NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-NE-129

Essential Fish Habitat Source Document:

Ocean Pout, Macrozoarces americanus,

Life History and Habitat Characteristics

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

National Marine Fisheries Service

Northeast Region

Northeast Fisheries Science Center

Woods Hole, Massachusetts

September 1999
Recent Issues

105. Review of American Lobster (Homarus americanus) Habitat Requirements and Responses to Contaminant Exposures.

By Renee Mercaldo-Allen and Catherine A. Kuropat. July 1994. v + 52 p., 29 tables. NTIS Access. No. PB96-115555.

106. Selected Living Resources, Habitat Conditions, and Human Perturbations of the Gulf of Maine: Environmental and

Ecological Considerations for Fishery Management. By Richard W. Langton, John B. Pearce, and Jon A. Gibson, eds.

August 1994. iv + 70 p., 2 figs., 6 tables. NTIS Access. No. PB95-270906.

107. Invertebrate Neoplasia: Initiation and Promotion Mechanisms -- Proceedings of an International Workshop, 23 June

1992, Washington, D.C. By A. Rosenfield, F.G. Kern, and B.J. Keller, comps. & eds. September 1994. v + 31 p., 8 figs.,

3 tables. NTIS Access. No. PB96-164801.

108. Status of Fishery Resources off the Northeastern United States for 1994. By Conservation and Utilization Division,

Northeast Fisheries Science Center. January 1995. iv + 140 p., 71 figs., 75 tables. NTIS Access. No. PB95-263414.

109. Proceedings of the Symposium on the Potential for Development of Aquaculture in Massachusetts: 15-17 February 1995,

Chatham/Edgartown/Dartmouth, Massachusetts. By Carlos A. Castro and Scott J. Soares, comps. & eds. January 1996.

v + 26 p., 1 fig., 2 tables. NTIS Access. No. PB97-103782.

110. Length-Length and Length-Weight Relationships for 13 Shark Species from the Western North Atlantic. By Nancy E.

Kohler, John G. Casey, Patricia A. Turner. May 1996. iv + 22 p., 4 figs., 15 tables. NTIS Access. No. PB97-135032.

111. Review and Evaluation of the 1994 Experimental Fishery in Closed Area II on Georges Bank. By Patricia A. Gerrior,

Fredric M. Serchuk, Kathleen C. Mays, John F. Kenney, and Peter D. Colosi. October 1996. v + 52 p., 24 figs., 20 tables. NTIS

Access. No. PB98-119159.

112. Data Description and Statistical Summary of the 1983-92 Cost-Earnings Data Base for Northeast U.S. Commercial

Fishing Vessels: A Guide to Understanding and Use of the Data Base. By Amy B. Gautam and Andrew W. Kitts. December

1996. v + 21 p., 11 figs., 14 tables. NTIS Access. No. PB97-169320.

113. Individual Vessel Behavior in the Northeast Otter Trawl Fleet during 1982-92. By Barbara Pollard Rountree. August 1997.

v + 50 p., 1 fig., 40 tables. NTIS Access. No. PB99-169997.

114. U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Marine Mammal Stock Assessments -- 1996. By Gordon T. Waring, Debra L. Palka, Keith

D. Mullin, James H.W. Hain, Larry J. Hansen, and Kathryn D. Bisack. October 1997. viii + 250 p., 42 figs., 47 tables. NTIS

Access. No. PB98-112345.

115. Status of Fishery Resources off the Northeastern United States for 1998. By Stephen H. Clark, ed. September 1998. vi

+ 149 p., 70 figs., 80 tables. NTIS Access. No. PB99-129694.

116. U.S. Atlantic Marine Mammal Stock Assessments -- 1998. By Gordon T. Waring, Debra L. Palka, Phillip J. Clapham, Steven

Swartz, Marjorie C. Rossman, Timothy V.N. Cole, Kathryn D. Bisack, and Larry J. Hansen. February 1999. vii + 182 p., 16

figs., 56 tables. NTIS Access. No. PB99-134140.

117. Review of Distribution of the Long-finned Pilot Whale (Globicephala melas) in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean.

By Alan A. Abend and Tim D. Smith. April 1999. vi + 22 p., 14 figs., 3 tables. NTIS Access. No. PB99-165029.

118. Tautog (Tautoga onitis) Life History and Habitat Requirements. By Frank W. Steimle and Patricia A. Shaheen. May 1999.

vi + 23 p., 1 fig., 1 table. NTIS Access. No. PB99-165011.

119. Data Needs for Economic Analysis of Fishery Management Regulations. By Andrew W. Kitts and Scott R. Steinback.

August 1999. iv + 48 p., 10 figs., 22 tables. NTIS Access. No. PB99-171456.

120. Marine Mammal Research Program of the Northeast Fisheries Science Center during 1990-95. By Janeen M. Quintal and

Tim D. Smith. September 1999. v + 28 p., 4 tables, 4 app. NTIS Access. No. PB2000-100809.
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

William Daley, Secretary

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

D. James Baker, Administrator

National Marine Fisheries Service

Penelope D. Dalton, Assistant Administrator for Fisheries

Northeast Region

Northeast Fisheries Science Center

Woods Hole, Massachusetts

September 1999

Essential Fish Habitat Source Document:

Ocean Pout, Macrozoarces americanus,

Life History and Habitat Characteristics

Frank W. Steimle, Wallace W. Morse, Peter L. Berrien,

Donna L. Johnson, and Christine A. Zetlin

National Marine Fisheries Serv., James J. Howard Marine Sciences Lab., 74 Magruder Rd., Highlands, NJ 07732

This series represents a secondary level of scientifiic publishing. All issues employ

thorough internal scientific review; some issues employ external scientific review.

Reviews are -- by design -- transparent collegial reviews, not anonymous peer reviews.

All issues may be cited in formal scientific communications.

NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-NE-129
Editorial Notes on Issues 122-152

in the

NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-NE Series

Editorial Production

For Issues 122-152, staff of the Northeast Fisheries Science Center's (NEFSC's) Ecosystems Processes Division have

largely assumed the role of staff of the NEFSC's Editorial Office for technical and copy editing, type composition, and

page layout. Other than the four covers (inside and outside, front and back) and first two preliminary pages, all preprinting

editorial production has been performed by, and all credit for such production rightfully belongs to, the authors and

acknowledgees of each issue, as well as those noted below in "Special Acknowledgments."

Special Acknowledgments

David B. Packer, Sara J. Griesbach, and Luca M. Cargnelli coordinated virtually all aspects of the preprinting editorial

production, as well as performed virtually all technical and copy editing, type composition, and page layout, of Issues

122-152. Rande R. Cross, Claire L. Steimle, and Judy D. Berrien conducted the literature searching, citation checking,

and bibliographic styling for Issues 122-152. Joseph J. Vitaliano produced all of the food habits figures in Issues 122-

152.

Internet Availability

Issues 122-152 are being copublished, i.e., both as paper copies and as web postings. All web postings are, or will soon

be, available at: www.nefsc.nmfs.gov/nefsc/habitat/efh. Also, all web postings will be in "PDF" format.

Information Updating

By federal regulation, all information specific to Issues 122-152 must be updated at least every five years. All official

updates will appear in the web postings. Paper copies will be reissued only when and if new information associated with

Issues 122-152 is significant enough to warrant a reprinting of a given issue. All updated and/or reprinted issues will retain

the original issue number, but bear a "Revised (Month Year)" label.

Species Names

The NMFS Northeast Regions policy on the use of species names in all technical communications is generally to follow

the American Fisheries Societys lists of scientific and common names for fishes (i.e., Robins et al. 1991a), mollusks (i.e.,

Turgeon et al. 1998b

), and decapod crustaceans (i.e., Williams et al. 1989c), and to follow the Society for Marine

Mammalogy's guidance on scientific and common names for marine mammals (i.e., Rice 1998d). Exceptions to this policy

occur when there are subsequent compelling revisions in the classifications of species, resulting in changes in the names

of species (e.g., Cooper and Chapleau 1998e

).

a

Robins, C.R. (chair); Bailey, R.M.; Bond, C.E.; Brooker, J.R.; Lachner, E.A.; Lea, R.N.; Scott, W.B. 1991. Common and scientific names of fishes

from the United States and Canada. 5th ed. Amer. Fish. Soc. Spec. Publ. 20; 183 p.

b

Turgeon, D.D. (chair); Quinn, J.F., Jr.; Bogan, A.E.; Coan, E.V.; Hochberg, F.G.; Lyons, W.G.; Mikkelsen, P.M.; Neves, R.J.; Roper, C.F.E.;

Rosenberg, G.; Roth, B.; Scheltema, A.; Thompson, F.G.; Vecchione, M.; Williams, J.D. 1998. Common and scientific names of aquatic

invertebrates from the United States and Canada: mollusks. 2nd ed. Amer. Fish. Soc. Spec. Publ. 26; 526 p.

c

Williams, A.B. (chair); Abele, L.G.; Felder, D.L.; Hobbs, H.H., Jr.; Manning, R.B.; McLaughlin, P.A.; Pérez Farfante, I. 1989. Common and

scientific names of aquatic invertebrates from the United States and Canada: decapod crustaceans. Amer. Fish. Soc. Spec. Publ. 17; 77 p.

d

Rice, D.W. 1998. Marine mammals of the world: systematics and distribution. Soc. Mar. Mammal. Spec. Publ. 4; 231 p.

e

Cooper, J.A.; Chapleau, F. 1998. Monophyly and interrelationships of the family Pleuronectidae (Pleuronectiformes), with a revised classification.

Fish. Bull. (U.S.) 96:686-726.
Page iii

FOREWORD

One of the greatest long-term threats to the viability of

commercial and recreational fisheries is the continuing

loss of marine, estuarine, and other aquatic habitats.

Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and

Management Act (October 11, 1996)

The long-term viability of living marine resources

depends on protection of their habitat.

NMFS Strategic Plan for Fisheries

Research (February 1998)

The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and

Management Act (MSFCMA), which was reauthorized

and amended by the Sustainable Fisheries Act (1996),

requires the eight regional fishery management councils to

describe and identify essential fish habitat (EFH) in their

respective regions, to specify actions to conserve and

enhance that EFH, and to minimize the adverse effects of

fishing on EFH. Congress defined EFH as “those waters

and substrate necessary to fish for spawning, breeding,

feeding or growth to maturity.” The MSFCMA requires

NMFS to assist the regional fishery management councils

in the implementation of EFH in their respective fishery

management plans.

NMFS has taken a broad view of habitat as the area

used by fish throughout their life cycle. Fish use habitat

for spawning, feeding, nursery, migration, and shelter, but

most habitats provide only a subset of these functions.

Fish may change habitats with changes in life history

stage, seasonal and geographic distributions, abundance,

and interactions with other species. The type of habitat,

as well as its attributes and functions, are important for

sustaining the production of managed species.

The Northeast Fisheries Science Center compiled the

available information on the distribution, abundance, and

habitat requirements for each of the species managed by

the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management

Councils. That information is presented in this series of

30 EFH species reports (plus one consolidated methods

report). The EFH species reports comprise a survey of the

important literature as well as original analyses of fisheryJAMES J. HOWARD MARINE SCIENCES LABORATORY

HIGHLANDS, NEW JERSEY

SEPTEMBER 1999

independent data sets from NMFS and several coastal

states. The species reports are also the source for the

current EFH designations by the New England and MidAtlantic Fishery Management Councils, and have

understandably begun to be referred to as the “EFH source

documents.”

NMFS provided guidance to the regional fishery

management councils for identifying and describing EFH

of their managed species. Consistent with this guidance,

the species reports present information on current and

historic stock sizes, geographic range, and the period and

location of major life history stages. The habitats of

managed species are described by the physical, chemical,

and biological components of the ecosystem where the

species occur. Information on the habitat requirements is

provided for each life history stage, and it includes, where

available, habitat and environmental variables that control

or limit distribution, abundance, growth, reproduction,

mortality, and productivity.

Identifying and describing EFH are the first steps in

the process of protecting, conserving, and enhancing

essential habitats of the managed species. Ultimately,

NMFS, the regional fishery management councils, fishing

participants, Federal and state agencies, and other

organizations will have to cooperate to achieve the habitat

goals established by the MSFCMA.

A historical note: the EFH species reports effectively

recommence a series of reports published by the NMFS

Sandy Hook (New Jersey) Laboratory (now formally

known as the James J. Howard Marine Sciences

Laboratory) from 1977 to 1982. These reports, which

were formally labeled as Sandy Hook Laboratory

Technical Series Reports, but informally known as “Sandy

Hook Bluebooks,” summarized biological and fisheries

data for 18 economically important species. The fact that

the bluebooks continue to be used two decades after their

publication persuaded us to make their successors – the 30

EFH source documents – available to the public through

publication in the NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFSNE series.

JEFFREY N. CROSS, CHIEF

ECOSYSTEMS PROCESSES DIVISION

NORTHEAST FISHERIES SCIENCE CENTER
Page v

Contents

Introduction...............................................................................................................................................................................................1

Life History...............................................................................................................................................................................................1

Habitat Characteristics ..............................................................................................................................................................................3

Geographical Distribution .........................................................................................................................................................................4

Status of the Stocks ...................................................................................................................................................................................5

Research Needs .........................................................................................................................................................................................5

Acknowledgments.....................................................................................................................................................................................6

References Cited .......................................................................................................................................................................................6

Tables

Table 1. Summary of life history and habitat parameters for ocean pout, Macrozoarces americanus.....................................................9

Figures

Figure 1. The ocean pout, Macrozoarces americanus (Schneider 1801) (from Goode 1884) ..............................................................11

Figure 2. Abuncance (percent occurrence) of the major prey items of ocean pout collected during NEFSC bottom trawl surveys.....12

Figure 3. Abundance of juvenile and adult ocean pout relative to bottom water temperature and depth based on NEFSC surveys.....13

Figure 4. Abundance of ocean pout relative to bottom water temperature and depth based on Massachusetts bottom trawl surveys ..14

Figure 5. Abundance of ocean pout relative to bottom water temperature and depth based on Narragansett Bay trawl surveys..........15

Figure 6. Size frequency distribution of ocean pout collected during Rhode Island Narragansett Bay inshore trawl surveys..............17

Figure 7. Distribution and abundance of ocean pout collected in Long Island Sound during Connecticut bottom trawl surveys.........18

Figure 8. Distribution and abundance of ocean pout from Newfoundland to Cape Hatteras during 1975-1994...................................19

Figure 9. Distribution and abundance of ocean pout larvae collected during NEFSC MARMAP ichthyoplankton surveys................20

Figure 10. Distribution and abundance of juvenile and adult ocean pout collected in each season during NEFSC trawl surveys..........21

Figure 11. Distribution and abundance of ocean pout collected during Rhode Island Narragansett Bay inshore trawl surveys.............23

Figure 12. Distribution and abundance of ocean pout collected during spring and autumn Massachusetts trawl surveys......................25

Figure 13. Commercial landings and survey indices for ocean pout from the Gulf of Maine to the Middle Atlantic Bight...................26
Page 1

INTRODUCTION

The ocean pout (Macrozoarces americanus; Figure

1), also known as eel pout or muttonfish (previously

Zoarces anguillaris), is a cool-temperate species found on

the Atlantic continental shelf of North America between

Labrador and the southern Grand Banks and Virginia,

between 38-43.5o

 latitude and 65-75o longitude (OrachMeza 1975; Clark and Livingstone 1982; Chang 1990;

Brown et al. 1996). It can occur south of Cape Hatteras

in deeper, cooler waters (Clemens and Clemens 1921;

Orach-Meza 1975; Scott and Scott 1988). Ocean pout are

caught in highest abundance in otter trawls off southern

New England (Clark and Livingstone 1982; Chang 1990).

Jury et al. (1994) reported that all life stages of ocean

pout were abundant in Passamaquoddy Bay, Maine-New

Brunswick, but most of their information in the Gulf of

Maine was based on "reasonable inference," except for

the Sheepscot River estuary, New Hampshire, and

Massachusetts and Cape Cod bays. In the Sheepscot Bay,

Maine, Packer and Langton (in prep.) reported the species

was co-dominant with American plaice (Hippoglossoides

platessoides) at muddy stations. Ocean pout grow to 98

cm TL and weigh to 5.3 kg, although few grow longer

than 75 cm TL (Bigelow and Schroeder 1953). At about

70 cm in length, ocean pout were estimated to be 18-20

years old (Hoenig 1982; Scott and Scott 1988), but some

probably live longer based on reported lengths of nearly

100 cm.

LIFE HISTORY

The ocean pout is a bottom dweller in waters north of

Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, using both open and rough

habitats, where it feeds on benthic organisms. It spawns in

protected habitats, such as rock crevices and man-made

artifacts, where it lays eggs in nests that it guards. Ocean

pout do not make extensive migrations (Table 1). It is

currently considered as two stocks for management

purposes.

EGGS

The eggs are demersal and laid in gelatinous masses

in a sheltered place on the bottom, such as rocky crevices,

where they are guarded either by one or both parents until

hatching (White 1939; Bigelow and Schroeder 1953;

Keats et al. 1985). Human artifacts, such as old rubber

boots, can be used as spawning nests (Bigelow and

Schroeder 1953). In the Gulf of Maine, there may be

competition with wolffish for nesting sites (Scott and

Scott 1988). Egg development is about 2-3 months, but

incubation time is temperature dependent and is shorter in

the warmer Middle Atlantic Bight (Olsen and Merriman

1946). Most of the population spawns in the fall and

hatching occurs by mid-winter (Bigelow and Schroeder

1953). Egg size (diameter) varies seasonally and

gradually increases from 1.11 mm in November to a peak

of 5.88 mm in September (Olsen and Merriman 1946).

LARVAE

The larvae are about 30 mm long at hatching and are

relatively advanced in development (Clark and

Livingstone 1982; Methven and Brown 1991), although

they can still have an external yolk sac that is soon

withdrawn into the abdomen (White 1939). Length and

weight at hatching are positively correlated with time of

hatch and differ significantly for early- and late-hatched

individuals; early-hatched larvae have larger yolk sacs

and faster growth rates, suggesting a short larval phase.

Bigelow and Schroeder (1953) suggest that the larvae stay

on or near the bottom. Very few larvae (32-45 mm TL)

were collected during the Northeast Fisheries Science

Center (NEFSC) Marine Resources Monitoring,

Assessment and Prediction (MARMAP) ichthyoplankton

survey (1977-1992) and other surveys (Scherer 1984).

JUVENILES

Juveniles grow to 6-8 cm TL by their first summer

(Olsen and Merriman 1946; Sheehy et al. 1977) and are

about 10-12 cm TL at the end of their first year. The

growth rate based on tag returns in Rhode Island waters

was almost linear for juveniles to around 30 cm TL

(Sheehy et al. 1977). Growth rates of the northern, Gulf

of Maine population are less than growth rates on

Georges Bank and farther south (Olsen and Merriman

1946).

ADULTS

Adult ocean pout remain demersal and are not known

to form schools or aggregations. Natural mortality has

been estimated at 0.25 based on a maximum age

regression (Hoenig 1982).

Using Canadian and NEFSC bottom trawl data,

Brown et al. (1996) found that ocean pout was associated

with two species assemblages: (1) south-central, warm,

shallow to mid depth assemblage concentrated in the Gulf

of Maine, southern Scotian Shelf, outer edges of Georges

Bank, and Middle Atlantic Bight with red hake

(Urophycis chuss), cusk (Brosme brosme), pollock

(Pollachius virens), spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias),

white hake (Urophycis tenuis), goosefish (Lophius

americanus), haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus), and

northern shortfin squid (Illex illecebrosus); and (2)

central, medium temperature, shallow fragmented

assemblage occurring on bank tops and coastal areas near
Page 2

southern New England with longhorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus), sea raven (Hemitripterus

americanus), yellowtail flounder (Limanda ferruginea),

and winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus).

From spring through fall, 1978-1980, ocean pout

occurred inshore with yellowtail flounder, cod, and sea

raven; in some seasons ocean pout occurred with spiny

dogfish and American plaice (Phoel 1985). However,

Colvocoresses and Musick (1984) reported that ocean

pout were only weakly associated with species such as

yellowtail flounder, longhorn sculpin, little skate (Raja

erinacea), and windowpane (Scophthalmus aquosus) on

the mid to outer continental shelf, in the spring. Both of

these studies were based on NEFSC trawl data. In the

Middle Atlantic Bight, ocean pout uses rocky habitats

during some seasons. It becomes a member of an

assemblage of temperate reef and wreck fish that includes

black sea bass (Centropristis striata), tautog (Tautoga

onitis), cunner (Tautogolabrus adspersus), scup

(Stenotomus chrysops), summer flounder (Paralichthys

dentatus), triggerfish (Balistes spp.), conger eel (Conger

oceanicus), and American lobster (Homarus americanus)

(Briggs 1975; Eklund 1988).

REPRODUCTION

The size of sexual maturity differs between northern

and southern populations and between studies. Northern

males mature at a mean length of 30.3 cm and females at

26.2 cm; southern males mature at mean lengths of 31.9

cm (2+ yr) and females at 31.3 cm (O’Brien et al. 1993).

Olsen and Merriman (1946) reported that the average

sizes of sexual maturity for southern New England males

was 25-39 cm TL and for females 45-65 cm TL. O’Brien

et al. (1993) suggest the differences in estimated size at

maturity of females between the two studies may be due

to the difficulty of defining mature females. Immature

female ocean pout may begin to produce eggs, but the

eggs may not be spawned for two or more years, thus

lowering the mean size at maturity estimate. Eklund

(1988) reported that the female to male ratio was 1.2:1 for

the species (n = 55) collected off Delaware. Eklund

(1988) found no seasonal change in the gonado-somatic

index (GSI) of females (0.3-0.4%), and males (0.2-0.4%)

collected off Delaware suggesting that spawning did not

occur at the southern limit of their range.

Spawning occurs in the late summer through early

winter (peak in September-October) with earlier peaks

(August-October) in the south (Wilk and Morse 1979).

Spawning occurs on hard bottom, sheltered areas

(Bigelow and Schroeder 1953), including artificial reefs

and shipwrecks, at depths of < 50 m and temperatures of

10o

C or less (Clark and Livingstone 1982). These

spawning/nesting habitats include the saline parts of New

England estuaries (Jury et al. 1994). Eggs are fertilized

internally (Mercer et al. 1993; Yao and Crim 1995).

Multiple spawnings are unlikely, at least for Gulf of

Maine population (Keats et al. 1985). It is unknown if

mating pairs remain together throughout the year and if

they breed every year.

Fecundity is size-dependent and relatively low; large,

mature females (55-88 cm TL) produce about 1300 and

4200 eggs per spawning period (Clemens and Clemens

1921; Olsen and Merriman 1946). Prior to or during

spawning, ocean pout cease or reduce feeding (Olsen and

Merriman 1946; Sedberry 1983); some authors have

suggested that "hibernation" may occur at this time

(Orach-Meza 1975).

FOOD HABITS

MacDonald (1983) reported that ocean pout feed by

sorting mouthfuls of sediments for infauna and do not use

visual cues to stimulate feeding; they maintained that

ocean pout were not very effective at capturing moving

prey and rarely left the bottom to feed. Auster (1985) and

Auster et al. (1995), however, considered ocean pout an

"ambush predator" that waits in sediment depressions for

prey to approach or drift by in the current.

The 0-group pout from Newfoundland hide in

coarsely branched algae and feed on harpactacoid

copepods (Keats and Steele 1993). Sedberry (1983)

reported that juveniles were common during the summer

on the sandy, mid- to outer-continental shelf

(approximately 35-95 m) of the New York Bight and that

they fed primarily on gammarid amphipods and

polychaetes. This is consistent with data in the NEFSC

Food Habits Data Base (Figure 2). Adult ocean pout feed

on a variety of benthic invertebrates, including

polychaetes, mollusks, crustaceans, and echinoderms

(Clemens and Clemens 1921; Olsen and Merriman 1946;

Orach-Meza 1975; Hacunda 1981; Clark and Livingstone

1982; Buzulutskaya 1983; Sedberry 1983; MacDonald

and Green 1986). Ocean pout have short, blunt conical

teeth that are ideal for preying on shelled organisms.

Sand dollars (Echinarachnius parma) are a primary

prey in waters of coastal Maine, Georges Bank, southern

New England, Block Island Sound, and Middle Atlantic

Bight (Olsen and Merriman 1946; Smith 1950; Langton

and Bowman 1980; Packer and Langton, in prep.);

brittlestars and mollusks are also eaten. In the northern

Gulf of Maine, ocean pout switch from crustaceans during

the spring to mollusks and polychaetes during the summer

and fall (Langton and Bowman 1980). Langton and

Watling (1990) found ocean pout primarily ate bivalve

mollusks off southern Maine. Buzulutskaya (1983)

reported that Jonah crabs (Cancer borealis) constituted

76% of ocean pout diet (by total prey weight) off

Nantucket shoals, while sand dollars and amphipods were

dominant prey on Georges Bank. Many benthic species

preyed upon by ocean pout are commercially valuable,

including sea urchins, scallops, juvenile American
Page 3

lobsters, and crabs (Keats et al. 1987). Tyler (1971)

reported that feeding was heaviest in the spring and

ceased by the fall; this decline may be a response to high

temperatures (Orach-Meza 1975) or a prelude to

spawning. Fish are rarely eaten, although demersal

sculpin eggs are consumed when encountered (Bigelow

and Schroeder 1953; Orach-Meza 1975; Keats et al.

1987). MacDonald and Green (1986) reported that there

was apparent prey competition between ocean pout and

American plaice, in the Gulf of Maine.

PREDATION

Juvenile ocean pout are consumed by squid (Illex

spp.), spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias), sea raven, cod,

barndoor skate (Raja laevis), harbor seals, and cormorants

(Froerman 1984; Scott and Scott 1988; Cairns 1998).

Some predation may occur when ocean pout are caught

on long-lines (Clemens and Clemens 1921). Adult ocean

pout were preyed upon by sandbar shark (Carcharhinus

plumbeus) in the Middle Atlantic Bight, but do not appear

to be a major dietary item (Stillwell and Kohler 1993).

During nesting, excessive stress or attacks on egg masses

may induce egg cannibalism (Yao and Crim 1995).

Ocean pout are host to a number of parasites in

Canadian and New England waters, including protozoans,

myxosporideans, trematodes, cestodes, nematodes,

acanthocephalans, leaches, and copepods (Olsen and

Merriman 1946; Nigrelli 1946; Sheehy et al. 1974; Scott

and Scott 1988). In the past, parasitism has reduced

consumer acceptance of pout as a food fish (Bigelow and

Schroeder 1953). Despres-Patanjo et al. (1982) noted that

there were only a few instances where ocean pout were

affected with fin rot and ulcers, conditions associated with

degraded habitats.

MIGRATION

Although ocean pout moves seasonally among

habitats within a region, this species is considered nonmigratory (Bigelow and Schroeder 1953), a conclusion

supported by tagging studies (Sheehy et al. 1977).

Seasonal inshore/offshore movements are not extensive

(Wigley 1998).

STOCK STRUCTURE

Most stock identification studies have suggested that

there are two ocean pout stocks: a northern population in

the Gulf of Maine (Bay of Fundy-northern Gulf of Maine,

east of Cape Elizabeth), and a southern population in

Cape Cod Bay, on Georges Bank, and south to Delaware

(Olsen and Merriman 1946; Clark and Livingstone 1982;

Wigley 1998). The population in United States waters is

currently managed as two stocks: northern Gulf of Maine

and south of this area (Wigley 1998).

Orach-Meza (1975), however, suggested that there

are up to five stocks of ocean pout delineated on the basis

of vertebral counts, growth rates, condition factors, and

aggregations. These include: (1) the Scotian shelf (Bay of

Fundy to Sable Bank); (2) Gulf of Maine (including Cape

Cod Bay); (3) Georges Bank (east of southern Cape Cod –

the Koons and Franklin Swells – to the Great South

Channel); (4) southern New England (coastal southeastern

Cape Cod, Nantucket Shoals, and Great South Channel to

southern New Jersey); and (5) Mid Atlantic (southern

New Jersey to Cape Hatteras).

HABITAT CHARACTERISTICS

Ocean pout is a bottom-dwelling species that occurs

in cool waters (< 10o

C) across the continental shelf from

Labrador to Cape Hatteras (Table 1). It is non-migratory,

but it will move seasonally to remain at preferred

temperatures.

EGGS

Ocean pout eggs are deposited in sheltered nests

where they are protected by one or both parents. Ocean

pout eggs were not collected in the NEFSC MARMAP

ichthyoplankton survey and thus information on habitat

characteristics of the egg nests are unknown, although

they might be extrapolated from adult distribution during

the spawning period.

LARVAE

Because it has a relatively short larval stage (some

authors suggest there is no true larval stage), hatchlings

remain near the nest shelter. There is little information on

the habitats associated with this life stage. Jury et al.

(1994) reported that larvae occurred in most coastal and

saline (> 25 ppt) estuarine waters of the Gulf of Maine in

the cooler months (October-April).

JUVENILES

In the Gulf of Maine, juveniles occur in shallow

coastal waters around rocks and attached algae, and in

rivers with saline bottom waters (Bigelow and Schroeder

1953). Sheehy et al. (1977) reported that juveniles (< 8

cm TL) use scallops shells in about 90 m of water

southeast of Block Island (southern New England) and

Auster et al. (1995) reported that ocean quahog shell

aggregates are also used for cover. Juvenile ocean pout

were commonly found in the > 25 ppt saline parts of most
Page 4

major estuaries or coastal areas from Passamaquoddy Bay

south to Cape Cod Bay throughout the year, except in

New Hampshire (Jury et al. 1994).

On the continental shelf, juvenile ocean pout are

commonly collected in bottom water temperatures

between 3o

C and 14oC at water depths < 100 m (Figure

3). Off Massachusetts, juvenile ocean pout prefer bottom

temperatures < 11o

C, with about a 3oC shift (from 6oC to

9o

C) in the peak abundance mode from spring to autumn

(Figure 4). Off Rhode Island, only a few juveniles were

collected in the trawl survey in winter and spring when

they occurred at bottom temperatures between 3-7o

C at

the deeper (> 25 m) stations (Figure 5). In Long Island

Sound, ocean pout were only collected in the spring and

about half of these were juveniles (< 31 cm TL; Figure 7).

They were collected where bottom temperatures were 3-

13o

C, depths were 14-40 m, and salinities were 23-30 ppt.

Based on the species seasonal use of sheltered

habitats and the inefficiency of otter trawls in sampling

these habitats, the range of habitats occupied may be

broader than reported herein.

ADULTS

Adult ocean pout occur from the intertidal across the

continental shelf and on the upper continental slope to

about 200 m on Georges Bank and in the Gulf of Maine

(Bigelow and Schroeder 1953; Orach-Meza 1975; Clark

and Livingstone 1982; Keats et al. 1985; Scott and Scott

1988; Jury et al. 1994). In Canadian waters, adults occur

between 55-108 m (Scott and Scott 1988). Higher

temperatures apparently restrict ocean pout distribution

south of Delaware Bay, although the species was

observed on artificial reefs off Delaware throughout the

year (Eklund 1988). Ocean pout were not observed on

artificial reefs off Virginia (Adams 1993).

The bottom temperature and depth preference of the

adults is similar to that of the juveniles. Adults are more

abundant in cooler (3-14o

C) waters (Figures 3 and 4).

They can tolerate temperatures up to 25o

C and fatal stress

occurs at and above 30o

C (Britton 1942). Adults are

commonly collected at depths < 100 m, in coastal waters

of New England and in saline estuaries during most

months (Jury et al. 1994; Figures 3 and 4), but some

adults have been collected at depths > 300 m (OrachMeza 1975). More adults than juveniles were collected in

the Rhode Island trawl survey and they were caught

mostly in the winter-spring between 2-10o

C at deeper

stations (> 25 m) (Figures 5, 6). In Long Island Sound,

adult and juvenile ocean pout were only collected in the

spring (Figure 7) when bottom temperatures were 3-13o

C

and salinities were 23-30 ppt at depths between 14-40 m.

Adult ocean pout occur on most sediment types,

including shell patches (Bigelow and Schroeder 1953;

Auster et al. 1991, 1995). However, there appears to be

seasonal variability in the use of certain habitats; rocky

shelter is especially important for spawning adults in the

autumn (Smith 1898). In softer sediments, ocean pout

may burrow tail first and leave a depression on the

sediment surface. After they leave the site, the

depressions were used by other species, such as juvenile

scup (Stanley 1971; Auster et al. 1995).

Adults may move seasonally among different habitats

and water depths to remain within their preferred

temperature range (2-10o

C). In the winter and spring,

adults were found in sand and gravel substrates (Olsen

and Merriman 1946), while in the summer and at other

seasons, they were found in rock and hard substrate, such

as artificial reefs and wrecks in the New York Bight (Able

et al. 1987; Eklund 1988). This seasonal use of hard

bottom by ocean pout reduces its catchability by otter

trawls.

Although ocean pout have been reported to be quite

hardy (Sheehy et al. 1977), they appear to have limited

tolerance of hypoxic and anoxic conditions; they are

common victims of these conditions which occasionally

occur in the New York Bight (Ogren and Chess 1969;

Azarovitz et al. 1979). Haedrich and Haedrich (1974)

reported a few occurrences of ocean pout in the then

degraded Mystic River (Boston, Massachusetts), but they

could have been brought in with a strong tide. Ocean

pout are sluggish swimmers (Beamish 1966), which can

explain their inability to avoid stressful conditions, such

as hypoxia.

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION

Ocean pout are found in marine waters, across the

continental shelf and on the upper continental slope from

Labrador, Canada to south of Cape Hatteras (Figure 8).

They are also found in coastal areas and estuaries from

southern New England and north.

EGGS

Because ocean pout eggs are demersal and deposited

in sheltered nests, they were not collected during NEFSC

MARMAP and other ichthyoplankton surveys. Data are

not available on egg occurrence and distribution from

other sources.

LARVAE

Collections of this benthic life stage are rare; they

occurred in only 0.3% of NEFSC MARMAP

ichthyoplankton tows. But available data suggest that

larvae are widely distributed north and south of Cape Cod

across the continental shelf (Figure 9).
Page 5

JUVENILES

The NEFSC bottom trawl survey collected juvenile

ocean pout south and west of Cape Cod in the winter

(Figure 10), but they were also collected within the Gulf

of Maine and on Georges Bank in the other seasons.

Juvenile ocean pout are not commonly found in Middle

Atlantic Bight estuaries, e.g., they were not collected in a

monthly survey of the Hudson-Raritan Estuary from 1992

to 1997 (R. Pickanowski, National Marine Fisheries

Service, Highlands, NJ, personal communication). In

Long Island Sound, most ocean pout (juveniles and

adults) were collected in the western portion (Figure 7).

This is a silty basin, but there is a larger silty basin in the

central Sound (Reid et al. 1979) where they were not

commonly collected. In Rhode Island waters, juvenile

ocean pout were infrequently collected only at the mouth

of Narragansett Bay in the winter-spring (Figure 11). In

Massachusetts waters, juvenile ocean pout were abundant

in spring and autumn in Cape Cod Bay and around Cape

Ann; few were collected south of Cape Cod (Figure 12).

Juvenile ocean pout (< 16 cm) were abundant in the Gulf

of Maine during the 1970s, but trawl collections never

exceeded 10 fish per tow (Bowman et al. 1987).

ADULTS

The seasonal distribution of adult ocean pout is

similar to that of the juveniles. In the winter, they were

collected from Georges Bank to the Middle Atlantic Bight

(Figure 10). They were also collected in the Gulf of

Maine during other seasons. Adult ocean pout are among

the most abundant fish collected in coastal Cape Cod and

Massachusetts Bay during the spring; the abundance and

size of the fish decreased during summer and fall (Lux

and Kelly 1982; Lawton et al. 1984). This seasonal

abundance pattern is evident in Massachusetts inshore

survey data (Figure 12) and in Passamaquoddy Bay,

Maine (Tyler 1971). Adults were relatively common in

the Rhode Island trawl survey at the mouth of

Narragansett Bay in the winter-spring (mean 7.6-27.0 fish

per tow) (Figure 11). Merriman and Warfel (1948)

reported that ocean pout were a winter seasonal occupant

of Block Island Sound. It was reported in Long Island

Sound by Olsen and Merriman (1946), but not by

Richards (1963). It is common in more recent trawl

surveys in Long Island Sound, but only in the spring

(Figure 7). It is not common in Narragansett Bay (Oviatt

and Nixon 1973) or Raritan Bay (R. Pickanowski,

National Marine Fisheries Service, Highlands, NJ,

personal communication), nor is it found in other shallow

bays to the south (Orach-Meza 1975). Higher

temperatures apparently restrict the distribution of ocean

pout south of Delaware Bay (Eklund 1988).

STATUS OF THE STOCKS

Ocean pout were discarded from catches until the

1930s (Orach-Meza 1975; Clark and Livingstone 1982).

Since then, there has been an inconsistent US commercial

fishery for ocean pout. It was initially used as food fish

during WW II, then as an industrial fish (fish meal), and

most recently, as a food fish marketed as fresh fillets.

Until recently the species has been considered "underutilized" partially because of reduced marketing caused

by harmless parasitic lesions (e.g., Sheehy et al. 1974,

1977). During the late 1960s and early 1970s, distantwater, foreign fishing vessels heavily exploited the

species (Orach-Meza 1975). Although the population is

considered to consist of two stocks, only the southern

stock supports the commercial fishery (Wigley 1998).

The species is also used extensively for physiological

studies, and Canadians are investigating its aquaculture

potential (Brown et al. 1992); successful culturing can

affect fishery and demand for wild-caught fish. There is

no directed recreational fishery for in this species

(NEFMC 1993); however, when caught, anglers often

keep ocean pout as food.

The abundance of ocean pout in US waters has

fluctuated from highs in the late 1960s to lows in the mid1970s and rose to record high levels in the early 1980s

(Figure 13). Although ocean pout abundance has

fluctuated around the long-term average, recent estimates

suggest that abundance has declined. The population is

considered fully exploited (National Marine Fisheries

Service 1997; Wigley 1998). The variability in

population abundance does not appear to have affected

the spatial distribution of the species (Brown et al. 1996).

RESEARCH NEEDS

• More information is needed about the diets of larval

and early juvenile ocean pout.

• Ocean pout may create or expand sheltering habitat

via burrowing or evacuating of holes. What is the

effect on other species? The effect of intensive

trawling on the persistence and use of this modified

habitat should also be studied.

• Winter surveys of the abundance and distribution of

juvenile and adult ocean pout in the Gulf of Maine

are needed, especially in regard to habitat use.

• The interactions between ocean pout and other

species that use or compete for the seasonal shelter

needs study. How does predation on ocean pout eggs

by lobster and Jonah crab affect recruitment? How

does predation by ocean pout on juvenile American

lobster and other shellfish affect their recruitment?

• An assessment of ocean pout use of reef habitats is

needed to better characterize the relative value of this

habitat (Orach-Meza 1975).

• The role that the expanding use of artificial reefs in
Page 6

the northeast plays in the relative abundance,

distribution, and productivity of this seasonal,

shelter-using, or possibly shelter-dependent species

needs to be evaluated.

• The stock structure of ocean pout needs to be

reexamined (Orach-Meza 1975; Wigley 1998).

• Are adult females more vulnerable to trawls than

males because of their wider girth (Sheehy et al.

1977)? If so, what are the management

consequences?

• The age-fecundity relationship of this species needs

to be better defined (Sheehy et al. 1977).

• The exposure source and etiology of the

microsporidean parasite that infects ocean pout and

reduces its marketability needs additional research

(Sheehy et al. 1974).

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This summary was prepared with assistance from

many others, especially Claire Steimle, Judy Berrien, and

Rande Ramsey-Cross who provided literature searches,

interlibrary loans, and reference material; Don McMillan,

Bob Pikanowski, Sara Griesbach, Sukwoo Chang, and Joe

Vitaliano who helped locate and retrieve data to make the

maps, charts, and table; and Susan Wigley who provided

many useful comments.

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NMFS-NE-115.

Wilk, S.J. and W.W. Morse. 1979. Annual cycle of

gonad-somatic indices as indicators of spawning

times for fifteen species of fishes collected from the

New York Bight, June 1974 to June 1975. U.S. Natl.

Mar. Fish. Serv. Northeast Fish. Cent. Sandy Hook

Lab. Rep. 79-11. 53 p.

Yao, Z. and L.W. Crim. 1995. Copulation, spawning and

parental care in captive ocean pout. J. Fish Biol. 47:

171-173.
Page 9

Table 1. Summary of life history and habitat parameters for ocean pout, Macrozoarces americanus. (NS = northern

stock; SS = southern stock; GOM = Gulf of Maine; MAB = Middle Atlantic Bight; GB = Georges Bank; SNE = southern

New England; NYB = New York Bight).

Life Stage Time of

Year

Size and

Growth

Geographic

Location

Habitat Substrate

Spawning Late summerfall; peak

Sept - Oct

NS: females

mature at ~26

cm TL;

SS: females

mature at ~31

cm TL.

Continental

shelf, GOMNYB; saline

estuaries in New

England.

Demersal,

< 50 m.

Rough

bottom, nests

in holes,

crevices, etc.

Eggs Fall-winter Incubate for

2-3 months

As above, in

nests.

Within

nests.

As above.

Larvae Late fall

-spring

30 mm at

hatching.

As above, near

nests.

Near

bottom.

As above.

Juveniles Throughout ≤ 29 cm TL

Linear growth

to ~10-12 cm

TL (yr 1); NS

slower

growth.

Inner-middle

shelf; GOM,

GB, MAB;

saline estuaries

in SNE and

GOM.

Demersal,

1-200 m,

mainly

20-75 m.

Sheltered

under rocks,

mollusk

shells, and

algae.

Adults Throughout > 29 cm TL

Grow up to 98

cm TL and

5.3 kg; longlived, > 20

years.

Continental

shelf, GOM- to

North Carolina;

mostly north of

Delaware;

winters mostly

south of GB;

other seasons,

more

widespread.

Demersal,

seasonally

variable, 1-

300+ m;

prefer ~

15-110 m.

Variable,

sand, gravel,

rough bottom,

but rarely

mud.
Page 10

Table 1. cont’d.

Life Stage Temperature Salinity Prey Predators Notes

Spawning < 10°C Mostly

32-34 ppt

Feeding ceased/

reduced.

Internal fertilization,

oviparous.

Eggs < 10°C Mostly

32-34 ppt

Laid in gelatinous masses,

guarded by parents.

Larvae > 25 ppt Harpacticoid

copepods

Brief yolk-sac stage.

Juveniles 3-14°C;

mostly

< 11°C

> 25 ppt Small benthic

organisms, such as

amphipods and

polychaetes.

Squid,

dogfish, sea

raven, cod,

barndoor

skate, other

fish, harbor

seals.

Not common in estuaries

south of Long Island;

juveniles and adults not

migratory except for

seasonal, local

movements.

Adults 3-14°C,

prefer

2-10°C.

Mostly,

32-34 ppt

Benthic

organisms,

especially shelled,

e.g., mollusks,

crustaceans,

echinoderms,

especially sand

dollars.

Sandbar

sharks,

among others.

Hypoxia sensitive; moves

seasonally to different

habitats; temps > 30°C

can be fatal; digs

depressions in soft

sediments that are used by

other species.

Two stocks divided by

central GB
Page 11

Figure 1. The ocean pout, Macrozoarces americanus (Schneider 1801) (from Goode 1884).
Page 12

Figure 2. Abundance (percent occurrence) of the major prey items of ocean pout collected during NEFSC bottom trawl

surveys from 1973-1980 and 1981-1990. The 11-30 cm size range corresponds, at least roughly, to juveniles, and the

31-100 cm size class corresponds to adults. The category “animal remains” refers to unidentifiable animal matter.

Methods for sampling, processing, and analysis of samples differed between the time periods [see Reid et al. (1999) for

details].

Arthropoda 54.9%

Unknown Animal Remains

Annelida 11.1%

Echinodermata 5.5%

Miscellaneous Materials 5.1%

All Other Prey 5.0%

Echinodermata 52.4%

Arthropoda 20.2%

Mollusca 13.1%

Unknown Animal Remains

Annelida 4.1%

All Other Prey 4.6%

Unknown Animal Remains

Annelida 25.0%

Arthropoda 25.0%

Echinodermata 50.6%

Arthropoda 37.6%

Aschelminths 4.2%

Annelida 3.2%

All Other Prey 4.3%

a) 1973-1980

b) 1981-1990 11-30 cm

n = 8

11-30 cm

n = 68

31-100 cm

n = 360

31-100 cm

n = 158
Page 13

Figure 3. Abundance of juvenile and adult ocean pout relative to bottom water temperature and depth based on NEFSC

bottom trawl surveys for spring (1968-1997) and autumn (1963-1996), all years combined. Open bars represent the

proportion of all stations surveyed, while solid bars represent the proportion of the sum of all standardized catches

(number/10 m2

).

1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29

0

10

20

30

40

1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29

0

10

20

30

40

0

10

20

30

40

50

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

0

10

20

30

40

50

0

10

20

30

40

50

1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29

0

10

20

30

1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29

0

10

20

30

Juveniles 40 Adults

Stations

Catches

Spring Spring

Spring Spring

Autumn Autumn

Autumn Autumn

Bottom Depth (m) Bottom Depth (m)

Bottom Depth (m) Bottom Depth (m)

Bottom Temperature (C) Bottom Temperature (C)

Bottom Temperature (C) Bottom Temperature (C)

NMFS Bottom Trawl Surveys

Ocean Pout
Page 14

Figure 4. Abundance of juvenile and adult ocean pout relative to bottom water temperature and depth based on

Massachusetts inshore bottom trawl surveys (spring and autumn 1978-1996) for all years combined. Open bars represent

the proportion of all stations surveyed, while solid bars represent the proportion of the sum of all standardized catches

(number/10 m2

).

1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23

0

10

20

30

40

1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23

0

10

20

30

0

5

10

15

20

25

0

5

10

15

20

25

0

10

20

30

0

5

10

15

20

25

1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23

0

10

20

30

40

1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23

0

10

20

30

Juveniles Adults

Stations

Catches

Spring Spring

Spring Spring

Autumn

Autumn

Autumn Autumn

Bottom Depth (m) Bottom Depth (m)

Bottom Depth (m) Bottom Depth (m)

Bottom Temperature (C) Bottom Temperature (C)

Bottom Temperature (C) Bottom Temperature (C)

Mass. Inshore Trawl Surveys

Ocean Pout
Page 15

Figure 5. Abundance of juvenile and adult ocean pout relative to bottom water temperature and depth based on Rhode

Island Narragansett Bay inshore bottom trawl surveys (1990-1996) by season for all years combined. Open bars

represent the proportion of all stations surveyed, while solid bars represent the proportion of the sum of all standardized

catches (number/10 m2

).

-1 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27

0

3

6

9

12

15

-1 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27

0

3

6

9

12

15

-1 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27

0

20

40

60

80

-1 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27

0

10

20

30

40

50

Bottom Temperature (°C)

Winter

Spring

Summer

Autumn

Ocean Pout

Juveniles (< 29 cm) Stations

Catches

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 0

20

40

60

80

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 0

20

40

60

80

100

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 0

20

40

60

80

100

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 0

10

20

30

Winter

Autumn

Summer

Spring

Stations

Catches

Bottom Depth (ft)

Ocean Pout

Juveniles (< 29 cm)
Page 16

Figure 5. cont’d.

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 0

20

40

60

80

100

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 0

10

20

30

40

50

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 0

20

40

60

80

100

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 0

20

40

60

80

100

Winter

Autumn

Summer

Spring

Stations

Catches

Bottom Depth (ft)

Ocean Pout

Adults (> 29 cm)

-1 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27

0

20

40

60

80

100

-1 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27

0

20

40

60

80

100

-1 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27

0

10

20

30

40

-1 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27

0

10

20

30

40

50

Bottom Temperature (°C)

Winter

Spring

Summer

Autumn

Ocean Pout

Adults (> 29 cm) Stations

Catches
Page 17

Figure 6. Size frequency distribution of ocean pout collected during all seasons in Narragansett Bay, during Rhode

Island Narragansett Bay inshore bottom trawl surveys (1990-1996, all years combined).

17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47 49 51 53 55 57 59 61 63 65 67 69 71

0

10

20

30

40

50

17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47 49 51 53 55 57 59 61 63 65 67 69 71

0

2

4

6

8

10

17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47 49 51 53 55 57 59 61 63 65 67 69 71

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1

17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47 49 51 53 55 57 59 61 63 65 67 69 71

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1

Total Length (cm)

Winter

Spring

Summer

Autumn
Page 18

Figure 7. Distribution and abundance of juvenile and adult ocean pout collected in Long Island Sound during spring and

autumn, from the Connecticut bottom trawl surveys, 1992-1997 [see Reid et al. (1999) for details].

Number/Tow

 1 to <4

 4 to <7

 7 to <10

 10 to <13

 13 to <16

State of Connecticut DEP

Fisheries Division

Long Island Sound Trawl Survey

SPRING 1992 - 1997

State of Connecticut DEP

Fisheries Division

Long Island Sound Trawl Survey

AUTUMN 1992 - 1997

Ocean Pout

Ocean Pout

None Caught
Page 19

Figure 8. Distribution and abundance of ocean pout from Newfoundland to Cape Hatteras during 1975-1994. Data are

from the U.S. NOAA/Canada DFO East Coast of North America Strategic Assessment Project (http://www-orca.nos.

noaa.gov/projects/ecnasap/ecnasap_table1.html).
Page 20

Figure 9. Distribution and abundance of ocean pout larvae collected during NEFSC MARMAP ichthyoplankton surveys

from January to April, 1977-1992 [see Reid et al. (1999) for details].

76 75 74 73 72 71 70 69 68 67 66 65

35

36

37

38

39

40

41

42

43

44

45

Ocean Pout

Larvae (32 to 45 mm in length)

NEFSC Ichthyoplankton Surveys

61-cm Bongo Net; 0.505-mm mesh

January to April; 1977 to 1992

Number of Tows = 5390; with Larvae = 14

Larvae / 10m2

1 to 6
Page 21

Figure 10. Distribution and abundance of juvenile and adult ocean pout collected in each season during NEFSC bottom

trawl surveys, 1963-1997. Densities are represented by dot size in spring and fall plots, while only presence and absence

are represented in winter and summer plots [see Reid et al. (1999) for details].

Number/Tow

 1 to 5

 5 to 10

 10 to 15

 15 to 25

 25 to 34

NMFS Trawl Surveys

Autumn 1963 - 96

Juveniles (<29cm)

Ocean Pout

NMFS Trawl Surveys

Winter 1964 - 97

Juveniles (<29cm)

 = Total Tows

 = Positive Tow

Ocean Pout

Number/Tow

 1 to 10

 10 to 25

 25 to 50

 50 to 100

 100 to 271

NMFS Trawl Surveys

Spring 1968 - 97

Juveniles (<29cm)

Ocean Pout

NMFS Trawl Surveys

Summer 1963 - 95

Juveniles (<29cm)

= Absent

 = Present

Ocean Pout
Page 22

Figure 10. cont’d.

Number/Tow

 1 to 5

 5 to 10

 10 to 25

 25 to 50

 50 to 67

NMFS Trawl Surveys

Autumn 1963 - 96

Adults (>=29cm)

Ocean Pout

NMFS Trawl Surveys

Winter 1964 - 97

Adults (>=29cm)

 = Total Tows

 = Positive Tow

Ocean Pout

Number/Tow

 1 to 25

 25 to 100

 100 to 200

 200 to 500

 500 to 600

NMFS Trawl Surveys

Spring 1968 - 97

Adults (>=29cm)

Ocean Pout

NMFS Trawl Surveys

Summer 1963 - 95

Adults (>=29cm)

= Absent

 = Present

Ocean Pout
Page 23

Figure 11. Distribution and abundance of juvenile and adult ocean pout collected during all seasons in Narragansett Bay

during 1990-1996 Rhode Island inshore bottom trawl surveys. The numbers shown at each station are the average catch

per tow rounded to one decimal place [see Reid et al. (1999) for details].

0.3

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.3

0.0 0.0

0.1

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.1

0.0 0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0 0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0 0.0

Spring

Summer Autumn

Winter

Ocean Pout Juveniles (< 29 cm)
Page 24

Figure 11. cont’d.

27.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

1.0

0.0 0.0

7.6

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.8

0.0 0.1

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0 0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.1

0.0 0.0

Spring

Summer Autumn

Winter

Ocean Pout Adults (> 29 cm)
Page 25

Figure 12. Distribution and abundance of juvenile and adult ocean pout in Massachusetts coastal waters during spring

and autumn Massachusetts trawl surveys, 1978-1996 [see Reid et al. (1999) for details].

Ocean Pout

Mass. Inshore Trawl Survey

 Spring 1978 - 1996

 Juveniles (<29cm)

Number/Tow

 1 to 5

 5 to 25

 25 to 100

 100 to 500

 500 to 736

Ocean Pout

Mass. Inshore Trawl Survey

 Autumn 1978 - 1996

 Juveniles (<29cm)

Number/Tow

 1 to 10

 10 to 50

 50 to 100

 100 to 200

 200 to 463

Ocean Pout

Mass. Inshore Trawl Survey

 Spring 1978 - 1996

 Adults (>=29cm)

Number/Tow

 1 to 25

 25 to 100

 100 to 250

 250 to 500

 500 to 1026

Ocean Pout

Mass. Inshore Trawl Survey

 Autumn 1978 - 1996

 Adults (>=29cm)

Number/Tow

 1 to 10

 10 to 25

 25 to 100

 100 to 200

 200 to 532
Page 26

Figure 13. Commercial landings and survey indices (stratified mean catch per tow from the NEFSC bottom trawl

surveys) for ocean pout from the Gulf of Maine to the Middle Atlantic Bight.

Middle Atlantic - Gulf of Maine

Year

1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000

Metric tons (mt x 1000)

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Stratified mean catch/tow (kg)

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Commercial landings (mt)

Survey index (kg)

Smoothed survey index (kg)
NORTHEAST FISHERIES SCIENCE CENTER

Dr. Michael P. Sissenwine, Science & Research Director

CAPT John T. Moakley, Operations, Management & Information Services Staff Chief

Teri L. Frady, Research Communications Unit Chief

Jon A. Gibson, Biological Sciences Editor & Laura S. Garner, Editorial Assistant

Publishing in NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-NE

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all issues, the series employs thorough internal scientific review,

but not necessarily external scientific review. For most issues,

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should be initially submitted to one of NMFSs primary series

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Identical, or fundamentally identical, manuscripts should

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contained in Chapter 1 (Ethical Conduct in Authorship and

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contents, and -- if applicable -- lists of tables, figures, and

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and 17 (decapod crustaceans) of the American Fisheries Society

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Authors must submit one paper copy of the double-spaced

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Send all materials and address all correspondence to:

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National Marine Fisheries Service

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166 Water St.

Woods Hole, MA 02543-1026

NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-NE -- This series is issued irregularly. The series includes: data reports of longterm or large area studies; synthesis reports for major resources or habitats; annual reports of assessment or monitoring programs;

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STANDARD

 MAIL A