Full report - Conservation Gateway

Chapter 7 - Demersal FishMid-Atlantic EstuarineWithin the region, these species were predominantlyfound from Long Island Sound to Cape Hatteras, NorthCarolina with highest numbers of Atlantic croaker, spot,and weakfish occurring from Delaware Bay south toChesapeake Bay. However, all species do occur along theperimeter of Georges Bank and the Great South Channel.They have occasionally been observed in the Gulf ofMaine in and around Massachusetts Bay and the JeffreysLedge and Stellwagen Bank area. Highest numbers ofcroaker (Figure 7-35a, b), spot (Figure 7-37a, b), andweakfish (Figure 7-39a, b) occurred south of DelawareBay to Pamlico Sound. Distinct seasonal patterns in distributionwere also apparent for spot, croaker, and weakfishwith higher numbers occurring in nearshore coastalwaters during the fall.ABFigure 7-36. Areas with high persistence and abundance over 40 years for Atlantic croaker during the spring and fallseasons.Northwest Atlantic Marine Ecoregional Assessment • Phase 1 Report 7-41