New Jersey contains an array of productive aquatic ecosystems, including many lakes, rivers, estuaries, nearshore coastal areas, and offshore waters. Estuaries are particularly important systems for fish due to the availability of habitats and access to both freshwater and marine systems. Barnegat Bay is utilized, to varying degrees, by 107 species of fish (See Chapter 7), many of which are sought by commercial and/or recreational fishermen. As a result, the estuary is an important location for commercial and recreational fishing in New Jersey and a significant factor in the state’s economy.

The economic value of commercial fisheries in New Jersey exceeds that of key agricultural products. For example, in 1994, the value of all commercial fisheries statewide substantially exceeded that of all fruit crops, including cranberries, blueberries, peaches, apples, and strawberries . Despite their relative economic importance, commercial and recreational fisheries receive far less support from the state than does agriculture . Consequently, numerous gaps exist in basic knowledge related to fisheries in New Jersey, notably those related to adequate stock assessments, which provide vital information on the status of fished populations (see Table 1). Such data are critical to establishing sustainable fishing practices.

The objectives of this chapter are: (1) to provide relevant natural history information on key commercial and recreational fisheries species; (2) to examine the statewide commercial and recreational landings of several selected fisheries species; and (3) to describe, where possible, the degree to which Barnegat Bay contributes to these fisheries. We focus on seven commercially important finfish species, including the American eel (Anguilla rostrata), alewife or river herring (Alosa pseudoharengus), bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix), striped bass (Morone saxatilis), summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus), winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus), and weakfish (Cynoscion regalis). In addition, we investigate three shellfish species, namely the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus), horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus), and hard clam (Mercenaria mercenaria). Five of these species (bluefish, striped bass, summer flounder, winter flounder, and weakfish) also are examined for their recreational importance, along with the black sea bass (Centropristis striata) and tautog (Tautoga onitis). These species were chosen because of their relative economic importance and the availability of landings data on them. We acknowledge that there are other species that are commercially and/or recreationally important, such as croaker, spot, and white perch. However, the amount of data available to adequately characterize the commercial and/or recreational landings of these species, either statewide or specifically in Barnegat Bay, is limited.

A. Finfish

Except where noted, finfish life history information is taken from recent National Marine Fisheries Reports (NMFR) on essential fish habitat for bluefish (Fahay, in press), summer flounder (Packer and Griesbach, in press), and winter flounder (Pereira et al., in press), as well as from the Delaware Estuary Program’s Scientific Characterization of the Delaware Estuary (Sutton et al., 1996) for striped bass, weakfish, eel, and river herring. For most species, data on distribution and abundance in Barnegat Bay are dated, limited, or lacking. One source presented below is a compilation of information and expert opinions on the distribution and abundance of fish and invertebrates in Mid-Atlantic estuaries (Stone et al., 1994) collected under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Estuarine Living Marine Resources Program. Categories of relative abundance defined by Stone et al. (1994) and used below include: (1) "rare" = present but not frequently encountered; (2) "common" = frequently encountered but not in large numbers; (3) "abundant" = often encountered in substantial numbers relative to other species; and (4) "highly abundant" = numerically dominant relative to other species. Unless otherwise cited, information on status and trends in regional landings and stock sizes is derived from Clark (1998), and includes landings data through 1996 and preliminary data for 1997. Data for New Jersey and Barnegat Bay are from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP).

1. American eel (Anguilla rostrata)

American eels require estuaries to complete their life cycle. The American eel is catadromous, meaning spawning is in the ocean (in this case the Sargasso Sea, in midwinter) and later stages are found in estuaries or fresh water. The eggs hatch into leptocephali (ribbon-like, transparent larvae) that drift with ocean currents for a year or so toward the North American coast. As they approach coastal waters, the larvae metamorphose into "glass eels," which have the typical eel form but are still transparent. These glass eels are highly valued in Japanese markets. Shortly after entering estuaries, they acquire pigmentation and transform into elvers. In the Delaware estuary, 5 to 8 cm (2 to 3 in) long elvers appear in February-March, when they concentrate in tidal creeks of the lower estuary. They reach the middle estuary in April-May, and the upper estuary in May-June. Females travel farther toward fresh water than do males. Both sexes tend to occur in deeper or fresher water in the colder months, returning to coastal areas in the spring.

Except for the aforementioned seasonal movements, eels are quite sedentary and usually remain in home territories. Males mature at 28 to 30.5 cm (11 to 12 in) long, and rarely exceed 60 cm (24 in). Females mature at about 46 cm (18 in), often attaining lengths of 60 to 90 cm (24 to 36 in) (Bigelow and Schroeder, 1953). In estuaries, juveniles and adults primarily feed on crustaceans, bivalves, and polychaetes. At 5 to 20 years, adults leave the estuary and return to the Sargasso Sea to spawn in the spring, after which they die. Stone et al. (1994) reported that elvers were common in Barnegat Bay from February through April. Later juveniles were common year-round, while adults were rare.

2. Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) and Blueback Herring (Alosa aestivalis)

These two species are collectively called "river herring." They are anadromous, entering brackish to fresh water to spawn and then migrating back to coastal areas. Alewife ranges from Labrador to South Carolina, and is most abundant in Mid-Atlantic and New England waters. Blueback herring occurs from Nova Scotia to Florida, most commonly from Chesapeake Bay south. Alewifes usually spawn in mid-spring at water temperatures of 16-19˚C. Blueback herring spawn later in spring, at temperatures of ~5˚C warmer. Both species enter the Delaware estuary as early as February and begin spawning runs. Adult alewifes are reportedly abundant in Barnegat Bay, and they spawn there in April and May, a time when eggs and larvae are also abundant. Adults are common in March and June, and juveniles are abundant year-round.

Adult blueback herring are common from March through June. Spawning takes place from April through June, and eggs and larvae are generally observed during these months. Juveniles are common year-round (Stone et al., 1994).

Spawning usually begins at age 3, preferably in shallow areas. Blueback herring favor areas with hard substrates and fast currents, whereas alewifes use a variety of habitats, typically with slower currents. Many historical spawning areas are not presently available due to dams and/or pollution. Loss of these spawning and nursery areas has undoubtedly been a major factor in the decline of herring stocks. However, where upstream habitats are suitable (e.g., good water quality), the installation of fish ladders at dams can effectively enhance the stocks of these important forage species. Alewifes live as long as 10 years and reach 36 cm (14 in) in length. Blueback herring live 7 to 8 years and reach a maximum length of 33 cm (13 in).

Larvae of both species transform to juveniles at ~2 cm (0.8 in) in length, and juveniles become similar to adults in appearance at ~3 cm (1.2 in). Larval river herring are planktivores, feeding selectively on small copepods and cladocerans. Juveniles consume larger plankton. The diet of adults includes fish eggs, small fish, plankton, bottom invertebrates such as amphipods, and insects. When abundant, all life stages of river herring are important in food webs. Adults are a preferred prey of birds, whales, and many fish species, notably bluefish, striped bass, and weakfish.

3. Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix)

In the western Atlantic, bluefish range from Nova Scotia to Argentina. Bluefish occurring off the Mid-Atlantic and southeast U.S. coasts are considered a single genetic stock. These fish spawn in offshore waters from March through August. Most bluefish are capable of spawning by age 2. Eggs and larvae generally remain in oceanic waters. Early juveniles (2 to 5 cm; 1 to 2 in long) move toward coastal and estuarine nursery areas by active swimming and/or passive movement with currents. The numbers of larvae reaching these nursery areas are quite variable and may be a key determinant of the subsequent abundance of larger juveniles and adults. Early-spawned fish enter Mid-Atlantic estuaries in late May to mid-June, at an average length of 6 cm (2.4 in). Fish spawned in summer either remain in coastal waters or enter estuaries in August when they are ~4.6 cm (1.8 in) in length.

Bluefish are fast-growing. Young-of-the-year fish may be 25 cm (10 in) long by fall, and are the basis of the popular "snapper" fishery. Maximum size is ~1.1 m (3.5 ft) long and 12.3 kg (27 lb), and maximum age ~12 years. This predatory fish is usually found in schools of similar-sized individuals. There are seasonal migrations, with movement into Mid-Atlantic coastal and estuarine waters in spring, and back southward or offshore in fall. The larger fish tend to move farther north in summer and perhaps not as far south in winter. In Barnegat Bay, adults are common, and juveniles are abundant, from about May to November (Stone et al., 1994).

Larval bluefish consume mostly copepods. Fish appear in the diet when the larvae are slightly over 2.5 cm long, and soon dominate the typical diet. However, young bluefish may prey more on invertebrates, such as crustaceans and polychaetes, in some areas or seasons. Atlantic menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus) is a very important prey for larger individuals. Mature bluefish are in turn eaten by sharks, tunas, and billfish. Oceanic birds are major predators of young-of-the-year bluefish. Some cannibalism has been reported.

The importance to bluefish stocks of specific estuarine habitats, and of estuaries in general, is not known. Since the egg and larval stages develop at sea, estuarine dependence is undoubtedly less than for species in which these sensitive stages occur inshore. The pelagic bluefish also is not closely tied to particular water depths, bottom types, or aquatic vegetation, though young-of-the-year tend to congregate in shallow nearshore areas. It is not known to use the marsh surface. Estuaries, and specific estuarine features such as marsh creeks, probably do provide benefits in terms of shelter and abundant forage that leads to rapid growth, especially among young-of-the-year fish.

4. Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis)

The striped bass, one of the largest fish species inhabiting estuaries, is a very popular gamefish. It also is highly valued commercially. Although this species has a natural range from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the Gulf of Mexico, it has been successfully introduced elsewhere. Being anadromous, the striped bass lives in coastal and estuarine areas and enters fresh or low salinity waters for spawning, as well as egg and larval development. There are both migratory and non-migratory stocks, with the former predominating in the Mid-Atlantic. Most of the Mid-Atlantic fish originate in Chesapeake Bay. The Hudson River also has an important spawning stock. Migrating stripers move north in the spring; many find their natal estuary to spawn, and then resume their northward coastal migration. The return migration occurs in the fall, and individuals overwinter in coastal areas from New Jersey to North Carolina, and in Chesapeake Bay.

Striped bass are not very abundant in Barnegat Bay. Stone et al. (1994) reported that adults and juveniles are rare in the bay from March through December. There are reports of stripers overwintering in the bay and in areas just outside of the bay, especially in the discharge canal of the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station. Some striped bass have been counted in fish kills at the power plant.

There are no records of striped bass spawning in the Barnegat Bay watershed. In the Delaware River estuary, spawning is from early April to June at temperatures of 10-25^oC, with the peak generally from late April to early May at temperatures of 15-18°C. The semi-buoyant eggs are released over various substrates in shallow waters (< 6 m; 20 ft) with moderate flow rates (> 0.3 m/s; 1 ft/s). Eggs and larvae are often concentrated in channels, whereas juveniles disperse throughout the estuary and use all depths as nursery areas, moving toward deeper, more saline areas as they grow. Most young-of-the-year (and some adults) overwinter in the estuary; however, fish greater than 2 years of age often spend the winter in adjacent coastal waters. Most stripers reach sexual maturity at age 5.

Striped bass may grow to ~10 cm (4 in) in length by the end of their first summer, and 30 cm (12 in) or more by their second summer. They can grow to great sizes, with the maximum on record being over 1.8 m (6 ft) long and 56 kg (125 lb). Most fish larger than 13.5 kg (30 lb) are females (Bigelow and Schroeder, 1953). The diet of small stripers is often dominated by amphipods and shrimp, whereas larger bass consume a wide variety of fish as well as worms, crustaceans, squid, and clams (Bigelow and Schroeder, 1953).

Commercial and recreational catches of striped bass declined drastically in the Mid-Atlantic region during the mid-1970s (Clark, 1998). The decrease in abundance was largely due to the very low production of juveniles in Chesapeake Bay from the early 1970s through the late 1980s. After a coastwide moratorium on commercial harvesting was declared, juvenile production increased. This led to 1993 and 1996 juvenile indices that were the highest on record. When the moratorium ended, commercial landings had rebounded to 2.2 million kg (4.8 million lb) in 1996. The stock was declared restored in 1995, and it is now considered fully exploited. In New Jersey, commercial fishing for striped bass is currently prohibited. There are no data on recreational landings of striped bass in Barnegat Bay.

5. Summer Flounder (Paralichthys dentatus)

The summer flounder (or fluke) is one of the most popular sportfish in the Mid-Atlantic region, and it is commercially important. The species ranges from estuaries to the outer continental shelf, and from Nova Scotia to at least as far south as Florida. Its center of abundance occurs between Cape Cod (MA) and Cape Hatteras (NC). It is unclear if summer flounder in the Mid-Atlantic constitute a single stock; there may be a separate stock in the vicinity of Cape Hatteras and another in the South Atlantic Bight. There are pronounced seasonal migrations, with most adults inhabiting inshore waters during the warmer months and wintering well offshore, to depths as great as 150 m (500 ft). In subsequent years, individuals tend to return to the same estuary, or move north and east. Older fish may remain offshore year-round. Females reach sexual maturity at a size of ~28 cm (11 in), and males at a size of ~25 cm (9.8 in). The median age of sexual maturity in both sexes is 1.5 years (Packer et al., in press). The species attains a maximum size of ~0.9 m (3 ft) and 6.7 kg (15 lb); the largest individual on record is 11.7 kg (26 lb).

Spawning takes place offshore, peaking in October and November, with females capable of producing more than 4 million eggs. The total number of eggs produced is size- and age-dependent. Eggs are pelagic and buoyant, and early larvae are planktonic. Later stage larvae and postlarvae migrate to coastal and estuarine nursery areas from October to May, where they complete metamorphosis to the typical flatfish form. Metamorphosis involves the migration of the right eye across the top of the head, and the widening and flattening of the body. It typically occurs when the larvae are between 0.64 cm (0.25 in) and 1.91 cm (0.75 in) long. After this transformation, they move to the bottom, bury in the sediment, and complete development to the juvenile stage. According to Stone et al. (1994), juveniles and adults are common in Barnegat Bay from May through September, and juveniles are present but rare the remainder of the year. Larvae are rare, occurring in the bay from October through May.

Barnegat Bay and other Mid-Atlantic estuaries are valuable sources of shelter and food for intermediate stages of the species, especially metamorphosing larvae and early juveniles. Juveniles usually are found in sandy areas, adjacent eelgrass beds, among macroalgae, and in marsh creeks. Since these areas are vulnerable to perturbations, they have been identified by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council as habitat of particular concern in summer flounder management (Packer and Hoff, 1999).

The larval diet is dominated by immature copepods, and also includes tintinnids, bivalve larvae, and copepod eggs and adults. Toward the end of metamorphosis, the diet shifts toward bottom-living invertebrates. Small juvenile flounder less than ~10 cm (4 in) long feed opportunistically on whatever suitable prey is available, eating mostly crustaceans and polychaetes. Fish are more prominent in the diet of larger juveniles. For young-of-the-year summer flounder in marsh creeks of the Great Bay-Little Egg Harbor, the most important prey are silversides, followed by mummichogs, grass shrimp, and sand shrimp. In other estuaries mysid shrimp also are commonly consumed. Adults may eat larger fish such as spot and pipefish. Probable predators on larval flounder include mummichogs and sand shrimp, and juvenile and adult flounder are probably eaten by blue crab, spiny dogfish, goosefish, cod, sea raven, longhorn sculpin, fourspot flounder, as well as silver, red and spotted hake.

6. Winter Flounder (Pleuronectes americanus)

The winter flounder is a small-mouthed, right-eyed flatfish. It is valuable in both commercial and recreational fisheries of northwest Atlantic estuaries and continental shelf areas. The species prefers cool temperatures; its range is from Labrador to Georgia, with highest abundances in Canadian waters. The federal fishery management plan for winter flounder considers the species to consist of three stocks: Gulf of Maine, Southern New England/Middle Atlantic, and Georges Bank.

Except for Georges Bank fish, adults migrate inshore in fall and early winter, and spawn in late winter and early spring. In the Mid-Atlantic, the peak of spawning is February and March. Most adults return to offshore waters after spawning. Migrating adults sometimes travel long distances. In one tagging study, the average distance was ~65 km (40.4 mi), and in another study, a fish tagged in the inner New York Bight was recovered ~315 km (195.8 mi) away near Nantucket, Massachusetts. South of Cape Cod, females become sexually mature at 3 years of age and an average length of 27.7 cm (10.9 in), and males at 3.3 years of age and an average length of 29.0 cm (11.4 in). Maximum length is ~63.5 cm (25 in), and the maximum age is more than 15 years. Stone et al. (1994) state that in Barnegat Bay, adults are abundant from November through April, and spawning occurs from January through March, with eggs and larvae being abundant at this time. Juveniles are considered abundant year-round.

Except for the Georges Bank stock, the species is estuarine-dependent, requiring shallow, lower-salinity waters to spawn. Eggs adhere to various substrates including mud, sand, gravel, and vegetation. Eggs are ~0.3 cm (0.125 in) in diameter when they hatch, typically in two to three weeks, with faster hatching times occurring at higher temperatures. Larvae are negatively buoyant. This probably enables them to be retained in greater numbers in suitable estuarine nursery areas rather than being swept out to sea. As they approach metamorphosis (which usually occurs 5 to 8 weeks after hatching), the larvae become increasingly bottom-oriented, feeding on copepods, copepod and barnacle nauplii, polychaetes, and invertebrate eggs. Metamorphosing larvae settle on the bottom when they are ~1.3 cm (0.5 in) in length.

Young-of-the-year winter flounder inhabit shallow waters, feeding on polychaetes and crustaceans, especially amphipods. Here, they may grow to 10 to 18 cm (4 to 7 in) in length during the first year. Most of these fish overwinter in estuaries, but they also are commonly found in adjacent coastal waters. In some estuarine areas, including the Oyster Creek Channel in Barnegat Bay, there are restrictions on dredging from January 1 through May 31 to protect spawning and early life stages in these important habitats. Since winter flounder are visual feeders, they may be adversely affected by natural or anthropogenic factors which reduce water clarity. Large docks and other platforms also may impair feeding, perhaps by blocking or decreasing available light (Duffy-Anderson and Able, 1999).

7. Weakfish (Cynoscion regalis)

Weakfish range from Nova Scotia to Florida, with their center of abundance in Chesapeake Bay and Delaware Bay. This species is relatively estuarine-dependent, since all life stages are found in this environment. Spawning begins at water temperatures of ~15ºC, and it generally peaks from mid-May through mid-June. Spawning occurs in 1-3 batches per season, on sand and hard substrates throughout the lower estuary. Some spawning also occurs in coastal waters. Young-of-the-year weakfish appear by June, and occupy nursery habitats in a wide range of temperatures and salinities, in both the mainstem estuary and smaller tributaries and creeks.

The diet of young-of-the-year forms includes mysid shrimp, crabs, worms, and clams. Most weakfish mature by their second summer, when males are 12.7 to 15.2 cm (5 to 6 in) long and females 15.2 to 20.3 cm (6 to 8 in) long. A 30.5 cm (1 ft) long fish is probably 2 years of age, and a 61 cm individual may be 9 years old. The largest weakfish on record is 7.9 kg (17 lb, 8 oz), but fish heavier than 5.4 kg (12 lb) or longer than 1 m (3.3 ft) are rare (Bigelow and Schroeder, 1953). Adults are most abundant in lower estuarine areas, in depths < 9 m (30 ft) and salinities > 15 ‰. Weakfish tend to occur in schools of like-sized individuals. Juveniles begin to migrate out of the estuary in August, and by mid-November both juveniles and adults have left the bay. They travel south to overwinter off Virginia and North Carolina. In Barnegat Bay, adults are common from April through October, and then rare through November. Spawning, eggs and larvae are all rare from May to August. Juveniles are common from May to November (Stone et al., 1994).

B. Shellfish

1. Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus)

Blue crabs are abundant and ubiquitous members of estuarine ecosystems along most of the East Coast of the United States . The life cycle is approximately two years from egg to adult, with an average lifespan of about three to four years. In the Mid-Atlantic region, mating occurs during the summer (June-September) throughout bays and estuaries. Males may mate more than once within a mating season and may go through at least two seasons. In contrast, females have a single opportunity to mate, immediately after their final (terminal) molt to maturity , and most of them mate with only a single male . After mating, females migrate to higher salinity waters near the estuary mouth to overwinter and eventually spawn . Adult males and immature crabs remain in brackish waters of estuaries, burying in bottom sediments during the winter.

In the Mid-Atlantic region, spawning typically begins the following spring and may continue into the early fall, with females producing what appears to be two or three broods of eggs . However, if mating occurs in the late spring or early summer, females may be able to produce one brood of eggs later that same summer or fall . Individual females can produce between 700,000 and 2,000,000 eggs per brood, with larger females typically exhibiting greater fecundity . Larvae are released into the water column and are transported out of the estuary by tidal flow to develop offshore over the continental shelf .

On the continental shelf, blue crab larvae from different estuaries may mix before being transported back to the estuaries by wind and water circulation patterns . Once the first-stage crabs settle onto the bottom, they seek protective habitats such as seagrass beds . Juvenile crabs molt and grow rapidly, migrating away from high salinity waters into brackish waters, where they eventually mature (after 12-18 months) and mate.

2. Horseshoe Crab (Limulus polyphemus)

Horseshoe crabs are found along the East Coast of North America from the Gulf of Maine to the Yucatan Peninsula . The largest populations occur in the Mid-Atlantic region, particularly in Delaware Bay . Adults are dispersed within the estuary and along the continental shelf . In the Mid-Atlantic region, mating begins in late April during the new and full-moon high tides . Males locate a female offshore, grasp her from behind with specialized appendages, and the pair crawl toward the high-tide line of a sandy beach . The female digs a nest in the sand into which she deposits approximately 4,000 eggs, while her attached mate releases sperm to fertilize the eggs externally . A female may lay about 20 broods of eggs during the spawning season, which peaks between mid-May and mid-June . Approximately four weeks later, the larvae hatch, emerge from the sand, and enter the water. However, some larvae overwinter in the beach sediments and emerge the following April . Shallow water areas of the estuary are important nursery grounds for young horseshoe crabs, and as they grow, the crabs move to deeper water areas of estuaries and out to the continental shelf. Sexual maturity is reached in ~9-11 years, with an average lifespan of ~18-20 years .

3. Hard Clam (Mercenaria mercenaria)

Hard clams occur in coastal embayments and estuaries from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the Gulf of Mexico . They are filter-feeding, infaunal bivalves distributed in intertidal and subtidal zones. In most regions, hard clams become sexually mature in about two years . Sexes are separate, and spawning is external. In most areas, spawning takes place from spring to fall when water temperatures exceed 20 ^oC . In Barnegat Bay, the peak in spawning occurs at water temperatures between 24^oC and 26^oC .

Females release from 8 million to 39.5 million eggs per spawning season, with larger females being more fecund . Larvae are planktonic for approximately one to four weeks depending on food supply, water temperature, and larval physiology . There are four planktonic larval stages before the larvae become affixed to the benthic substrate. Larvae prefer to settle on silt or sand, and subsequent growth is most rapid in these substrates . After settling, juveniles burrow into the sediment and grow ~10 mm per year for the first three years . Recently settled clams are subject to intense predation by a variety of predators, including crabs, gastropods, and fish , but as clams grow and their shells thicken, predation decreases. At approximately 3-5 years of age and 3-4 cm in length, they are large enough to be harvested.

Commercial and recreational fishing are important components of the New Jersey economy. The economic value of all commercially harvested species in New Jersey has risen from approximately $19.8 million in 1975 to just over $100 million in 1997 (Figure 1). Since 1980, New Jersey has ranked second in the combined value of all commercially harvested species as compared with New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia (Figure 1). Since 1965, New Jersey also has ranked second in the combined amount of commercially harvested biomass as compared with these five states (Figure 2). In addition to more than 2,800 commercial fishermen, the industry includes more than 40 fish and seafood processors, 130 wholesalers and distributors, and more than 300 fish and seafood retailers .

The statewide commercial landings of seven finfish species are examined below, specifically those of the American eel (Anguilla rostrata), alewife or river herring (Alosa pseudoharengus), bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix), striped bass (Morone saxatilis), summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus), winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus), and weakfish (Cynoscion regalis). The statewide landings of three shellfish species also are investigated, notably those of the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus), horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus), and the hard clam (Mercenaria mercenaria). These species were chosen because of their relative economic importance and the availability of landings data on them. The combined annual value of these species represents 11% to 26% of the total value of commercial landings in New Jersey. There are other species that are commercially and/or recreationally important, including tautog, black sea bass, and white perch. However, the amount of data available to adequately characterize the commercial and/or recreational landings of these species is limited.

A. Finfish Landings

1. American eel (Anguilla rostrata)

New Jersey landings of the American eel from 1970 through 1993 ranged from ~36,000 to 243,000 kg/yr (~80,000 to 540,000 lb/yr), with no clear trends over time (Fahay, 1995). Since 1989, annual commercial landings of the American eel have fluctuated somewhat, with peaks of over 94,500 kg (210,000 lb) in both 1991 and 1996, followed by declines (Figure 3). The value of the American eel was consistently low between 1989-1995; however, its value increased more than 6.5 times between 1995 and 1996 (from $307,491 to $2,011,104), and then nearly doubled to its maximum value in 1997 ($3,749,078) (Figure 3). Commercial landings were 52,520 kg (116,713 lb) in 1997, of which ~5,300 kg (11,800 lb) were glass eels. Recreational landings were less than 13,500 kg (30,000 lb). Prior to 1994, the American eel was the third most landed species commercially in Barnegat Bay; since then, no landings have been reported. No recreational landings data are available for the bay.

2. Alewife or river herring (Alosa pseudoharengus)

Since 1950, the annual commercial landings of alewife in New Jersey have varied considerably (Figure 4). They have typically decreased precipitously, dropping to as low as ~135 kg (~300 lb), following years when annual landings were at least 9,000 kg (20,000 lb). The peak in annual landings occurred in 1990, when over 18,900 kg (42,000 lb) were harvested. The economic value of alewife is relatively low, varying annually - almost identically - with the annual variation in landings (Figure 4). The maximum annual value of $4,173 was recorded in 1990. No commercial, recreational, or bait fishery landings data are available specifically for Barnegat Bay.

3. Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix)

The annual commercial landings of bluefish in New Jersey consistently increased from a minimum of ~40,500 kg (~90,000 lb) in 1958 to a peak of just over 1.35 million kg (3 million lb) in 1986 (Figure 5). Since 1986, the annual landings have shown a general decline, with landings in 1995 (381,557 kg; 847,905 lb) just below that in 1973 (399,375 kg; 887,500 lb). Abundance is now well below that needed to produce a maximum sustainable yield. The economic value of bluefish is moderate, varying annually - almost identically - with the annual variation in landings (Figure 5). The maximum annual value of $663,497 was reported in 1987, with a maximum annual value of 2.4% (in 1951) of the total value of commercial fisheries in New Jersey. In 1997, the commercial catch from Barnegat Bay amounted to 4,156 kg (9,235 lb). No data on recreational landings are available specifically for Barnegat Bay, although the recreational catch for New Jersey was ~1.0 million kg (2.2 million lb).

4. Striped bass (Morone saxatilis)

There have been three peaks in the annual state commercial landings of striped bass since 1950: (1) (240,975 kg; 535,500 lb) in 1952; (2) (448,020 kg; 995,600 lb) in 1964; and (3) (344,835 kg; 766,300 lb) in 1973. These peaks were followed by three periods (lasting at least 7 years) of rapid decline to relatively low catches (Figure 6). After the peak in 1973, the commercial fishery essentially crashed, leading to the release of the Interstate Fisheries Management Plan for Striped Bass by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. The plan mandated a target fishing mortality designed to allow the stocks to recover. The commercial striped bass fishery has varied annually - almost identically - with the annual variation in landings (Figure 6), bringing in as much as $210,872 (in 1973) with a maximum annual value of 1.8% (in 1964) of the total value of commercial fisheries in New Jersey. Commercial fishing for striped bass is no longer permitted in New Jersey.

5. Summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus)

In terms of both biomass and value, the commercial summer flounder fishery is one of the most important finfish fisheries in New Jersey. Since 1950, commercial landings of summer flounder have gone through two periods of increase each followed by periods of decline (Figure 7). The first peak in commercial landings occurred in 1958 (> 3.6 million kg; > 8 million lb), followed by a steady decline to their lowest level in 1969 (450,000 kg; just over 1 million lb). Commercial landings rose subsequently and fluctuated around 2.25 million kg (5 million lb) from 1978 until 1988, after which time a sharp drop occurred. The landings have remained relatively low during the 1990s. From 1953 to 1974, the annual value of summer flounder averaged ~$1 million despite relatively high landings. However, the value steadily increased to a peak of over $7 million in 1989 for equivalent levels of biomass (Figure 7). The commercial summer flounder fishery has represented from 2.0% (in 1997) to 13.3% (in 1958) of the total value of commercial fisheries in New Jersey. There are no stock size or landings data available for Barnegat Bay, where there is a substantial recreational fishery.

6. Winter flounder-(Pseudopleuronectes americanus)

From 1953 to 1966, commercial landings of winter flounder in New Jersey steadily increased, then following three years of high levels, declined until 1971 (Figure 8). They steadily increased again until 1981, and subsequently fluctuated around 135,000 kg (300,000 lb) until 1995, after which they showed a sharp decline. As with the value of the commercial summer flounder fishery, that of the commercial winter flounder fishery remained relatively low (~$10,000) until 1980, despite strong landings. Since 1980, the value has steadily risen to a maximum of $72,887 in 1995 (Figure 8). At its maximum value, the commercial winter flounder fishery represented only 0.76% of the total value of commercial fisheries in New Jersey.

7. Weakfish (Cynoscion regalis)

In the early 1990s, the weakfish was considered overexploited and at a low level of abundance coastwide. Between 1989 and 1994, the commercial landings of weakfish in New Jersey steadily declined from a peak of 656,325 kg (1,458,500 lb) to a low of 312,876 kg (695,280 lb). They subsequently increased to present levels of 450,000 kg (just over 1 million lb) (Figure 9). In 1997, 0.81 million kg (1.8 million lb) were landed recreationally. The economic value of weakfish is moderate, varying annually - almost identically - with the annual variation in landings (Figure 9). This species returned over $1 million in 1989, which represented its maximum annual value of 1.3% of the total value of commercial fisheries in New Jersey. No commercial landings have been reported specifically for Barnegat Bay in the past several years.

B. Shellfish Landings

1. Hard clam (Mercenaria mercenaria)

From 1950 to 1978 (except for a six year period starting in 1962), annual hard clam commercial landings in New Jersey declined from a maximum of 2,288,115 kg (5,084,700 lb) to a minimum of 362,160 kg (804,800 lb) (Figure 10). Subsequently, annual hard clam landings generally showed a slight increase to present levels of nearly 0.9 million kg (2 million lb). Until 1978, hard clam landings fluctuated around $1 million; however, they then increased dramatically to a maximum of over $7 million in 1996. Commercial hard clam landings represent from 2.8% (in 1978) to 17.8% (in 1950) of the total value of commercial fisheries in New Jersey, making it the most important commercial fishery in the state. Because of the economic importance of the hard clam and the need to maintain high water quality to ensure significant recruitment to the fishery, NJDEP has relayed or transported clams from low water quality areas to high water quality areas (e.g., Swan Point, Laurel Harbor, and Tuckerton). Since 1986, the number of clams relayed has ranged from 104,715 kg (232,700 lb) in 1987 to more than 4.5 million kg (10 million lb) in 1991.

2. Blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus)

Annual commercial landings of blue crabs in New Jersey fluctuated around 450,000 kg (1 million lb) from 1950 to 1980, and then steadily increased to more than 3.15 million kg (7 million lb) in both 1993 and 1995 (Figure 11). Recent landings have decreased to ~1.35 million kg (~3 million lb). The economic value of commercial blue crab landings remained under $1 million until 1984. Subsequently, the economic value followed that of the annual landings, reaching a high of $6,251,843 in 1995 (Figure 11), which represented its maximum value of 6.5% of the total value of commercial fisheries in New Jersey.

3. Horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus)

From 1989 to 1996, the commercial landings of horseshoe crabs steadily increased in New Jersey to their maximum levels of 813,869 kg (1,808,598 lb). They then decreased in 1997 (Figure 12). The variation in economic value of commercial horseshoe crab landings has followed that of the annual landings, reaching a high of $277,182 in 1996 (Figure 12), which represented its maximum value of 0.29% of the total value of commercial fisheries in New Jersey.

In this section, the commercial landings of finfish and shellfish in Barnegat Bay are examined. Among the finfish species investigated are the American eel (Anguilla rostrata), bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix), winter flounder (Pseudopleuronects americanus), and weakfish (Cynoscion regalis). Three shellfish species also are investigated, including the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus), horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus), and hard clam (Mercenaria mercenaria). Commercial landings data specifically for Barnegat Bay on three of the species examined in the previous section (i.e., alewife, striped bass, and summer flounder) are currently unavailable. There are additional species that are commercially and/or recreationally important in Barnegat Bay. However, data to adequately characterize the commercial and/or recreational landings of these species were either limited or non-existent for the bay.

A. Finfish Landings

1. American eel (Anguilla rostrata)

American eels are harvested commercially, primarily with baited traps, along the Atlantic and Delaware Bay coasts of New Jersey. In Barnegat Bay, commercial fishing begins around April and continues into the fall. Landings are typically highest between April and June . From 1950 through 1963, landings from Barnegat Bay remained under 5,850 kg (13,000 lb), then gradually increased to a maximum of 31,311 kg (69,579 lb) in 1971. They have subsequently declined. From 1950 to 1977, landings of American eel in Barnegat Bay represented approximately one-third of the total American eel landings in New Jersey . More recent commercial landings for American eel in Barnegat Bay are available from 1989 to 1994. During that period, annual commercial landings of the American eel in Barnegat Bay declined from 17,303 kg to 4,095 kg (9,100 lb to 38,450 lb) (Figure 13), representing a decrease from 19.8% to 5.4% of the total weight of American eel landed in the state. From 1989 to 1994, the annual value of American eel in Barnegat Bay also declined from $62,857 to $17,150 (Figure 13), representing a decrease from 20.6% to 5.6% of the total value of American eel in New Jersey.

2. Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix)

Commercial landings for bluefish in Barnegat Bay are only available for 1997. In Barnegat Bay, 4,156 kg (9,235 lb) of bluefish were landed in 1997 for a value of $3,694. This represents 0.74% and 0.77% of the total weight and total value, respectively, of bluefish landed in New Jersey.

3. Winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus)

Commercial landings for winter flounder in Barnegat Bay are available from 1989 to 1994. Between 1989 and 1991, a rapid decline occurred in winter flounder landings from 2,671 kg to 1,175 kg (5,935 lb to 2,610 lb), followed by a relatively strong recovery to levels consistently near 1,800 kg (4,000 lb) (Figure 14). The commercial winter flounder fishery in Barnegat Bay represents between 1.0% and 1.9% of the total winter flounder fishery in New Jersey. The annual variation in the value of winter flounder in Barnegat Bay follows that of landings; however, winter flounder are becoming relatively more valuable, as seen in 1993 and 1994 (Figure 14). The annual value of the winter flounder fishery in Barnegat Bay represents between 1.1% and 1.8% of the total value of the winter flounder fishery in New Jersey.

4. Weakfish (Cynoscion regalis)

Commercial landings for weakfish in Barnegat Bay are only available for 1993. In Barnegat Bay, 253 kg (563 lb) of weakfish were landed for a value of $1,126. This represents 0.7% and 0.16% of the total weight and total value, respectively, of weakfish landed in New Jersey.

B. Shellfish Landings

1. Hard clams (Mercenaria mercenaria)

Commercial landings for hard clams in Barnegat Bay are available from 1989 to 1997. A nearly three-fold drop occurred in hard clam landings between 1989 and 1990, from 370,090 kg to 133,533 kg (822,423 lb to 296,740 lb), representing a decrease from 70.1% to 23.9% of the total hard clam landings in New Jersey. Since 1990, landings have slowly declined to their present level of 29,691 kg (65,981 lb) (Figure 15), representing only 3.8% of the total landings in New Jersey. A nearly three-fold increase occurred in the value of hard clams between 1989 and 1990 (from $415,868 to $1,089,591), representing an increase from 9.3% to 25.0% of the total value of hard clams in New Jersey (Figure 15). Since 1990, the annual value of hard clams in Barnegat Bay has steadily declined to the present value of $281,258, representing 4.2% of the total value of hard clams in New Jersey.

2. Blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus)

Blue crabs are an important component of both the recreational and commercial fisheries of Barnegat Bay. The commercial fishery extends from March through December, with the majority of crabs captured between May and August . During the warmer months when crabs are actively feeding, baited traps are used. During the late fall and early winter, crabs are dredged from the bottom sediments. Commercial landings for blue crabs in Barnegat Bay recorded from 1989 to 1997 indicate considerable variation in annual landings, with peaks in 1991 (526,478 kg; 1,169,950 lb) and 1993 (627,404 kg; 1,394,230 lb) (Figure 16). After 1993, landings in Barnegat Bay dropped steadily to a low of 207,423 kg (460,939 lb) in 1996. However, they increased to 352,066 kg (782,369 lb) in 1997. From 1989 to 1997, blue crab landings in Barnegat Bay represented between 8.4% and 23.5% of the total blue crab landings in New Jersey. Between these years, the value of blue crab landings in Barnegat Bay ranged between $281,800 and $634,745, representing between 8.5% and 22.5% of the total value of blue crabs in New Jersey.

3. Horseshoe crabs (Limulus polyphemus)

Commercial landings for horseshoe crabs in Barnegat Bay are available from 1993 to 1997. Since 1995, the annual landings of horseshoe crabs in Barnegat Bay have increased steadily from 339 kg to 2,322 kg (753 lb to 5,161 lb) (Figure 17), representing between 0.05% and 0.47% of the total landings of horseshoe crabs in New Jersey. The value of horseshoe crabs in Barnegat Bay has increased from $52 to $795 since 1995 (Figure 17), representing between 0.03% and 0.52% of the total value of horseshoe crabs in New Jersey.

New Jersey is one of the most popular places for recreational fishing along the Mid-Atlantic coast. As compared with other Mid-Atlantic states from Connecticut to Virginia, New Jersey had the greatest number of marine anglers from 1981 to 1998 except in 1982, 1983, and 1989 (Figure 18 [E.B.-Figure 1]) (NMFS MRFSS). The total number of fishing trips by New Jersey anglers ranged from 3,865,158 in 1989 to 7,751,600 in 1986. In 1998, New Jersey anglers took 4,307,924 trips. From 1981 to 1998, New Jersey fishermen made more fishing trips than anglers from Connecticut to Virginia, except for 1984 when New Jersey was second only to New York (Figure 19 [E.B. Figure 2]) (NMFS MRFSS). Due to the extensive fishing effort in New Jersey, the National Marine Fisheries Service has estimated that New Jersey fishermen annually harvest 20-30% of the total Mid-Atlantic recreational catch and approximately 6-7% of the entire marine recreational catch along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. Based on these estimates, the economic value of the recreational fishery in New Jersey ranks third among 14 East Coast states (Powell, 1996).

The many rivers, estuaries, and miles of coastline and offshore waters in New Jersey offer recreational fishermen a myriad of fishing opportunities. Sport fishermen pursue these fishing opportunities from beaches, piers, docks, and jetties as well as from boats. The boats range in size from less than 3.3 m (10 ft) to well over 15 m (50 ft). There are slightly over 400 charter/party boats operating from New Jersey ports (McCay et al., 1999). In 1989, there were about 81,000 private boats fishing in New Jersey’s marine and coastal waters (Figley, personal communication, NJDEP). Between 1981 and 1997, the number of fishing trips (from shoreline, charter, and privately owned and/or rented boats) in the estuaries and coastal bays of New Jersey averaged around 500,000 per year.

Based upon the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) MRFSS, the number of New Jersey marine recreational anglers fluctuates substantially from year to year, with the lowest estimated number of anglers in 1982 (654,317) and the highest number of anglers in 1985 (1,332,857) (NMFS, MRFSS). In 1998, there were an estimated 785,887 saltwater anglers fishing New Jersey’s marine and coastal waters, with 45.5% of anglers from out-of-state and 54.5% from in-state. Recreational fishing is highly seasonal; the peak in the average number of fishing trips occurs at the height of the tourist season in July-August (1,102,739), being nearly twice the average number in May-June (559,652), and more than twice the average number in September-October (463,232). The average number of people fishing recreationally in New Jersey also peaks in July-August (Figure 20), as does the average percentage of out-of-state fishermen (Figure 21), indicating that recreational fishing has a positive influence on tourism in the state.

Barnegat Bay is an important recreational fishing area with anglers pursuing striped bass, bluefish, summer flounder (fluke), winter flounder, weakfish, black sea bass, and tautog. In 1997, charter boat captains targeted summer flounder (N=84), bluefish (N=62), striped bass (N=47), tuna (N=37), weakfish (N=33), winter flounder (N=11), and shark (N=11) (McCay et al., 1999). However, one of the most popular species targeted in Barnegat Bay during late spring through early fall by both tourists and residents is the blue crab. In 1995, 5,139 recreational crab pot licenses were sold in New Jersey (Joseph, personal communication, NJDEP). However, a crabbing license is not needed to harvest crabs without a pot. No recreational catch data are available for any species caught by anglers fishing specifically in Barnegat Bay.

Hard clams also are sought by recreational fishermen, and Barnegat Bay is a popular clamming location from late spring through fall. Since 1983, New Jersey residents clamming recreationally have accounted for the majority of clamming licenses issued by the state (Figure 22). In 1995, 6,920 resident, 765 nonresident, and 824 juvenile recreational clam licenses were issued (Joseph, personal communication, NJDEP). There are ~10,000 senior citizen recreational clammers (26 N.J.R. 3040).

A. Fisheries

1. Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix)

The bluefish is a recreationally important species in Barnegat Bay. Recreational fishermen catch many young bluefish, called "snappers," in the estuary. New Jersey usually ranks second in total annual landings of bluefish among states from Connecticut to Virginia. In 1992 and from 1996 to 1998; however, New Jersey ranked first in total landings. Bluefish total landings for all states (CT-VA) fluctuate substantially from year to year (Figure 23 [E.B.Figure 9] NMFS MRFSS). Mean lengths of bluefish for all states ranged from ~280 to 620 mm (11.0 to 24.4 in) (Figure 24 [E.B.Figure 10] NMFS MRFSS).

2. Striped bass (Morone saxatilis)

Striped bass also are caught recreationally in Barnegat Bay. Among states from Connecticut to Virginia, New Jersey generally ranks in the middle of the range for the annual catch of striped bass. However, New Jersey ranked first for the total catch of striped bass in 1988. New Jersey landings were highest in 1997. All landings have increased since about 1992 (Figure 25 [E.B.Figure 11] NMFS MRFSS). For all states from Connecticut to Virginia, the mean lengths of striped bass have fluctuated greatly through the 1980s, but have varied less so in the 1990s. Anglers from Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York usually catch larger fish than those from Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia (Figure 26 [E.B.Figure 12] NMFS MRFSS).

3. Summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus)

Summer flounder are harvested by anglers in Barnegat Bay and other New Jersey waters from about May to October. Based upon NMFS MRFSS data, New Jersey ranked first in total recreational landings of summer flounder in 1981 and from 1984 through 1998, for states from Connecticut to Virginia. The lowest recorded landings for all of the states from Connecticut to Virginia occurred in 1989. The highest New Jersey catches were reported in 1993. There is great year-to-year variation in catches (Figure 27 [E.B. Figure 3] NMFS MRFSS). NMFS MRFSS annual mean lengths of summer flounder from Connecticut to Virginia are shown in Figure 28 [E.B. Figure 4] (NMFS MRFSS). All states appear to catch similar sized summer flounder, with mean lengths between ~300 and 450 mm (~11.8 and 17.7 in).

4. Winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus)

Winter flounder are usually caught in Barnegat Bay and other coastal bays in late winter and early spring. New Jersey ranked second to New York for states from Connecticut to Virginia in landings of winter flounder in 1981, 1983 through 1986, 1988, 1990-1992, 1995 and 1996. However, New Jersey ranked first in 1982, 1993, 1994, 1997, and 1998. Recreational landings have remained low in most states since about 1986 (Figure 29 [E.B. Figure 5] NMFS MRFSS). For most states, the mean length of winter flounder is between ~280 and 350 mm (11 in to 13.8 in) (Figure 30 [E.B.Figure 6] NMFS MRFSS).

5. Weakfish (Cynoscion regalis)

Recreational anglers catch weakfish in Barnegat Bay and other waters from spring through fall. There appears to be some annual variation in total catches for all states from Connecticut to Virginia. However, New Jersey anglers usually catch more weakfish than anglers in other states. New Jersey landings peaked in 1983, 1986, and 1996 (Figure 31 [E.B. Figure 7] NMFS MRFSS). The mean length of weakfish fluctuated from year to year and generally ranged from ~298 to 780 mm (~11.7 to 30.7 in) (Figure 32 [E.B.Figure 8] NMFS MRFSS).

6. Black sea bass (Centropristis striata) and Tautog (Tautoga onitis)

Both black sea bass (Centropristis striata) and tautog (Tautoga onitis) are caught near structures in certain parts of Barnegat Bay. When considering the total landings of tautog from Connecticut to Virginia, New Jersey consistently ranked first or second to New York in 1982 and from 1984 through 1997. The lowest total catches for New Jersey were recorded in 1981. The highest landings for the state occurred in 1986. For most years, the total landings for Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia are usually much lower than those of New Jersey and New York (Figure 33 [E.B.Figure 13] NMFS MRFSS). The mean length of tautog ranged from ~48 to 490 mm (1.8 to 19.3 in). New Jersey anglers appear to catch smaller fish than those of most of the other states from Connecticut to Virginia (Figure 34 [E.B.Figure 14] NMFS MRFSS).

The annual total landings for black sea bass appear to fluctuate for most of these states. The highest annual landings for New Jersey occurred in 1986. New Jersey ranked first in total landings in 1983, 1985, 1986, 1989, and from 1991 through 1997. For most years, the total catch was less than 500,000 fish (Figure 35 [E.B.Figure 15] NMFS MRFSS). The mean lengths generally ranged from ~240 to 350 mm (~9.4 to 13.8 in ) (Figure 36 [E.B.Figure 16] NMFS MRFSS).

7. Inland Landings

No recreational catch data are available for any species caught by anglers fishing specifically in Barnegat Bay. However, NMFS MRFSS does list total landings by inland areas. Inland areas represent saltwater or brackish waters except for the ocean and include sounds, inlets, tidal sections of rivers, bays, estuaries and other salt or brackish regions. The annual total catch of bluefish in New Jersey’s inland areas ranged from 402,628 fish in 1997 to 2,065,971 fish in 1986. In 1998, recreational anglers caught 521,401 bluefish. For black sea bass, the total annual inland area catches ranged from 72,597 fish in 1987 to 4,070,748 fish in 1986. The total catch of striped bass in inland areas remained low from 1981 to 1998, with catches under 445,000 fish. Summer flounder are caught in large numbers in these areas. For example, catches of this species ranged from a low of 2,026,118 fish in 1989 to a high of 6,626,258 fish in 1993. Tautog also are caught in inland areas, but in lower numbers than some of the other species. Numbers of tautog were never greater than 559,000 fish. Weakfish likewise are caught in these inland regions, with catches ranging from a low of 34,698 fish in 1982 to a high of 2,254,283 in 1996. Landings of winter flounder ranged from 403,192 fish in 1992 to 6,020,921 fish in 1985 (Figure 37 [E.B.Figure 17] NMFS MRFSS).

A creel census of summer flounder in Great Bay, New Jersey was conducted from 1967 through 1976. Seasonal catch per angler trip of summer flounder ranged from a low of 0.26 in 1970 to a high of 3.81 fish in 1975. The total summer harvest in Great Bay was estimated and ranged from 7,811 fish weighing 6,210 kg (13,800 lb) in 1970 to 169,095 fish weighing 51,120,000 kg (113,600,000 lb) in 1975. Anglers fishing from small private and rental boats accounted for the majority of fishing effort. There was a fleet of four to six charter boats that occasionally fished in the bay. As the summer flounder started to migrate out of inland bays in August, fishing effort shifted more to inlet areas (Festa, 1979).

The number of recreational fishing trips to New Jersey’s inland areas ranged from 1,124,337 trips in 1984 to 3,320,853 in 1986. In 1998, 2,154,524 fishing trips were made to inland areas by New Jersey anglers (Figure 38 [E.B.Figure 18] NMFS MRFSS). In 1991, freshwater and marine recreational fishing in New Jersey had a total economic impact of $1.33 billion, which supported 16,754 jobs and generated $630.9 million in retail sales to fishermen, $402.2 million in salaries and wages, $50.3 million in state tax revenues, and $46.4 million in federal income tax revenues (Fedler and Nickum, no year). There were 841,372 New Jersey saltwater anglers age 16 and older who fished during the 1996 season; most (63.3%) were state residents, and the remainder (36.7%) nonresidents. These fishermen made 9,892,030 fishing trips. They spent 10,366,335 days fishing in saltwater. Economic impacts of saltwater fishing in 1996 were estimated at $1.484 billion in total output, $746.9 million in expenditures, $414.5 million in earnings, and 16,112 jobs related to saltwater fishing. Total output consists of impacts on retailers and on the suppliers of goods and services to retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers, plus indirect and induced impacts from all of these activities (Maharaj and Carpenter, no year).

A comparison of the 1991 and 1996 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife Associated Recreation was reported by Maharah and Carpenter (no year) for combined saltwater and freshwater fishing (Table 2 [E.B. Table 1]). The number of anglers, days fished, output, expenditures, wages and earnings increased from 1991 to 1996. Output increased from $1,524,924,150 in 1991 to $2,029,864,199 in 1996. In New Jersey, the 1993 recreational striped bass fishery alone generated $43 million in economic output, $20.2 million in angler expenditures, $13.6 million in personal income, $1.1 million in state sales tax, $1.7 million in federal income tax, and $230,000 in state income tax. Six hundred full-time equivalent jobs were associated with this fishery (American Sport Fishing Association, 1995).

In 1997, the charter/party boat industry consisted of about 400 boats that made approximately 900,000 fishing trips (McCay et al., 1999, includes some NMFS MRFSS data). Many of these charter/party boats have home ports in Barnegat Bay, such as Point Pleasant, Point Pleasant Beach, Barnegat Light, Barnegat Inlet, Beach Haven, Forked River, Manasquan, Oyster Creek, Tuckerton, and Waretown. This industry provides a considerable economic gain for these communities. In 1997, the total mean annual fixed costs for charter/party boat operators were $87,353 and included such expenditures as haul-outs/overhauls, food for resale, booking fees, telephone fees, repairs, mooring/dockage fees. Average variable costs for oil, ice, bait and fuel for charter/party boat operators were $16,297 (McCay et al. , 1999).

American Sportfishing Association. July 1995. An economic assessment of marine recreational fishing in New Jersey. 7 p.

Table 1.

Data gaps including the availability of stock assessments and the stock status of key fisheries species in Barnegat Bay.

Table 2.

The state of sport fishing in New Jersey: A comparison of 1991 and 1996 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife Associated Recreation for both saltwater and freshwater fishing (Maharaj and Carpenter, No year)