Spatial and Temporal Variation in Recent Growth, Overall Growth, and Mortality of Juvenile Weakfish (Cynoscion regalis) in Delaware Bay

Abstract

We examined relative abundance of juvenile weakfish,Cynoscion regalis, collected during 1986 and 1987 and tested for spatial differences in growth and survival within Delaware Bay. Juvenile weakfish recruit to all areas of Delaware Bay, and two cohorts were present during each year of the study. Although catch per unit effort (CPUE) varied among areas within the bay, there was a general trend of higher CPUE at lower salinities; abundance quickly declined near the end of September in all areas of the bay. Estimated growth rates from otolith increment analysis of juvenile weakfish ranged from 0.69 mm d−1 to 0.97 mm d−1. Spatial and temporal patterns in recent growth rate followed a general pattern: highest in the middle bay, lowest in the upper bay, and intermediate in the lower bay. Mortality rates were usually lowest in the low salinity region of the middle and upper bay during both years. There was no difference in mortality between cohorts in the middle bay, while in the upper bay the later-spawned fish had lower mortality and in the lower bay the early-spawned fish had lower mortality. Analysis of spatial and temporal patterns in growth and mortality suggests that there is a seasonal trade-off between habitat usage and resource availability for juvenile weakfish. The function of oligohaline and mesohaline waters as optimal nursery areas (in terms of growth and survival) changes due to the seasonally dynamic physicochemical characteristics in Delaware Bay.