Document Type

Article

Department/Program

Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Publication Date

1990

Journal

Virginia Journal of Science

Volume

41

Issue

4A

First Page

441

Last Page

461

Abstract

Semi-monthly sampling of finfish was conducted in the lagoons and marshes behind Parramore and Cedar Islands at Wachapreague Inlet, Cobb and Wreck Islands at Sand Shoal Inlet, and on the northwest side of Fisherman Island from September 1986 through September 1987. Although all lifestages were collected, the study was designed to focus on utilization of this area by juvenile finfish. Sixty-nine species offinfish were collected. Species diversity and abundance fluctuated widely among seasons. Both were highest in the fall and lowest in the winter. The most abundant species over all seasons and locations were silversides (Menidia menidia) and bay anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli). The most abundant commercially and recreationally important species collected were summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus) and the sciaenids, croaker (Micropogonias undulatus ), spot (Leiostomus xanthurns) and weakfish ( Cynoscion regalis ). As adults, these species migrate inward in the spring and leave in the fall, but newly recruited juveniles were found utilizing these areas almost all year. Comparisons were made with results from the only other directed study in this area (Richards and Castagna, 1970). Differences between the results of these two studies can be attributed to gear (size of trawl net mesh) and site (salinity and relative position in marsh).

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