Specimens: 



Tracy (1910) mentions that this rare species is usually taken in 

 autumn in Narragansett Bay. 



Family Trichiuridae 

 Genus Trichiurus 



(117) Trichiurus Upturns Linnaeus 1758 

 Cutlassfish, scabbardfish, ribbonfish 



Specimens: 



This tropical species is rare in Rhode Island waters. A few appear 

 occasionally. On July 1, 1954, a cutlassfish, 806 mm. (TL) was taken 

 by the trawler Alice and Nellie in the vicinity of Block Island. 



Family Xiphiidae 

 Genus Xiphias 



(118) Xiphias gladius Linnaeus 1758 

 Swordfish, billfish, broadbill 



Specimens: 



This warm water oceanic species is common in the waters off 

 Block Island during July and August. Nichols and Breder (1926) 

 mention that this species probably moves off into deeper water 

 rather than migrating southward as they cite a 410-pound swordfish 

 taken off Block Island during December in 80 fathoms on a trawl 

 line set for tilefish. Swordfish are usually taken by harpoon and on 

 rare occasions by hook and line. On July 6, 1953, H. Lowry har- 

 pooned the season's first swordfish, weighing 194 pounds, seven 

 miles off Block Island. During August, 1956, 12 swordfish were 

 harpooned in the waters between Block Island and Montauk Point 

 by commercial fishermen. The trawler Theresa harpooned a sword- 

 fish weighing 353 pounds and two weighing 250 pounds were taken 

 by the trawler Rita from this area. The year 1957 was an unusually 

 good swordfish year. 



Economic Importance: 



Swordfish is a choice food fish and brings high prices to the fisher- 

 men. During 1957, 123,413 pounds of swordfish valued at $41,827, 

 were landed at Rhode Island fishing ports. 



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