the size of fish caught among fishing modes and areas. The length frequency data for each 

 species are highly aggregated in these plots so differences among subregions, modes, areas and 

 waves are masked. 



The regional nature of the recreational fishery is characterized by the varying 

 composition of the catches. Therefore, the following discussion will focus on the significant 

 changes in the catches of specific groups in the individual subregions. 



NORTH ATLANTIC Scup and bluefish dominated the marine recreational fishery in the North 

 Atlantic during 1986, as they did in 1979-85. These two species accounted for over 57 percent 

 of the total catch in numbers in the subregion. Other frequently caught species in 1986 were 

 summer flounder, tautog, Atlantic cod, cunner and Atlantic mackerel. Catches of winter 

 flounder, the top-ranked species in 1979-82 and 1985, were the lowest in the eight years of the 

 survey. 



The private/rental boat catch from inland waters accounted for the largest proportion of 

 the total number of fish caught in 1986 (36 percent). The private/rental boat mode alone 

 accounted for 73 percent of the total number of fish caught. This was higher than the 1979-85 

 average private/ rental boat mode contribution of 61 percent. In 1986 the inland area 

 accounted for the greatest proportion of the catch in number with 44 percent. This was 

 similar to 1979-82 and 1985, when the inland area accounted for the greatest proportion of the 

 catch. 



Approximately 1.3 million New England residents participated in marine recreational 

 fishing in the North Atlantic and made an estimated 5.8 million fishing trips in 1986. These 

 effort statistics were similar to the 1979-85 means of 1.3 million participants and 5.7 million 

 trips. Fishing activity was greatest during the July/August wave in 1986; approximately 8 

 percent of the coastal county residents of the North Atlantic States participated in marine 

 recreational fishing during these months. Out-of-State residents made an additional 2.5 

 million fishing trips in this subregion. 



Average catch rates for the boat fishing modes in 1986 were higher than 1979-85 mean 

 values, while the shore mode in 1986 was lower than 1979-85 mean values for the combined 

 man-made and beach/bank modes. The private/rental boat mode had the highest average 

 catch rate with 8.1 fish/ trip and the shore mode had the lowest catch rate with 2.3 fish/ trip. 



As in all previous survey years except 1980, bluefish was the most sought after species in 

 1986. In 1986, winter flounder was ranked second and Atlantic cod was ranked third. Since 

 intercept interviews are conducted at the completion of a fishing trip there may be some 

 response bias introduced that correlates the species sought with what was actually caught. 



15 



