Anadromous fisheries survey of the New and White Oak River systems

[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]

ANADROMOUS FISHERIES SURVEY OF THE NEW AND WHITE OAK RIVER SYSTEMS

7 i
By

Terry M. Sholar

10 N. C. Division of Marine Fisheries
Morehead City, N. C. 28557

::2:

Completion Report for Project A-FC 9

14 November 1975
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QL
628
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S56
1975

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION ....................................................... ..... . I
STUDY A.REA ................................................................ 3

MATERIALS AND METHODS .............. ......................... ...... 6

Adult Sampling ........ ....... ...... ......................... 6
Egg and Larval Sampling ........................... ... ............... 8
Juvenile Fish Sampling .............. ................ 11

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ........... .............. ............... 11

Adult Distribution .... ............................. ............... 11

New River ...... ........... ...... ............. ..............

Blueback Herring ... .......... ................... 13'
Alewife .............. .................................... 13
American Shad... .... ...... ...... .................... - 13

White Oak River. ...... .......... ................. ........ . 13

Blueback Herring ....... ......................... ..... - 15
Alewife. .......... .... ........ ............ ...... . 15

American Shad ................ ..... ........... . ...... 15

.Other Anadromous Fishes ..... ....... ........ ....... 20

Adult Utilization ......................... ....... ........ 20

New River ....................................................... 20

White Oak River*... ................................... ...... 20

Age and Spawning Frequency... ... .. .. .... ........ ...... ...... 20

New River...... ........................ ....... .... 20

Blueback Herring .................. ........ ..... 20

American Shad ..... 22

White Oak River'.... ..... 22
Blueback herring 22
....................... ..... 22

Alewife

27
Striped Bass ....... ..... 27

Spawning Area Survey ................................................. 27

NewRiver ....................................................... 27

White Oak River ................................................. 31

Juvenile Fish Sampling ............................................... 35

New River ....................................................... 35

Blueback Herring ........................................... 35

Alewife ..................................................... 35

American Shad .............................................. 35
White Oak River .................................................. .35

Blueback Herring ........................................... 35
Alewife ..................................................... 42
American Shad ...................0 ........................... 42

SM91ARY AND CONCLUSIONS ................................................... 42

New River ..................................................... ........ .42

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .................................I ........................... 47

LITERATURE CITED ...... .......................... ...................... 48

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INTRODUCTION

The importance of anadromous; species to the total co rcial finfish
landings in North Carolina is shown by statistics of the National Marine
Fisheries Service (Table 1). For the 13-year period 1960 to 1972, anadromous
species accounted for an average of 46 percent of the total edible finfish
landings.

A total of seven anadrom'ous species enter North Carolin a waters including
the striped bass (Morone ea=tiZie), American shad (AZosa sapidissim), hickory
shad (A. mediocris), blueback herring (A. aestivaZis), alewife (A. pseudoharengus),
Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrhynchus), and shortnose sturgeon (A. brevirostrwn).
All seven species are considered both sport and commercial fish and are taken
by standard commercial fishing gear. Significant recreational fisheries employ
such devices as bow nets, staff nets, dip nets, gill nets, and seines as well as
hook and line fishing. The activity provides both products for public consumption
and significant recreational and social events affecting large numbers-of resource
users.

Several studies of anadromous fish stocks "have been completed in North,Caro-
h
1-in-A S t-evens dn@`&;--Cl 89 9)' earlier surveyp-zwere- 4p a-in-,a report@-of the: a ad
------- 'Iii- t-1367). sp
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in the Neuse River (Walburg, 1957) and several reports have been-prepared on
the Cape Fear River (Davis and Cheek, 1967; Nichols and Louder, 1970). The
North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries began work in the'Albemarle Sound
region in 1971 and in the Tar-Pamlico River system in 1974. Baker (1968)
published a reconnaissance survey of anadromous fish stocks in the inland waters
of North Carolina. Little information is available on the two remaining medium-
sized strea- of the southern coastal area: New River and White Oak River.
The New River was brieflymentioned in Stevenson's (1899) survey as supporting
a shad population. Walburg and Nichols (1967) made reference to the capture of
some American shad in the White Oak River. Both the New River and the White Oak
River are shown as supporting runs of striped bass, American shad, and river
herring in Baker's (1968) reconnaissance of inland fishing waters. Other than
these brief general comments, there is virtually no information on the populations
of anadromous fishes inhabiting these river system

Management of the anadromous fish resources in these river syst requires
an information base which can be obtained only through detailed field investi@:,@
gations. The investigations of this project were necessary to provide informa-
tion needed to maintain and manage the anddromous fish stocks. Information on
basic populations, spawning areas, nursery areas, and utilization ofthe resourc e
will - become, vital if the resource base becomes threatened.

Objectives of this project were as follows:
1) Job I - To determine the distribution of migrating and spawning adult
anadromous fishes.
2) Job II - To determine spawning areas and periods of major spawning activity
for anadromous; species.
3) Job III - To determine nursery areas and growth and movements of juvenile
-qnndromous fishes.

The project was conducted from 1 October 1973 to 30 June 1975.

-2-

Table 1 Relative importance of anadromous fish in North Carolina as shown
by comm rcial landings (from published data: NMFS, Branch of
Statistics, Beaufort, N. C.;'N. C. Division of Marine Fisheries,
Morehead City, N. C.

Total edible Anadromous Percent ana-
Year finfish Ubs) fish (lbs) dromous fish

1960 30,470,000 14,308,000 47
1961 30,029,000' 13,490,000 45
1962 31,887,000 16,037,000 50
1963 32,348,000 16,864,000 52
1964 24,562,000 9,183,060 37
1965 33,538,000 14,658,000 44
1966 32,567,000 14,130,000 43

1 1) A 7 @n nRn nnn .71 7-r%n nnr

1968 36,102,000 18,467,0.00 51
1969 41,099,000 22,282,000 54
1970 29,832,000 14,974,000 50
1971 31,380,000 14,991,000 48
1972 48,239,000 13,190,000 27

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-3-

STME AREA

The New and White Oak River system are located in the south-central
coastal area of North Carolina (Figure 1). Both watersheds lie entirely
within the lower coastal plain and are mostly swamp drainages with agriculture,
forestry, and commercial fishing as the predominant industries. Both rivers
are relatively small and drain directly into the Atlantic Ocean in the Onslow
Bay area.

The New River watershed encompasses about 113,000 ha, lying almost entirely
in Onslow County. It drains Wolf Swamp and Hell-and Purgatory Pocosins, then
flows southeast for 86 km to empty into the Atlantic Ocean through New River
Inlet (Figure 2). New River is the most developed of the two systems with
the city of Jacksonville located on its banks. The lower half lies within the
Camp Lejune Marine Base. The major tributaries are Southwest Creek, Northeast
Creek, Halfmoon Creek, Jenkin-swamp, and Mill Swamp and consist of swamp drain-
ages with highly stained waters.

The river has an average width of 2 1/2 km., below Jacksonvillesand the
average water depth is 1.9--to,2.4 m. The bottom is primarily organic silt
excent for sandv shcallareas around the shorelines. Between Jackgonville P-d
river kilometer 43.4, the river flows through a hardwood swamp with dense
vegetation along its banks where the channel is clogged with stumps and logs..
From river kilometer 43.4 to N.C. Highway 24, a total of 30.8 km, the river was
channelized for flood control in 1970 (Figure 2). The lower'13 km of the
channelized section is about 15 m. wide, with a depth of 0.6 to 1.8 m, and a
bottom type of detritus, sand, and limestone rock. From County Road 1314 to be-
low U. S. Highway 258 (5 km), the river is 15 m wide with a rock and sand bottom
and is 0.3 to 1.5 m deep. From U. S. Highway 258 to N. C. State Highway 24
(12.1 km), the stream is about 9 m wide with a sand bottom and a depth of only
8 to 15 cm during low flow periods. At N. C. Highway 24, a cement culvert under
the roadbed may form a barrier to upstream migration except under high water
stages. Some tributaries in the channelized section are connected to the river
only through culverts which are not functional for water exchange except-under
extreme flood conditions. The river is seperated from its natural flood plain,
by dikes approaching 3 m in height. Above N. C. Highway 24, the river is very
small and shallow with a sand and mud bottom.

The New River system is mostly tidal except for the extreme upper reaches.
of the river and its tributaries. Normal stream flow velocities'are very slow.
except during flood stages.

The White Oak River watershed is slightly smaller than the New River.water-
shed and forms the border between'Onslow, Carteret, and Jones Counties (Fignp*.2).
It arises in Hoffman Forest and flows approximately 78 km'to empty into the".-,'-
Atlantic Ocean through Bogue Inlet. Approximately 77-1,pericent of the wate'rsh6d.-
is covered by Hoffman Forest and Croatan National Forest.. There is very.-litile.
development in the watershedS with Swansboro being the largest town. The river*
is highly stained from swamp drainage. Its major tributaries are Hunter Creek,
Grant Creek Pettiford Creek Starkey-Creek,-Black Swamp, and Holston Creek,

-4-

78 77 7S

COASTAL NORTH CAROLINA
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-6-

which are small and densely vegetated. The river itself is about 1.5 km wide
from the Atlantic Ocean to the vicinity of Webb Creek. The depth is about
1.2 m. with numerous oyster reefs and a narrow obscure channel. The bottom type
is primarily sand and mud with sand shoals along the edges. From Webb Creek to
Crant Creek, the river is about 3.7 m. deep, 150 m. wide, and meanders. The
bottom type is primarily mud and detritus and is boardered by fresh and brackish
marsh. Above Grant Creek, the river flows through hardwood swamp at a depth of
1.5 to 4.3 m. Below U. S. Highway 17, the river flows through seven distinct
lakes of the Martin Marietta Belgrade Quarry. They comprise approximately 60 ha
of water and range from 4.5 to 9.5 m in depth with steep sides and mud bottom.,
The lakes were dug between 1940 and 1960 during mining operations for limestone.
Water flow is very slow in the lakes except where they are connected. From the
Quarry to immediately above U. S. Highway 17, the river is narrow'and from 0.6
to 1.2 m deep with a rocky bottom. The flow is very swift in riffles areas.
Above U. S. Highway 17, the river is a small typical swampy stream.

The White Oak River system is predominantly tidal except for the region
above the limestone quarry and the headwaters of the tributaries. The stream.
velocity is slow, but is greater than in the New River watershed.

A detailed survey and description of the New and White Oak River systems
'
was prepared by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (Davis and
McCoy, 1965).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

lutial sampling indicated three basic ecological zones*in each river
consisting of high salinity, brackish, and fresh areas (F 'igure 3). The high
salinity zone consisted of the lower portion of the estuary and generally
coincided with the open water areas. The brackish zone consisted'of a transition
area between the lower estuary and the fresh water zone. The fresh zone cou-
tained swamp areas exhibiting little or no salinity. Sampling and data recording
was done on the basis of the three zones.

The time between 1 October 1973 and 30 June'1974 was'an initial survey
period. Sampling during this time was generally random witIt no permanent stations.
Permanent stations were establishe4 and sampled regularly between I July-1974
and 30 June 1975.

Advit:S -lin

Adult anadromous fish sampling was done on the-basii'of high'deais; ty-,-.-ra'ndo'x'
sampling b etweein- I January and 30- June 19 74 and, ripire4imtsUme. -stitious IIIVere@,
sampled betweem",'I Januaiy and 30 june.1975 with kiU. -..net4 "and '.ii 'nets

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-8-

(Figure 4). Gill nets of 45.9 and 9.2 m legths with mesh sizes of 6.4 cm,
7.0 cm, 8.3 cm, 10.2 cm, 12.4 cm, 13.3 cm, and 14.0 cm stretch mesh were used
to sample adults. The 45.9 m nets were used in the high salinity and brackish
zones, while the 9.2 m lengths were used in the fresh zone and the tributaries.
There was no high salinity zone sampling after March 1975. *Trammel nets of
91.4 m lengths were used primarily to sample striped bass-and sturgeon. All
nets were anchored and left for a 24 hr period. Catch-per-unit-of-effort (C/E)
was calculated on the basis of a Standard Fishing Unit (SFU) of 91.4 m. of net
set for 24 hours. The C/E for herring was based on the number of SFU of small
mesh sizes, and shad C/E was based on the units of mesh sizes 10.2 cm and
greater. One trammel net effort was based on 91.4 m of trammel net set for
24 hours.

The adult fish were sorted by species, weighed in grams, and fork lengths
(FL) were measured in millimeters. The gonads of each individual 'were examined
to determine sex and stage of development which was recorded-as immature, mature,
ripe, running-ripe or spent.

Scales were taken from each individual and placed in envelopes and coded
along with sex, length, and weight information. A lar e number of scales were

taken from below the front of the dorsal fin. Scales were read with a binocular

scale edge counted as a yearmark, as described by Marcy (1969), Beal (1968),
Cating (1953), and Street and Adams (1969). Several clear scales from each
fish were examined. Two readings of each set of scales was made, and those not
agreeing were discarded.

Egg and-Larval Sampling

Sampling for eggs and larvae was conducted between 1 March and 30 June 1974,
and 17 March and 30 June 1975 with I m and 1/2 m plankton nets of 00 mesh. Where
possible, a station was sampled for each five mile segment of river and major
tributary (Figure 5). Sampling was conducted twice monthly in each river
alternating weeks between rivers.
All samples were taken within 10 cm of the bottom and/or within 10 cm of"
the surface. Towed samples were of 5 -minute duration and sets from bridges: were
of 10 - to 15 -minute duration depending upon the current velocities NO eggs, were
captured in any 15 minute sets so catch-per-effort was based on a 5-minute tow.
Results of the I m and 1/2 m nets were treated separetely.

"Eggs and- larvae
Samples were preserved in the'field with 10% of formalin. Eggs and larvae

were sorted,identified, and counted in the laboratory.-

alewife eggs and early larvae were lumped together as "river" hearing due to
an Inability to distinguish between the two species

-9-

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Juvenile Fish Sampling

Juvenile fish sampling was conducted from 1 October to 31 December, 1973
and from I July to 31 December,1974. Initially, modified Cobb pelagic trawls
of 1.8 m. and 3.7 m width were used in open water areas and shoreline areas not
suitable for conventional seining. Results showed the Cobb trawl to be selective
and inefficient for capturing juvenile%anadromous fishes. A modified bottom
trawl also produced unsatisfactory results. A modified wing trawl of 1.9 m
head rope length was designed and tested in July of 1974. This gear showed the
most satisfactory results and was subsequently employed as the standard gear.
It had a mesh size ranging from 10.2 cm in the wings to 0.63 cm in the tail
bag. All samples with the wing trawl were taken on the surface by using surface
doors. A standard effort with the modified wing trawl consisted of one 10-minute
tow

All other samples were taken with 0.63 cm mesh bag seines of 18.4 m. and
6.1 m lengths. One haul with a 18.4 m or 6.1 m seine constituted one 18-4 m
or 6.1 m seine effort.

All samples were presetvid in@the field with 10% formalin and were later
6ol@p_@as - to--species, weighed t o the nearest.. Igr4m,.and fork lengths measured in--
LUALIILL@@ @6. A tiL;UtiaLU1j1e 01- ju xisix was Laken itL_!a-k0:e s amp les. _-Incidentai
species such as spot, croakers, sunfish, etc. were counted, weighed,.measured,
and recorded as to species.

Random sampling was conducted between 1 October and 31 December, 1973
primarily using the 18.4 m seine. From 1 July to 31 December, 1974, sampling
was done regularly at established stations (Figure 6). Each river was sampled
two weeks per month alternating weeks between rivers. There were a total of 26
stations in the New River making 52 samples per mouth. The White Oak River had
25 stations resulting in 50 samples per month.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Adult Distribution

New River

A distribution of adult anadromous fishes was determined by employing a
total of 219.75 SFU of gill net effort in both river systems. A total of 480
adult anadromous fishes was captured. Blueback herring and alewife were Mo 'st
numerous with fewer numbers of American shad, hickory shad, Atlantic sturgeon,
and striped bass.

During 1974 and 1975 in New River, a total of 95.75 SFU of gill net effort,
and 9 tramnel net sets produced a total of only 66 anadromou's fish, for an
average catch of 0.7 fish per gill net SFU. No adult anadromous fish were
caught in any trammel net samples. The catch consisted of 46'blueback herring,
7 alewife,'9 American shad, and 4,Atlantic sturgeon.

-12-

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Blueback herring
Eight adult blueback herring were captured in the New River during the run
of 1974 (C/E=0.3). They first entered the river in January with the peak
occurrence in the fresh zone in April.

In 1974, they were found up to the lower channelized section of the river
where they were observed to be in a ripe condition. None were taken in the
tributaries, and by the end of April no adult blueback herring were seen in the
river.

In 1975, 38 blueback herring were captured (C/E=22). They were found in
the swamp below the channelized part and in certain tributaries. Only one was
caught in the channelized section. Blueback herring were observed, using North-
east Creek, Little Northeast Creek, Blue Creek, and Hawkin Creek. Hawkin Creek
had the highest single C/E which was 5.8. Blue Creek and Little Northeast
Creek had a higher C/E than the main run of the river (Table 2).

One adult male alewife was caught during the 1974 run in New River. During
the 1975 run five alewife were found in Blue and Hawkin Creeks. Blue Creek
contained a larger run with 2.4 catch per SFU (Table 2). Their peak occurrence
was during January and February.

American shad
In 1974, four adult American shad were captured for a C/E of 0.3. They
were taken up to County Road 1316 and were in a ripe condition. None were found.
in the tributaries. During the 1975 run, four American shad were captured for
a C/E of 0.3. None were found in the fresh zone of the river where they occurred
in greatest numbers the previous year. Three of the four were found in Southwest
and Little Northeast Creeks (Table 2). They were found in the river system from
February through April.

No adult striped bass or hickory shad were captured in the New River. A
single Atlantic sturgeon was captured during March, 1974 while three were caught
during March and April of 1975.

It is apparent the New River system has limited anadromous fish resources.
Only a few blueback herring, alewife, American shad, and Atlantic sturgeon were
found in the river. A relocation of the distribution of anadromous resources
appears to be occurring. They appear to be switching, from the upstream, utilized
in 1974, to the downstream tributaries used in 1975. This could be due to alter-
ations caused by channelization of the upstream area.

White Oak River

In the White Oak River, a total of 124.0 SFU of gill net and seven trammel
net sets produced a total of 636 anadromous fish for an overall gill net catch
` of 5.1 fish per SFU. No adult anadromous fish were caught in any trammel net

-14-

Table 2 - Catch per Standard Fishing Unit for adult blueba'ck herring, alewife,
and American shad by area% New RiverP 1974-75,

Catch per SFU
Species Area .1974 1975

Blueback herring New River 0.3 1.1

Northeast Creek 0.0 1.0
Little Northeast Cr6ek 0.0 2.5

Blue Creek 0.0 1.2

Hawkin Creek 7.9

Alewife New River 0.1 0.0

Blue Creek 0.0 2.4

Hawkin Creek -0.0 0.8

American shad New River 0.2'@ 0.0

Southwest Creek 0.0 0.1

Little Northeast.Creek:... 0.0 1.3

-15-

samples. The catch consisted of 487 blueback her-king, 90 alewife, 49 American
shad, 2 hickory shad, 3 striped bass, and 5 Atlantic sturgeon.

The average catch per SFU for blueback herring was 7.3; for alewife, 1.4;
for American'shad, 0.9; for hickory shad, 0.04; for'striped bass, 0.03; for
Atlantic sturgeon, 0.04.

Blueback herring
In 1974, 177 adult blueback herring were captured for a C/E of 5.3. They
were found in the White Oak River up to the Quarry Lakes and occurred in the
river from January through May. None were found in the tributaries.

During the 1975 run, 310 adult blueback herring were captured for a C/E-
of 10.3. This suggests that the run of 1975 was about twice cis large as the
1974 run. Again they were found up to the*Quarry Lakes and occurred in the
river from January through May (Figure 7). Bluebadk he-ki-ing were also found
in Hunter, Webb, Grant, and Holston Creeks. Unlike the New River the catches
were small compared to the main stem of the river'. Holston Creek had the
highest number of blueback herring in any tributary with a C/Eof 2.2 compared
to an 11.4 C/E in the main stem of the river (Table 3).

Alewife
In 1974, 10 adult alewife were caught in the White Oak River for a C/E.of
0.3. They occurred during April and May up to the'Quarry Lakes'. None were
found in the tributaries.

Adult alewife did not*enter'the river until March or April, well after the
first blueback arrived. This was different from the reports of alewife arriving
earlier in the Albemarle Sound area by Street and Pate (1975).

During the 1975 run, 80 adult alewife were captured for a C/Eof 2.4,
indicating a much larger run in 1975. They were found from February through May:.
up to the Quarry Lakes (Figure 8). Alewife were also ciaught'in Hunter, Grcmt*,.
and Holston Creeks. They occurred'in slightly greater numbeiik in the tributaries
than in the river*. Grant Creek had the'highest number'with a C/E.of 3.7 to a
C/E of 2.8 in the main stem of the river (Table@3).

American shad
Twenty-one adult American shad were caught in 1974@ for a C/E. of 1.2,' They
occurred from February through May up to- the Quarry Lakes. None were found in
the tributaries,

In 19 75, 28 American shad were found for' a C/E. of 0. 4 indicating a - smal,lef
run than in 1974. They again occurred' from'February through May up tbAhe-Quarry
Lakes (Figure 9). Pettiford Creek was the'6nly tributary containing American'.
shad with a catch of 0.7 per SFU.

I'M

-16-

50" High Salinity Zone

40- 1974

30- - - - 1975
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Jan Feb Mar Apr May June

Brack'ish Zone

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-17-

Table 3 - Catch per Standard Fishing Unit of adult blueback herring, alewife,
and American shad by area, White Oak-,-River 1974-75

Catch per SFU
Species Area 1974 1975

Blueback herring White Oak River 7.3 11.4
Hunter .Creek 0.0 1.3

Holston'Creek 0.0 2.2
Grant Creek 0._0 0.7
Webb.Creek .... .. ....... 0.0 1.6

Alewife White Oak River 0.3 2.8

Hunter*Creek 0.0 0.6

Holston Creek 0.0 3.4

@n'_n

American shad White Oak River 1.7 0.8

Pe ttiford Creek 0.0 0.7

2 0 firackish Zone -1974
.---1975

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-per- SM-- of -adult _Americim: sbuj&-by --year, _.@_white-Oak. :River'*'.. -
Figure
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-20-

Other anadromous fishes
Two adult hickory shad were found in the White Oak River. One was caught
in January 1974 and one in May 1975. While no striped bass were found in 1974,
three were captured in March of 1975 in the lower part of the river. Five
Atlantic sturgeon were found in April of 1975 in the lower part of the river.
None were captured in 1974.

Adult Utilization

New River

The New River contains little or no anadromous fishery. Only a few American
shad and herring were caught incidental to other fishing operations and were
usually sold. The value is extremely minor compared to the overall New River
fishery.

White Oak River

The White Oak River supports a recreational dip net and gill net fishery
mainly. for herring. Fishing is primarily confined to the Quarry Lakes and may
involve 25-30 local people per night with catches of 5O-100 pounds per person
during the peak. The incidental catches of anadromous fish by commercial fish-
ermen is minor, with little value to the White Oak River fishery.

Age and Spawning Frequency

New River

Due to the small number of adult anadromous fish sampled in the New River,
no definite conclusions can be made as to their age or spawning frequency.

Blueback herring
Only thirty adult blueback herring had scales suitable for aging. The ages
of both males and females ranged from four to six years with. ages four and five
dominating. The mean fork lengths for each age group generally agreed with those
found by Street and Pate (1975) in the Albemarle Sound area (Table 5). However,
due to the small sample size from the New River, no adequate comparison can be
made.

The ratio of males to females was about equal.

Spawning repetition by blueback herring in New River was extremly low.
Only 10 percent contained spawning marks which differs greatly from the 50 percent
found by Street and Pate (1975). None were found containing more than one
spawning mark (Table 6).

Alewife

Seven alewife from the New River had readable scales. Ages were four and
five, with age five predominating. All males were age five while females were

-21-

Table 5.-Total number, percent of total sample, mean fork length, and length range
for each age group by sex for blueback herring, New River, 1974-75

Total Percent of Mean fork Length
Sex Age number total sample length(mm) range(mm)

Female IV 7 50 246 240-253

V 7 50 249 237-255

Male IV 9 56 233 226-246

V 5 31 250 241-256

VI 2 13 268 267-268

Table 6 -.-.Age and spawning frequency of blueback herring from New River, 1974-75

No. times
spawned 0 1 Total
Age 14 F M F

IV 9 7 0 0 9 7

V 4 6 5 7

V1 0 @l Or 21.

Total 14 13 .2." 14
@Percent- (88)@ @(93) (1-3) (7)

10
li56

-22-

ages four and five. The fork lengths were not comparable to those found by
Street and Pate (1975), probably due to the small sample size (Table 7). Eighty-
five percent of the-alewife were repeat spawners. One virgin female was found
while all males had spawned previously. None were found to spawn more than once.

American shad
Five American shad from the New River proved suitable for aging. The males
were age four and five while all of the females were five. Their mean fork
lengths were not comparable to those found by Street and Pate (1975) (Table 8).
All were found to be virgin.

White Oak River

blueback herring
Of'the blueback herring scale samples taken in the White Oak River, 318
could be read. They ranged in age from three to seven years with 91 percent of
the males being ages four and five, and 57 percent of the females being age five.
The# fork length agreed closely with those found by Street and Pate (1975) in

The male to female sex ratio was 0.88:1, quite different from that found
by Street and Pate.(1975). This is probably due to the selectivity of gill nets
used in this study.

The number of virgin blueback herring was higher than that found in the
Albemarle Sound area with 79 percent being virgin. Females were observed to re-
peat more than males. Only four females (1.3 percent)-had more than one spawning
mark. Males first spawned at ages four and five while most females first spawned
at age five (Table 10).

Alewife

Fourty-two scale samples from alewife were useable. Males ranged in age
from three to five years with 72 percent being age four. All females four and five, with age four predominating. The fork lengths agreed With those
found by Street and Pate (1975) (Table 11).

The number of virgin fish was higher than expected, With 92 percent virgin
males and 94 percent virgin females. None were foRmEd to have spawned more than,
once. Both males and females were found to first spawn predominately at age-
four (Table 10).

Of the alewife found in the White Oak River, 60 percent were males and 40
percent females. This Sex rationdiffers greatly from that expected, but the

samplesis so small that no, conclusions can-be made.

American shad
A total of thirty-five scale samples of American shad were suitable for aging.
Females ranged in age from four to seven years with age five making up 56 percent.

-23-

Table 7 --Total number, percent of total sample, mean fork length, and length range
for each-age group-by sex for alewife, New River,' 1974-75

Total -Percent of Mean fork Length
Sex Age number total sample length(mm) range(mm)

Female IV 1 33 240

V 2 67 289 280-297

Male V 4 100 266 262-267

Table 8 Total number, percent of total sample, mean fork length, and length
@ranges fok eachage.-group, by sex for Americah.'shadj. MO-w-River, 1974-75-

Percent of Mean fork Length
Sex Age. numb eir total sample length(tam) range(MM)-
Feviale V 3 100 465' 441-498

Male IV 1 50 398

V I so 387

-24-

Table 9 --Total number, percent of total sample, mean fork length, and length range
'@''@_for@each`age group..by sex for blueback herri.ng,..WUte'.Oak,River, 1974-75

Total Percent of Mean fork Length
Sex Age number total sample length(mm) range(mm)

Female IV 38 23- 242 202 - 262

v 97 57 258 234 - 277

vi 31 18 265 235 - 281

vii 3 2 280 260 - 281

169

Male 111 2 1 219 208-- 229

IV 68 46 237 223 - 253

IA7
11-7 -171)

vi 12 8 249 236 - 269

149

X
iz

@Z
R;
Zt

-25-

Table 10 - Age and spawning frequency of blueback herring, alewife, and-American shad
from White--Oak River, 1974-75

Blueback herring
No. times spawned 0 1 2 Total
Age M M, F M F., M F

2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0

IV 63 37 5 1 0 0 68 38

V 51 77 16 19 0 1 67 97

VI 5 14 7 @14 0 3 12 31

VII 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 3

Total 121 129 28 36 0 4 149 169-,'
Percent (81) (76).,@,' (19) (21)_ (3)_.

Alewife
No. times s2awned 0 1 Total
Age M F M F M F

111 2 0 0 0 2 0

IV 16 12 2 1 18 13

V 5 4 0 0 5 4

Total 23 16 2 1 25 17
Percent (92) (94) (8) (6)

Ameikican -shad
No. times spawned 0 1 Total
,Age M M F

IV 10 2 0 0 M 2

V 8 9. 1 0

Vi 0 4 0

VII 0 1 0- 0 0

Total 18 16 1 0 19 16
Percent (95Y., (100),

-26-

Table 11 - Total number, percent of total sample, mean fork length, and length range
-.for each age group by sex.for alewife, White Oak River, 1974-75

Total Percent of Mean fork Length
Sex Age number total sample length(mm) rauge(mm)

D-male IV 13 76 256 249-266

V 4 24 272 260-289

Male 111 2 8 231 225-237

IV 18 72 241 225-261

V 5 20 250 242-'255

Table 12 Total number, percent of total sample,*mean fork length, and length range
- for each age group,by:s6x for-American shad,. White'.Qak Riveri 1974-75

.Total .... Percent of Mean fork Length
Sex Age number total sample length(mm) ranze(mm)

Female IV 2 13 417 391-442

V 9 56 474 452-485-

VI 4 25 481 467-492

Vil 1 6 520

53
Male IV 10""'. 406 -363431

V 9 47. 449 '416-482

19-

J!
4
q

-27-

Their fork lengths agreed or were slightly smaller than those found by Street
and Pate (1975) (Table 12). All were found to be virgin except one five-year
old male which had spawned once previously (Table 10). This is currently the
southern-most confirmed report of an American shad repeating.

Hickory shad
Two male hickory shad were caught in the White Oak River. One 345 mm
three-year-old was found in January, 1974, and one 318 mm, four-year-old was
found in May, 1975. Both were virgin.

Striped bass
Three striped bass were found in March, 1975. Two were three-year-old
females measuring 394 am and 401 mm. The other was a 712 mm seven-year-old
female.

Spawning Area Survey

New River

Spawning in the New River appeared'to be very slight. In 1974, only two
river herring eggs were taken in 8 samples using the'l-meter egg net and 100
samples using the 1/2-meter egg net. They occurred in only one sample during
the week of 6 May below County Road 1316. This indicated the lower channelized
section as being the spawning grounds for river herring (Figure 10). Five
hickory shad eggs were captured during the week of 20 May below N.C. Highway 24.
Spawning was probably limited to this point by'the barrier'presented by the
culvert under Highway 24 (Figure 11). No American shad eggs were captured, but
one rimning-ripe-female taken in the channelized area indicated that some
spawning occurred in the altered section*of the river'-(Figure-U).@ No anadromous
fish larvae were.taken.

During 1975, 69 river herring eggs and two larvae were taken in 95,.1/2-
meter egg net samples. No river herring eggs were found in the river' * Sixty-
six eggs were caught in Hawkin Creek and three were found in Blue Creek-during
Nay. Two herring larvae were also found in Blue Creek during May (Figure 10).,
No running-ripe female herring were found. Noeggs or larvae of other anadromous
fish were found. However, one running-ripe female American shad was taken in
Little Northeast Creek indicating it to be .4 spawning area. Although no eggs
or runnin&-riperfemales were found in Southwest Creek the*presence of adults
indicates American shad possibly spawn there. Also, the presenize 6f'adult.blue-
back herring indicates these possibly spawn in Northe"t and Little Northeast:-
Creeks.

All o@jj-neittiug- results indicate very poor.spawning succe"-for all an-a-
dromous species in New River. The'prior'loc'atiou'of'spawni.ng grounds :Es not.-
known; however, the section*of'river presently channelized'does''not',appeak to
offer suitable spawning habitat.

-28-

area-----
Spaw@iing 7

Probable spawning area-,

lRd

"all
arry

Lake

FtemV,

wMace Cr

ell cr

"White vak Riv-ers
1974-75.
fare".. ror.,
lq@- j@p Pf,,-
13pajrn$, rivim'herrinj

:J
7;@-

-29-

Spawning area-----

1316_.
0 a

Quarry
OS
Cr z fp

ell
cr tail

fr!tmaar
Cr

pellifer Cr

Rogue 1111*t

Inlet
sew R

'Figure 11 Hap of spawning,it a f6 hickory. 4had- New River,1974
re r

-30

59
Spax@ain gi area
zi

Possible spawning area

c121
Alit

ucrry

c".

Like,
Z

freeman r
94 or cc

Wallace Cr

010

Vey

of spairniqg air" of :Amri@an, A@a -New- ai2d'whitel Oak R:Evikd'@-.z-19,74 .. 75
Map
J.

-31-

White Oak River

During 1974, a total of 2,083 river herring eggs were taken in a total of
10 samples using the 1-meter egg net and 105 samples using the 1/2-meter egg
net. All were found in the Quarry Lakes. No other anadromDus fish eggs were
taken.

River herring began spawning the week of 2 April and extended through the
week of 13 May. Peak spawning occurred during the week of 29 April (Figure 13).
During 1974, a total of 45 river herring larvae were taken in a total of 41
samples using the 1/2-meter egg net in the fresh zone of the White Oak River.
They were caught from 2 May to 15 May in the Quarry Lakes. All were early pro-
larvae and had a mean length of 3.5 mm. The peak capture of river herring
larvae occurred on 15 May (Figure 14). During May, 90 percent of the blueback
herring found in the Quarry Lakes were running-ripe, indicating this to be
a major spawning area (Figure 10).

No other anadromous fish eggs or larvae were caught during 1974. The
capture of a running-ripe female American shad in the Quarry Lakes indicates
this to be a spawning area (Figure 12). No r-ning-ripe female alewife were
-fo-und-, but their presence in the Quarry Lakes probably indicated this to be a

During both years, spawning of river herring was observed taking place at
the Quarry Lakes below U. S. Highway 17 and in the shallow',, rocky region above
the Quarry. Several schools of herring were observed "washing" along the edges,
where the swift current produced rapids as it flowed over rocks ' Herring were
seen ascending a small waterfall (0.5 m. in height) and spawning was observed
taking place above the fall.

During 1975, 891 river herring eggs, 8 river herring larvae, 28 blueback
herring larvae, 3 alewife larvae, and 1 American shad egg were captured in
87, half-meter egg net samples.

River herring spawning began the last week in March and lasted through May
with peak spawning occurring during the first week in May (Figure 13). Spawning
was observed in the Quarry Lakes as In 1974, but evidence also showed that -
spawning occurred in certain tributaries. River herring larvae found in Holston
Creek and Grant Creek indicates these to be spawning areas (Table 13). The
presence of adult river herring indicates spawning probably also occurs in Webb
and Hunter Creeks, although no positive evidence was found.

American shad were found to spawn in the Quarry Lakes as indicated in 1974
(Figure-12). One egg was captured immediately above the*Likes during the first
week in May. Also, runnin&-ripe female American shad were obs'erved in 1975 in@
the Lakes. The presence of adults indicated that spawning probably occurred'in.
Pettiford Creek Vdit's piositivwsevidence vm fotmd.

-32-
c Ae
275 - 1974 -Tomperatur

250-

225-- -25

200 -

175 20
3
c /e 150- V
a
125- 15
c

100-
75 - 10 0

25- -5
0 0
4/2 4/16 4/29 5/13 5/28

W k

c/e
1975 --Temperature
50- 25

40- -20

30 - 14
c /k

20-
.10. :..c
to

10- a
5

0 0
@3/24 417 4/21 -5/5

w 6 0 k

AR
VISW im
:-7
9 _e
Fi

-33-

1974

3
c /e

0
4/16 4/29 5/13 5/28

Week

5 1975

3
c /e.

0 L
4/7 4/21 5/5 5/19

W o e k

--hem
Figure 74aVe-E-Z-1
ORM

-34-

Table 13 - Evidence indicating spawning area locations, White Oak River, 1975

Location Date Species Comments

Quarry lakes 3/26/75 River herring 112 eggs captured
3/26/75 Blueback herring Running ripe female-gill net
4/10/75 River herring 20 eggs captured
4/24/75 River herring 24 eggs captured
4/24175 Blueback herring Running ripe female-gill net
4/24/75 American shad Running ripe female-gill net
5/7/75 River herring 672 eggs captured;..spawning
activity observed
5/19/75 River herring 63 eggs captured; spawning
activity observed
5/19/75 Blueback herring Rimming ripe female-gill net
5/19/75 American shad 1 egg captured

Holston Creek 5/5/75 River herring 1 1@._ captured
5/5/75 Blueback herring Running ripe female-gill net
5/20/75 Blueback herring 24 larvae captured

Grant Creek 5/6/75 River herring 7 larvae captured
5/20/75 Alewife 1 larva.@, captured

-35-

Juvenile Fish Sampling

New River
A total of 90, 18.4 m seine efforts; 122, 6.1 seine efforts; 43, 1.8 m
Cobb trawl efforts, and 130 wing trawl efforts produced 9 blueback herring,
2 alewife, and 2 American shad from October through December, 1973 and July
through December, 1974. Catch data for each gear type are shown in Table 14.
The 18.1 m seine and the modified wing trawl were found to be most successful
at catching Juvenile anadromous fish. The 6.1 m seine was used in the smaller
tributaries and produced no juveniles.

Blueback herring
Juvenile blueback herring were found during October and November, 1973.
None were captured during 1974. All of the blueback herring were found in the
lower channelized section (Figure 15), and had a mean fork length of 51 mm in
October 1973. The data obtained was inadequate to determine growth and movement.

Alewife
Only two juvenille alewife were found in 1973 (Table 14). Both were caught
n the lower channelized section during October 1973 (Figure 15). None were
American shad
Two Juvenile American shad were caught in the New River (Table 14). One
was taken in October 1973 in the lower channelized part and one in October 1974
in lower Southwest Creek (Figure 16). This may indicate Southwest Creek as a
possible nursery area.

Juvenile fish sampling indicates that the New River produced very few young-
of-the-year anadromous fish during 1973 and 1974. The small catches of juveniles
may be a result of reduced spawning and a lack of suitable nursery area habitat
to maintain an anadromous population, but it will be very reduced.

White Oak River

From October through December, 1973 and July through December, 1974, a total
of 352 blueback herring, 110 alewife, and 3 American shad were caught in 159,
18.4 m seine efforts; 81, 6.1 m seine efforts; 30, 1.8 m Cobb trawl efforts; and
83 wing trawl efforts. The C/E by gear is shown in Table 15.

Blueback herring
Juvenile blueback herring were found from July through November in the fresh
zone of the White Oak River. Their peak occurrence was in October' of 'both yen s,
with catches droqpping drastically afterwards (Figure 17). This indicates the
seaward migration probably occurs after October. Three tributaries produced
Juvenile blueback herring. They were Webb, Grant, and Hunter Creeks with Hunter
having the highest C/E(Figure 15 and Table 16).

-36-

Table 14.- Catch, effort, and catch-per-unit-effort (C/E) for 1973 and .1974. year
classes of blueback herring, alewife, and;American shad-by' gear,'Ne-w-River

18.4m, seine Wing trawl 1. 8fiL Cobb trawl
Year 1973 1974 1973 1974 1973 1974
Effort 36 54 130 43

Blueback herring
Catch 9 0 0 0
C/E 0.25

Alewife Catch 2 0 0 0
@C/E 0.06

American shad

Catch 1 0 1 0
C/E, 0.03 0.01

-37-

Nursery area

Roo 13i6--
It,

Quarry.

We S p
ood

treat
Lake

Freema
W*ter Q

Wallace Cr

peltilord

809we

'RI'my

Figure -15:.'-;- -Map of:nursery area of.blueback.@herking-and aldwife... N.dw and White-Oak River-

-38-

Nursery area

@Loa

Roaa 1316

Quar'ry*
Cr FIl 0-p

Great
Lake

Hunter Cy

Wallace Cr

8051 u's Inlet

it. Inlet

Ak Rivie-ts
can
-16 NO a@dd @idh"6 0:.
Tigure' mip :of -m@uraiery 'area Of Amii dhAd

-39-

Table 15 - Catch, effort, and catch-per-effort (C/E) for 1973 and 1974 year classes
of blueback herring, alewife, and American shad by gear in the White Oak
River

18.4m seine Wing trawl 1.8m Cobb trawl
Year 1973 1974 1973 1974. 1973 1974

Effort 36 123 83 30

Blueback herring
Catch 224 87 35 6.
C/E 6.23 0.71 0.43 -0.20

Alewife

Catch 1 42 67 0
C/E. 0.03 0.35 0.81

American shad

Catch 0 3 0 0

C/E 0.03

-40-

1 2

-18.4-n Seine
C /e.

-No,v---..Dec Jul Z-Aug- Sep. Oct ---Nov Doc

-er-f
owictue,
Figure I-T,
:1973-74,-.-

-7-t Z7@

-41-

Table 16 - Catch-per-unit-of-effort for blueback herring and alewife by gear
and area, White Oak River, 1973-74

18.4 m seine Wing trawl
Year 1973 1974 1974

Blueback herring Brackish zone 0.7 0.0 0.0

Fresh zone 11.6 1.2 0.3

Hunter Creek 0.9

Webb Creek 2.0

Alewife Brackish zone 1.0 0.4

Fresh zone 0.1 0.4 1.9

Grant Creek 0.1

Hnlqton Creek 0.6

Webb Creek 0.1

Hunter Creek 3.6

The mean fork lengths by month for blueback herring were larger than those
found by Street and Pate (1975) in the Albemarle Sound area*(Figure 18). This
is probably due to their use of 3.2 mm mesh gear as opposed to the 6.4 m mesh
gear used in this study.

Alewife

Juvenile alewife were found in greatest concentrations in the fresh zone
in September. Afterwards, their numbers decreased ' indicating the seaward
migration occurs after September (Figure 19). The nursery area for alewife
generally corresponded with that for blueback herring (Figure 15), but with a
higher concentration of individuals occurring in the lower part of the river
(Table 16). They were also found using the lower parts of Webb, Hunter, Grant,
and Holston Creeks with Hunter Creek containing the highest concentration
(Table 16).

The mean monthly fork length for alewife ranged from 47 mm in July to 81 mm
in December. This agreed with those found by Street and Pate (1975) in the
Albemarle Sound area (Figure 20).

Juveni le Ameri can shad were taken only in July of 1974. It appeared they
left the spawning grounds and immediately moved down stream on a seaward mi-
gration. They were found from the spawning grounds down to the vicinity of
Holston Creek during a one week period in July (Figure 16). At this time the
mean length of the Juvenile fish was 59 mm.

The White Oak River apparently produces enough Juvenile anadromous fish to
maintain an exploitable population. The nursery grounds of the three species
combined, covers over 30 km of river from the Quarry Lakes to the Webb Creek area.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

New River

The New River appears to contain very low anadromous fish-i3tocks. As a
result, there is little or no utilization of anadromo'us' fish-. The reduced pop-
ulation is probably due to the"30.8 km'of'channelized stream. and the large amount
of development of the New River watershed. Personal communication with commercial
fishermen indicated significant anadromous populations once existed.

The drastic reduction'in anadromous fishes in the'Nev'River is probably due
to reduced recruitment. Low spatf4ng and Juvenile. success as seen in 1973 -And
1974 is probably due to a lack of suitable habitat which'i),laces'thi Anidrom6us,-
stocks in serious danger'. The'future of th6'Nev River'--adromfoUs' population will
depend upon the Ability- of the'tributaries to provide suitable habitat to- maintain
recruitment since the habitat previously found in Nev'River'above' Jacksonville no
longer exists-

-43r

72 -

70 -

68 -

66-

64 -

62
E
E 60-

-C
58

54
b.
0
U-. 52

0
Oct Nov Dec Jul Aug Sep Oct. Nov

1973 19-74

Pi-gure -.194-7m-YeAm I
f 91"@
1973-7C.i@

Z@Z

-44-

7 @18.4rn Seine

--Wing Trawl

c /e

0
Oct Nov Dec Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
1973 1974

Figure 19-
1973-74"

-45-

112-

78--

74--

70--

62-

58-

54,

46--

Oct 73 JuIY'74 Aug:74 Sept'74 Oct 74 Nov '74

CQ
Figure f fak&lleqgth'- rf. adl-

-46-

White Oak River

The White Oak River supports a substantial run of blueback herring and
smaller runs of alewife, American shad, and hickory shad. Adult blueback
herring entered the river in January; they were predominantly four and five
year old fish, and most were virgin. Juvenile blueback were found to use the
Martin Marietta Belgrade Quarry Lakes, the river below, and certain tributaries
as nursery grounds. Their seaward migration was found to occur in October.

Adult alewife entered the river in April and were predominantly ages four
and five; the vast majority were virgin. Only a few Juvenile American shad
were found.

All three species of anadromous fish used the Martin Marietta Belgrade
Quarry Lakes as spawning areas during April and May. Although the lakes re-
present an altered environment, they still appear to support adequate popula-
tions of anadromous fish. In addition, in 1975, river herring were found to
use Holston and Grant Creeks as spawning areas with spawning probably occurring
in Hunter and Webb Creeks.

The White Oak River currently supports a small recreational dip net and
giii. net iisnery. These appear to have i1ttie or no impact upon the anadr6mous
fish populations. The greatest problem facing anadromous fish populations in
small rivers is flood control activities such as channelization and watershed
development. The impact of such alterations is seen vividly in New River. As
a result, it is recommended that future channelization projects be given: closer
scrutiny especially where anadromous fish resources are involved.

-47-

ACKNOWLEDGEIIENTS

This project was made possible by the efforts of many of the Division of
Marine Fisheries personnel: Walter F. Godwin and Michael W. Street; Fisheries
Technicians James J. Bahen, Gerry Davis, and Morris Allison; Lab Technicians
Elizabeth Griffin and Dianne Craig; Preston Pate, who assisted in aging scale
samples; Secretary Elizabeth Wainwright; and to the many students at Cape
Fear Technical Institute who assisted in the field and lab work. Gratitude is
expressed to the Martin Marietta Company and its staff at the Belgrade Quarry
who provided easy access to the lakes and information. Finally, appreciation
is extended to all the commercial and recreational fishermen of the New and
White Oak Rivers for their valuable information.

-48-

LITERATURE CITED

Baker, W. D. 1968.
A reconnaissance of anadromous fish runs into the inland fishing
waters of North Carolina. Final Report of Federal Aid in Fish
Restoration, Project AFCS-3. N. C. Wildlife Resources Commission,
Raleigh, N. C., 33p.

Beal, Kenneth Lee. 1968.
Age and growth of the blueback herring (AZosa aestivaZis) (Mitchill).
Appendix I. M. S. Thesis, College of William and Mary, Virginia, 82p.

Cating, James E. 1953.
Determining age of Atlantic shad from their scales. U. S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Fishery Bulletin. 54(85):187-199.

Davis, James R. and Randall P. Cheek. 1967.
Distribution, food habits, and growth of young clupeids, Cape Fear
River system, North Carolina. Proceedings of the 20th Annual Con-
ferenc,R of the Southeastern Association of Game and Fish Commissioners,
p. 250-260.

Davis, James R. and E. G. McCoy. 1965
Survey and classification of the New, White Oak, and Newport Rivers
and tributaries 'North Carolina. Final Report for Project F-14-R,
Job I-T. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Raleigh, N.C.,
12p. and Appendix.

Marcy, Barton C. 1969.
Age determinations from scales of (AZosa pseudoharengus) (Wilson),
and (AZosa aestivaZis) (Mitchill), in Connecticut wate rs. M. S. Thesis,
University of Connecticut, 26p.

Nichols, Paul R. and Derrell E. Lauder. 1970
Upstream passage of anadromous fish through navigation locks and use
of the stream for spawning and nursery habitat, Cape Fear River, N.C.,
1962-1966. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Circular 352, 12p.

Stevenson, Charles H. 1899.
The shad fisheries of the Atlantic coast of the United States. U. S.
Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries, Report for 1898, p. 101-269.

Street, Michael W. and Preston P. Pate. 1975.
Anadromous fisheries research program, Northern coastal r *egion,*
Section I. Final Report for Project AFCS-8. N. C. Division of
Marine Fisheries, Morehead City, N. C., 173p.

-49-

Street, Michael W. and John G. Adams. 1969
Aging of hickory shad and blueback herring in Georgia by the
scale method. Georgia Game and Fish Commission', Marine
Fisheries Division' Contribution Series No. 18, 13p.

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