280 FISHES OF NOETH CAROLINA. 



best known and more important salt-water fish between Massachusetts and 

 South Carolina and supports a special fishery in ten states. The largest fish weigh 

 6 pounds, but the usual weight is under 4 pounds. 



The species occurs abundantly off the coast of North Carolina, and is caught 

 for market in various sections. It is common about jetties and on shelly and 

 rocky bottoms, attaining the largest size and greatest abundance on the offshore 

 reefs and banks. Dr. Coker contributes the following notes on the fish in the 

 Beaufort region: 



The "black-fish'' has been an undeveloped resource at Beaufort, as the grounds along 

 the coast were never regularly worked by the fishermen until the winter of 1903-4, when, in 

 November, the enterprising Mr. George N. Ives, of Newbern, equipped a sharpie with a naph- 

 tha motor and began fishing off New River In December, two Morehead fish dealers began 

 sending naphtha launches to the "black-fish rocks" off Bear Inlet, about 30 miles below Beaufort. 

 The boats which carry 4 men, who use hand lines, anchor in the inlet at night and run out to 

 the "rocks," 10 miles off shore, each suitable day, the trip lasting about a week. From Beau- 

 fort similar fishing is done at Wrightsville and other points further southward. This fishery 

 should increase in extent and prove very profitable, as the sea bass is an excellent fish, bearing 

 shipment well and commanding good prices in the northern markets. 



Fig. 123. Sea Bass; Black-pish. Centropristes striatus. ' 



A special sea-bass ground surveyed by the steamer Fish-Hawk in the summer 

 of 1902 lies 20.5 miles ssw. ^w. from the outer buoy on Beaufort Bar, and is 

 covered with 13.5 fathoms of water. The bottom is of rough coral, with sea- 

 fans and other growths such as are found on the coast of Florida, and is rich in 

 animal life. On September 12 two hours were spent in handline fishing by the 

 ship's crew, and in that time there were caught about 700 sea bass, together with 

 a few large grunts, 2 red snappers, and various small fish. 



On the ledges and banks lying off Cape Fear the " black-fish" is caught from 

 July to December, but, according to Mr. W. H. Yopp, of Wilmington, is not very 

 abundant; the fish in that region run from .5 to 1.5 pounds. 



The sea bass feeds on the bottom, eating small fish, squid, crabs, and various 

 other" animals. Its mouth is very large, its teeth are formidable, and it is a 

 voracious feeder. 



