Reef fish distributions off North Carolina and South Carolina as revealed by headboat catches

"Reef fishes of the outer continental shelf of the South Atlantic Bight have supported important recreational headboat fisheries for over two decades (Huntsman 1976) and commercial handline and trawl fisheries for about five years (Ulrich et al. 1976). In this paper we utilize datal/from the headboat fishery (Huntsman 1976; Grimes et al. 1982) to present a quantitative description of distributions of several important reef fishes as they are expressed in hook- and-line catches from the outer continental shelf of North Carolina and South Carolina (Figs. 1-7, Table 1). Our focus here is on the species occurring on hard, or "live" bottom in water deeper than 20 m, where most species are tropical or subtropical. We do not discuss the nearshore shallow fishes, principally sciaenids and other estuarine-dependent fishes, nor do we discuss species such as sea robins (Triglidae) and lizardfishes (Synodontidae) that occupy the vast plains of unconsolidated sediments on the Carolina shelf and rarely occur in concentrations large enough to attract recreational or commercial fishermen (Wenner in press)"--Introduction. Patricia A. Tester, Cynthia A. Wolfe, Robert L. Dixon, Gene R. Huntsman.. "June 1983." Also available online in PDF format via the NOAA Central Library. Includes bibliographical references (page 12). 1983 NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service) SEFSC (Southeast Fisheries Science Center) Library Public Domain 1863