Interspecific comparisons of searobin (Prionotus spp.) movements, size structure, and abundance in the temperate western North Atlantic

Northern searobins, Prionotus carolinus, and striped searobins, P. evolans, are commonly taken in bottom trawl, pound-net, and hook-and-line fisheries of the temperate, western North Atlantic. Seasonal movements, size structure, and interannual variations in population size of both species were examined with data from three fishery-independent trawl surveys. Geographic distributions of both species overlapped year-round, but on average, northern searobins were found in colder, deeper water than were striped searobins. Northern searobins were found north and east of Cape Cod during the warmest months and northeast of Hudson Canyon during the coldest months, whereas striped searobins were rarely found in these regions during these seasons. Furthermore, northern searobins moved north and nearshore earlier in spring and left these habitats earlier in autumn. Modal size of adult northern searobins was generally between 17 and 21 cm total length, about 5 cm shorter than that of adult striped searobins.