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Chapter 7 - Demersal Fishwith highest numbers found in nearshore areas of theMid-Atlantic from Sandy Hook, New Jersey to PamlicoSound (Figure 7-25a, b). Statistical analyses did not identifysignificant trends over much of the range. Increasingtrends were observed in some parts of the southern end ofthe range from the mouth of the Hudson River/RaritanBay estuary to Cape Hatteras, while decreasing trendswere observed in the spring at discrete locations along theshelf/slope break off Virginia and North Carolina (Figure7-25c, d). Weighted persistence analyses for clearnoseskate identified nearshore waters from the mouth of theHudson River to Pamlico Sound as important. Seasonaldifferences were also observed; important areas were concentratedsouth of Chesapeake Bay and extended out tothe shelf/slope break in the spring (Figure 26).Little skate occurred throughout much of the regionfrom Georges Bank to the Chesapeake Bay, with highestnumbers occurring on the western part of Georges Bankand in Southern New England from Nantucket Shoalsto Cape May, New Jersey (Figure 7-27a, b). Statisticalanalyses identified increasing trends in discrete areas fromABFigure 7-26. Areas with high persistence and abundance over 40 years for clearnose skate during the spring and fallseasons.Northwest Atlantic Marine Ecoregional Assessment • Phase 1 Report 7-31