Sarah M. Pautzke
John T. Finn
Linda A. Deegan
Robert M. Muth
Martha E. Mather
2011
<p><span>Using acoustic telemetry on migratory striped bass </span><i>Morone saxatilis</i><span> in Plum Island Estuary (PIE), Massachusetts, we found that striped bass (335–634 mm total length) tagged in the spring and summer of 2005 (</span><i>n</i><span> = 14) and 2006 (</span><i>n</i><span> = 46) stayed in the estuary for an average of 66.0 d in 2005 and 72.2 d in 2006. Striped bass spent the most time in two specific reaches: middle Plum Island Sound and lower Rowley River. In both years, three different use-groups of striped bass were observed in PIE. Short-term visitors (</span><i>n</i><span> = 24) stayed in the estuary only briefly (range = 5–20 d). Two groups of seasonal residents stayed for more than 30 d, either in the Rowley River (</span><i>n</i><span> = 14) or in Plum Island Sound (</span><i>n</i><span> = 22). Within PIE, the two seasonal-resident use-groups may be foraging contingents that learn how to feed efficiently in specific parts of the estuary. These distinct within-estuary use patterns could have different implications for striped bass condition and prey impact.</span></p>
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10.1577/T08-222.1
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Taylor & Francis Online
Seasonal use of a New England estuary by foraging contingents of migratory striped bass
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