Economic Importance: 



Bonito are similar to tuna in taste and are baked or broiled 

 fresh as a food fish. During 1957, 5,936 pounds of bonito, valued 

 at $596, were recorded by the United States Fish and Wildlife 

 Service from Rhode Island waters. 



(112) Sarda velox Meek and Hildebrand 1923 

 Striped bonito 



Specimens: (PLATE 36) 



Nichols and Breeder (1926) report two specimens of striped 

 bonito, 23.5 and 24 inches (TL) taken near Block Island on August 

 15 and August 22, 1914. This is a very rare species found off Panama. 



Genus Germo 



(113) Germo alalunga (Gmelin) 1788 

 Long-finned albacore, albacore 



Specimens: 



Two mounted members of this species, 18 and 20 inches (TL) 

 have been observed by the writer. These were taken by anglers 

 near Block Island in 1928. 



Genus Thitnnus 



(114) Thimnus thynnas (Linnaeus) 1758 

 Tuna, bluefin, horse mackerel, tunny 



Specimens (PLATE 37) 



This oceanic species is frequently very abundant in Rhode Island 

 waters during the summer and fall. Numerous giant bluefins are 

 taken each summer in the traps off Newport and considerable 

 quantities of the small immature school tuna are taken by trailers off 

 Block Island. Occasionally large tuna are harpooned by commercial 

 fishermen. Tuna appear in Rhode Island waters during July and 

 August in the vicinity of Nebraska Shoal and Rosie's Ledge. 

 "School tuna" (specimens under 50 pounds) appear off Block 

 Island as early as July and are present throughout the summer and 

 fall. 



48 



