paratively shallow water, between one and twenty fathoms. With 

 the coming colder water the fluke move out beyond the 20 fathom 

 line and down to 100 fathoms according to Ginsberg (1952). 



Fluke, which are more plentiful than the blackback flounder in 

 the summer months, are taken in sizeable amounts by trawlers, 

 traps and sport fishermen. Summer flounder examined ranged in 

 size from 11 to 32 inches (TL). Fluke are plentiful during the 

 summer months in the tidal channels of the salt ponds. On August 

 14, 1958, a 16-pound summer flounder was caught by C. Martorelli at 

 Beavertail light. 



Economic Importance: 



The summer flounder is one of the important food fishes found in 

 Rhode Island waters. The meat is of excellent quality and highly 

 regarded. During 1957, 1,484,499 pounds of fluke, valued at 

 8256,934, were landed at Rhode Island ports. 



(84) Paralichthys oblongus (Mitchill) 1815 

 Four-spotted flounder 



Specimens: 



This flounder occurs in waters from 5 to 15 fathoms during spring 

 and summer. It is not as large nor as abundant as the summer 

 flounder. This species possesses four prominent spots on the eyed 

 side of the body which makes it distinct from other Rhode Island 

 flounders. Fish ranging from 7 to 12 inches (TL) were examined 

 from Block Island Sound. 



Economic Importance: 



This is a fair table fish, but due to its small size, it is usually 

 treated as a trash species. 



Family Pleuronectidae 

 Genus Limanda 



(85) Limanda ferruginea (Storer) 1839 

 Yellowtail, rusty dab 



Specimens: (PLATE 28) 



The yellowtail is a deep water flounder usually found in depths 



38 



