Contaminant levels in the muscle of four species of fish important to the recreational fishery of the New York Bight Apex

We conducted the present survey to establish a benchmark for concentrations of selected organic contaminants and trace metals in the edible flesh of common fish species in the area. Bluefish, Pomatomus saltatrix (pelagic habitat); summer flounder, Paralichthys dentatus (demersal habitat); black sea bass, Centropristes striatus (reef habitat); and tautog, Tautoga onitis (reef habitat) were targeted based on their importance to the recreational fishery, their life habits, and the regional ecology.