ATLANTIC NEEDLEFISH Strongylura marina (Walbaum, 1792): DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE: Native. In Massachusetts, Atlantic needlefish are common in the coastal rivers and bays south of Cape Cod. They have been recorded from Pleasant and Waquoit bays, and in the Bass, Slocum, Wareham, and Westport rivers. Local residents have described large "garfish" in Weir Mill Creek above Follins Pond at the head of the Bass River on Cape Cod during spring (KEH pers. comm.). Large numbers have been taken in Pleasant Bay on Cape Cod but this area lacks major freshwater tributaries. Based on a single larva (0.6 inches TL) collected near the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant in Plymouth on July 28, 1977, the species has apparently reproduced north of Cape Cod in Massachusetts Bay.