On occasion, large quantities of tuna arc taken in Rhode Island 

 waters during a short period of time. During August, 1949, over 30 

 tuna weighing up to 779 pounds were taken from the water near the 

 buoy at Rosie's Ledge off Watch Hill. The United States Atlantic 

 Tuna Tournament, held August 14, 15 and 16, 1956, produced a 

 total of 34 giant bluetins weighing a total of 16,780 pounds. On 

 August 15, 1956, Captain Mark Connally harpooned a 1,100 pound 

 tuna a few miles S\V of Block Island. The largest tuna taken in the 

 United States waters by hook and line was from waters off Watch 

 Hill. 



Economic Importance: 



The presence of giant tuna in Rhode Island is a great asset to the 

 summer tourist trade; thousands of people flock to Galilee to view 

 the boats and the tuna catch at the annual United States Atlantic 

 Tuna Tournament held there during August. Commercial tuna 

 fishing is virtually undeveloped off the Rhode Island coast. Vast 

 quantities of school tuna found off Block Island could provide the 

 basis for a Rhode Island tuna canning industry if they were fished 

 intensively with the aid of modern methods such as fish finders and 

 aerial reconnaissance. According to the United States Fish and 

 Wildlife Service figures, 42,743 pounds of tuna, valued at $6,501, 

 were landed at Rhode Island ports during 1957. 



Genus Scomberomorus 



(115) Scomberomorus maculatus (Mitchill) 1815 

 Spanish mackerel 



Specimens: 



This southern species strays into Rhode Island waters during the 

 summer months. A few are taken off Newport and Block Island 

 each year. During July, 1957, M. Taylor caught a 29-inch (TL) 

 Spanish mackerel while trolling off Button woods. This fish weighed 

 five pounds, four ounces. This species is of no economic importance 

 in Rhode Island waters. 



(116) Scomberomorus regalis (Bloch) 1793 

 Painted mackerel, cereen, kingfish 



49 



