314 Whiting 



Occurs in the warmer waters of the Atlantic Ocean, some- 

 times straying north to Cape Cod. Rare in northern waters. 

 Reaches a length of 6 inches. 



Whiting, Silver Hake 

 Merluccius bilinearis (Mitchill) 



Color: Silvery over entire body with a dark brownish cast 

 on upper surface. 



Distribution: Newfoundland to North Carolina and in deep 

 water as far south as the Bahamas. Common from Dela- 

 ware north. 



.S/ze.- Reaches a length of about 2V2 feet and a weight of 

 5 pounds. 



General Information: This species occurs in large numbers 

 at various depths, from a few feet of water to about 400 

 feet. In this deeper water it is found together with the 

 offshore whiting. 



The Whiting spawns in late spring and summer. The 

 eggs are buoyant and may hatch in 48 hours in water of 

 favorable temperature. The young reach 1-3 inches in 

 length at the end of the first year. This fish is a voracious 

 feeder, preying on smaller fishes, squid, and shrimp. Fre- 

 quently it will drive schools of fish on shore and itself be- 

 come stranded in the excitement of the chase. 

 Economic Importance: A good food fish which has be- 

 come increasingly important to the commercial fisheries. 

 It is commonly caught by anglers. 



