Economic Importance: 



Esteemed by many as both a food and game fish, the weakfish, 

 when abundant, are of considerable economic importance. In 1947, 

 325,800 pounds of weakfish were landed at Rhode Island ports; 

 while the total for 1957 was 23,254 pounds. 



Genus Bairdiella 



(159) Bairdiella chrysura (Lacepede) 1803 



Silver perch, sand perch, mademoiselle, yellowtail 



Specimens: 



Found chiefly from New York to Texas, the silver perch strays 

 into Rhode Island inshore waters during the summer. During the 

 summer of 1957, J. Cronan reported large numbers of juveniles of 

 this species taken along the shore in upper Narragansett Bay. Small 

 specimens, three to five inches (TL) were collected from Wickford, 

 Point Judith and Weekapaug by the writer. This species is not 

 abundant enough to be of any economic importance. 



Genus Leiostomus 



(160) Leiostomus xanthurus Lacepede 1802 

 Spot, lafayette, silver gudgeon, goody 



Specimens: 



This warm water fish is found from southern New England to 

 Texas. A number of specimens are taken each year in late summer 

 and fall at the traps in Newport. During October, 1957, the writer 

 collected eight spots from Newport traps, ranging in size from 6 to 

 11 inches (TL). Due to its scarcity in local waters, the spot is of 

 minor economic importance in Rhode Island. In 1956, 134 pounds 

 of spot, valued at $8.00 were landed at Rhode Island ports. 



Genus Micro pogon 



(161) Micropogon undulatus (Linnaeus) 1766 

 Croaker, hardhead, crocus, king billy 



Specimens: 



Although this southern species is not common north of New 

 Jersey, a few strays are taken in Rhode Island traps each year. On 



64 



