Disk Width (cm)

0 5 10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

70

75

80

85

90

95

100

105

110

115

Figure 73. Width frequency histogram for cownose ray.

Number Captured = 451

Number Measured = 150

- 75 -

HorseshoeCrab

(Priority E)A

B

Figure 74. Number (A) and biomass (B) of specimens captured at each station for horseshoe crab.

- 76 -

Figure 75. Minimum trawlable number and biomass by state for horseshoe crab.N

umbe

r

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

800,000

900,000

1,000,000

1,100,000

StateRI NY NJ DE MD VA NC

Biom

ass (kg)

0

1,000,000

2,000,000

3,000,000

Minimum TrawlableNumber = 3,394,754

Minimum TrawlableBiomass (kg)= 6,168,907

Pct. S.E. = 31% (number)32% (biomass)

Expa

nded

Num

ber

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

120

Carapace Width (cm)0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Avg Wt:0.136kg

Avg Wt:0.246kg

Avg Wt:0.158kg

Avg Wt:0.118kg

Avg Wt:0.122kg

Avg Wt:0.120kg

Avg Wt:0.092kg

Figure 76. Width frequency histogram for horseshoe crab.

Number Captured = 795

Number Measured = 342

- 77 -

Figure 77. Sex ratios for horseshoe crab, by state (A) and width group (B).

Sex

UMF

60.0

40.0100

63.1

36.9100

78.8

21.2100

61.8

38.2100

58.2

41.8100

65.0

35.0100

Perc

ent

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

STATE

1-RI 2-NY 3-NJ 4-DE 5-MD 6-VA

n = 5 52 36 18 32 21

Sex

UMF

100100

100100

11

89100

17

84100

85

15100

97

100100100

100100

Percent SUM

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Length (cm)

12.5-

15.0

15.0-

17.5

17.5-

20.0

20.0-

22.5

22.5-

25.0

25.0-

27.5

27.5-

30.0

30.0-

32.5

n = 1 1 12 44 40 42 22 2

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Inch-class

- 78 -

Carapace Width (cm)

A

B

Weight(g) = 0.0297 x Length(cm) 3.4455(n = 166)

Wei

ght(g

)

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

Carapace Width (cm)13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32

Figure 78. Width-weight regression for horseshoe crab, sexes combined (A), and by sex (B).

A

Females: W eight(g) = 0.1044 x Length(cm) 3.068(n = 108)

Males: W eight(g) = 0.2982 x Length(cm) 2.6636(n = 56)

Wei

ght(g

)

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

Carapace Width (cm)13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32

- 79 -

B

Kingfishspp.

(Priority D)A

B

Figure 79. Number (A) and biomass (B) of specimens captured at each station for kingfish (spp).

- 80 -

Figure 80. Minimum trawlable number and biomass by state for kingfish (spp).N

umbe

r

0

10,000,000

20,000,000

30,000,000

40,000,000

StateRI NY NJ DE MD VA NC

Biom

ass (kg)

0

1,000,000

2,000,000

3,000,000

4,000,000

5,000,000

Minimum Trawlable Number = 36,116,481

Minimum Trawlable Biomass (kg)= 5,611,106

Pct. S.E. = 33% (number) 35% (biomass)

Avg Wt:0.119kg

Avg Wt:0.142kg

Avg Wt:0.159kg

Avg Wt:0.117kg

Avg Wt:0. 205kg

Avg Wt:0.158kg

Avg Wt:0.120kg

Expa

nded

Num

ber

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1,000

1,100

1,200

1,300

1,400

Total Length (cm)0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

Figure 81. Length frequency histogram for kingfish (spp).

Number Captured = 9,124

Number Measured = 1,707

- 81 -

LittleSkate

(Priority B)A

B

Figure 82. Number (A) and biomass (B) of specimens captured at each station for little skate.

- 82 -

Figure 83. Minimum trawlable number and biomass by state for little skate.N

umbe

r

0

1,000,000

2,000,000

3,000,000

4,000,000

5,000,000

6,000,000

7,000,000

8,000,000

9,000,000

10,000,000

11,000,000

StateRI NY NJ DE MD VA NC

Biom

ass (kg)

0

1,000,000

2,000,000

3,000,000

4,000,000

5,000,000

6,000,000

7,000,000

Minimum Trawlable Number = 18,483,896

Minimum Trawlable Biomass (kg)= 10,732,786

Pct. S.E. = 14% (number) 13% (biomass)

Expa

nded

Num

ber

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1,000

1,100

1,200

1,300

1,400

1,500

Disk Width (cm)0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60

Figure 84. Width frequency histogram for little skate.

Number Captured = 5,288

Number Measured = 2,659

Number of Vertebrae = 194

Number of Stomachs = 187

- 83 -

Avg Wt:0.592kg

Avg Wt:0.549kg

Avg Wt:0.566kg

Avg Wt:0.530kg

Avg Wt:1.254kg

Figure 85. Sex ratios for little skate, by state (A) and width group (B).

Sex

UMF

65

35100

84

16100

96

100100100

Perc

ent

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

STATE

1-RI 2-NY 3-NJ 4-DE

n = 81 74 38 1

Sex

UMF

100100

75

25100

75

25100

77

23100

87

13100

100100

100100

100100

100100

100100

100100

100100

Percent SUM

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Length (cm)

20.0-

22.5

22.5-

25.0

25.0-

27.5

27.5-

30.0

30.0-

32.5

32.5-

35.0

40.0-

42.5

45.0-

47.5

47.5-

50.0

50.0-

52.5

52.5-

55.0

55.0-

57.5

n = 3 17 117 44 4 1 1 1 2 2 1 1

8 9 10 11 12 13 16 18 19 20 21 22 Inch-class

- 84 -

Disk Width (cm)

A

B

Weight(g) = 0.0554 x Length(cm) 2.8085(n = 194)

Wei

ght(g

)

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

Disk Width(cm)20 30 40 50 60

Figure 86. Width-weight regression for little skate, sexes combined (A) and by sex (B).

A

Females: W eight(g) = 0.2536 x Length(cm) 2.3443(n = 149)

Males: W eight(g) = 0.0695 x Length(cm) 2.7514(n = 45)

Wei

ght(g

)

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

Disk Width (cm)20 30 40 50 60

- 85 -

B

LoligoSquid

(Priority E)A

B

Figure 87. Number (A) and biomass (B) of specimens captured at each station for Loligo squid.

- 86 -

Figure 88. Minimum trawlable number and biomass by state for Loligo squid.N

umbe

r

0

100,000,000

200,000,000

300,000,000

StateRI NY NJ DE MD VA NC

Biom

ass (kg)

0

1,000,000

2,000,000

3,000,000

4,000,000

5,000,000

Minimum Trawlable Number = 435,880,830

Minimum Trawlable Biomass (kg)= 8,546,121

Pct. S.E. = 16% (number) 14% (biomass)

Expa

nded

Num

ber

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

Mantle Length (cm)0 5 10 15 20 25

Avg Wt:0.021kg

Avg Wt:0.015kg

Avg Wt:0.028kg

Avg Wt:0.018kg

Avg Wt:0.032kg

Avg Wt:0.025kg

Avg Wt:0.037kg

Figure 89. Length frequency histogram for Loligo squid.

Number Captured = 119,501

Number Measured = 9,614

- 87 -

NorthernSearobin

(Priority D)A

B

- 88 -

Figure 90. Number (A) and biomass (B) of specimens captured at each station for northern searobin.

Figure 91. Minimum trawlable number and biomass by state for northern searobin.N

umbe

r

0

1,000,000

2,000,000

3,000,000

4,000,000

StateRI NY NJ DE MD VA NC

Biom

ass (kg)

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

Minimum Trawlable Number = 3,978,887

Minimum Trawlable Biomass (kg)= 456,313

Pct. S.E. = 21% (number) 28% (biomass)

Expa

nded

Num

ber

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

120

130

Total Length (cm)0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Avg Wt:0.017kg

Avg Wt:0.104kg

Avg Wt:0.124kg

Avg Wt:0.086kg

Avg Wt:0.059kg

Avg Wt:0.034kg

Avg Wt:0.034kg

Figure 92. Length frequency histogram for northern searobin.

Number Captured = 881

Number Measured = 782

- 89 -

Pinfish(Priority D)A

- 90 -

B

Figure 93. Number (A) and biomass (B) of specimens captured at each station for pinfish.

Num

ber

0

1,000,000

2,000,000

3,000,000

4,000,000

5,000,000

6,000,000

7,000,000

8,000,000

9,000,000

StateRI NY NJ DE MD VA NC

Biom

ass (kg)

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

Minimum Trawlable Number = 8,245,445

Minimum Trawlable Biomass (kg)= 323,903

Pct. S.E. = 85% (number) 83% (biomass)

Expa

nded

Num

ber

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1,000

1,100

1,200

1,300

1,400

Fork Length (cm)0 5 10 15 20

Figure 94. Minimum trawlable number and biomass by state for pinfish.

Figure 95. Length frequency histogram for pinfish.

Number Captured = 2,744

Number Measured = 331

Avg Wt:0.097kg

Avg Wt:0.039kg

- 91 -

Scup(Priority A)A

B

Figure 96. Number (A) and biomass (B) of specimens captured at each station for scup.

- 92 -

Figure 97. Minimum trawlable number and biomass by state for scup.N

umbe

r

0

100,000,000

200,000,000

300,000,000

400,000,000

500,000,000

600,000,000

StateRI NY NJ DE MD VA NC

Biom

ass (kg)

0

1,000,000

2,000,000

3,000,000

4,000,000

5,000,000

Minimum Trawlable Number = 943,933,018

Minimum Trawlable Biomass (kg)= 15,083,844

Pct. S.E. = 23% (number) 13% (biomass)

Avg Wt:0.014kg

Avg Wt:0.005kg

Avg Wt:0.036kg

Avg Wt:0.062kg

Avg Wt:0.048kg

Avg Wt:0.050kg

Avg Wt:0.047kg

Expa

nded

Num

ber

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

70,000

80,000

90,000

Fork Length (cm)0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

Figure 98. Length frequency histogram for scup.

Number Captured = 276,234

Number Measured = 13,718

Number of Otoliths = 808

Number of Stomachs = 797

- 93 -

Figure 99. Sex ratios for scup by state (A) and length group (B).

A

Sex

UMF

5.7

92.7100.0

99.9100.0

20.8

18.3

60.9100.0

35.4

26.9

37.8100.1

40.8

49.0

10.3100.1

49.9

36.1

14.0100.0

48.9

21.1

29.999.9

Perc

ent

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

STATE

1-RI 2-NY 3-NJ 4-DE 5-MD 6-VA 7-NC

n = 219 142 149 77 40 128 40

Sex

UMF

100100.0

100100.0

99100.0

30

23

4699.9

52

36

13100.1

55

41

100.0

35

66100.0

89

11100.0

67

33100.0

97100.0

67

33100.0

100100.0

Percent SUM

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Length (cm)

02.5-

05.0

05.0-

07.5

07.5-

10.0

10.0-

12.5

12.5-

15.0

15.0-

17.5

17.5-

20.0

20.0-

22.5

22.5-

25.0

25.0-

27.5

30.0-

32.5

32.5-

35.0

n = 1 95 159 107 205 170 24 18 9 3 3 1

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 13 Inch-class

- 94 -

B

Figure 100. Maturity logistic regression for scup, by sex.

50% maturity

99% maturity

SEX FM

Prob

abili

ty o

f Mat

urity

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1.0

Fork Length (cm)0 10 20 30 40

2007

241790

284761027 108 3 0

0

100000

200000

300000

Age (Year Class)

0 (200

7)

1 (200

6)

2 (200

5)

3 (200

4)

4 (200

3)

5 (200

2)

Figure 101. Expanded age frequency histogram for scup.

Catch curve Z ages 0-4 = -2.82

- 95 -

Figure 102. Age-specific length-frequency histograms for scup for ages 0 through 3.

AG E =0

0

1 ,0 0 0

2 ,0 0 0

3 ,0 0 0

4 ,0 0 0

To ta l Le n g th (c m )0 5 1 0 1 5 2 0 2 5 3 0 3 5 4 0

AG E =1

0

1 0 0

2 0 0

3 0 0

4 0 0

5 0 0

6 0 0

7 0 0

8 0 0

To ta l Le n g th (c m )0 5 1 0 1 5 2 0 2 5 3 0 3 5 4 0

AG E =2

0

1 0

2 0

3 0

To ta l Le n g th (c m )0 5 1 0 1 5 2 0 2 5 3 0 3 5 4 0

AG E =3

0

1 0

2 0

3 0

F o r k Le n g th (c m )0 5 1 0 1 5 2 0 2 5 3 0 3 5 4 0

- 96 -

Figure 103. von Bertalanffy growth curves for scup, by sex.

Fem ales : L(m ax) = 70.5 T(zero) = 0.263 K = 0.232M ales: L(m ax) = 46.2 T(zero) = 0.401 K = 0.453

Leng

th (c

m)

0

10

20

30

40

Age

0 1 2 3 4 5

- 97 -

Weight(g) = 0.0144 x Length(cm)3.1465(n = 806)

Wei

ght(g

)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

Fork Length(cm)0 10 20 30 40

Figure 104. Length-weight regression for little skate, sexes combined (A) and by sex (B).

A

Females: W eight(g) = 0.015 x Length(cm) 3.1337(n = 305)

Males: W eight(g) = 0.013 x Length(cm) 3.1791(n = 174)

Wei

ght(g

)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

Fork Length(cm)0 10 20 30 40

- 98 -

B

Figure 105. Diets of scup by percent weight (A) and percent number (B).

A

B

- 99 -

SilverHake

(Whiting)(Priority A)

A

B

Figure 106. Number (A) and biomass (B) of specimens captured at each station for silver hake.

- 100 -

Figure 107. Minimum trawlable number and biomass by state for silver hake.N

umbe

r

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

800,000

900,000

1,000,000

1,100,000

1,200,000

1,300,000

StateRI NY NJ DE MD VA NC

Biom

ass (kg)

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

70,000

80,000

90,000

100,000

110,000

Minimum Trawlable Number = 1,480,829

Minimum Trawlable Biomass (kg)= 107,251

Pct. S.E. = 60% (number) 66% (biomass)

Avg Wt:0.078kg

Avg Wt:0.006kg

Avg Wt:0.005kg

Avg Wt:0.083kg

Expa

nded

Num

ber

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Fork Length (cm)0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Figure 108. Length frequency histogram for silver hake.

Number Captured = 346

Number Measured = 346

Number of Otoliths = 59

Number of Stomachs = 59

- 101 -

Figure 109. Sex ratios for silver hake by state (A) and length group (B).

Sex

UMF

63

33

100

20

80100

100100

Perc

ent

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

STATE

1-RI 2-NY 3-NJ

n = 46 5 7

Sex

UMF

100100.0

100100.0

100100.0

68

13

20100.0

43

14

4399.9

64

36100.0

61

39100.0

100100.0

100100.0

Percent SUM

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Length (cm)

05.0-

07.5

07.5-

10.0

10.0-

12.5

12.5-

15.0

15.0-

17.5

20.0-

22.5

22.5-

25.0

25.0-

27.5

27.5-

30.0

n = 3 10 4 7 5 6 14 8 1

2 3 4 5 6 8 9 10 11 Inch-class

- 102 -

A

B

Figure 110. Maturity logistic regression for silver hake, by sex.

50% maturity

99% maturity

SEX FM

Prob

abili

ty o

f Mat

urity

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1.0

Fork Length (cm)12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

- 103 -

Weight(g) = 0.0074 x Length(cm)2.9604(n = 59)

Wei

ght(g

)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

120

130

140

Fork Length(cm)0 10 20 30

Figure 111. Length-weight regression for silver hake, sexes combined (A) and by sex (B).

A

Females: W eight(g) = 0.0079 x Length(cm) 2.9399(n = 30)

Males: W eight(g) = 0.0195 x Length(cm) 2.6403(n = 8)

Wei

ght(g

)

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

120

130

140

Fork Length(cm)12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

- 104 -

B

SilverPerch

(Priority D)A

B

Figure 112. Number (A) and biomass (B) of specimens captured at each station for silver perch.

- 105 -

Figure 113. Minimum trawlable number and biomass by state for silver perch.N

umbe

r

0

1,000,000

2,000,000

3,000,000

4,000,000

5,000,000

6,000,000

StateRI NY NJ DE MD VA NC

Biom

ass (kg)

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

70,000

80,000

90,000

100,000

110,000

120,000

130,000

140,000

Minimum Trawlable Number = 6,971,143

Minimum Trawlable Biomass (kg)= 189,861

Pct. S.E. = 38% (number) 30% (biomass)

Expa

nded

Num

ber

0

100

200

300

400

500

Total Length (cm)0 5 10 15 20

Avg Wt:0.052kg

Avg Wt:0.025kg

Avg Wt:0.032kg

Avg Wt:0.039kg

Figure 114. Length frequency histogram for silver perch.

Number Captured = 1,398

Number Measured = 141

- 106 -

SmoothButterfly

Ray(Priority B)

A

B

Figure 115. Number (A) and biomass (B) of specimens captured at each station for smooth butterfly ray.

- 107 -

Figure 116. Minimum trawlable number and biomass by state for smooth butterfly ray.N

umbe

r

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

StateRI NY NJ DE MD VA NC

Biom

ass (kg)

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

800,000

900,000

1,000,000

1,100,000

1,200,000

1,300,000

1,400,000

1,500,000

1,600,000

1,700,000

1,800,000

Minimum Trawlable Number = 1,090,128

Minimum Trawlable Biomass (kg)= 2,182,600

Pct. S.E. = 21% (number) 19% (biomass)

Expa

nded

Num

ber

0

10

20

30

Disk Width (cm)

0 5 10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

70

75

80

85

90

95

100

105

110

115

Avg Wt:3.032kg

Avg Wt:0.854kg

Figure 117. Width frequency histogram for smooth butterfly ray.

Number Captured = 292

Number Measured = 292

- 108 -

SmoothDogfish

(Priority B)A

B

Figure 118. Number (A) and biomass (B) of specimens captured at each station for smooth dogfish.

- 109 -

Figure 119. Minimum trawlable number and biomass by state for smooth dogfish.N

umbe

r

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

800,000

900,000

1,000,000

1,100,000

1,200,000

1,300,000

1,400,000

1,500,000

1,600,000

1,700,000

1,800,000

1,900,000

2,000,000

StateRI NY NJ DE MD VA NC

Biom

ass (kg)

0

1,000,000

2,000,000

3,000,000

4,000,000

Minimum Trawlable Number = 7,381,432

Minimum Trawlable Biomass (kg)= 6,667,209

Pct. S.E. = 32% (number) 53% (biomass)

Expa

nded

Num

ber

0

100

200

300

Precaudal Length (cm)30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 105

Avg Wt:2.821kg

Avg Wt:1.995kg

Avg Wt:0.592kg

Avg Wt:0.240kg Avg Wt:

0.551kg

Avg Wt:0.516kg

Figure 120. Length frequency histogram for smooth dogfish.

Number Captured = 1,690

Number Measured = 765

Number of Vertebrae = 202

Number of Stomachs = 200

- 110 -

Sex

UMF

11.5

88.5100

63.0

37.0100

12.4

87.6100

60.6

39.4100

29.4

70.6100

23.3

76.7100

Perc

ent

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

STATE

1-RI 2-NY 3-NJ 4-DE 5-MD 6-VA

n = 11 36 52 28 37 38

Sex

UMF

23

77100

33

67100

39

61100

6

94100

71

29100

21

79100

100100

32

68100

65

35100

63

37100

72

28100

76

24100

100100

67

33100

Percent SUM

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Length (cm)

30-35

35-40

40-45

45-50

50-55

55-60

60-65

65-70

70-75

75-80

80-85

85-90

90-95 95

+

n = 2 33 91 8 5 7 4 8 14 12 9 5 1 3

12-14 14-16 16-18 18-20 20-22 22-24 24-26 26-28 28-30 30-32 32-34 34-36 36-38 38+ Inch-class

Figure 121. Sex ratios for smooth dogfish by state (A) and length group (B).

- 111 -

A

B

Figure 122. Maturity logistic regression for smooth dogfish, by sex.

50% maturity

99% maturity

SEX FM

Prob

abili

ty o

f Mat

urity

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1.0

Precaudal Length (cm)30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130

- 112 -

Weight(g) = 0.0871 x Length(cm) 2.3552(n = 202)

Wei

ght(g

)

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

Precaudal Length(cm)30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Figure 123. Length-weight regression for smooth dogfish, sexes combined (A) and by sex (B).

A

Females: W eight(g) = 0.0312 x Length(cm) 2.6113(n = 90)

Males: W eight(g) = 0.3867 x Length(cm) 1.9733(n = 112)

Wei

ght(g

)

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

Precaudal Length(cm)30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

- 113 -

B

SpanishMackerel

(Priority D)A

B

Figure 124. Number (A) and biomass (B) of specimens captured at each station for Spanish mackerel.

- 114 -

Figure 125. Minimum trawlable number and biomass by state for Spanish mackerel.N

umbe

r

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

StateRI NY NJ DE MD VA NC

Biom

ass (kg)

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

70,000

80,000

Minimum Trawlable Number = 618,880

Minimum Trawlable Biomass (kg)= 167,037

Pct. S.E. = 25% (number) 21% (biomass)

Expa

nded

Num

ber

0

10

20

30

Fork Length (cm)0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45

Avg Wt:0.660kg

Avg Wt:0.010kg

Avg Wt:0.409kg

Avg Wt:0.296kg

Avg Wt:0.231kg

Figure 126. Length frequency histogram for Spanish mackerel.

Number Captured = 161

Number Measured = 161

- 115 -

Spot(Priority B)A

B

Figure 127. Number (A) and biomass (B) of specimens captured at each station for spot.

- 116 -

Figure 128. Minimum trawlable number and biomass by state for spot.N

umbe

r

0

10,000,000

20,000,000

30,000,000

40,000,000

50,000,000

60,000,000

70,000,000

80,000,000

90,000,000

100,000,000

110,000,000

StateRI NY NJ DE MD VA NC

Biom

ass (kg)

0

1,000,000

2,000,000

3,000,000

4,000,000

5,000,000

6,000,000

7,000,000

8,000,000

9,000,000

10,000,000

Minimum Trawlable Number = 174,432,892

Minimum Trawlable Biomass (kg)= 15,589,723

Pct. S.E. = 31% (number) 31% (biomass)

Expa

nded

Num

ber

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

7,000

8,000

9,000

10,000

11,000

12,000

Fork Length (cm)0 5 10 15 20 25

Avg Wt:0.111kg

Avg Wt:0.109kg

Avg Wt:0.105kg

Avg Wt:0.090kg

Avg Wt:0.080kg

Figure 129. Length frequency histogram for spot.

Number Captured = 44,437

Number Measured = 2,507

Number of Otoliths = 160

Number of Stomachs = 9

- 117 -

Figure 130. Sex ratios for spot by state (A) and length group (B).

Sex

UMF

56.2

43.8100.0

50.7

40.8

8.6100.1

34.1

65.9100.0

95.7100.0

Percent SUM

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Length (cm)

12.5-

15.0

15.0-

17.5

17.5-

20.0

20.0-

22.5

n = 4 70 82 3

5 6 7 8 Inch-class

Sex

UMF

100100

64

33

100

67

33100

63

37100

40

56

100

25

75100

Perc

ent

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

STATE

1-RI 3-NJ 4-DE 5-MD 6-VA 7-NC

n = 2 38 3 29 57 30

A

B

- 118 -

Figure 131. Maturity logistic regression for spot, by sex.

50% maturity

99% maturity

SEX FM

Prob

abili

ty o

f Mat

urity

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1.0

Fork Length (cm)13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

- 119 -

Weight(g) = 0.0126 x Length(cm)3.1211(n = 159)

Wei

ght(g

)

30405060708090

100110120130140150160170180190200210220

Fork Length(cm)

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

Figure 132. Length-weight regression for spot, sexes combined (A) and by sex (B).

A

Females: Weight(g) = 0.007 x Length(cm) 3.3293(n = 94)

Males: Weight(g) = 0.0295 x Length(cm)2.819(n = 62)

Wei

ght(

g)

30405060708090

100110120130140150160170180190200210220

Fork Length(cm)

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

- 120 -

B

StripedAnchovy

(Priority D)A

B

- 121 -

Figure 133. Number (A) and biomass (B) of specimens captured at each station for striped anchovy.

Figure 134. Minimum trawlable number and biomass by state for striped anchovy.N

umbe

r

0

100,000,000

200,000,000

300,000,000

400,000,000

500,000,000

StateRI NY NJ DE MD VA NC

Biom

ass (kg)

0

1,000,000

2,000,000

3,000,000

4,000,000

5,000,000

Minimum Trawlable Number = 878,956,591

Minimum Trawlable Biomass (kg)= 9,935,140

Pct. S.E. = 41% (number) 40% (biomass)

Expa

nded

Num

ber

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

70,000

80,000

Fork Length (cm)0 5 10 15

Avg Wt:0.020kg

Avg Wt:0.008kg

Avg Wt:0.015kg

Avg Wt:0.013kg

Avg Wt:0.015kg

Avg Wt:0.011kg

Avg Wt:0.011kg

Figure 135. Length frequency histogram for striped anchovy.

Number Captured = 224,369

Number Measured = 4,990

- 122 -

StripedSearobin

(Priority D)A

B

Figure 136. Number (A) and biomass (B) of specimens captured at each station for striped searobin.

- 123 -

Figure 137. Minimum trawlable number and biomass by state for striped searobin.N

umbe

r

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

800,000

900,000

1,000,000

1,100,000

1,200,000

1,300,000

1,400,000

1,500,000

1,600,000

1,700,000

1,800,000

1,900,000

StateRI NY NJ DE MD VA NC

Biom

ass (kg)

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

Minimum Trawlable Number = 2,709,314

Minimum Trawlable Biomass (kg)= 659,547

Pct. S.E. = 38% (number) 57% (biomass)

Expa

nded

Num

ber

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Total Length (cm)0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45

Figure 138. Length frequency histogram for striped searobin.

Number Captured = 760

Number Measured = 546

- 124 -

Avg Wt:0.200kg Avg Wt:

0.278kgAvg Wt:0.151kg

Avg Wt:0. 190kg

Avg Wt:0. 032kg

Avg Wt:0. 054kg

Avg Wt:0. 016kg

SummerFlounder

(Priority A)A

B

Figure 139. Number (A) and biomass (B) of specimens captured at each station for summer flounder.

- 125 -

Figure 140. Minimum trawlable number and biomass by state for summer flounder.N

umbe

r

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

800,000

900,000

1,000,000

1,100,000

1,200,000

1,300,000

StateRI NY NJ DE MD VA NC

Biom

ass (kg)

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

Minimum TrawlableNumber = 3,600,065

Minimum TrawlableBiomass (kg)= 2,283,875

Pct. S.E. = 9% (number)10% (biomass)

Expa

nded

Num

ber

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Total Length (cm)0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80

Avg Wt:1.113kg

Avg Wt:0.865kg

Avg Wt:0.607kg

Avg Wt:0.686kg

Avg Wt:0.579kg

Avg Wt:0.333kg

Avg Wt:0.325kg

Figure 141. Length frequency histogram for summer flounder.

Number Captured = 960

Number Measured = 926

Number of Otoliths = 716

Number of Stomachs = 448

- 126 -

Sex

UMF

33

33

3399.9

62

39100.0

28

657

100.0

39

60

100.1

58

42

100.0

46

53

100.1

68

32100.0

87

13100.0

100100.0

100100.0

100100.0

100100.0

100100.0

100100.0

Percent SUM

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Length (cm)

10-15

15-20

20-25

25-30

30-35

35-40

40-45

45-50

50-55

55-60

60-65

65-70

70-75

75-80

Sex

UMF

70.0

29.2

100.0

58.2

41.8100.0

62.7

33.7

99.9

74.9

25.1100.0

55.7

44.3100.0

52.2

45.5

100.0

73.7

21.15.3

100.1

Perc

ent

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

STATE

1-RI 2-NY 3-NJ 4-DE 5-MD 6-VA 7-NC

n = 110 180 78 50 47 231 19

n = 3 2 70 106 132 118 97 90 56 24 11 4 1 1

4-6 6-8 8-10 10-12 12-14 14-16 16-18 18-20 20-22 22-24 24-26 26-28 28-30 30-32 Inch-class

Figure 142. Sex ratios for summer flounder by state (A) and length group (B).

A

B

- 127 -

Figure 143. Maturity logistic regression for summer flounder, by sex.

50% maturity

99% maturity

SEX FM

Prob

abili

ty o

f Mat

urity

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1.0

Total Length (cm)10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Females: L(max) = 70.5 T(zero) = 0.263 K = 0.232Males: L(max) = 46.2 T(zero) = 0.401 K = 0.453

Leng

th (c

m)

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Age0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Figure 144. von Bertalanffy growth curves for summer flounder, by sex.

- 128 -

Figure 145. Age frequency histogram for summer flounder for 2006 (A) and 2007 (B).

245

70

94

18 175 4 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Expa

nded

Num

ber

0

100

200

300

Age (Year Class)

0 (20

06)

1 (20

05)

2 (20

04)

3 (20

03)

4 (20

02)

5 (20

01)

6 (20

00)

7 (199

9)

8 (199

8)

9 (19

97)

10 (1

996)

11 (1

995)

12 (1

994)

13 (1

993)

14 (1

992)

15 (19

91)

16 (19

90)

A

209

243

149

215

5236

7 3 3 2 3 2 0 1 0 0 0

Expa

nded

Num

ber

0

100

200

300

Age (Year Class)

0 (20

07)

1 (20

06)

2 (20

05)

3 (20

04)

4 (20

03)

5 (20

02)

6 (20

01)

7 (200

0)

8 (199

9)

9 (19

98)

10 (1

997)

11 (1

996)

12 (1

995)

13 (1

994)

14 (1

993)

15 (19

92)

16 (19

91)

B

Catch curve Z ages 1-14 = -0.51

- 129 -

Figure 146. Age-specific length-frequency histograms for summer flounder for ages 0 through 6.A G E = 0

0

1 0

2 0

3 0

4 0

T o t a l L e n g t h ( c m )0 5 1 0 1 5 2 0 2 5 3 0 3 5 4 0 4 5 5 0 5 5 6 0 6 5 7 0 7 5 8 0

A G E = 1 4 0

0

1 0

2 0

3 0

T o t a l L e n g t h ( c m )0 5 1 0 1 5 2 0 2 5 3 0 3 5 4 0 4 5 5 0 5 5 6 0 6 5 7 0 7 5 8 0

A G E = 2 1 4

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

1 0

1 1

1 2

1 3

T o t a l L e n g t h ( c m )0 5 1 0 1 5 2 0 2 5 3 0 3 5 4 0 4 5 5 0 5 5 6 0 6 5 7 0 7 5 8 0

A G E = 3 1 8

0

1 2

3 4

5 6

7

8 9

1 0 1 1

1 2

1 3 1 4

1 5 1 6

1 7

T o t a l L e n g t h ( c m )0 5 1 0 1 5 2 0 2 5 3 0 3 5 4 0 4 5 5 0 5 5 6 0 6 5 7 0 7 5 8 0

A G E = 4

0

1

2

3

4

T o t a l L e n g t h ( c m )0 5 1 0 1 5 2 0 2 5 3 0 3 5 4 0 4 5 5 0 5 5 6 0 6 5 7 0 7 5 8 0

A G E = 5 3

0

1

2

T o t a l L e n g t h ( c m )0 5 1 0 1 5 2 0 2 5 3 0 3 5 4 0 4 5 5 0 5 5 6 0 6 5 7 0 7 5 8 0

A G E = 6

0

1

2

T o t a l L e n g t h ( c m )0 5 1 0 1 5 2 0 2 5 3 0 3 5 4 0 4 5 5 0 5 5 6 0 6 5 7 0 7 5 8 0

- 130 -

Weight(g) = 0.0033 x Length(cm)3.3013(n = 716)

Wei

ght(g

)

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

Total Length(cm)10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Figure 147. Length-weight regression for summer flounder, sexes combined (A) and by sex (B).

A

Females: W eight(g) = 0.003 x Length(cm) 3.3221(n = 448)

Males: W eight(g) = 0.006 x Length(cm) 3.1409(n = 256)

Wei

ght(g

)

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

Total Length(cm)10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

- 131 -

B

Figure 148. Diets of summer flounder by percent weight (A) and percent number (B).

A

B

- 132 -

Weakfish(Priority A)A

B

Figure 149. Number (A) and biomass (B) of specimens captured at each station for weakfish.

- 133 -

Figure 150. Minimum trawlable number and biomass by state for summer weakfish.N

umbe

r

0

10,000,000

20,000,000

30,000,000

40,000,000

50,000,000

60,000,000

70,000,000

80,000,000

90,000,000

100,000,000

StateRI NY NJ DE MD VA NC

Biom

ass (kg)

0

1,000,000

2,000,000

3,000,000

4,000,000

5,000,000

6,000,000

7,000,000

8,000,000

Minimum Trawlable Number = 230,584,843

Minimum Trawlable Biomass (kg)= 16,269,075

Pct. S.E. = 20% (number) 20% (biomass)

Avg Wt:0.031kg

Avg Wt:0.061kg

Avg Wt:0.112kg

Avg Wt:0.109kg

Avg Wt:0.074kg

Avg Wt:0.078kg

Avg Wt:0.081kg

Expa

nded

Num

ber

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

7,000

8,000

9,000

Total Length (cm)0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60

Figure 151. Length frequency histogram for weakfish.

Number Captured = 60,990

Number Measured = 5,747

Number of Otoliths = 572

Number of Stomachs = 471

- 134 -

Sex

UMF42.0

31.6

26.5100.1

87.4

12.6100.0

47.3

52.6100.1

25.4

74.6100.0

50.7

49.3100.0

48.0

40.9

11.1100.0

46.8

53.1100.0

Perc

ent

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

STATE

1-RI 2-NY 3-NJ 4-DE 5-MD 6-VA 7-NC

n = 77 50 161 16 72 129 67

Sex

UMF

100100

30

40

30100

50

38

13100

56

45100

69

31100

80

21100

84

16100

76

24100

100100

100100

100100

Percent SUM

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Length (cm)

05-10

10-15

15-20

20-25

25-30

30-35

35-40

40-45

45-50

50-55

55-60

n = 2 45 171 192 116 29 9 5 1 1 1

2-4 4-6 6-8 8-10 10-12 12-14 14-16 16-18 18-20 20-22 22-24 Inch-class

Figure 152. Sex ratios for weakfish by state (A) and length group (B).

A

B

- 135 -

Figure 153. Maturity logistic regression for weakfish, by sex.

50% maturity

99% maturity

SEX FM

Prob

abili

ty o

f Mat

urity

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1.0

Total Length (cm)10 20 30 40 50 60 70

34312

17622

6017

342 0 00

10000

20000

30000

40000

Age (Year Class)

0 (20

07)

1 (20

06)

2 (20

05)

3 (20

04)

4 (20

03)

5 (20

02)

Figure 154. Age frequency histogram for weakfish.

- 136 -

Catch curve Z ages 0-3 = -1.49

Figure 155. Age-specific length-frequency histograms for weakfish for ages 0 through 3.

AG E =0

0

1 0 0

2 0 0

3 0 0

4 0 0

5 0 0

To ta l Le n g th (c m )0 5 1 0 1 5 2 0 2 5 3 0 3 5 4 0 4 5 5 0 5 5 6 0

AG E =1

0

1 0 0

2 0 0

3 0 0

4 0 0

5 0 0

6 0 0

To ta l Le n g th (c m )0 5 1 0 1 5 2 0 2 5 3 0 3 5 4 0 4 5 5 0 5 5 6 0

AG E =2

0

2 0

4 0

6 0

8 0

1 0 0

1 2 0

1 4 0

1 6 0

To ta l Le n g th (c m )0 5 1 0 1 5 2 0 2 5 3 0 3 5 4 0 4 5 5 0 5 5 6 0

AG E =3

0

2

4

6

8

1 0

1 2

1 4

1 6

To ta l Le n g th (c m )0 5 1 0 1 5 2 0 2 5 3 0 3 5 4 0 4 5 5 0 5 5 6 0

- 137 -

Figure 156. von Bertalanffy growth curves for weakfish, by sex.

Fem ales : L(m ax) = 70.5 T(zero) = 0.263 K = 0.232M ales: L(m ax) = 46.2 T(zero) = 0.401 K = 0.453

Leng

th (c

m)

10

20

30

40

50

60

Age

0 1 2 3 4

- 138 -

Weight(g) = 0.0099 x Length(cm)2.9942(n = 571)

Wei

ght(g

)

0100200300400500600700800900

100011001200130014001500160017001800

Total Length(cm)

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Figure 157. Length-weight regression for weakfish, sexes combined (A) and by sex (B)..

A

Females: Weight(g) = 0.0098 x Length(cm)2.9949(n = 280)

Males: Weight(g) = 0.0103 x Length(cm)2.9844(n = 257)

Wei

ght(

g)

0100200300400500600700800900

100011001200130014001500160017001800

Total Length(cm)

10 20 30 40 50 60

- 139 -

B

Figure 158. Diets of weakfish by percent weight (A) and percent number (B).

A

B

- 140 -

WinterFlounder

(Priority A)A

B

- 141 -

Figure 159. Number (A) and biomass (B) of specimens captured at each station for winter flounder.

Figure 160. Minimum trawlable number and biomass by state for winter flounder.N

umbe

r

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

800,000

900,000

1,000,000

1,100,000

1,200,000

1,300,000

1,400,000

1,500,000

1,600,000

1,700,000

StateRI NY NJ DE MD VA NC

Biom

ass (kg)

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

Minimum Trawlable Number = 1,639,213

Minimum Trawlable Biomass (kg)= 413,370

Pct. S.E. = 32% (number) 27% (biomass)

Expa

nded

Num

ber

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Total Length (cm)0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45

Avg Wt:0.252kg

Figure 161. Length frequency histogram for winter flounder.

Number Captured = 391

Number Measured = 391

Number of Otoliths = 118

Number of Stomachs = 114

- 142 -

Figure 162. Sex ratios for winter flounder by state (A) and length group (B).

Sex

UMF

69

27

100

Perc

ent

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

STATE

1-RI

n = 118

Sex

UMF

100100

33

63

100

40

46

14100

96

100

76

22

100

95

100

78

22100

92

100100100

100100

100100

Percent SUM

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Length (cm)

15.0-

17.5

17.5-

20.0

20.0-

22.5

22.5-

25.0

25.0-

27.5

27.5-

30.0

30.0-

32.5

32.5-

35.0

35.0-

37.5

37.5-

40.0

42.5-

45.0

n = 1 8 15 15 17 11 16 19 8 7 1

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 17 Inch-class

- 143 -

A

B

Figure 163. Maturity logistic regression for winter flounder, by sex.

50% maturity

99% maturity

SEX FM

Prob

abili

ty o

f Mat

urity

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1.0

Total Length (cm)10 20 30 40 50

0

235

87

62

4 2 0 1 0 0 0

Expa

nded

Num

ber

0

100

200

300

Age (Year Class)

0 (20

07)

1 (20

06)

2 (20

05)

3 (20

04)

4 (20

03)

5 (20

02)

6 (20

01)

7 (20

00)

8 (19

99)

9 (19

98)

10 (1

997)

Figure 164. Age frequency histogram for winter flounder.

Catch curve Z ages 1-7 = -1.01

- 144 -

Figure 165. Age-specific length-frequency histograms for winter flounder for ages 1 through 3.

AG E =1

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

To ta l Le n g th (c m )0 5 1 0 1 5 2 0 2 5 3 0 3 5 4 0 4 5

AG E =2

0

1

2

3

4

To ta l Le n g th (c m )0 5 1 0 1 5 2 0 2 5 3 0 3 5 4 0 4 5

AG E =3

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

To ta l Le n g th (c m )0 5 1 0 1 5 2 0 2 5 3 0 3 5 4 0 4 5

- 145 -

Figure 166. von Bertalanffy growth curves for winter flounder, by sex.

Fem ales : L(m ax) = 70.5 T(zero) = 0.263 K = 0.232M ales: L(m ax) = 46.2 T(zero) = 0.401 K = 0.453

Leng

th (c

m)

10

20

30

40

50

Age

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

- 146 -

Weight(g) = 0.0115 x Length(cm) 3.0331(n = 118)

Wei

ght(g

)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

1100

Total Length(cm)10 20 30 40 50

Figure 167. Length-weight regression for winter flounder, sexes combined (A) and by sex (B).

Females: W eight(g) = 0.0126 x Length(cm) 3.0084(n = 95)

Males: W eight(g) = 0.0079 x Length(cm) 3.1393(n = 18)

Wei

ght(g

)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

1100

Total Length(cm)10 20 30 40 50

- 147 -

Figure 168. Diets of winter flounder by percent weight (A) and percent number (B).

A

B

- 148 -

WinterSkate

(Priority B)A

B

Figure 169. Number (A) and biomass (B) of specimens captured at each station for winter skate.

- 149 -

Figure 170. Minimum trawlable number and biomass by state for winter skate.N

umbe

r

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

800,000

900,000

1,000,000

1,100,000

1,200,000

1,300,000

1,400,000

1,500,000

1,600,000

1,700,000

1,800,000

1,900,000

StateRI NY NJ DE MD VA NC

Biom

ass (kg)

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

800,000

900,000

1,000,000

1,100,000

1,200,000

1,300,000

1,400,000

Minimum Trawlable Number = 3,048,125

Minimum Trawlable Biomass (kg)= 2,756,000

Pct. S.E. = 29% (number) 18% (biomass)

Expa

nded

Num

ber

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Disk Width (cm)0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60

Avg Wt:0.752kg

Avg Wt:1.127kg

Avg Wt:1.270kg

Figure 171. Width frequency histogram for winter skate.

Number Captured = 951

Number Measured = 735

Number of Vertebrae = 171

Number of Stomachs = 160

- 150 -

Figure 172. Sex ratios for winter skate by state (A) and width group (B).

Sex

UMF

44.3

55.7100

76.7

22.5

100

25.0

75.0100

Perc

ent

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

STATE

1-RI 2-NY 3-NJ

n = 81 84 4

Sex

UMF

100100

81

19100

40

60100

77

23100

72

28100

85

12

100

49

51100

38

62100

100100

Percent SUM

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Length (cm)

10-15

15-20

20-25

25-30

30-35

35-40

40-45

45-50

55-60

n = 1 6 21 28 34 37 30 11 1

4-6 6-8 8-10 10-12 12-14 14-16 16-18 18-20 22-24 Inch-class

Disk Width (cm)

A

B

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Weight(g) = 0.0269 x Length(cm) 3.0104(n = 171)

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)

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1000

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6000

Disk Width (cm)10 20 30 40 50 60

Figure 173. Width-weight regression for winter skate, sexes combined (A) and by sex (B).

Females: W eight(g) = 0.0161 x Length(cm) 3.1552(n = 109)

Males: W eight(g) = 0.0314 x Length(cm) 2.9603(n = 59)

Wei

ght(g

)

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

Disk Width (cm)10 20 30 40 50 60

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