Book Description

The cunner, Tautogolabrus adspersus (Walbaum), also known as the chogset or bergall, is commonly found around wharves and docks and on rocky bottoms along the northeastern coast of North America. It is distributed from Newfoundland southward to the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, with a major center of abundance in the Massachusetts Bay area. In these northern waters, cunners are most numerous in shallow inshore areas, although they are frequently taken near wrecks and shoals up to 30 miles at sea. There is little evidence in support of seasonal migration patterns and individuals remain near their areas during their formative years. At one time, the cunner was a favorite fish of New England anglers. During the 1880's between 200,000 and 300,000 pounds of cunner were taken in the New England commercial harvest. However, since the turn of the century, commercial catches have been negligible because of poor demand.