IV-D-8 



Saila, S.B., and S.D. Pratt. 1973. Mid-Atlantic Bight fisheries. Pages 6-1 

 through 6-125 ij^ S.B. Saila, ed., Coastal and offshore environmental 

 inventory: Cape Hatteras to Nantucket Shoals. Marine Publication Series 

 No. 2, University of Rhode Island, Kingston. 



In the Mid-Atlantic Bight, Chesapeake Bay has a considerable influence 

 on the fisheries of the entire area. 



During recent years an estimated 27,000 commercial fishermen have 

 harvested annually about 700 million pounds of fish and shellfish, valued 

 at roughly 70 million dollars, in the study area. An analysis of the 

 value and volume landed during a five-year period showed considerable 

 stability among the more important species with only minor exceptions. 

 Of the several hundred species of fish and shellfish found in the region, 

 only about 30 are of significant commercial value at present. The 

 full commercial fisheries potential for this region has not yet been 

 realized. Although some species are heavily exploited or overexploited, 

 a few species still remain unutilized. 



The significance of estuaries and shallow coastal waters is very great 

 in this region. This is demonstrated by the fact that shellfish and 

 certain estuarine-dependent fishes rank very high in terms of both 

 value and volume in the annual commercial harvest. 



Sport fishing in the Mid-Atlantic Bight area is rapidly increasing 

 in popularity. An estimated 2.5 million salt-water anglers generated 

 more than 318 million dollars of business activity in 1970. This region 

 is expected to be able to absorb considerably more sport fishing activity 

 without major conflicts with other users and with negligible reductions 

 in the catch. 



Although current use of the Mid-Atlantic Bight is minimal for mari- 

 culture, this use is expected to increase. Future developments are 

 expected to occur in the culture of organisms with relatively high 

 market value. Oyster culture is expected to expand in areas such as 

 Chesapeake Bay and Long Island Sound. The possibility of using heated 

 effluents from electric power generating stations in this region merits 

 further study. 



Detailed fisheries investigations are requisite to responsible long- 

 term management of commercially or recreational ly important species. 

 The nature of these investigations has been briefly described, and 

 specific suggestions are made for studies regarding important individual 

 species whose life histories are briefly outlined. (Author's synopsis). 



Keywords: fishery resources, estuaries, Chesapeake Bay 



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