ravenell i is not fished extensively. Sea scallops are caught only north of the 

 Cape and calico scallops only south of it. However, a large sea scallop 

 harvesting industry exists off Cape Canaveral, Florida at the lower limit of 

 the South Atlantic Bight. Bay scallops, consisting of two species covering 

 the length of the U.S. East Coast, are harvested in both areas. 



The fishing industry, commercial and recreational, in the South Atlantic 

 states is a major economic force. In Florida, for instance, about 12,350 

 commercial fishermen harvest an annual catch valued in excess of $40,000,000. 

 Sport fishing generates an estimated $500,000,000 for Florida's economy, 

 although the level of economic importance is less in the other states 

 of this region (19, p. 145). 



Many migrating estuarine dependent species are primarily oceanic, but 

 are still critically dependent on the shallow waters for their nursery areas. 

 These fishes--flounder, bluefish, menhaden, king whiting--spawn in the open 

 sea along the continental shelf. Their larval young, after hatching, drift 

 and swim through the inlets and find refuge and food in the shallow waters 

 and marshes. If the species is to survive, the juvenile fish must have an 

 estuarine nursery area. 



Some migratory fish spawn in the waters of the estuary. Their young 

 seek refuge in the shallowest waters after hatching, finding protection and 

 abundant food in the rich estuarine zone. Fish in this group include weak- 

 fish, drum, and shad (38). 



A short synopsis of the major sport and commercial fish species of 



both 0CS areas derived from a number of sources is given below (1,23,37): 



- Menhaden ( Brevoortia tyrannus ) Occur from New England to Florida in 

 shallow offshore waters. They spawn in the ocean over the continen- 

 tal shelf; young spend several months in estuaries in spring and 

 summer. 



36 



