17 6 Abstract—Distribution, movements, Distribution, movements, and habitat use and habitat use of small (<46 cm, juveniles and individuals of unknown of small striped bass (Morone saxatilis) maturity) striped bass (Morone saxa- tilis) were investigated with multiple across multiple spatial scales techniques and at multiple spatial scales (surveys and tag-recapture in Kenneth W. Able1 the estuary and ocean, and telemetry 1 in the estuary) over multiple years to Thomas M. Grothues determine the frequency and dura- Jason T. Turnure1 tion of use of non-natal estuaries. 2* These unique comparisons suggest, Donald M. Byrne at least in New Jersey, that smaller Paul Clerkin1 individuals (<20 cm) may disperse E-mail address for contact author:
[email protected] from natal estuaries and arrive in 1 non-natal estuaries early in life and Rutgers University Marine Field Station take up residence for several years. 800 c/o 132 Great Bay Blvd. During this period of estuarine resi- Tuckerton, New Jersey 08087 dence, individuals spend all seasons 2 New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection primarily in the low salinity portions Nacote Creek Research Station of the estuary. At larger sizes, they P.O. Box 418 then leave these non-natal estuaries Port Republic, New Jersey 08241 to begin coastal migrations with those * Posthumous individuals from nurseries in natal estuaries. These composite observa- tions of frequency and duration of habitat use indicate that non-natal estuaries may provide important habitat for a portion of the striped bass population. A full understanding of the distribu- juveniles remain in estuaries for the tion, movements, and habitat use of first few years of life before leaving juvenile and other subadult striped to join the coastal migration and may bass (Morone saxatilis) is central to stay longer, if they are natal estuarine deciphering the role, impacts, and residents (Secor 1999; Ashley et al., management of this abundant and 2000; Secor and Piccoli, 2007).