Seasonal Distribution and Movement of Black Sea Bass (Centropristis striata) in the Northwest Atlantic as Determined from a Mark-Recapture Experiment

A mark-recapture experiment was conducted on the northern stock of black sea bass (Centropristis striata) which ranges from southern portions of the Gulf of Maine to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Tag recovery data from traditional tags indicate that extensive seasonal movements occur and are not homogeneous throughout the stock. During summer months fish throughout the stock remain stationary in coastal areas with very little mixing among adjacent areas. In autumn, offshore migration toward the edge of the continental shelf begins in the north and progresses southward. During the offshore overwintering period, intermixing of fish from various inshore areas is more frequent. Recaptures following spring inshore migrations demonstrate a high degree of site-fidelity with occasional straying to adjacent areas. Archival data tags suggest that offshore migration coincides with declining water temperature.