SECTION 13 

 Atlantic croaKer { Miavovogonias undulatus) 



Life History Summary 



The Atlantic croaker ranyes from Cape Cod to South America but is only 

 occasionally seen north of New Jersey. During the summer they are found in 

 and near coastal waters, throughout the estuaries and into fresher waters with 

 the center of abundance inshore from southern Delmarva Peninsula and 

 Chesapeake Bay south to the Carolinas (Silverman 1982). During the fall, they 

 migrate to offshore overwintering grounds, located primarily south of Cape 

 Hatteras, and return to inshore waters during the spring months. 



Atlantic croaker is one of the most important food fishes along the 

 eastern coast of the US (McHugh and Ginter 1978). At the peak of the fishery 

 during the mid-1940's, more than 29,000 metric tons were landed. Since that 

 time landings have been steadily declining. Atlantic croaker is an important 

 recreational species, and according to McHugh and Ginter (1978) recreational 

 catches may now exceed commercial landings. 



In the Middle Atlantic Bight, Atlantic croakers mature at age 2. 

 Spawning takes place as they migrate offshore from late August to December, 

 peaking in late October and November. Buoyant developing eggs drift due to 

 Ekman transport until hatching occurs (Norcross 1983). Juveniles move into 

 the shallower areas vacated by the adults and spend their first winter there 

 (McHugh and Ginter 1978), later joining the adults in the seasonal migration. 



Atlantic croakers are bottom feeders that prey on small crustaceans, 

 annelids, molluscs, ascidians, ophiurids, and fishes (Hildebrand and Schroeder 

 1928). Croakers themselves are prey for larger predators such as striped bass 

 and bluefish. 



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