of from 20 to 40 fathoms. On occasion they may stray inshore to 

 shoaler waters. The yellow-tail is most abundant during the month 

 of December, but it is taken by offshore trawlers throughout the 

 year. Vellowtails 13 to 16 inches (TL) were taken on December 8, 

 1953, six miles SE of Watch Hill by the trawler Jane Dore. 



Economic Importance: 



The yellowtail is second in importance among the flounders 

 taken by Rhode Island commercial fishermen with regard to 

 poundage landed and dollar value. During 1957, 2,229,930 pounds 

 of vellowtails, valued at 8213,427, were recorded at Rhode Island 

 ports. 



Genus Pseudopleuronectes 



(86) Pseudopleuronectes americanus (Walbaum) 1792 

 Winter flounder, hlackback flounder, flatfish 



Specimens: (PLATE 29) 



This is the most important species of the flounder family inhabit- 

 ing Rhode Island waters. Investigations by S. Saila (unpublished 

 ms.) have shown that the spawning season of this valuable sport 

 and commercial fish is at its height in Ninigret Pond in mid Eeb- 

 ruary. Migration into the salt ponds begins in the fall and the exo- 

 dus in late winter and early spring. This year-round resident mi- 

 grates offshore in the spring and summer and inshore during the 

 fall. During late summer and fall the trawlers make their largest 

 catches of this species. The blackback is a bottom dwelling fish and 

 provides considerable sport for anglers in the spring and fall. 



Economic Importance: 



The blackback is one of the thickest and meatiest of the flounders 

 and is highly regarded as a food fish. Anglers seek this fish from 

 bridges and channels along tidal waters with hooks baited with 

 clam worms (Nereis), clam, or squid. The blackback is the first in 

 importance among the flounders by weight in the commercial land- 

 ings of Rhode Island. During 1957, 2,687,066 pounds valued at 

 SI 83, 165 were unloaded at Rhode Island ports. 



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