Analysis of Forage and Predator Species Relationships - Oyster and Fisheries Investigations of Area M-5

During this study period, ten species of vertebrates not collected in previous surveys were identified. About 725 fish, mostly Cynoscion nebulosys, were tagged and released. Twelve of these were returned. The returns indicate a general eastward movement of C. nebulosus during the winter months. The species of forage fish studied were abundant throughout the year of the study. This is possibly due to the very warm winter. The blue crab population decreased, probably due to increased fishing pressure.