BIOLOGY OF THE ATLANTIC MACKEREL 



153 



between the Chesapeake capes and Cape Cod; second in importance, with perhaps 

 one-tenth as much spawning, is the southern half of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Other 

 stretches of the coastal waters may at times receive negligible amounts of spawn, but 

 it is safe to say that the entire Gulf of Maine (excepting Cape Cod Bay), and the entire 

 outer coast of Nova Scotia, the northern two-thirds of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and 

 the waters around Newfoundland are not regular spawning grounds of any importance. 



Figure J.— Geographical features and landmarks mentioned in the text. 



Spawning takes place in open waters in some places close to shore, hi others as 

 far as 80 miles to sea, but mostly 10 to 30 miles from shore. Open bays, such as 

 Cape Cod Bay and Casco Bay, are spawning sites of minor importance while well- 

 enclosed bays and sounds, especiaUy those receiving considerable river water, such as 

 Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Bay, and Long Island Sound, are neglected by the spaw n- 

 ing mackerel. 



Spawning occurs at any time of day or night, and probably near surface. 



