Demersal fish in Delaware coastal waters

Summary

During 1973–74, demersal fish were sampled seasonally by otter trawl from two inshore sites on the Delaware Atlantic Coast. A total of 2400 fish was taken at both sites. Of the 33 species collected, 19 were common to both sites. Urophycis chuss accounted for 38·9% of the total catch at the Cape Henlopen site and Prionotus carolinus comprised 18·9% at the Bethany Beach site. For both sites, the mean number of species was significantly higher at night than during the day. At Cape Henlopen the mean number of individuals was lowest in the winter and highest in the spring, while at Bethany Beach it was lowest in the winter and highest in the fall. Comparisons with two major fish surveys in this geographic area, Daiber and Smith (1971) and Milstein and Thomas (1977), are included. Results of seasonal and diurnal studies confirm that a rigorous sampling regime is necessary to properly assess demersal fish communities.