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Chapter 7 - Demersal FishHighest numbers of northern sea robin were found fromGreat Bay, New Jersey to Cape Henry, Virginia (Figure7-43a, b). Distinct seasonal patterns were also observed,with highest numbers found in nearshore coastal watersin the fall and along the shelf/slope break in the spring.Statistical analyses did not identify significant trendsacross much of the species’ range. However, decreasingtrends were observed in Southern New England fromLong Island Sound to the Great South Channel, whilea mix of increasing and decreasing trends were observedat discrete locations in the Mid-Atlantic from Great Bay,New Jersey to Pamlico Sound (Figure 7-43c, d). Weightedpersistence analyses for northern sea robin identified offshorewaters along the shelf/slope break extending fromeast of the Hudson /Raritan Estuary to Virginia Beachas important in the spring and nearshore waters fromVineyard Sound to Long Island and from Barnegat Bay,New Jersey to Pamlico Sound as important in the fall(Figure 7-44).ABFigure 7-44. Areas with high persistence and abundance over 40 years for northern sea robin during the spring andfall seasons.Northwest Atlantic Marine Ecoregional Assessment • Phase 1 Report 7-49