ML072060573
| ML072060573 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Oyster Creek |
| Issue date: | 04/01/1989 |
| From: | Bozeman E, Moran D, Oliver J, Vandenavyle M Univ of Georgia, US Dept of Interior, Fish & Wildlife Service, US Dept of the Army, Corps of Engineers |
| To: | Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| Davis J NRR/DLR/REBB, 415-3835 | |
| Shared Package | |
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| References | |
| TR EL-82-4 82(11.96) | |
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Text
REFERENCE COPYRECELIVE- JUL 0 5 I Do Not Remove from the Library I. 5. F"9-.1 WAIdAifc Service Biological Report 82(11.96)
April 1989 National Wetlands Research Center TR EL-82-4 700 Cajun Dome Boulevard Lofayette, Louisiana 70506 Species Profiles: Life Histories and Environmental Requirements of Coastal Fishes and Invertebrates (South Atlantic)
BLUEFISH Coastal Ecology Group Fish and Wildlife Service Waterways Experiment Station U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Army Corps of Engineers CAAL
Biological Report 82(11.96)
TR EL-82-4 April 1989 Species. Profiles: Life Histories and Environmental Requirements of Coastal Fishes and.Invertebrates (South Atlantic)
BLUEFISH by J. Douglas Oliver, Michael J. Van Den Avyle, and Earl L. Bozeman, Jr.
Georgia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit School of Forest Resources University of Georgia Athens, GA 30602 Project Officer David Moran U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Research Center 1010 Gause Boulevard Slidell, LA 70458 Performed for Coastal Ecology Group U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Waterways Experiment Station Vicksburg, MS 39180 and U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Research and Development National Wetlands Research Center Washington, DC 20240
This series should be referenced as follows:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1983-19 . Species profiles: life histories and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates. U.S.
Fish Wildl. Serv. Biol. Rep. 82(11).. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers TR EL-82-4.
This profile should be cited as follows:
Oliver, J.D., M.J. Van Den Avyle, and E.L. Bozeman, Jr. 1989. Species profiles:
life histories and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates (South Atlantic)--bluefish. U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv. Biol. Rep.
82(11.96). U.S. Army Corps of Engineers TR EL-82-4. 13 pp.
PREFACE This species profile is one of a series on coastal aquatic organisms, principally fish, of sport, commercial, or ecological importance. The profiles are designed to provide coastal managers, engineers, and biologists with a brief comprehensive sketch of the biological characteristics and environmental requirements of the species and to describe how populations of the species may be expected to react to environmental changes caused by coastal development. Each profile has sections on taxonomy, life history, ecological role, environmental requirements, and economic importance, if applicable. A three-ring binder is used for this series so that new profiles can be added as they are prepared.
This project is jointly planned and financed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Suggestions or questions regarding this report should be directed to one of the following addresses.
Information Transfer Specialist National Wetlands Research Center U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service NASA-Slidell Computer Complex 1010 Gause Boulevard Slidell, LA 70458 or U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station Attention: WESER-C Post Office Box 631 Vicksburg, MS 39180 iii
CONVERSION TABLE Metric to U.S. Customary Mul ti ply BY To Obtain millimeters (mm) 0.03937 inches centimeters (cm) 0.3937 inches meters (m) 3.281 feet meters Wm) 0.5468 fathoms kilometers (km) 0.6214 statute miles kilometers (km) 0.5396 nautical miles 2
square meters (m ) 10.76 square feet square kilometers (kM2 ) 0.3861 square miles hectares (ha) 2.471 acres liters (I) 3 0.2642 gallons cubic meters (m ) 35.31 cubic feet 3
cubic meters (m ) 0.0008110 acre-feet milligrams (mg) 0.00003527 ounces grams (g) 0.03527 ounces kilograms (kg) 2.205 pounds metric tons (t) 2205.0 pounds metric tons (t) 1.102 short tons 3.968 kilocalories .(kcal) British thermal units Celsius degrees ('C) 1.8(OC) + 32 Fahrenheit degrees U.S. Customary to Metric inches 25.40 millimeters inches 2.54 centimeters feet (ft) 0.3048 meters fathoms 1.829 meters statute miles (mi) 1.609 kilometers nautical miles (nmi) 1.852 kilometers square feet (ft 2 2) 0.0929 square meters square miles (mi ) 2.590 square kilometers acres 0.4047 hectares gallons (gal) 3.785 liters 3
cubic feet (ft ) 0.02831 cubic meters acre-feet 1233.0 cubic meters ounces (oz) 28350.0 milligrams ounces (oz) 28.35 grams pounds (lb) 0.4536 kilograms pounds (lb) 0.00045 metric tons short tons (ton) 0.9072 metric tons British thermal units (Btu) 0.2520 kilocalories Fahrenheit degrees (OF) 0.5556 (OF - 32) Celsius degrees iv
CONTENTS Page PREFACE...... ........................................................ iii CONVERSION TABLE ....................................................... iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................ vi NOMENCLATURE/TAXONOMY/RANGE ................................................. I MORPHOLOGY AND IDENTIFICATION AIDS ......................................... 1 REASON FOR INCLUSION IN SERIES ........... ................................. 3 LIFE HISTORY ... ........................................................ 3 Migration of Adults and Spawning ......................................... 3 Eggs and Larvae .......................................................... 6 Juveniles and Adults ..................................................... 6 GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS ..................................................... 7 THE FISHERY ................................................................ 8 ECOLOGICAL ROLE ............................................................ 9 ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS ................................................. 9 Temperature and Salinity ................................................. 9 Dissolved Oxygen ........................................................ 10 Depth ....................... * .................... 10 Water Movement and Turbidity ......................... .................... 10 LITERATURE CITED ........................................................... 11 V
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We thank Stuart Wilk, U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service, Sandy Hook Laboratory, Sandy Hook, New Jersey, and L. E. Barger, U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service, Panama City, Florida,for reviewing this manuscript.
vi
Figure 1. Bluefish.
BLUEFISH NOMENCLATURE/TAXONOMY/RANGE westward to Texas (Dahlberg 1975).
In the South Atlantic Region (Cape Scientific name .... Pomatomus saltatrix Hatteras, North Carolina, southward (Linnaeus) to Cape Canaveral, Florida), blue-Preferred common name ......... Bluefish fish are most abundant along the (Figure 1) coasts of North Carolina and Flori-Other common names ............... Blue, da (Figure 2).
snapper, horse mackerel, Hatteras blue, tailor Class .................... Osteichthyes MORPHOLOGY AND IDENTIFICATION AIDS Order ...................... Perciformes Family ..................... Pomatomidae The first dorsal fin has 8-9 (P. saltatrix is the only species.) spines; the second dorsal fin has 24-25 rays; and the, anal fin has 2-3 Geographic range: The bluefish occurs spines and 26 rays. The number of in most temperate coastal regions of lateral line scales is usually 95.
all oceans except the north and cen- Adults are bluish or greenish above tral Pacific Ocean (Briggs 1960; and silvery below and have a blackish Wilk 1977). It is abundant in estu- spot at the base of the pectoral fins arine and continental shelf waters (Jordan and Evermann 1896). The large of the east coast of North America lower jaw projects beyond the upper from Nova Scotia southward to Flori- jaw (Dahlberg 1975). The head is da and occurs in the Gulf. of Mexico proportionally larger in advanced 1
-- t'%'
N SOUTH CAROLINA LESTON
,SAVANNAH ATLANTIC OCEAN Coastal distribution 4
- Major abundance 0
MILES j
0 so 100 0 SO 100 KILOMETERS Figure 2. Distribution of the bluefish in the South Atlantic Region. Major centers of abundance are along North Carolina and Florida.
2
juveniles than in adults (Lippson and Atlantic coast species is as abundant Moran 1974). Larvae and juveniles throughout such a wide range and were described by Deuel et al. (1966) variety of habitats (Wilk 1980).
and Norcross et al. (1974).
Two stocks of bluefish have been LIFE HISTORY identified along the Atlantic coast.
One stock spawns during late summer in Miqration of Adults and Spawning continental shelf waters in the Middle Atlantic Region (Cape Cod, The bluefish is a migratory Massachusetts, to Cape Hatteras), and pelagic species that generally travels the other spawns during spring at the northward in spring and summer and margin of the Gulf Stream in the South southward in fall and winter along the Atlantic Region between Cape Hatteras Atlantic seaboard. Concentrations of and northern Florida (Lassiter 1962; bluefish are greatest from northern Kendall and Walford 1979). The two North Carolina to Cape Cod in summer stocks are distinguishable through and along the Florida coast in winter multivariate analysis of differences (Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management in body proportions (morphometrics) as Council 1982). Bluefish in the Gulf well as growth patterns on the scales of Mexico apparently remain separate of selected year classes. Compared from those along the Atlantic coast with summer-spawned yearlings of the (Lyman 1974; Barger et al. 1978). The Middle Atlantic Region, spring-spawned present discussion is limited to the yearlings of the South Atlantic have a two stocks of bluefish that occur relatively larger head and pectoral along the Atlantic coast.
fin, larger eye in proportion to the head, longer maxillary bone, and shorter dorsal, anal, and ventral fins In the South Atlantic Region, (Wilk 1977). spawning occurs primarily during spring in waters just shoreward of the Gulf Stream, from southern North Caro-REASON FOR INCLUSION IN SERIES lina to Florida (Figures 3a, 4a).
Ripening bluefish arrive along the coast of the Carolinas in mid-spring.
The bluefish is an important Males with free-flowing milt are more recreational and commercial fish along commonly found in coastal areas than the Atlantic seaboard; the are ripe females because the females recreational fishery predominates in move offshore before their final stage the South Atlantic Region (Anderson of ripening (Deuel et al. 1966).
1978). In the charter boat fishery There is evidence of relatively minor from Cape Hatteras to South Carolina, fall and winter spawning just south of the catch of bluefish is exceeded only Cape Hatteras (Kendall and Walf'ord by that of king mackerel, 1979).
Scomberomorus cavalla (Manooch et al.
1981). Recreational bluefish harvest In the Middle Atlantic Region, for 1983 in the South Atlantic Region spawning occurs in summer (May - Sep-was about 10 million fish--or about tenmber) in waters over the continen-23% of the total east coast tal shelf (Figures 3b, 4b; Lippson recreational catch of bluefish (NMFS and lkran 1974; Kendall and Walford 1985). Due to their abundance and 1979; Smith et al. 1979). Norcross high trophic level, bluefish play a et al. (1974) found that bluefish major ecological role in estuarine and north of Cape Hatteras spawned mainly continental shelf waters and are over the outer half of the continen-dependent on these habitats for tal shelf; 80% of the eggs they col-spawning and nursery areas. No other lected were taken more than 55 km 3
- a. Spring-spawning b. Summer-apawning 4Wj a spawning ama sawning ae 4pm ý 1-2 months, summer months, fall -24 4- 5-6 months, fall 4*...... 12-13 months, spring .e...... 9-11 months, spring Figure 3. Migration routes of bluefish from hatching until I year old.
4
- a. Spring-apawning b. Summer-spawning apawning area spawning area
-.. 1+ years, fall 1+ years, fall 4---- - 2 years, spring 4- ---- --- -> 2 years, spring and summer
- e* e*e - 2years, fall 40** ** _ 2 years, Nill Figure 4. Migration routes of bluefish over 1 year old.
5
from shore. The depth at which 1979; Smith 1980; Powles 1981).
spawning occurs is not known. Collins and Stender (1987), however, presented evidence for southward and In the Middle Atlantic Region, seaward migration of bluefish larvae significant nunmers of summer-spawning that came from spring spawning in the adult bluefish that have apparently South Atlantic Bight. Larvae from the completed spawning move inshore into minor fall and winter spawning in bays and inlets of Long Island Sound southern waters may find their way and the New Jersey coast during July inshore south of Cape Hatteras, as and August (Figure 4b; Lund and indicated by the presence of a few Maltezos 1970). In the South Atlantic juveniles there during winter (Kendall.
Region, younger, bluefish (aged < 2 and Walford 1979; Powles 1981).
years for spring spawners and aged between 1 and 2 years for summer Morse et al. (1987) found a high spawners) inhabit nearshore areas abundance of larvae in summer on the during their southerly migration in continental shelf of the Middle fall and winter (Figures 3a, 4a, 4b; Atlantic Region. Larvae spawned in Wilk 1977). the Middle Atlantic Region remain offshore until late summer and then apparently move southward in fall.
Eggs and Larvae Their distribution in winter is unknown (Kendall and Walford 1979).
Female bluefish weighing 1.9-2.7 kg contained 600,000-1,400,000 eggs Larval development takes place (Lassiter 1962). Fertilized eggs are in outer continental shelf waters, spherical, 0.9-1.2 mm in diameter, and primarily within 6 m of the surface, have an oil globule of 0.22-0.30 mm. at temperatures of 18-26 °C and In laboratory studies, eggs hatched salinities of 30-32 ppt (Kendall and after 46-48 h at 20 °C, and newly Walford 1979). Larvae undergo diel hatched larvae were 2.0-2.2 mm total vertical migrations, concentrating at length (TL) (Deuel et al. 1966). depths near 4 m during midday and at Kendall and Walford (1979) collected the surface at night (Kendall and larvae as small as 3 mm standard Naplin 1981).
length (SL) in outer continental shelf waters of the South Atlantic Region. Juveniles and Adults Detailed descriptions of embryonic and early larval stages of bluefish were Bluefish of 13-17 mm SL have full published by Deuel et al. (1966); fin ray counts and most of the other Norcross et al. (1974). described characteristics of adults (Lippson and development from the stage immediately Moran 1974; Norcross et al. 1974).
after yolk sac absorption to the early Juveniles from the spring spawn in the juvenile stage at 17 mm SL. South Atlantic Region occur in outer continental shelf waters of the Middle During spring, concentrations of Atlantic Region from April through larvae in the South Atlantic Region June (Kendall and Walford 1979). As were greatest off the New River, North inshore waters warm, they move Carolina, and Charleston, South shoreward across the continental shelf Carolina, near the outer edge of the into estuaries between Cape May, New continental shelf (Kendall and Walford Jersey, and Long Island, New York, 1979). These larvae apparently are where they reach fork lengths (FL) of carried northward past Cape Hatteras 180-200 mm by fall (Wilk 1977; Figure by the Gulf Stream in April and May 3). Nyman and Conover (1987) suggest (Figure 3) and are dispersed over the that most young-of-the-year bluefish continental slope of the Middle in New York waters come from the Atlantic Region (Kendall and Walford spring spawning area. Juveniles from 6
the summer spawn in the Middle No data on growth of juvenile Atlantic Region probably remain at bluefish have been published, sea, migrate south of Cape Hatteras but some information is available on in early fall, and spend the winter juvenile sizes at different times of offshore, 'appearing in the sounds of the year from collections taken in the North Carolina during the following Middle and South Atlantic Regions.
spring (Kendall and Walford 1979). Spring-spawned fish collected in Middle Atlantic Region estuaries were Bluefish typically reach sexual 25-35 mm FL during summer and grew to maturity by age III at about 450 mm FL about 200 mm FL by fall. Summer-(Wilk 1977). Adults move in schools spawned fish were about 230 mm FL when of similar-sized individuals; these collected in North Carolina waters the schools remain loosely associated to following spring and about 290 mm FL form large aggregations that sometimes in fall (Wilk.1977). Male and female extend over many square kilometers bluefish grow at about the same rate along, the coastline. Movement (Hamer 1959; Richards 1976). Von patterns are determined by several Bertalanffy growth equations have environmental factors, among which been developed for bluefish collected temperature and photoperiod are from North Carolina (Lassiter 1962) probably the most important (Olla and and from South Carolina to southern Studholme 1971). Florida (Barger, unpublished MS ), but differences in aging techniques and In fall and winter, most adult stocks sampled make comparisons bluefish from both Atlantic Coast difficult. Wilk (1977) published the stocks migrate southward. and most comprehensive summary of age and overwinter along the east coast of growth of bluefish along the Atlantic Florida. Tagging studies have seaboard (Table 1).
indicated that the southward migration in fall is closer to shore than the subsequent northerly migration in spring. (Wilk 1977). Some adults Length-weight relationships for overwinter between Cape Hatteras and North Carolina bluefish are similar to Cape Lookout, North Carolina, where* those for bluefish collected from large fish (4-9 kg) have been taken in South Carolina to southern Florida.
trawls and gill nets from December Equations useful for predicting weight through March (J. L. Ross, North (W, in grams) from fork length (mm)
Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries, are Morehead City; pers. comm.). 2 903 5 .
W = (2.45 x 10- )FL GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS for fish collected off North Carolina Growth rate of larva-l bluefish is (Lassiter 1962) and initially very rapid but decreases after about 3 days. Deuel et al. 5 2 985 (1966), who determined growth rates W = (1.49 x 10- )FL .
for Long Island bluefish larvae from eggs that were fertilized, and hatched for fish collected in South Carolina, in a laboratory, reported average Georgia, and Florida (Barger, total lengths of 2.1 mm at hatching, unpublished MS ). Wilk et al. (1978) 2.8 mm on day 1, 3.0 mm on day 2, 3.2 reported the predictive equation for mm on day 3, and 3.3 mm on day 4. bluefish collected in the New York Growth rates for laboratory reared Bight as fish, however, may not be repre-sentative of growth at sea. W = (1.12 x 10 -5)FL3"036 7
Table 1. Average size of bluefish of THE FISHERY different ages collected from Rhode Island to Florida, 1963-68 (Wilk The recreational catch of blue-1977). Averages were based on about fish in the South Atlantic Region 25,000 determinations of age (using generally exceeds the commercial scales) and 7,500 measurements of catch. In 1983, anglers caught about weight. 10 million bluefish, of which 8.2 million were from North Carolina, 1.4 million were from Florida, 0.2 million were from South Carolina, and 0.2 million were from Georgia (NMFS 1985).
Age Fork length Weight The 1979 commercial harvest in the (cm) (kg) South Atlantic Region was less than 5 million lb. The dependence of adult bluefish on nearshore habitats is reflected by the areas from which most 1 21 0.1 of the recreational catch was taken; II 35 0.6 60% of the harvest came from areas III 46 1.3 within 5 km of the shore. Catches IV 55 2.2 from private or charter boats V 62 3.2 accounted for about 69% of the total VI 66 4.2 bluefish catch, and catches from shore VII 72 5.0 accounted for about 31% (NMFS 1985).
VIII 76 5.8 IX 78 6.3 Commercial landings of bluefish X 80 6.8 increased considerably in the late XI 82 7.3 1970's and early 1980's, primarily due XlI 83 7.6 *to increased catches in North Carolina XIII 85 8.0 (Table 2). During the early 1970's, XIV 86 8.4 long-haul seine fishermen in Pamlico Sound and the Outer Banks landed most of the North Carolina catch, but prices were less than $0.10 per lb.
Most of the increase in harvest has come from offshore gillnet catches Table 2. Reported commercial bluefish landings and values, 1976-81 (Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council 1982).
Commercial landings (thousands of lb)
North South Florida Value Year Carolina Carolina Georgia (E. coast) Total (per lb) 1976 1,356 1 <1 1,380 2,737 0.10 1977 2,331 10 1 1,500 3,842 0.09 1978 1,948 10 <1 1,230 3,188 0.13 1979 3,407 13 <1 1,348 4,768 0.19 1980 5,444 4 <1 1,762 7,210 0.14 1981 6,610 3 1 2,016 8,626 0.19 8
(J. L. Ross, North Carolina Division Atlantic menhaden, Brevoortia tyrannus of Marine Fisheries, Morehead City; (Lassiter 1962). Naughton and Saloman pers. comm.) and from the winter (1984) described the food habits of trawl fishery, which exploits a 283 bluefish collected along North and variety of pelagic species (Street South Carolina in 1977-1981; a prefer-1983). The bulk of the commercial ence for schooling coastal fish bluefish harvest is composed of age species was evident--the most common I-IV fish (Wilk 1977), but many age prey included Sciaenidae, Clupeidae, V-VII fish are taken commercially Mugilidae, and Engraulidae. A list from Chesapeake Bay southward to Cape of the known food of bluefish collec-Lookout, North Carolina (J. L. Ross, ted along the entire Atlantic coast North Carolina Division of Marine contained 16 invertebrate and 67 Fisheries, Morehead City; pers. vertebrate species (Wilk 1977).
comm.). Data on bluefish abundance, mortality rates, recruitment, and Only large predators, such as other stock characteristics that sharks (particularly mako sharks, would be helpful in making management Isurus spp.), tunas, swordfish decisions are not available (Wilk (Xphas gladius), and wahoo 1977). (Acanthocybium-- solanderi) prey on adult bluefisP. Possible competitors are spanish mackerel, -Scomberomorus maculatus; king mackerel, S. cavalla; ECOLOGICAL ROLE striped bass, Morone saxatilis; large weakfish, Cynoscion ri j;FAtlantic The feeding ecology of larval bonito, Sarda sarda; and little tunny, and postlarval bluefish is not. well Euthynnus a-letteratus (C.S. Manooch, known. The only published account National Marine Fisheries Service, (Kendall and Naplin 1981) indicated Southeast Fisheries Center, Beaufort, that larval bluefish ate mostly North Carolina; pers. comm.).
copepods, but also fed on cladocerans and invertebrate eggs. Lassiter ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS (1962) reported that the diet of juvenile bluefish from North Carolina consisted of 18% invertebrates Temperature and Salinity (shrimp, Penaeus spp., and squid, Loligo spp.T and 82% vertebrates Newly spawned bluefish larvae (predominantly pinfish, La odon have been found in the South Atlantic rhomboides, and silversides, Menidia Region just shoreward of the Gulf spp.). Stream at temperatures of 20-26 °C and salinities of 35-38 ppt (Kendall and Walford 1979; Powles 1981). Spawning Adult bluefish are visual in the Middle Atlantic Region occurs feeders and are most active during at slightly lower temperatures of daylight (Olla et al. 1970; Olla and 17-24 °C and salinities of 30-32 ppt Studholme 1971, 1978). They are pre- (Norcross et al. 1974; Kendall and dominantly piscivorous; invertebrates Walford 1979; Smith 1980). Bluefish play a progressively smaller role in up to about 250 mm TL require temper-the diet as age of the fish increases atures higher than 10 'C for survival (Lassiter 1962; Naughton and Saloman (Lund and Maltezos 1970), but adults 1984). Important prey in North Caro- may be able to survive brief exposures lina included other bluefish; butter- to temperatures as low as 7.5 °C (Wilk fish, Peprilus triacanthus; harvest- 1977). Adults held in a laboratory fish, P. alepidotus; anchovies, were able to survive temperatures as Anchoa spp.; seatrout, Cynoscion high as 30.4 °C (Olla and Studholme spp.; spot, Leiostomus xanthurus; and, 1971). In northeast and east central 9
Florida, adults occur in nearshore A bluefish can secrete gas into its areas where temperatures exceed 27 'C swim bladder at the fastest rate known for prolonged periods (Padgett 1970). for any fish; consequently it can rapidly change depths over a large range (Bentley and Wiley 1982).
Dissolved Oxygen Water Movement and Turbidity Data describing effects of dis-solved oxygen concentration on blue- Adult bluefish forced to swim fish are not available. However, two against water currents in a laboratory situations where. bluefish avoided system maintained speeds of 4.0 to 4.6 areas of low dissolved oxygen have body lengths per second for at least been reported. One report comes from 30 min. At intermediate and high observations of small bluefish preying swimming velocities, bluefish can on spawning Atlantic silversides, shift to ram gill ventilation, Menidia menidia (Middaugh et al. transferring the workload of venti-1981). Dissolved oxygen concentration lation from the branchial to the was lowest (less than 1 mg/l) in the swimming musculature. This transfer area of most intense spawning; results in significant metabolic bluefish penetrated no further than savings during rapid swimming the 4 mg/l isopleth. In another case, (Freadman 1979). Bluefish are power-adult bluefish were absent from areas ful swimmers and can swim in of the New York Bight having depressed turbulent waters. Ogilvy and Dubois dissolved oxygen during summer, but (1981) determined that turbulence specific oxygen levels avoided were introduced into a swimming chamber did not determined (Azarovitz et al. not reduce the fish's maximum swimming 1979). speed.
Depth Turbidity may affect bluefish feeding. Adult bluefish- are visual Bluefish are seldom found.beyond feeders (Olla et al. 1970), and the continental shelf, but juveniles anglers are usually more successful and adults occupy nearshore habitats when water is relatively clear than as shallow as 0.15 m (De Sylva 1976). when it is turbid (Padgett 1970).
10
LITERATURE CITED Anderson, R.D. 1978. Feeding and bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) off spawning of bluefish. Sea Front. the southeast coast of the United 24:335-339. States, 1973-1980. Bull. Mar. Sci.
41:822-823.
Azarovitz, T.R., C.J. Byrne, M.J.
Silverman, B.L. Freeman, W.G. Smith, Dahlberg, M.D. 1975. Guide to S.C. Turner, B.A. Halgren, and P.J. coastal fishes of Georgia and nearby Festa. 1979. Effects on finfish States. University of Georgia and lobster. Pages 295-314 in R.L. Press, Athens. 187 pp.
Swanson and C.J. Sinderman-, eds.
Oxygen depletion and associated De Sylva, D.P. 1976. Attacks by benthic mortalities in New York bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) on Bight, 1976. NOAA Prof. Pap. No. humans in South Florida. Copeia
- 11. 345 pp. 1976:196-198.
Barger, L.E. Age and growth of Deuel, D.G., J.R. Clark, and A.J.
bluefish. Pomatomus saltatrix Mansueti. 1966. Description of (Linneaus), from the northeastern embryonic and early larval stages of Gulf of Mexico and the southeastern bluefish, Pomatomus saltatrix.
coast of the United States. U.S. Trans. Am. FishF.S7c. 95:2T72=.
National Marine Fisheries Service.
Panama City, FL. Unpubli shed Freadman, M.A. 1979. Swimming manuscript. energetics of striped bass (Morone saxatilis) and bluefish (Pomatomus Barger, L.E., L.A. Collins, and J.H. saltatrix): Gill ventilation and Finucane. 1978. First record of swimmingmetabolism. J. Exp. Biol.
bluefish larvae, Pomatomus 83:217-230.
saltatrix, in the Gulf ofMe-xico.
Northeast Gulf Sci. 2:145-148. Hamer, P.E. 1959. Age and growth studies of the bluefish (Pomatomus Bentley, T.B., and M.L. Wiley. 1982. saltatrix Linnaeus) of the New York Intra- and inter-specific variation Bight. M.S. Thesis. Rutgers in buoyancy of some estuarine University, New Brunswick, N.J.
fishes. Env. Biol. Fishes 7:77-81.
Briggs, J.C. 1960. Fishes of world- Jordan, D.S., and B.W. Evermann.
wide (circumtropical) distribution. 1896. The fishes of North and Copeia 1960:171-180. Middle America. Bull. U.S. Natl.
Mus. No. 47. 4 parts. 3,313 pp.
Collins, M.R., and B.W. Stender.
1987. Larval king mackerel Kendall, A.W., Jr., and L.A. Walford.
(Sconteromorus caval I a), Spanish 1979. Sources and distribution of mackerel (S. maculatus), and bluefish, Pomatomus saltatrix, 11
larvae and juveniles off the east Morse, W.W., M.P. Fahay, and W.G.
coast of the United States. U. S. Smith. 1987. MARMAP surveys of the Natl. Mar. Fish. Serv. Fish. Bull. Continental Shelf from Cape 77:213-227. Hatteras, North Carolina, to Cape Sable, Nova Scotia (1977-1984).
Kendall, A.W., Jr., and N.A. Naplin. Atlas No. 2. Annual distribution 1981. Diel-depth distribution of patterns of fish larvae. NOAA Tech.
summer ichthyoplankton in the Middle Memo. NMFS-F/NEC-47.
Atlantic Bight. U. S. Natl. Mar.
Fish. Serv. Fish. Bull. 79:705-726. Naughton, S.P., *and C.H. Saloman.
1984. Food of bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) from the U.S. South Lassiter, R.R. 1962. Life history Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. NOAA aspects of the bluefish, Pomatomus Tech. Memo. NMFS-SEFC-150. 37 pp.
saltatrix (Linnaeus), from ThFe coast of North Carolina. M.S. Thesis. NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Serv-North Carolina) State College, ice, U.S. Department of Commerce).
Raleigh. 103 pp. 1985. Marine recreational fishery statistics survey, Atlantic and Gulf Lippson, A.J., and R.L. Moran. 1974. Coasts, 1983-1984. U.S. Natl. Mar.
Manual of identification of early Fish. Serv. Curr. Fish. Stat. No.
developmental stages of fishes of 8326. 222 pp.
the Potomac River Estuary. Power Plant Siting Program, Maryland Dept. Norcross, J.J., S.L. Richardson, W.H.
Nat. Resour., PPSP-MP-13. 282 pp. Massman, and E.B. Joseph. 1974.
Development of young bluefish Lund, W.A., Jr., and G.C. Maltezos. (Pomatomus saltatrix) and distribu-1970. Movements and migrations of tion of eggs and young in Virginian the bluefish, Pomatomus saltatrix, coastal waters. Trans. Am. Fish.
tagged in waters of New York and Soc. 103:477-497.
southern New England. Trans. Am.
Fish. Soc. 99:719-725. Nyman, R.M., and D.O. Conover. 1987.
The relation between spawning season Lyman, H. 1974. Successful bluefish- and the recruitment of young-of-ing. International Marine Publ. the-year bluefish, Pomatomus Co., Camden, Me. 112 pp. saltatrix, to New York. U.S. Natl.
Mar. Fish. Serv. Fish. Bull. 86:237-Manooch, C.S., III, L.E. Abbas, and 250.
J.L. Ross. 1981. A biological and economic analysis of the North Ogilvy, C.S., and A.B. Dubois. 1981.
Carolina charter boat fishery. Mar. The hydrodynamic drag of swimming Fish. Rev. 43(8):1-11. bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) in different intensities of turbulence:
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Coun- variation with changes of buoyancy.
cil.. 1982. Bluefish fishery man- J. Exp. Biol. 92:67-85.
agement plan. Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, Dover, Del. 63 Olla, B.L., H.M. Katz, and A.L.
pp. Studholme. 1970. Prey capture and feeding motivation in the bluefish, Middaugh, D.P., G.I. Scott, and J.M. Pomatomus saltatrix. Copeia 1970:
Dean. 1981. Reproductive behavior of the Atlantic silverside, Menidia menidia (Pisces, Atherinidae). Env. Olla, B.L., and A.L. Studholme. 1971.
Biol. Fishes 6:269-276. The effect of temperature on the activity of bluefish, Pomatomus 12
saltatrix L. Biol. Bull. (Woods Smith, W.G., A.W. Kendall, Jr., P.L.
Hole) 141:337-349. Berrien, and M.P. Fayhay. 1979.
Principal spawning areas and times Olla, B.L., and A.L. Studholme. 1978. of marine fishes. Cape Sable to Cape Comparative aspects of the activity Hatteras. U.S. Natl. Mar. Fish.
rhythms of tautog, Tautoga onitis, Serv. Fish. Bull. 76:911-915.
bluefish, Pomatomus saltatrix, and Atlantic mackerel, Scomber scombrus, Smith, W.G. 1980. What studies of as related to their life habits. young fish tell about fish popula-Pages 131-151 in J.E. Thorpe, ed. tions Underwater Nat. 12(4):9-16.
Rhythmic actTvity of fishes.
Academic Press, New York. 312 pp. Street, M.W. 1983. A look at the 1982 commercial catch. Tar Heel Padgett, H.R. 1970. Notes on Florida Coast 18(2):1-5.
bluefish. Underwater Nat. 6(4):40-
- 41. Wilk, S.J. 1977. Biological and fisheries data on bluefish, Powles, H. 1981.. Distribution and Pomatomus saltatrix (Linnaeus).
- movements of neustonic young of U.S. Natl. Mar. Fish. Serv., Tech.
estuarine dependent (Mug*i spp., Ser. Rep. 11, Northeast Fisheries Pomatomus saltatrix) and estuarine Center, Highlands, N.J. 56 pp.
independent aena spp.) fishes off the Southeastern United States. Wilk, S.J. 1980. The recreational Rapp. P.-V. Reun. Cons. Int. Explor. fishery. Underwater Nat. 12(4):
Mer 178:207-209. 40-45.
Richards, S.W. 1976. Age, growth, and food of b luefish (Pomatomus Wilk, S.J., W.W. Morse, and D.E.
saltatrix) from East-Central Long Ralph. 1978. Length-weight rela-Island Sound from July through tionships of fishes collected in the November 1975. Trans. Am. Fish. New York Bight. Bull. New Jersey Soc. 105:523-525. Acad. Sci. 23:58-64.
13
50272-101 REPORT DOCUMENTATION 1. REPORT NO. 2. 3- Recient's Accession No.
PAGE Biological Report 82(11.96)*
- 4. Trtle end Subtitle . & Report oate S.
Species Profiles: Life Histories and Environmental Requirements of April 1989 Coastal Fishes and Invertebrates (South Atlantic)--Bluefish 6.
7.Autho,() J. Douglas Oliver, Michael J. Van Den Avyle and Earl L. 6. Performing Organization Rapt. No.
Bozeman, Jr.
- 9. Performing Organization Neme and Address 10. Proiact/Task/Work Unit No.
Georgia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit School of Forest Resources 11. COMtC) or Grant(G) No.
University of Georgia (C)
Athens, GA 30602 (G)
- 12. Sponsoring Organizatlion Name end Address U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 1,. TypeOf Report &Perodcovered Fish and Wildlife Service Waterways Experiment Station National Wetlands Research Center P.O. Box 631 Washington, DC .20240 Vicksburg, MS 39180 14.
IS. Supplementary Notes
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Report No. TR EL-82-4
- 16. Abstract (Umit: 200 words)
Species profiles are literature summaries of the life history, distribution, and-environ-mental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates. Profiles are prepared to assist with environmental impact assessment. The-bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) is a valuable recreational and commercial fish on the Atlantic coast.. In theSouthA-tlantic Region the recreational catch exceeds the commercial catch. The bluefish is a migratory pelagic fish that generally travels northward in spring and summer and southward in fall and winter along the Atlantic seaboara.In the South Atlantic Region, spawning occurs primarily during spring in waters just shoreward of the Gulf Stream from southern North Carolina to Florida.
Most larvae are carried northward bythe Gulf Stream and are dispersed over the continental slope of the Middle Atlantic Region. Adult bluefish inhabit nearshore areas in the South Atlantic Region during their southerly migration in fall and winter. Larval bluefish eat mostly copepods, cladocerans, and invertebrate eggs; juveniles eat larger invertebrates and fishes. Adult bluefish eat fishes and seem to prefer schooling coastal species.
Bluefish have been reported to avoid areas of low dissolved oxygen. Water turbidity may affect feeding because bluefish rely on vision to locate prey. Environmental disturbances which affect the dissolved oxygen concentration or turbidity of estuarine and nearshore waters may, therefore, affect bluefish distribution and feeding.
- 17. Document Analysis a. Descriptors Estuaries Fishes Growth
- b. Identiflers/Openl.nded Terms Bluefish Spawning Pomatomus saltatrix Fisheries Habitat
- c. COSATI Fleld/Group IS. Availabilty Statement 19. Sacurt Class (This Report) 21. No. of Pages Unl imi ted Di stri buti on Unclas sified 13
- 20. Security Class 9'his Pace) 22. PH"c uncl assiftied (St*ANSI-M3.18) OPTIONAL FORM 272 (4-771 (Formerly NTIS-35)
Department of Commerce
As the Nation's principal conservation agency, the Department of the Interior has responsibility for most of our nationally owned public lands and natural resources. This includes fostering the wisest use of our land and water resources, protecting our fish and wildlife, preserving the environmental and cultural values of our national parks and historical places, and providing for the enjoy-ment of life through outdoor recreation. The Department assesses our energy and mineral resources and works to assure that their development is in the best interests of all our people. The Depart-ment also has a major responsibility for American Indian reservation communities and for people who live in island territories under U.S.
administration.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR stIA %I I M I FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE TAKE PRIDE in America UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR POSTAGE AND FEES PAID FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE UAL.DEPARTMENT OF THE iNTERIOR WT-423 National Wetlands Research Center NASA-Slidell Computer Complex 1010 Gause Boulevard Slidell, LA 70458 OFFICIAL BUSINESS PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE, $300