NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-NE-122

Essential Fish Habitat Source Document:

Fishery-Independent Surveys,

Data Sources, and Methods

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

National Marine Fisheries Service

Northeast Region

Northeast Fisheries Science Center

Woods Hole, Massachusetts

September 1999
Recent Issues

105. Review of American Lobster (Homarus americanus) Habitat Requirements and Responses to Contaminant Exposures.

By Renee Mercaldo-Allen and Catherine A. Kuropat. July 1994. v + 52 p., 29 tables. NTIS Access. No. PB96-115555.

106. Selected Living Resources, Habitat Conditions, and Human Perturbations of the Gulf of Maine: Environmental and

Ecological Considerations for Fishery Management. By Richard W. Langton, John B. Pearce, and Jon A. Gibson, eds.

August 1994. iv + 70 p., 2 figs., 6 tables. NTIS Access. No. PB95-270906.

107. Invertebrate Neoplasia: Initiation and Promotion Mechanisms -- Proceedings of an International Workshop, 23 June

1992, Washington, D.C. By A. Rosenfield, F.G. Kern, and B.J. Keller, comps. & eds. September 1994. v + 31 p., 8 figs.,

3 tables. NTIS Access. No. PB96-164801.

108. Status of Fishery Resources off the Northeastern United States for 1994. By Conservation and Utilization Division,

Northeast Fisheries Science Center. January 1995. iv + 140 p., 71 figs., 75 tables. NTIS Access. No. PB95-263414.

109. Proceedings of the Symposium on the Potential for Development of Aquaculture in Massachusetts: 15-17 February 1995,

Chatham/Edgartown/Dartmouth, Massachusetts. By Carlos A. Castro and Scott J. Soares, comps. & eds. January 1996.

v + 26 p., 1 fig., 2 tables. NTIS Access. No. PB97-103782.

110. Length-Length and Length-Weight Relationships for 13 Shark Species from the Western North Atlantic. By Nancy E.

Kohler, John G. Casey, Patricia A. Turner. May 1996. iv + 22 p., 4 figs., 15 tables. NTIS Access. No. PB97-135032.

111. Review and Evaluation of the 1994 Experimental Fishery in Closed Area II on Georges Bank. By Patricia A. Gerrior,

Fredric M. Serchuk, Kathleen C. Mays, John F. Kenney, and Peter D. Colosi. October 1996. v + 52 p., 24 figs., 20 tables. NTIS

Access. No. PB98-119159.

112. Data Description and Statistical Summary of the 1983-92 Cost-Earnings Data Base for Northeast U.S. Commercial

Fishing Vessels: A Guide to Understanding and Use of the Data Base. By Amy B. Gautam and Andrew W. Kitts. December

1996. v + 21 p., 11 figs., 14 tables. NTIS Access. No. PB97-169320.

113. Individual Vessel Behavior in the Northeast Otter Trawl Fleet during 1982-92. By Barbara Pollard Rountree. August 1997.

v + 50 p., 1 fig., 40 tables. NTIS Access. No. PB99-169997.

114. U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Marine Mammal Stock Assessments -- 1996. By Gordon T. Waring, Debra L. Palka, Keith

D. Mullin, James H.W. Hain, Larry J. Hansen, and Kathryn D. Bisack. October 1997. viii + 250 p., 42 figs., 47 tables. NTIS

Access. No. PB98-112345.

115. Status of Fishery Resources off the Northeastern United States for 1998. By Stephen H. Clark, ed. September 1998. vi

+ 149 p., 70 figs., 80 tables. NTIS Access. No. PB99-129694.

116. U.S. Atlantic Marine Mammal Stock Assessments -- 1998. By Gordon T. Waring, Debra L. Palka, Phillip J. Clapham, Steven

Swartz, Marjorie C. Rossman, Timothy V.N. Cole, Kathryn D. Bisack, and Larry J. Hansen. February 1999. vii + 182 p., 16

figs., 56 tables. NTIS Access. No. PB99-134140.

117. Review of Distribution of the Long-finned Pilot Whale (Globicephala melas) in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean.

By Alan A. Abend and Tim D. Smith. April 1999. vi + 22 p., 14 figs., 3 tables. NTIS Access. No. PB99-165029.

118. Tautog (Tautoga onitis) Life History and Habitat Requirements. By Frank W. Steimle and Patricia A. Shaheen. May 1999.

vi + 23 p., 1 fig., 1 table. NTIS Access. No. PB99-165011.

119. Data Needs for Economic Analysis of Fishery Management Regulations. By Andrew W. Kitts and Scott R. Steinback.

August 1999. iv + 48 p., 10 figs., 22 tables. NTIS Access. No. PB99-171456.

120. Marine Mammal Research Program of the Northeast Fisheries Science Center during 1990-95. By Janeen M. Quintal and

Tim D. Smith. September 1999. v + 28 p., 4 tables, 4 app. NTIS Access. No. PB2000-100809.
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

William Daley, Secretary

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

D. James Baker, Administrator

National Marine Fisheries Service

Penelope D. Dalton, Assistant Administrator for Fisheries

Northeast Region

Northeast Fisheries Science Center

Woods Hole, Massachusetts

September 1999

Essential Fish Habitat Source Document:

Fishery-Independent Surveys,

Data Sources, and Methods

Robert N. Reid1, Frank P. Almeida2, and Christine A. Zetlin1

1National Marine Fisheries Serv., James J. Howard Marine Sciences Lab., 74 Magruder Rd., Highlands, NJ 07732 2National Marine Fisheries Serv., Woods Hole Lab., 166 Water St., Woods Hole, MA 02543-1026

This series represents a secondary level of scientifiic publishing. All issues employ

thorough internal scientific review; some issues employ external scientific review.

Reviews are -- by design -- transparent collegial reviews, not anonymous peer reviews.

All issues may be cited in formal scientific communications.

NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-NE-122
Editorial Notes on Issues 122-152

in the

NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-NE Series

Editorial Production

For Issues 122-152, staff of the Northeast Fisheries Science Center's (NEFSC's) Ecosystems Processes Division have

largely assumed the role of staff of the NEFSC's Editorial Office for technical and copy editing, type composition, and

page layout. Other than the four covers (inside and outside, front and back) and first two preliminary pages, all preprinting

editorial production has been performed by, and all credit for such production rightfully belongs to, the authors and

acknowledgees of each issue, as well as those noted below in "Special Acknowledgments."

Special Acknowledgments

David B. Packer, Sara J. Griesbach, and Luca M. Cargnelli coordinated virtually all aspects of the preprinting editorial

production, as well as performed virtually all technical and copy editing, type composition, and page layout, of Issues

122-152. Rande R. Cross, Claire L. Steimle, and Judy D. Berrien conducted the literature searching, citation checking,

and bibliographic styling for Issues 122-152. Joseph J. Vitaliano produced all of the food habits figures in Issues 122-

152.

Internet Availability

Issues 122-152 are being copublished, i.e., both as paper copies and as web postings. All web postings are, or will soon

be, available at: www.nefsc.nmfs.gov/nefsc/habitat/efh. Also, all web postings will be in "PDF" format.

Information Updating

By federal regulation, all information specific to Issues 122-152 must be updated at least every five years. All official

updates will appear in the web postings. Paper copies will be reissued only when and if new information associated with

Issues 122-152 is significant enough to warrant a reprinting of a given issue. All updated and/or reprinted issues will retain

the original issue number, but bear a "Revised (Month Year)" label.

Species Names

The NMFS Northeast Regions policy on the use of species names in all technical communications is generally to follow

the American Fisheries Societys lists of scientific and common names for fishes (i.e., Robins et al. 1991a), mollusks (i.e.,

Turgeon et al. 1998b

), and decapod crustaceans (i.e., Williams et al. 1989c), and to follow the Society for Marine

Mammalogy's guidance on scientific and common names for marine mammals (i.e., Rice 1998d). Exceptions to this policy

occur when there are subsequent compelling revisions in the classifications of species, resulting in changes in the names

of species (e.g., Cooper and Chapleau 1998e

).

a

Robins, C.R. (chair); Bailey, R.M.; Bond, C.E.; Brooker, J.R.; Lachner, E.A.; Lea, R.N.; Scott, W.B. 1991. Common and scientific names of fishes

from the United States and Canada. 5th ed. Amer. Fish. Soc. Spec. Publ. 20; 183 p.

b

Turgeon, D.D. (chair); Quinn, J.F., Jr.; Bogan, A.E.; Coan, E.V.; Hochberg, F.G.; Lyons, W.G.; Mikkelsen, P.M.; Neves, R.J.; Roper, C.F.E.;

Rosenberg, G.; Roth, B.; Scheltema, A.; Thompson, F.G.; Vecchione, M.; Williams, J.D. 1998. Common and scientific names of aquatic

invertebrates from the United States and Canada: mollusks. 2nd ed. Amer. Fish. Soc. Spec. Publ. 26; 526 p.

c

Williams, A.B. (chair); Abele, L.G.; Felder, D.L.; Hobbs, H.H., Jr.; Manning, R.B.; McLaughlin, P.A.; Pérez Farfante, I. 1989. Common and

scientific names of aquatic invertebrates from the United States and Canada: decapod crustaceans. Amer. Fish. Soc. Spec. Publ. 17; 77 p.

d

Rice, D.W. 1998. Marine mammals of the world: systematics and distribution. Soc. Mar. Mammal. Spec. Publ. 4; 231 p.

e

Cooper, J.A.; Chapleau, F. 1998. Monophyly and interrelationships of the family Pleuronectidae (Pleuronectiformes), with a revised classification.

Fish. Bull. (U.S.) 96:686-726.
Page iii

FOREWORD

One of the greatest long-term threats to the viability of

commercial and recreational fisheries is the continuing

loss of marine, estuarine, and other aquatic habitats.

Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and

Management Act (October 11, 1996)

The long-term viability of living marine resources

depends on protection of their habitat.

NMFS Strategic Plan for Fisheries

Research (February 1998)

The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and

Management Act (MSFCMA), which was reauthorized

and amended by the Sustainable Fisheries Act (1996),

requires the eight regional fishery management councils to

describe and identify essential fish habitat (EFH) in their

respective regions, to specify actions to conserve and

enhance that EFH, and to minimize the adverse effects of

fishing on EFH. Congress defined EFH as “those waters

and substrate necessary to fish for spawning, breeding,

feeding or growth to maturity.” The MSFCMA requires

NMFS to assist the regional fishery management councils

in the implementation of EFH in their respective fishery

management plans.

NMFS has taken a broad view of habitat as the area

used by fish throughout their life cycle. Fish use habitat

for spawning, feeding, nursery, migration, and shelter, but

most habitats provide only a subset of these functions.

Fish may change habitats with changes in life history

stage, seasonal and geographic distributions, abundance,

and interactions with other species. The type of habitat,

as well as its attributes and functions, are important for

sustaining the production of managed species.

The Northeast Fisheries Science Center compiled the

available information on the distribution, abundance, and

habitat requirements for each of the species managed by

the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management

Councils. That information is presented in this series of

30 EFH species reports (plus one consolidated methods

report). The EFH species reports comprise a survey of the

important literature as well as original analyses of fisheryJAMES J. HOWARD MARINE SCIENCES LABORATORY

HIGHLANDS, NEW JERSEY

SEPTEMBER 1999

independent data sets from NMFS and several coastal

states. The species reports are also the source for the

current EFH designations by the New England and MidAtlantic Fishery Management Councils, and have

understandably begun to be referred to as the “EFH source

documents.”

NMFS provided guidance to the regional fishery

management councils for identifying and describing EFH

of their managed species. Consistent with this guidance,

the species reports present information on current and

historic stock sizes, geographic range, and the period and

location of major life history stages. The habitats of

managed species are described by the physical, chemical,

and biological components of the ecosystem where the

species occur. Information on the habitat requirements is

provided for each life history stage, and it includes, where

available, habitat and environmental variables that control

or limit distribution, abundance, growth, reproduction,

mortality, and productivity.

Identifying and describing EFH are the first steps in

the process of protecting, conserving, and enhancing

essential habitats of the managed species. Ultimately,

NMFS, the regional fishery management councils, fishing

participants, Federal and state agencies, and other

organizations will have to cooperate to achieve the habitat

goals established by the MSFCMA.

A historical note: the EFH species reports effectively

recommence a series of reports published by the NMFS

Sandy Hook (New Jersey) Laboratory (now formally

known as the James J. Howard Marine Sciences

Laboratory) from 1977 to 1982. These reports, which

were formally labeled as Sandy Hook Laboratory

Technical Series Reports, but informally known as “Sandy

Hook Bluebooks,” summarized biological and fisheries

data for 18 economically important species. The fact that

the bluebooks continue to be used two decades after their

publication persuaded us to make their successors – the 30

EFH source documents – available to the public through

publication in the NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFSNE series.

JEFFREY N. CROSS, CHIEF

ECOSYSTEMS PROCESSES DIVISION

NORTHEAST FISHERIES SCIENCE CENTER
Page v

Contents

Introduction...............................................................................................................................................................................................1

NEFSC Food Habits Database ..................................................................................................................................................................1

Egg and Larval Surveys ............................................................................................................................................................................1

Juvenile and Adult Surveys.......................................................................................................................................................................2

Acknowledgments.....................................................................................................................................................................................6

References Cited .......................................................................................................................................................................................6

Tables

Table 1. Dates and number of tows for each NEFSC MARMAP fish egg survey, 1978-1987 ...........................................................8

Table 2. Dates and number of tows for each NEFSC MARMAP larval fish survey, 1977-1987........................................................9

Table 3a. NMFS NEFSC bottom trawl surveys conducted during spring, 1968-1997 .......................................................................10

Table 3b. NMFS NEFSC bottom trawl surveys conducted during fall, 1963-1996 ............................................................................11

Table 3c. NMFS NEFSC bottom trawl surveys conducted during summer, 1963-1995.....................................................................12

Table 3d. NMFS NEFSC bottom trawl surveys conducted during winter, 1964-1997 .......................................................................12

Table 4. Species-specific conversion factors and lengths at which males and females are considered adults for EFH purposes......13

Table 5. NMFS NEFSC sea scallop surveys conducted during 1982-1997 ......................................................................................14

Table 6. NMFS NEFSC Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog surveys conducted during 1965-1997...............................................15

Table 7a. State of Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries bottom trawl surveys conducted during spring, 1978-1997 .............16

Table 7b. State of Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries bottom trawl surveys conducted during fall, 1978-1996..................17

Figures

Figure 1. Geographic locations - northeast U.S. and contiguous Canadian waters.............................................................................18

Figure 2. Geographic locations - coastal New England and Georges Bank to the Bay of Fundy .......................................................19

Figure 3. Geographic locations - Canadian waters from Nova Scotia north .......................................................................................20

Figure 4. Geographic locations - South Atlantic Bight, with strata sampled in SEAMAP-SA shallow water trawl survey ...............21

Figure 5. Distribution of all tows for ichthyoplankton eggs and larvae during NEFSC MARMAP surveys......................................22

Figure 6. Distribution of all tows for ichthyoplankton eggs by month during NEFSC MARMAP surveys .......................................24

Figure 7. Distribution of all tows for ichthyoplankton larvae by month during NEFSC MARMAP surveys.....................................27

Figure 8. Distribution of all tows conducted during South Atlantic Bight MARMAP surveys (from Collins and Stender 1987) .....30

Figure 9. Temporal distribution of NEFSC trawl surveys, 1963-1997 ...............................................................................................31

Figure 10. Distribution of NEFSC bottom trawl survey tows by season ..............................................................................................32

Figure 11. Distribution of all NEFSC sea scallop tows, summer 1982-1997 .......................................................................................33

Figure 12. Distribution of all NEFSC Atlantic surfclam/ocean quahog tows, summer 1980-1997 ......................................................34

Figure 13. Stations sampled in Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay/Coastal trawl survey........................................................................35

Figure 14. Distribution of all tows made during the Long Island Sound trawl survey in spring and autumn, 1992-1997....................36

Figure 15. Lower Hudson-Raritan Estuary bottom trawl surveys.........................................................................................................37

Figure 16. Distribution of Hudson-Raritan bottom trawl survey tows, January 1992 to June 1997 .....................................................38
Page 1

INTRODUCTION

This report describes the methods used to collect

various data which have been utilized in the Northeast

Fisheries Science Center Essential Fish Habitat (EFH)

Source Documents to describe the life history and habitat

characteristics of federally-managed species within the

northeastern United States. These documents employ data

which were collected in surveys by the Northeast Fisheries

Science Center (NEFSC) and several New England and

Middle Atlantic states, as well as other agencies. This

report summarizes data collection methods for the food

habits database, egg and larval surveys (presented north to

south), and juvenile and adult surveys (NEFSC surveys,

then other surveys north to south).

Geographic locations discussed in the EFH source

documents are presented in Figures 1-4 (respectively,

northeast U.S. and contiguous Canadian waters; larger

scale of coastal New England and Georges Bank to Bay of

Fundy; more northern Canadian waters; and South

Atlantic Bight).

NEFSC FOOD HABITS DATABASE

Feeding ecology data are available from samples

collected by the Food Web Dynamics Program during

NEFSC Bottom Trawl Surveys from 1973-1990. This

database contains over 123,000 stomach samples from

174 species of fish and squid. Diet summaries of species

collected during the surveys were analyzed separately for

the 1973-1980 and 1981-1990 time periods due to

differences in stomach analyses and data processing.

During 1973-1980, stomach samples were preserved

and processed in the laboratory. Prey weights were

recorded to the nearest 0.01 g. During 1981-1990,

stomach samples were processed at sea, and prey volumes

were visually estimated to the nearest 0.1 cc. For prey

without calcareous shells, there is an approximately 1:1

relationship between prey weight (mg) and volume (ml);

for shelled prey, the weight:volume ratio exceeds unity

(Steimle et al. 1994). The differences in prey

identification and prey measurements make comparisons

between 1973-1980 and 1981-1990 data difficult.

Invertebrate prey were identified more accurately, and to

lower taxonomic levels, in the laboratory-processed

samples (1973-1980). In contrast, fish prey were more

accurately identified to species, while most invertebrates

were identified only to higher taxonomic levels, in the

field-processed samples (1981-1990). Consequently,

comparisons between the two periods are biased by

differences in the level of identification.

EGG AND LARVAL SURVEYS

NEFSC MARMAP SURVEYS

The NEFSC Marine Resources Monitoring,

Assessment and Prediction program (MARMAP) sampled

fish eggs and larvae on monthly to bimonthly surveys

from Cape Hatteras, NC, to Cape Sable, NS, from 1977

through 1987 (Sibunka and Silverman 1984, 1989).

Sampling concentrated on the continental shelf, in depths

≥ 8 m, but stations as deep as 2,476 m were sampled. A

total of 81 surveys were made. Dates and numbers of

tows for each survey for which data are available are

listed in Tables 1 and 2 for eggs and larvae, respectively.

Less data are available for eggs than for larvae because

egg samples from 1977 and two later cruises (cruises 1-11

and 51-52 in Table 2) were destroyed in a fire. Overall

sampling effort (all surveys combined) for eggs and larvae

is shown in Figure 5. Sampling effort by month (all years

combined) is shown in Figures 6 and 7.

Sampling was conducted with 61 cm diameter

"bongo" plankton samplers with 0.333 and 0.555 mm

mesh nets; they were fished to a maximum depth of 200

m, or to within 5 m of the seabed. Towing wire was paid

out at 50 m/min and retrieved at 20 m/min. Vessel speed

was adjusted between 1 and 2 knots to maintain a 45o

angle in the tow wire. Digital flowmeters were used to

determine volumes of water filtered. Catches were

multiplied by a "haul factor" for conversion to densities

per 10 m2

 of sea surface, where:

maximum sampling depth Haul factor =

(net mouth area) x (flowmeter

revolutions) x (flowmeter calibration)

Depths were determined with an electronic meter

block; a mechanical time depth recorder was also used

beginning in 1982. Surface temperatures were measured

with a stem thermometer in a bucket sample. Subsurface

temperatures were measured with reversing thermometers

on a string of Niskin water samplers set at specific water

depths, and with expendable bathythermographs (XBTs).

Beginning in 1987, hydrographic measurements were

made using a Seabird conductivity, temperature, and

depth (CTD) instrument.

SOUTH ATLANTIC BIGHT

MARMAP

From 1973-1980, the South Carolina Marine

Resources Research Institute conducted ichthyoplankton

surveys throughout the South Atlantic Bight (SAB)

(Powles and Stender 1976; Collins and Stender 1987).

The studies were sponsored by the National Marine
Page 2

Fisheries Service (NMFS) MARMAP Program Office. A

total of 1,163 samples were taken from Cape Hatteras, NC

to Cape Canaveral, FL, in depths ranging from 9-3,490 m.

Locations of all collections are shown in Figure 8.

Two types of gear were used for neuston collections:

a 1.0 x 0.5 m neuston net with 505 micron mesh, and a 2.0

x 1.0 m net with 947 micron mesh. Both nets were towed

half-submerged. Samples were also taken with a bongo

frame with 0.6 m diameter nets (333 and 505 micron

mesh; only the latter samples were sorted for

ichthyoplankton). All bongo tows were double oblique

from 0 to ≤ 200 m depths. A total of 533 neuston tows

and 500 bongo tows were taken over the duration of the

study. Samples were preserved at sea and sorted in the

laboratory under dissecting microscopes. No data were

available for distribution/abundance of eggs. Larval

abundance data were converted to numbers per 10 m2

 via

the same calculations used for NEFSC MARMAP data.

JUVENILE AND ADULT SURVEYS

NEFSC BOTTOM TRAWL

SURVEYS

Seasonal distributions of adult and juvenile fish were

determined from the NEFSC bottom-trawl survey catch

data. Surveys have been conducted in the fall since 1963

and in the spring since 1968; seasonal surveys have also

been conducted in summer and winter on an intermittent

basis (Table 3a-d). Temporal coverage of the surveys has

changed through time; e.g., recent fall cruises have tended

to occur earlier in the year (Figure 9). The general pattern

of spring and fall surveys is typically south to north,

beginning in central to southern portions of the Middle

Atlantic Bight, followed by southern New EnglandNantucket Shoals, Georges Bank, and finally the Gulf of

Maine and Scotian Shelf. Trawl stations were selected in

a stratified random design that provides unbiased

estimates of fish availability to the trawl gear in relation to

the distribution of species. Strata were defined based on

water depth, latitude, and historical fishing patterns.

Within each stratum, stations were assigned randomly for

each survey; the number of stations allotted to a stratum

was in proportion to its area. A minimum of two stations

was assigned to small strata for the calculation of means

and variances. Station allotments were approximately one

station per 200 n mi2

.

The surveys were conducted in depths from 27 m to

366 m; however, greater depths were occasionally

sampled in canyons along the continental shelf break. At

each station, the total catch was sorted by species, and the

catch of each species was weighed (to the nearest 0.1 kg)

and measured (to the nearest cm); very large catches were

subsampled. Geographic location, depth, and

hydrographic data were also collected at each station. A

complete description and evaluation of the bottom trawl

survey program, including routine sampling protocols, can

be found in Grosslein (1969), Azarovitz (1981), and

Northeast Fisheries Science Center (1988). Geographic

coverage of the NEFSC bottom-trawl surveys by season is

shown in Figure 10.

Efforts have been made to maintain a standard trawl

time series for over three decades. However, changes to

the vessels, trawls, and trawl doors have been inevitable.

To examine the effects of these changes to the survey, a

series of gear comparison experiments was conducted; the

data used in the EFH source documents reflects a

standardization of these data.

Vessels

Three vessels have been used throughout the time

series to conduct the surveys: the NOAA R/V Albatross

IV, the R/V Delaware II, and the R/V Atlantic Twin (Table

3). The Albatross IV has been the primary vessel used in

the survey with the Delaware II used during periods when

the Albatross IV was unavailable. A series of vessel

comparison cruises was conducted during 1981-1982 and

1986-1988 to evaluate the relative catchability of these

vessels and to calculate fishing power (vessel conversion)

coefficients (Table 4) (Byrne and Forrester 1991a).

During 1972-1975, the R/V Atlantic Twin was used to

conduct inshore surveys primarily in the southern New

England-Middle Atlantic area. There are no data

available to examine the relative catchability of this vessel

in comparison to the Albatross IV; therefore, the catch

data from these surveys were not adjusted.

Trawls

Offshore surveys (depths greater than 27 m)

conducted in the fall have used a #36 Yankee bottom

trawl rigged with 41 cm rollers and a 1.25 cm (stretched

mesh) cod end and towed at 1.8 m/s (= 6.5 km/h or

approximately 3.7 kn) for 30 minutes at each station

throughout the time series (see Table 3). The #36 Yankee

trawl was also used during the 1968-1972 and 1982-1996

offshore spring surveys, but was replaced by a larger,

high-opening #41 Yankee trawl during 1973-1981 in an

effort to increase the fishing power for pelagic species.

Inshore surveys (depths less than 27 m) during 1972-

1975 on the R/V Atlantic Twin were conducted with a

modified 3/4 #36 Yankee trawl; all others used a standard

#36 Yankee trawl. During 1976-1981, the #36 and #41

trawls were used inshore in the fall and spring,

respectively. Surveys conducted in the summer used a

#36 Yankee trawl throughout the series. A variety of

trawls have been used during winter surveys including the

#36 trawl (1964-1966, 1981), the #41 trawl (1972 and
Page 3

1978), and a #36 trawl fitted with a chain sweep covered

by rubber disks and 30 fathom ground cables designed to

be more efficient in monitoring flounders (1992-1997).

An analysis of the differential catchability of the #36

and #41 Yankee trawls was conducted during gear

comparison cruises in 1973-1975 and the calculation of

trawl gear conversion coefficients for those nets (Table 4)

was made by Sissenwine and Bowman (1978). No other

trawl conversion factors are available.

Trawl Doors

During 1963-1984, the standard trawl doors used

during the surveys were oval, wood/steel combination

doors manufactured by the A.S. Bergens Mekaniske

Versteder Co. (BMV) of Norway. These doors were used

with both the #36 and #41 Yankee trawls with minimal

modifications during this period. However, production of

these doors ceased in 1983 and all-steel polyvalent doors

manufactured by the Euronete Co. of Portugal were

chosen to replace the BMV doors. In 1985, the

polyvalent doors were placed in service as the standard

survey door. An analysis of the differential catchability of

the trawl doors was conducted using data collected from

cruises in 1984, 1986-1987, and 1990-1991 and the

calculation of trawl door conversion coefficients (Table 4)

was made by Byrne and Forrester (1991b). To the extent

possible, bottom trawl survey data were adjusted to reflect

the following standard gear configuration:

vessel: R/V Albatross IV

trawl: #36 Yankee

trawl doors: Polyvalent.

Table 4 contains conversion coefficients for those

species that had significantly different catch rates (in

numbers) at the 0.05 level for each of the major gear

changes in the survey. Catch data (in numbers) from each

of the surveys were adjusted using these conversion

factors on a station-by-station basis to provide a

standardized set of data. Adjusted catches by species and

survey were separated into juveniles and adults utilizing

estimated lengths at 50% maturity (L50) [O’Brien et al.

(1993) for all species except the following: Marques da

Silva (1993) (spiny dogfish); Almeida et al. (1995)

(goosefish); and Hendrickson et al. (1996) (northern

shortfin squid)]. The L50 values used were those

calculated for females averaged over stock areas. The

smallest adult lengths are the L50 values rounded to the

nearest whole cm (Table 4). Total numbers-at-length data

for each life stage were summed by station and plots of

relative abundance by station generated for the spring and

fall time series. Due to the variability in area covered and

gears used during winter and summer surveys, distribution

maps are presented as dot plots of presence/absence for

each life stage.

NEFSC SEA SCALLOP

SURVEYS

Sea scallop surveys by the NEFSC began in 1975 and

have been conducted annually since 1977 (Table 5).

Consistency of sampling dates and methods is greatest for

the period 1982-1997, so this is the period for which data

are presented. The surveys were designed to monitor the

distribution, abundance, and recruitment patterns of the

sea scallop resource in US offshore waters from Cape

Hatteras, NC to Georges Bank (Figure 11). Sampling

stations were selected using a stratified random design

where strata were defined based on water depth and

latitude. Within each stratum, stations were assigned

randomly; the number of stations allotted to a stratum was

proportional to its area. In selected strata in which

commercial fishing activity or known concentrations of

sea scallops were present, additional stations were

randomly assigned prior to the survey to increase the

precision of the abundance estimates for those strata.

The primary vessel used to conduct the survey

throughout the series was the R/V Albatross IV; however,

the R/V Delaware II (1978 only), R/V Chapman (1989

only), and R/V Oregon II (1989-1993) were also used

during the series. Since 1979, the surveys have used a

2.44 m (8 ft) wide commercial sea scallop dredge with a

5.1 cm (2 in) ring bag and a 3.8 cm (1.5 in) mesh liner.

The dredge was towed at 3.5 kn (~6.1 km/h) for 15 min at

each station throughout the time series (Table 5).

The 1975 survey was conducted using transect

sampling. Prior to 1979, a 3.05 m (10 ft) unlined dredge

and different sampling strata were used. Data collected

during these surveys have been standardized to the current

gear configuration and stratification scheme [see Serchuk

et al. (1982) for details]. In 1989, the sampling strata set

was revised and strata with consistently low catch levels

were eliminated (Wigley and Serchuk 1996). This

resulted in slightly reduced spatial coverage, but increased

precision in abundance estimates. Data from all prior

surveys were post-stratified to conform to the current

stratification scheme.

At each station, the total catch was sorted into

biological and trash components. Live scallops collected

at each station were counted and shell height

measurements taken by 5 mm intervals. The bycatch of

selected species was also enumerated and measured to the

nearest centimeter and trash was measured by volume.

Geographic location, depth, and hydrographic data were

also collected at each station. A description of the survey

program, including routine sampling protocols, can be

found in Serchuk and Smolowitz (1980), Serchuk et al.

(1979), Serchuk et al. (1982), and Wigley and Serchuk

(1996). Total numbers-at-length data were summed by
Page 4

station and plots of sea scallop abundance by station were

generated for the time series.

NEFSC ATLANTIC SURFCLAM/

OCEAN QUAHOG SURVEYS

The NEFSC conducted a total of 23 surveys during

1965-1997 to monitor and evaluate the distribution,

abundance, and size composition of Atlantic surfclam and

ocean quahog populations off the northeast coast between

Cape Hatteras, NC and the Scotian Shelf. The survey was

initially designed to monitor the surfclam population;

however, as the ocean quahog industry grew, the survey

was expanded to monitor that species as well. Prior to

1976, the surveys were conducted intermittently; annual

surveys were conducted during 1976-1984, and at least

every third year since 1986 (Table 6). Overall geographic

coverage of all surveys combined is shown in Figure 12.

During the earliest years of the survey, sampling stations

were selected based on a grid-type design with stations

spaced at approximate 10 nm intervals along latitudelongitude or LORAN lines. In 1978, the station selection

method was modified to a stratified random design with

strata defined primarily by depth and bottom type (the

pre-1978 data have been post-stratified to conform to the

stratified random design). Within each stratum, stations

were assigned randomly; the number of stations allotted to

a stratum was proportional to its area. In selected strata in

which either commercial fishing activity or clam

concentrations were known to occur, additional stations

were randomly assigned prior to the survey to increase the

precision of the abundance estimates in those strata.

The primary vessel used throughout the time series

was the R/V Delaware II; however, the R/V Albatross IV

(1966 and 1969) and R/V Undaunted (1965 only) were

also used. Changes to the survey gear have included

modifications to the dredge pump type, dredge width, and

mesh size (Table 6). Since limited comparative gear

testing occurred prior to some of the changes, and

multiple changes were made sometimes simultaneously, it

is difficult to calculate standardization coefficients from

the survey data. The major change to the survey gear was

the conversion from a 122 cm (48 in) width dredge with a

surface supplied pump to a 152 cm (60 in) dredge with an

electrohydraulic submersible pump in 1979 (Smolowitz

and Nulk 1982). There are no data available to evaluate

the effect of these changes to the gear. In addition to the

pump and width changes, the mesh opening of the dredge

changed from 1.91 cm to 5.08 cm over a period of three

years (1978-1980). Limited data are available to evaluate

effects of the changes in mesh on ocean quahog

collections, but no data are available to evaluate effects of

the changes on surfclam catch. No major changes have

been made to the survey gear or methods since 1980, with

the exception of a change in the vessel winch and the

addition of a grate on the front of the dredge during the

onboard wash of the catch (possibly increasing the

retention of small clams) in 1997.

The dredge was towed at 1.5 knots (~2.6 km/h) for 5

min at each station throughout the time series (Table 6).

At each station, the catch was sorted to species, and

subsamples of surfclam and ocean quahog were measured

to determine the size distribution of the catch. The total

meat weight of the clams collected at each station was

computed from length-weight equations (Murawski and

Serchuk 1989; Northeast Fisheries Science Center 1998).

Geographic location, depth, and hydrographic data were

also collected at each station. A description of the survey

program, including routine sampling protocols, can be

found in Murawski (1981), Murawski and Serchuk

(1989), Smolowitz and Nulk (1982), and Northeast

Fisheries Science Center (1996).

During the 1997 survey, the performance of the

survey gear was evaluated with bottom contact sensors,

angle indicator (to determine when the dredge was

fishing), pressure and depth sensors, GPS to determine

ship speed and location, and video. The results indicated

that the efficiency of the dredge gear was similar in 1997

to that in 1992 and different than in 1994. A complete

description of this analysis is available in Northeast

Fisheries Science Center (1998).

MASSACHUSETTS BOTTOM

TRAWL SURVEYS

The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries

(MA-DMF) has conducted a series of standardized bottom

trawl surveys in Massachusetts and adjacent coastal

waters, including all of Buzzards Bay, Nantucket Sound

and Cape Cod Bay, and the southwestern Gulf of Maine,

during the spring and fall since 1978 (Table 7a, b). The

surveys were designed to determine factors affecting the

distribution and abundance of a broad suite of finfish and

invertebrate species. The stations sampled are included in

distribution/abundance figure in each source document.

Trawl stations were selected using a stratified random

design and sampling protocols were identical to those

followed during NEFSC surveys. Sampling density was

one station per 19 n. mi2

. At each station, the total catch

was sorted by species, and the catch of each species

weighed (to the nearest 0.1 kg) and measured (to the

nearest cm). Geographic location, depth, and

hydrographic data were also collected at each station. A

complete description and evaluation of the bottom trawl

survey program, including routine sampling protocols, can

be found in Howe et al. (1997).

Two vessels have been used to conduct the surveys;

the R/V Francis Elizabeth during 1978-1981, and the

NOAA R/V Gloria Michelle from 1982 to the present.

Vessel comparison experiments were not conducted to
Page 5

evaluate the relative catchability of these ships, so the data

have not been standardized. The surveys used a 3/4 North

Atlantic-type two seam (Whiting) trawl rigged with a

9-cm rubber disc chain sweep and 1.25 cm (stretched

mesh) cod end towed at 2.5 kn (~4.4 km/h) for 20 min at

each station throughout the time series (Table 7a, b).

Stations were occupied during daylight hours only. Catch

data (in numbers) were divided into juveniles and adults

by species using the methods described for the NEFSC

survey data.

RHODE ISLAND NARRAGANSETT

BAY TRAWL SURVEYS

A monthly bottom trawl survey of 12 fixed stations in

and just outside Narragansett Bay (Figure 13) by the

Rhode Island Division of Fish and Wildlife began in

January 1990 (Lynch 1998). A 13th station was added in

1992. The 12.8 m R/V Thomas J. Wright was used for

sampling. Tows were made with a 3/4 scale high rise

otter trawl with 11.9 m headrope, 16.5 m footrope, and

mesh sizes (stretch) 10.2 cm below gore on wing, 11.4 cm

at top of net above gore, 6.4 cm at top of belly, 5.1 cm at

bottom of belly, 2.5 cm codend, and 0.95 cm codend liner.

Trawl doors were wooden, 0.6 x 1.2 m, and located 14 m

ahead of the wings. Tows were 20 min at 2.5 kn (~4.4

km/h). Catches were sorted by species. Numbers, lengths

(nearest cm) and total weight were recorded for all

species. Data presented are means of the three monthly

tows per station per season for seven years of sampling

(1990-1996). Depth and surface and bottom water

temperature were recorded at all stations.

CONNECTICUT LONG ISLAND

SOUND TRAWL SURVEYS

This survey by the Connecticut Department of

Environmental Protection covered Long Island Sound

waters in both CT and NY, from longitude 72o

03’ to

73o

39’, in depths of 5-46 m (Connecticut Department of

Environmental Protection 1997). The data which are

utilized in the source documents are from 1992 through

1997 sampling, and have been divided into spring and fall

sampling periods. Typically, spring sampling consisted of

40 sites sampled monthly during April-June, and fall

sampling was 40 sites/month in September and October.

In 1992 there was no April sampling, and in 1993 and

1994 another 40 site cruise was added in November.

Overall sampling effort for spring and fall sampling is

shown in Figure 14.

The sampling design was stratified random. The

study area was divided into 1.85 x 3.7 km (1 x 2 nautical

mile) strata based on depth and bottom type. Sites were

selected randomly from within each stratum, with the

number of sites based on stratum size (minimum two sites

per stratum). All samples were taken from the 15.2 m

R/V John Dempsey. Sampling was done with a Wilcox

14 m high-rise otter trawl with 9.1 m headrope, 14.0 m

footrope, 102 mm mesh trawl body and 51 mm mesh cod

end. Trawl doors were steel "V" type, 1.2 m long x 0.8 m

high, weighing 91 kg. Tows were 30 minutes at 3.5 kn

(~6.1 km/h). Catches were sorted by species, all finfish

and squid were counted, and total weight per species was

determined with a model 8100 Doran scale. Subsamples

(minimum 30 individuals) of squid and selected finfish

species were measured to the centimeter (lengths rounded

down). Measurements were made only on catches from

selected tows (e.g., the first 3 tows of the day), and were

not made on catches in all months of all years. Therefore,

available length data from 1992-1997 was augmented with

earlier data. Histograms showing seasonal length

frequencies represent lengths typically encountered in

spring and fall based on both a subset of 1992-1997

catches and on earlier data. Temperature and salinity

were measured 1 m below the surface and 0.5 m above

bottom, using a YSI model 33 S-C-T meter, before each

tow.

NEFSC HUDSON-RARITAN

TRAWL SURVEY

This survey used the same basic stratified random

sampling design as the NEFSC bottom trawl survey. The

lower Hudson-Raritan Estuary was divided into six nonchannel and three channel strata, which in turn were

divided into 217 blocks (Figure 15). Detailed

stratum/block information is provided in Wilk et al.

(1996); statistical descriptions of stratified random

sampling design can be found in Grosslein (1969),

Azarovitz (1981), and Northeast Fisheries Science Center

(1988). The NOAA R/V Gloria Michelle was used for all

sampling. Due to the vessel’s draft, only waters ≥ 3 m

deep were sampled.

The data utilized in the source documents are based

on monthly sampling from January 1992 through June

1997 (Figure 16), with the exception that no sampling was

conducted in May or September. When possible, 40

blocks were sampled per month. The seasonal data are

presented as averages of catches in spring (March-April),

summer (June-August), fall (October-November), and

winter (December-February) (Figure 16). Fish and large

invertebrates were collected using an otter trawl with 8.5

m (28 ft) headrope, 10.4 m (34 ft) footrope, 102 mm (4 in)

mesh trawl body, and 35 mm (1.375 in) mesh cod end

liner. Trawl doors weighed 36.3 kg (80 lb). Tows were

10 min at ~3.7 km/hr (2 kn). Loran C coordinates and/or

GPS positions, latitude, longitude, depth, and time were

recorded at the beginning and end of each tow.

All specimens of each species caught were
Page 6

collectively weighed to the nearest 0.1 kg and individually

measured to the nearest whole cm as follows. Fish from

the snout to the end of the middle caudal ray (i.e., either

fork or total length depending on species); bivalves across

the widest point of the shell; and squid from the anterior

margin to the posterior end of the dorsal mantle. Where

large catches required subsampling, an expansion factor

(weight of total catch/weight of subsample) was applied to

the number and length frequency of the total catch. Catch

data was separated into juveniles and adults using the

same methods as described above for NEFSC survey data.

Hydrographic data were taken while drifting at each

station using a Hydrolab Surveyor 3 Display Logger and

H2O Multiprobe fitted with sensors for depth,

temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen (the latter was

not measured before 1993). The instrument was

calibrated before each cruise. Bottom water observations

were taken at the end of each trawl station.

SEAMAP-SA BOTTOM

TRAWL SURVEYS

The Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment

Program-South Atlantic (SEAMAP-SA) is an NMFSsponsored survey conducted by the South Carolina

Department of Natural Resources, Marine Resources

Division (SCMRD). Data were available from trawl

surveys of coastal habitats between Cape Hatteras and

Cape Canaveral beginning in 1986, but data presented in

the source documents are for only 1990 through 1996,

when sampling was most consistent (Webster et al. 1990;

Beatty and Boylan 1997; SEAMAP-SA/SCMRD 1997).

Collections were made at randomly selected sites in

predefined strata. During 1990-1996 the survey included

24 strata, each of which was divided into an inshore (4.6-

9.1 m depth) and offshore (9.1-18.2 m) stratum, for a total

of 48 strata (Figure 4). The number of stations allotted to

a stratum was in proportion to its area, although in 1990-

1996 proportionally more samples were taken in the

inshore than the offshore strata.

The 22.9 m R/V Lady Lisa was used for sampling.

Trawls used were paired 22.9 m mongoose-type Falcon

trawls, with 91.4 m three-lead bridles attached to pairs of

3.0 m x 1.0 m wooden chain doors. Headropes were 22.0

m and footropes 22.9 m. Trawl bodies were constructed

of #15 twine and had 45 mm stretch mesh. Cod ends were

#30 twine with 39 mm stretch mesh. A tickler chain was

attached to each door. Tows were 20 minutes long. Fish

collected were counted, measured to the nearest cm, and

weighed by species to the nearest gram (except for very

large catches, which were subsampled). Catch-per-tow

was defined as the combined catch from both paired nets.

Surface and bottom temperature, salinity and sampling

depth were recorded at each station.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We thank C. Steimle, J. Berrien, and R. RamseyCross for guidance in citing literature and data sources;

W. Morse for providing information on methods used by

several states; J. Cross and technical experts from the New

England Fishery Management Council for reviewing

drafts of the manuscript; and L. Cargnelli and S.

Griesbach for editing.

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Page 8

Table 1. Dates and number of tows for each NEFSC MARMAP fish egg survey, 1978-1987.

Survey No. Tows Start Date End Date Survey No. Tows Start Date End Date

12 155 10/06/78 11/11/78 46 160 09/14/83 11/09/83

13 72 11/16/78 11/29/78 47 149 11/16/83 12/19/83

14 102 02/25/79 03/14/79 48 159 01/10/84 02/08/84

15 102 04/01/79 05/07/79 49 151 03/02/84 04/25/84

16 170 05/06/79 05/29/79 50 177 05/09/84 06/02/84

17 123 06/17/79 07/13/79 53 106 07/10/84 07/30/84

18 145 08/11/79 09/02/79 54 119 07/25/84 08/30/84

19 158 10/04/79 10/28/79 55 158 09/17/84 11/03/84

20 102 11/15/79 12/20/79 56 144 11/01/84 12/05/84

21 170 02/20/80 04/04/80 57 125 01/08/85 02/06/85

22 175 04/16/80 05/12/80 58 120 02/27/85 04/12/85

23 148 05/23/80 06/29/80 59 130 04/02/85 04/22/85

24 153 07/16/80 08/09/80 60 134 05/09/85 05/30/85

25 174 09/26/80 10/29/80 61 150 07/17/85 08/29/85

26 137 11/19/80 12/21/80 62 173 08/30/85 09/22/85

27 151 02/18/81 03/24/81 63 140 09/10/85 11/15/85

28 99 03/19/81 04/08/81 64 179 11/07/85 12/12/85

29 143 03/19/81 05/12/81 65 173 01/10/86 02/12/86

30 143 05/21/81 06/17/81 66 145 03/04/86 04/27/86

31 78 06/27/81 07/19/81 67 161 05/08/86 06/06/86

32 94 08/04/81 09/02/81 68 105 06/17/86 07/17/86

33 169 09/17/81 11/08/81 69 116 07/29/86 08/29/86

34 88 11/18/81 12/21/81 70 155 08/27/86 09/24/86

35 145 02/14/82 03/23/82 71 147 09/14/86 11/06/86

36 166 03/11/82 05/08/82 72 159 11/05/86 12/11/86

37 132 05/18/82 06/11/82 73 132 01/07/87 02/08/87

38 123 07/13/82 08/07/82 74 152 03/24/87 04/28/87

39 149 09/15/82 11/09/82 75 91 04/13/87 04/22/87

40 152 11/17/82 12/20/82 76 193 05/07/87 06/07/87

41 148 01/18/83 03/01/83 77 129 05/31/87 06/30/87

42 139 03/09/83 05/01/83 78 155 07/07/87 08/10/87

43 170 05/26/83 06/21/83 79 179 08/19/87 09/20/87

44 116 07/27/83 08/30/83 80 144 09/11/87 10/30/87

45 62 08/16/83 09/04/83 81 124 11/04/87 12/10/87
Page 9

Table 2. Dates and number of tows for each NEFSC MARMAP larval fish survey, 1977-1987.

Survey No. Tows Start Date End Date Survey No. Tows Start Date End Date

1 183 02/13/77 04/08/77 41 153 01/18/83 03/01/83

2 189 03/04/77 04/22/77 42 139 03/09/83 05/01/83

3 189 04/14/77 05/13/77 43 176 05/26/83 06/21/83

4 205 05/18/77 06/22/77 44 117 07/27/83 08/30/83

5 160 07/30/77 08/30/77 45 62 08/16/83 09/04/83

6 142 10/18/77 11/09/77 46 165 09/14/83 11/09/83

7 90 11/13/77 12/13/77 47 151 11/16/83 12/19/83

8 166 02/16/78 03/17/78 48 160 01/10/84 02/08/84

9 172 04/18/78 05/23/78 49 156 03/02/84 04/25/84

10 148 06/24/78 07/16/78 50 178 05/09/84 06/02/84

11 152 08/12/78 09/04/78 51 41 06/17/84 06/24/84

12 155 10/06/78 11/11/78 52 68 07/04/84 07/18/84

13 74 11/16/78 11/29/78 53 107 07/10/84 07/30/84

14 102 02/25/79 03/14/79 54 119 07/25/84 08/30/84

15 106 04/01/79 05/07/79 55 158 09/17/84 11/03/84

16 170 05/06/79 05/29/79 56 144 11/01/84 12/05/84

17 123 06/17/79 07/13/79 57 125 01/08/85 02/06/85

18 146 08/11/79 09/02/79 58 120 02/27/85 04/12/85

19 160 10/04/79 10/28/79 59 130 04/02/85 04/22/85

20 103 11/15/79 12/20/79 60 134 05/09/85 05/30/85

21 171 02/20/80 04/04/80 61 150 07/17/85 08/29/85

22 175 04/16/80 05/12/80 62 173 08/30/85 09/22/85

23 148 05/23/80 06/29/80 63 140 09/10/85 11/15/85

24 153 07/16/80 08/09/80 64 179 11/07/85 12/12/85

25 174 09/26/80 10/29/80 65 173 01/10/86 02/12/86

26 137 11/19/80 12/21/80 66 145 03/04/86 04/27/86

27 152 02/18/81 03/24/81 67 161 05/08/86 06/06/86

28 99 03/19/81 04/08/81 68 105 06/17/86 07/17/86

29 144 03/19/81 05/12/81 69 116 07/29/86 08/29/86

30 145 05/21/81 06/17/81 70 155 08/27/86 09/24/86

31 78 06/27/81 07/19/81 71 147 09/14/86 11/06/86

32 96 08/04/81 09/02/81 72 159 11/05/86 12/11/86

33 169 09/17/81 11/08/81 73 133 01/07/87 02/08/87

34 88 11/18/81 12/21/81 74 151 03/24/87 04/28/87

35 145 02/14/82 03/23/82 75 90 04/13/87 04/22/87

36 166 03/11/82 05/08/82 76 193 05/07/87 06/07/87

37 132 05/18/82 06/11/82 77 129 05/31/87 06/30/87

38 124 07/13/82 08/07/82 78 155 07/07/87 08/10/87

39 151 09/15/82 11/09/82 79 179 08/19/87 09/20/87

40 152 11/17/82 12/20/82 80 144 09/11/87 10/30/87

81 124 11/04/87 12/10/87
Page 10

Table 3a. NMFS NEFSC bottom trawl surveys conducted during the spring, 1968-1997.

Year Vessel Start Date End Date No. of

Stations

Trawl

Gear

Study Area

1968 Albatross IV 4-Mar-68 8-Apr-68 251 36 Yankee Scotian Shelf - Cape Hatteras

1969 Albatross IV 5-Mar-69 10 Apr 69 257 36 Yankee Scotian Shelf - Cape Hatteras

1970 Albatross IV 13-Mar-70 30-Apr-70 279 36 Yankee Scotian Shelf - Cape Hatteras

1971 Albatross IV 9-Mar-71 5-May-71 339 36 Yankee Scotian Shelf - Cape Hatteras

1972 Albatross IV 8-Mar-72 28-Apr-72 303 36 Yankee Gulf of Maine - Cape Hatteras

1973 Alb IV & AT 19-Mar-73 4-Jun-73 480 41 & 3/4

Yankee1

Scotian Shelf - Cape Hatteras

1974 Alb IV & AT 12-Mar-74 5-May-74 272 41 & 3/4

Yankee1

Scotian Shelf - So. Atlantic

Bight

1975 Alb IV & AT 14-Mar-75 12-May-75 303 41 & 3/4

Yankee1

Scotian Shelf - Cape Hatteras

1976 Alb IV & De II 3-Mar-76 8-May-76 374 41 Yankee Scotian Shelf - Cape Hatteras

1977 Alb IV & De II 19-Mar-77 20-May-77 351 41 Yankee Scotian Shelf - Cape Hatteras

1978 Albatross IV 20-Mar-78 26-May-78 388 41 Yankee Scotian Shelf - Cape Hatteras

1979 Alb IV & De II 20-Mar-79 12-May-79 470 41 Yankee Scotian Shelf - Cape Hatteras

1980 Alb IV & De II 16-Mar-80 16-May-80 434 41 Yankee Scotian Shelf - Cape Fear

1981 Delaware II 17-Mar-81 22-May-81 362 41 Yankee Scotian Shelf - Cape Fear

1982 Delaware II 8-Mar-82 8-May-82 379 36 Yankee Scotian Shelf - Cape Fear

1983 Albatross IV 7-Mar-83 6-May-83 375 36 Yankee Gulf of Maine - Cape Fear

1984 Albatross IV 29-Feb-84 27-Apr-84 374 36 Yankee Scotian Shelf - Cape Fear

1985 Albatross IV 25-Feb-85 13-Apr-85 362 36 Yankee Gulf of Maine - Cape Fear

1986 Albatross IV 3-Mar-86 27-Apr-86 361 36 Yankee Gulf of Maine - Cape Hatteras

1987 Alb IV & De II 23-Mar-87 5-May-87 334 36 Yankee Gulf of Maine - Cape Hatteras

1988 Albatross IV 5-Mar-88 21-Apr-88 314 36 Yankee Gulf of Maine - Cape Hatteras

1989 Delaware II 27-Feb-89 13-Apr-89 291 36 Yankee Gulf of Maine - Cape Hatteras

1990 Delaware II 5-Mar-90 18-Apr-90 311 36 Yankee Gulf of Maine - Cape Hatteras

1991 Delaware II 5-Mar-91 19-Apr-91 324 36 Yankee Gulf of Maine - Cape Hatteras

1992 Albatross IV 2-Mar-92 16-Apr-92 307 36 Yankee Gulf of Maine - Cape Hatteras

1993 Albatross IV 8-Mar-93 30-Apr-93 319 36 Yankee Gulf of Maine - Cape Hatteras

1994 Delaware II 28-Feb-94 27-Apr-94 326 36 Yankee Gulf of Maine - Cape Hatteras

1995 Albatross IV 7-Mar-95 27-Apr-95 325 36 Yankee Gulf of Maine - Cape Hatteras

1996 Albatross IV 6-Mar-96 29-Apr-96 335 36 Yankee Gulf of Maine - Cape Hatteras

1997 Albatross IV 3-Mar-97 23-Apr-97 327 36 Yankee Gulf of Maine - Cape Hatteras

1 #41 Yankee used by the Albatross IV; 3/4 Yankee used by the R/V Atlantic Twin.
Page 11

Table 3b. NMFS NEFSC bottom trawl surveys conducted during the fall, 1963-1996.

Year Vessel Start Date End Date No. of

Stations

Trawl

Gear

Study Area

1963 Albatross IV 13-Nov-63 16-Dec-63 182 36 Yankee Scotian Shelf - Hudson Canyon

1964 Albatross IV 22-Oct-64 25-Nov-64 183 36 Yankee Scotian Shelf - Hudson Canyon

1965 Albatross IV 6-Oct-65 9-Nov-65 190 36 Yankee Scotian Shelf - Hudson Canyon

1966 Albatross IV 12-Oct-66 13-Nov-66 189 36 Yankee Scotian Shelf - Hudson Canyon

1967 Albatross IV 17-Oct-67 10-Dec-67 263 36 Yankee Scotian Shelf - Cape Hatteras

1968 Albatross IV 10-Oct-68 26-Nov-68 266 36 Yankee Scotian Shelf - Cape Hatteras

1969 Albatross IV 8-Oct-69 23-Nov-69 267 36 Yankee Scotian Shelf - Cape Hatteras

1970 Alb IV & De II 3-Sep-70 21-Nov-70 295 36 Yankee Scotian Shelf - Cape Hatteras

1971 Albatross IV 29-Sep-71 19-Nov-71 296 36 Yankee Scotian Shelf - Cape Hatteras

1972 Alb & De &

AT

28-Sep-72 5-Dec-72 455 36 & 3/4

Yankee2

Scotian Shelf - So. Atlantic

Bight

1973 Alb & De &

AT

26-Sep-73 20-Nov-73 417 36 & 3/4

Yankee2

Scotian Shelf - Cape Hatteras

1974 Alb IV & De II 23-Sep-74 10-Nov-74 371 36 Yankee Scotian Shelf - Cape Hatteras

1975 Alb IV & De II 15-Oct-75 7-Nov-75 387 36 Yankee Cape Cod - Cape Hatteras

1976 Albatross IV 28-Sep-76 23-Nov-76 340 36 Yankee Scotian Shelf - Cape Hatteras

1977 Delaware II 26-Sep-77 15-Dec-77 402 36 Yankee Scotian Shelf - Cape Hatteras

1978 Delaware II 6-Sep-78 22-Nov-78 533 36 Yankee Scotian Shelf - Cape Hatteras

1979 Alb IV & De II 12-Sep-79 19-Nov-79 565 36 Yankee Scotian Shelf - Cape Fear

1980 Delaware II 17-Sep-80 21-Nov-80 388 36 Yankee Scotian Shelf - Cape Fear

1981 Alb IV & De II 15-Sep-81 13-Nov-81 376 36 Yankee Scotian Shelf - Cape Fear

1982 Albatross IV 13-Sep-82 12-Nov-82 374 36 Yankee Scotian Shelf - Cape Fear

1983 Albatross IV 12-Sep-83 10-Nov-83 366 36 Yankee Scotian Shelf - Cape Fear

1984 Albatross IV 10-Sep-84 9-Nov-84 339 36 Yankee Gulf of Maine - Cape Hatteras

1985 Alb IV & De II 9-Sep-85 16-Nov-85 340 36 Yankee Scotian Shelf - Cape Hatteras

1986 Alb IV & De II 13-Sep-86 6-Nov-86 352 36 Yankee Gulf of Maine - Cape Hatteras

1987 Albatross IV 10-Sep-87 6-Nov-87 316 36 Yankee Gulf of Maine - Cape Hatteras

1988 Albatross IV 12-Sep-88 28-Oct-88 307 36 Yankee Gulf of Maine - Cape Hatteras

1989 Delaware II 11-Sep-89 2-Nov-89 320 36 Yankee Gulf of Maine - Cape Hatteras

1990 Delaware II 11-Sep-90 26-Oct-90 332 36 Yankee Gulf of Maine - Cape Hatteras

1991 Delaware II 9-Sep-91 25-Oct-91 327 36 Yankee Scotian Shelf - Cape Hatteras

1992 Albatross IV 8-Sep-92 28-Oct-92 324 36 Yankee Gulf of Maine - Cape Hatteras

1993 Delaware II 7-Sep-93 27-Oct-93 325 36 Yankee Gulf of Maine - Cape Hatteras

1994 Albatross IV 6-Sep-94 27-Oct-94 331 36 Yankee Gulf of Maine - Cape Hatteras

1995 Albatross IV 5-Sep-95 27-Oct-95 326 36 Yankee Gulf of Maine - Cape Hatteras

1996 Albatross IV 9-Sep-96 31-Oct-96 320 36 Yankee Gulf of Maine - Cape Hatteras

2 #36 Yankee used by the Albatross IV and Delaware II; 3/4 Yankee used by the R/V Atlantic Twin.
Page 12

Table 3c. NMFS NEFSC bottom trawl surveys conducted during the summer 1963-1995.

Year Vessel Start Date End Date No. of

Stations

Trawl

Gear

Study Area

1963 Albatross IV 18-Jul-63 19-Aug-63 181 36 Yankee Scotian Shelf - Hudson Canyon

1964 Albatross IV 27-Jul-64 22-Aug-64 176 36 Yankee Scotian Shelf - Hudson Canyon

1965 Albatross IV 7-Jul-65 10-Aug-65 358 36 Yankee Scotian Shelf - Hudson Canyon

1969 Albatross IV 14-Jul-69 16-Aug-69 257 36 Yankee Scotian Shelf - Cape Hatteras

1977 Delaware II 27-Jul-77 31-Aug-77 291 36 Yankee Gulf of Maine - Cape Hatteras

1978 Alb IV & De II 25-Jul-78 11-Aug-78 302 36 Yankee Gulf of Maine - Cape Hatteras

1979 Alb IV & De II 25-Jul-79 31-Aug-79 272 36 Yankee Gulf of Maine - Cape Fear

1980 Alb IV & De II 11-Jul-80 22-Aug-80 297 36 Yankee Gulf of Maine - Cape Fear

1991 Delaware II 22-Jul-91 2-Aug-91 6 36 Yankee Gulf of Maine

1993 Delaware II 20-Jul-93 6-Aug-93 70 36 Yankee Gulf of Maine

1994 Albatross IV 26-Jul-94 5-Aug-94 28 36 Yankee Gulf of Maine

1995 Albatross IV 14-Aug-95 25-Aug-95 38 36 Yankee Gulf of Maine

Table 3d. NMFS NEFSC bottom trawl surveys conducted during the winter 1964-1997.

Year Vessel Start Date End Date No. of

Stations

Trawl

Gear

Study Area

1964 Albatross IV 16-Jan-64 15-Feb-64 194 36 Yankee Scotian Shelf - Hudson Canyon

1965 Albatross IV 1-Feb-65 2-Mar-65 177 36 Yankee Scotian Shelf - Hudson Canyon

1966 Albatross IV 18-Jan-66 23-Feb-66 187 36 Yankee Scotian Shelf - Hudson Canyon

1972 Albatross IV 23-Feb-72 3-Mar-72 56 41 Yankee northeast Georges Bank

1978 Albatross IV 18-Jan-78 27-Jan-78 174 41 Yankee Nantucket Sound-Delaware Bay

1981 Delaware II 6-Jan-81 28-Jan-81 86 36 Yankee southern New England – MidAtlantic Bight

1992 Delaware II 25-Feb-92 6-Mar-92 129 Mod. 36

Yankee3

Georges Bank - Cape Hatteras

1993 Albatross IV 3-Feb-93 27-Feb-93 122 Mod. 36

Yankee3

Georges Bank - Cape Hatteras

1994 Delaware II 31-Jan-94 23-Feb-94 92 Mod. 36

Yankee3

Georges Bank - Cape Hatteras

1995 Albatross IV 7-Feb-95 3-Mar-95 144 Mod. 36

Yankee3

Georges Bank - Cape Hatteras

1996 Albatross IV 5-Feb-96 29-Feb-96 129 Mod. 36

Yankee3

Gulf of Maine - Cape Hatteras

1997 Albatross IV 3-Feb-97 27-Feb-97 121 Mod. 36

Yankee3

Georges Bank - Cape Hatteras

3 #36 Yankee trawl equipped with a rubber disk covered chain sweep and 30 fathom ground cables.
Page 13

Table 4. Species-specific conversion factors, and lengths (L, in cm) at which both males and females are considered

adults for EFH purposes, from NEFSC bottom trawl survey cruises conducted since 1963.

Common Name Scientific Name Conversion Factors (numbers)1

Trawls Doors Vessels L

Atlantic cod Gadus morhua - 1.56 0.79 35

Haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus - 1.49 0.82 32

Pollock Pollachius virens - 2.21 - 39

Redfish Sebastes spp. - - - 22

Goosefish Lophius americanus 0.408 - 0.83 43

Ocean pout Macrozoarces americanus - - 0.70 29

Silver hake Merluccius bilinearis 0.424 - - 23

Red hake Urophycis chuss - 1.31 - 26

White hake Urophycis tenuis - - - 35

Witch flounder Glyptocephalus cynoglossus - - - 30

American plaice Hippoglossoides platessoides - - 0.82 27

Yellowtail flounder Limanda ferruginea 0.568 1.22 0.85 26

Winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes americanus 0.495 1.46 - 27

Windowpane Scophthalmus aquosus 0.599 1.54 0.82 22

Sea scallop Placopecten magellanicus - 1.39 1.22

Atlantic herring Clupea harengus - - 0.59 25

Atlantic salmon Salmo salar -- -

Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix -- -

Longfin inshore squid Loligo pealeii - - 0.83 16

Northern shortfin squid Illex illecebrosus - - 0.78 20

Atlantic mackerel Scomber scombrus - - - 26

Butterfish Peprilus triacanthus - - - 12

Summer flounder Paralichthys dentatus 0.813 - - 28

Scup Stenotomus chrysops - - - 15

Black sea bass Centropristis striata - - - 19

Spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias 0.714 - 0.79 832

Atlantic surfclam Spisula solidissima -- -

Ocean quahog Arctica islandica - - - 4.9

1

Conversion Factors to NEFSC Survey standard configuration:

Trawls: #41 Yankee to #36 Yankee - Spring 1973-1981 only

Doors: BMV to Polyvalent - Spring 1985 to present

Vessels: Delaware II to Albatross IV - Various, some during same survey

2

Females are considered adults at 83 cm, males at 60 cm.
Page 14

Table 5. NMFS NEFSC sea scallop surveys conducted during 1982-1997.

Year Season Vessel Start Date End Date No. of

Stations

Study Area

1982 Summer Albatross IV 1-Jun-82 11-Jun-82 439 Mid Atlantic Bight -

Cape Hatteras

1982 Summer Albatross IV 12-Jul-82 6-Aug-82 205 Gulf of Maine -

Mid Atlantic Bight

1983 Summer Albatross IV 26-Jul-83 2-Sep-83 615 Georges Bank -

Cape Hatteras

1984 Summer Albatross IV 24-Jul-84 31-Aug-84 699 Georges Bank -

Cape Hatteras

1985 Summer Albatross IV 22-Jul-85 31-Aug-85 573 Georges Bank -

Cape Hatteras

1986 Summer Albatross IV 29-Jul-86 29-Aug-86 504 Georges Bank -

Cape Hatteras

1987 Summer Albatross IV 6-Jul-87 13-Aug-87 641 Georges Bank -

Cape Hatteras

1988 Summer Albatross IV 7-Jul-88 10-Aug-88 619 Georges Bank -

Mid Atlantic Bight

1989 Summer Alb/CH/OR 9-Jun-89 9-Aug-89 435 Georges Bank -

Mid Atlantic Bight

1990 Summer Oregon II 26-Jul-90 20-Aug-90 469 Georges Bank -

Cape Hatteras

1991 Summer Oregon II 28-Jul-91 21-Aug-91 437 Georges Bank -

Cape Hatteras

1992 Summer Oregon II 1-Aug-92 22-Aug-92 420 Georges Bank -

Cape Hatteras

1993 Summer Oregon II 31-Jul-93 25-Aug-93 446 Georges Bank -

Cape Hatteras

1994 Summer Albatross IV 22-Jun-94 18-Jul-94 482 Georges Bank -

Cape Hatteras

1995 Summer Albatross IV 19-Jun-95 30-Jun-95 247 Mid Atlantic Bight -

Cape Hatteras

1995 Summer Albatross IV 25-Jul-95 6-Aug-95 314 Long Island

1996 Summer Albatross IV 29-Jul-96 26-Aug-96 453 Georges Bank -

Cape Hatteras

1997 Summer Albatross IV 21-Jul-97 17-Aug-97 496 Georges Bank -

Cape Hatteras
Page 15

Table 6. NMFS NEFSC Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog surveys conducted during 1965-1997.

Year Season Vessel Start Date End Date Stations Dredge

Pump

Type

Dredge

Width

(cm)

Size

(cm)

Study Area

1965 Spring Undaunted 11-May-65 25-Jun-65 374 Surface 76 5.1 Montauk Pt. -

Cape Hatteras

1965 Autumn Undaunted 22-Oct-65 21-Nov-65 217 Surface 76 5.1 Montauk Pt. -

Oregon Inlet

1966 Summer Albatross IV 14-Aug-66 31-Aug-66 483 Surface 76 5.1 Montauk Pt. -

False Cape

1969 Summer Albatross IV 20-Jun-69 3-Jul-69 562 Surface 76 5.1 Gloucester -

False Cape

1970 Summer Delaware II 17-Jul-70 24-Aug-70 596 Surface 122 3.0 Nantucket Shoals -

Delmarva

1974 Summer Delaware II 5-Aug-74 10-Aug-74 141 Surface 76 5.1 New Jersey -

Virginia

1976 Spring Delaware II 6-Apr-76 13-May-76 217 Surface 122 3.0 Long Island -

North Carolina

1977 Winter Delaware II 26-Jan-77 17-Mar-76 280 Surface 122 3.0 Nantucket Shoals -

Chesapeake Bay

1978 Winter Delaware II 5-Jan-78 11-Feb-78 346 Surface 122 1.9 Gulf of Maine -

Cape Hatteras

1978 Autumn Delaware II 2-Dec-78 21-Dec-78 163 Surface 122 1.9 So. New England -

Chesapeake Bay

1979 Winter Delaware II 4-Jan-79 1-Feb-79 139 Submerse 152 2.5 Cape Cod -

Cape Hatteras

1980 Winter Delaware II 3-Jan-80 10-Feb-80 229 Submerse 152 5.1 So. New England -

Mid Atlantic Bight

1980 Summer Delaware II 15-Aug-80 12-Sep-80 199 Submerse 152 5.1 Scotian Shelf -

Mid Atlantic Bight

1981 Summer Delaware II 3-Aug-81 11-Sep-81 518 Submerse 152 5.1 Scotian Shelf -

Chesapeake Bay

1982 Summer Delaware II 22-Jul-82 3-Sep-82 394 Submerse 152 5.1 Georges Bank -

Virginia

1983 Summer Delaware II 15-Aug-83 28-Sep-83 396 Submerse 152 5.1 Scotian Shelf -

Cape Hatteras

1984 Summer Delaware II 9-Jul-84 1-Aug-84 448 Submerse 152 5.1 Georges Bank -

Cape Hatteras

1986 Summer Delaware II 17-Jun-86 18-Jul-86 334 Submerse 152 5.1 Georges Bank -

Cape Hatteras

1989 Summer Delaware II 26-Jun-89 21-Jul-89 361 Submerse 152 5.1 Georges Bank -

Cape Hatteras

1992 Summer Delaware II 8-Jun-92 13-Jul-92 484 Submerse 152 5.1 Gulf of Maine -

Cape Hatteras

1994 Summer Delaware II 18-Jul-94 24-Aug-94 538 Submerse 152 5.1 Georges Bank -

Cape Hatteras

1997 Summer Delaware II 8-Jun-97 14-Jul-97 472 Submerse 152 5.1 Georges Bank -

Cape Hatteras
Page 16

Table 7a. State of Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries bottom trawl surveys conducted during the spring, 1978-

1997.

Year Vessel Start Date End Date No. of

Stations

Trawl

Gear

Study Area

1978 Francis

Elizabeth

12-May-78 11-Jun-78 95 3/4

Whiting

Massachusetts State Waters

1979 Francis

Elizabeth

30-Apr-79 27-May-79 100 3/4

Whiting

Massachusetts State Waters

1980 Francis

Elizabeth

5-May-80 24-May-80 98 3/4

Whiting

Massachusetts State Waters

1981 Francis

Elizabeth

6-May-81 21-May-81 97 3/4

Whiting

Massachusetts State Waters

1982 Gloria

Michelle

4-May-82 21-May-82 95 3/4

Whiting

Massachusetts State Waters

1983 Gloria

Michelle

9-May-83 25-May-83 96 3/4

Whiting

Massachusetts State Waters

1984 Gloria

Michelle

7-May-84 22-May-84 99 3/4

Whiting

Massachusetts State Waters

1985 Gloria

Michelle

6-May-85 22-May-85 94 3/4

Whiting

Massachusetts State Waters

1986 Gloria

Michelle

4-May-86 17-May-86 96 3/4

Whiting

Massachusetts State Waters

1987 Gloria

Michelle

4-May-87 19-May-87 97 3/4

Whiting

Massachusetts State Waters

1988 Gloria

Michelle

9-May-88 25-May-88 92 3/4

Whiting

Massachusetts State Waters

1989 Gloria

Michelle

8-May-89 24-May-89 97 3/4

Whiting

Massachusetts State Waters

1990 Gloria

Michelle

7-May-90 23-May-90 95 3/4

Whiting

Massachusetts State Waters

1991 Gloria

Michelle

7-May-91 22-May-91 98 3/4

Whiting

Massachusetts State Waters

1992 Gloria

Michelle

5-May-92 20-May-92 92 3/4

Whiting

Massachusetts State Waters

1993 Gloria

Michelle

5-May-93 19-May-93 88 3/4

Whiting

Massachusetts State Waters

1994 Gloria

Michelle

10-May-94 25-May-94 88 3/4

Whiting

Massachusetts State Waters

1995 Gloria

Michelle

9-May-95 24-May-95 98 3/4

Whiting

Massachusetts State Waters

1996 Gloria

Michelle

7-May-96 22-May-96 101 3/4

Whiting

Massachusetts State Waters

1997 Gloria

Michelle

6-May-97 21-May-97 98 3/4

Whiting

Massachusetts State Waters
Page 17

Table 7b. State of Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries bottom trawl surveys conducted during the fall, 1978-

1996.

Year Vessel Start Date End Date No. of

Stations

Trawl

Gear

Study Area

1978 Francis

Elizabeth

5-Sep-78 2-Oct-78 95 3/4

Whiting

Massachusetts State Waters

1979 Francis

Elizabeth

11-Sep-79 4-Oct-79 99 3/4

Whiting

Massachusetts State Waters

1980 Francis

Elizabeth

8-Oct-80 29-Oct-80 97 3/4

Whiting

Massachusetts State Waters

1981 Francis

Elizabeth

14-Oct-81 5-Nov-81 95 3/4

Whiting

Massachusetts State Waters

1982 Gloria

Michelle

8-Sep-82 27-Sep-82 94 3/4

Whiting

Massachusetts State Waters

1983 Gloria

Michelle

7-Sep-83 24-Sep-83 90 3/4

Whiting

Massachusetts State Waters

1984 Gloria

Michelle

10-Sep-84 27-Sep-84 94 3/4

Whiting

Massachusetts State Waters

1985 Gloria

Michelle

3-Sep-85 19-Sep-85 94 3/4

Whiting

Massachusetts State Waters

1986 Gloria

Michelle

8-Sep-86 27-Sep-86 96 3/4

Whiting

Massachusetts State Waters

1987 Gloria

Michelle

8-Sep-87 27-Sep-87 92 3/4

Whiting

Massachusetts State Waters

1988 Gloria

Michelle

6-Sep-88 22-Sep-88 91 3/4

Whiting

Massachusetts State Waters

1989 Gloria

Michelle

6-Sep-89 20-Sep-89 86 3/4

Whiting

Massachusetts State Waters

1990 Gloria

Michelle

4-Sep-90 19-Sep-90 90 3/4

Whiting

Massachusetts State Waters

1991 Gloria

Michelle

4-Sep-91 19-Sep-91 89 3/4

Whiting

Massachusetts State Waters

1992 Gloria

Michelle

9-Sep-92 24-Sep-92 81 3/4

Whiting

Massachusetts State Waters

1993 Gloria

Michelle

8-Sep-93 23-Sep-93 84 3/4

Whiting

Massachusetts State Waters

1994 Gloria

Michelle

7-Sep-94 22-Sep-94 98 3/4

Whiting

Massachusetts State Waters

1995 Gloria

Michelle

6-Sep-95 21-Sep-95 98 3/4

Whiting

Massachusetts State Waters

1996 Gloria

Michelle

4-Sep-96 19-Sep-96 97 3/4

Whiting

Massachusetts State Waters
Page 18

Figure 1. Geographic locations - northeast U.S. and contiguous Canadian waters.
Page 19

Figure 2. Geographic locations – coastal New England and Georges Bank to Bay of Fundy.
Page 20

Figure 3. Geographic locations - Canadian waters from Nova Scotia north.
Page 21

Figure 4. Geographic locations - South Atlantic Bight. Strata sampled in SEAMAP-SA shallow water trawl survey are

also shown. Stratum number is shown in the upper left of each stratum, and the number of trawl sites within each

stratum is shown in the lower right. Strata are not drawn to scale (from Webster et al. 1990).
Page 22

Figure 5. Distribution of all tows for ichthyoplankton eggs and larvae (all surveys combined) during NEFSC MARMAP

surveys.

76 75 74 73 72 71 70 69 68 67 66 65

35

36

37

38

39

40

41

42

43

44

45

MARMAP Surveys, 1978 to 1987

Bongo Net Tows

Fish Egg Collections; N = 9478

January to December
Page 23

Figure 5. cont’d.

76 75 74 73 72 71 70 69 68 67 66 65

35

36

37

38

39

40

41

42

43

44

45

MARMAP Surveys, 1977 to 1987

Bongo Net Tows

Larval Fish Collections; N = 11438

January to December
Page 24

Figure 6. Distribution of all tows for ichthyoplankton eggs by month (all years combined) during NEFSC MARMAP

surveys.

76 74 72 70 68 66

36

38

40

42

44

76 74 72 70 68 66

36

38

40

42

44

76 74 72 70 68 66

36

38

40

42

44

76 74 72 70 68 66

36

38

40

42

44

January

No. of Tows = 433

February

No. of Tows = 459

March

No. of Tows = 853

April

No. of Tows = 1020
Page 25

Figure 6. cont’d.

76 74 72 70 68 66

36

38

40

42

44

76 74 72 70 68 66

36

38

40

42

44

76 74 72 70 68 66

36

38

40

42

44

76 74 72 70 68 66

36

38

40

42

44

May

No. of Tows = 1085

June

No. of Tows = 709

July

No. of Tows = 781

August

No. of Tows = 863
Page 26

Figure 6. cont’d.

76 74 72 70 68 66

36

38

40

42

44

76 74 72 70 68 66

36

38

40

42

44

76 74 72 70 68 66

36

38

40

42

44

76 74 72 70 68 66

36

38

40

42

44

September

No. of Tows = 747

October

No. of Tows = 1044

November

No. of Tows = 915

December

No. of Tows = 569
Page 27

Figure 7. Distribution of all tows made by month for ichthyoplankton larvae during NEFSC MARMAP surveys (all

years combined).

76 74 72 70 68 66

36

38

40

42

44

76 74 72 70 68 66

36

38

40

42

44

76 74 72 70 68 66

36

38

40

42

44

76 74 72 70 68 66

36

38

40

42

44

January February

March April

No. of Tows = 434 No. of Tows = 686

No. of Tows = 1031 No. of Tows = 1281
Page 28

Figure 7. cont’d.

76 74 72 70 68 66

36

38

40

42

44

76 74 72 70 68 66

36

38

40

42

44

76 74 72 70 68 66

36

38

40

42

44

76 74 72 70 68 66

36

38

40

42

44

May June

July August

No. of Tows = 1472 No. of Tows = 893

No. of Tows = 938 No. of Tows = 1148
Page 29

Figure 7. cont’d.

76 74 72 70 68 66

36

38

40

42

44

76 74 72 70 68 66

36

38

40

42

44

76 74 72 70 68 66

36

38

40

42

44

76 74 72 70 68 66

36

38

40

42

44

September October

November December

No. of Tows = 774 No. of Tows = 1147

No. of Tows = 1031 No. of Tows = 603
Page 30

Figure 8. Distribution of all tows conducted during the South Atlantic Bight MARMAP surveys (from Collins and

Stender 1987).
Page 31

Figure 9. Temporal distribution of NEFSC bottom trawl surveys, 1963-1997.
Page 32

Figure 10. Distribution of NEFSC bottom trawl survey tows by season.
Page 33

Figure 11. Distribution of all NEFSC sea scallop tows, summer 1982-1997.
Page 34

Figure 12. Distribution of all NEFSC Atlantic surfclam/ocean quahog tows, summer 1980-1997.
Page 35

Figure 13. Stations sampled in Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay/Coastal trawl survey.

Rhode Island Division of Fish and Wildlife

Trawl Survey of Narragansett Bay 1990 - 1996

Standard Stations

13

3

2

25

26

89 52

138

132

158

197 194

1

Sakonnet River

Aquidneck

Island East

Passage

West

Passage

Conanicut Island

Prudenoe

Island

Rhode Island Sound
Page 36

Figure 14. Distribution of all tows made during the Long Island Sound trawl survey in spring and autumn, 1992-1997.

State of Connecticut DEP

Fisheries Division

Long Island Sound Trawl Survey

SPRING 1992 - 1997

State of Connecticut DEP

Fisheries Division

Long Island Sound Trawl Survey

AUTUMN 1992 - 1997

All Stations

All Stations
Page 37

Figure 15. Lower Hudson-Raritan Estuary bottom trawl surveys. Upper map shows the survey area, and the lower map

shows the area divided into 9 strata and 217 sampling blocks.
Page 38

Figure 16. Distribution of Hudson-Raritan bottom trawl survey tows, January 1992 to June 1997.
Page 39

Figure 16. cont’d.
NORTHEAST FISHERIES SCIENCE CENTER

Dr. Michael P. Sissenwine, Science & Research Director

CAPT John T. Moakley, Operations, Management & Information Services Staff Chief

Teri L. Frady, Research Communications Unit Chief

Jon A. Gibson, Biological Sciences Editor & Laura S. Garner, Editorial Assistant

Publishing in NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-NE

Manuscript Qualification

This series represents a secondary level of scientific publishing in the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). For

all issues, the series employs thorough internal scientific review,

but not necessarily external scientific review. For most issues,

the series employs rigorous technical and copy editing. Manuscripts that may warrant a primary level of scientific publishing

should be initially submitted to one of NMFSs primary series

(i.e., Fishery Bulletin, NOAA Technical Report NMFS, or Marine Fisheries Review).

Identical, or fundamentally identical, manuscripts should

not be concurrently submitted to this and any other publication

series. Manuscripts which have been rejected by any primary

series strictly because of geographic or temporal limitations may

be submitted to this series.

Manuscripts by Northeast Fisheries Science Center

(NEFSC) authors will be published in this series upon approval

by the NEFSC's Deputy Science & Research Director. Manuscripts by non-NEFSC authors may be published in this series if:

1) the manuscript serves the NEFSCs mission; 2) the manuscript meets the Deputy Science & Research Directors approval; and 3) the author arranges for the printing and binding

funds to be transferred to the NEFSCs Research Communications Unit account from another federal account. For all manuscripts submitted by non-NEFSC authors and published in this

series, the NEFSC will disavow all responsibility for the manuscripts contents; authors must accept such responsibility.

The ethics of scientific research and scientific publishing

are a serious matter. All manuscripts submitted to this series are

expected to adhere -- at a minimum -- to the ethical guidelines

contained in Chapter 1 (Ethical Conduct in Authorship and

Publication) of the CBE Style Manual, fifth edition (Chicago,

IL: Council of Biology Editors). Copies of the manual are

available at virtually all scientific libraries.

Manuscript Preparation

Organization: Manuscripts must have an abstract, table of

contents, and -- if applicable -- lists of tables, figures, and

acronyms. As much as possible, use traditional scientific manuscript organization for sections: Introduction, Study Area,

Methods & Materials, Results, Discussion and/or Conclusions, Acknowledgments, and References Cited.

Style: All NEFSC publication and report series are obligated to conform to the style contained in the most recent edition

of the United States Government Printing Office Style Manual.

That style manual is silent on many aspects of scientific manuscripts. NEFSC publication and report series rely more on the

CBE Style Manual, fifth edition.

For in-text citations, use the name-date system. A special

effort should be made to ensure that the list of cited works

contains all necessary bibliographic information. For abbreviating serial titles in such lists, use the most recent edition of the

Serial Sources for the BIOSIS Previews Database (Philadelphia,

PA: Biosciences Information Service). Personal communications must include date of contact and full name and mailing

address of source.

For spelling of scientific and common names of fishes,

mollusks, and decapod crustaceans from the United States and

Canada, use Special Publications No. 20 (fishes), 26 (mollusks),

and 17 (decapod crustaceans) of the American Fisheries Society

(Bethesda, MD). For spelling of scientific and common names

of marine mammals, use Special Publication No. 4 of the

Society for Marine Mammalogy (Lawrence, KS). For spelling in

general, use the most recent edition of Websters Third New

International Dictionary of the English Language Unabridged

(Springfield, MA: G.&C. Merriam).

Typing text, tables, and figure captions: Text, including

tables and figure captions, must be converted to, or able to be

coverted to, WordPerfect. In general, keep text simple (e.g.,

dont switch fonts, dont use hard returns within paragraphs,

dont indent except to begin paragraphs). Especially, dont use

WordPerfect graphics for embedding tables and figures in text.

If the automatic footnoting function is used, also save a list of

footnotes as a separate WordPerfect file. When the final draft is

ready for review, save the text, tables, figure captions, footnotes,

and front matter as separate document files.

Tables should be prepared using all tabs or all spaces

between columnar data, but not a combination of the two.

Figures must be original (even if oversized) and on paper; they

cannot be photocopies (e.g., Xerox) unless that is all that is

available, nor be on disk. Except under extraordinary circumstances, color will not be used in illustrations.

Manuscript Submission

Authors must submit one paper copy of the double-spaced

manuscript, one magnetic copy on a disk, and original figures (if

applicable). NEFSC authors must include a completely signedoff NEFSC Manuscript/Abstract/Webpage Review Form.

Non-NEFSC authors who are not federal employees will be

required to sign a Release of Copyright form.

Send all materials and address all correspondence to:

Jon A. Gibson, Biological Sciences Editor

Northeast Fisheries Science Center

National Marine Fisheries Service

166 Water Street

Woods Hole, MA 02543-1026 USA
Research Communications Unit

Northeast Fisheries Science Center

National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA

166 Water St.

Woods Hole, MA 02543-1026

NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-NE -- This series is issued irregularly. The series includes: data reports of longterm or large area studies; synthesis reports for major resources or habitats; annual reports of assessment or monitoring programs;

documentary reports of oceanographic conditions or phenomena; manuals describing field and lab techniques; literature surveys of major

resource or habitat topics; findings of task forces or working groups; summary reports of scientific or technical workshops; and indexed

and/or annotated bibliographies. All issues receive internal scientific review and most issues receive technical and copy editing. Limited

free copies are available from authors or the NEFSC. Issues are also available from the National Technical Information Service, 5285

Port Royal Rd., Springfield, VA 22161.

Fishermen's Report and The Shark Tagger -- The Fishermen's Report (FR) is a quick-turnaround report on the

distribution and relative abundance of commercial fisheries resources as derived from each of the NEFSC's periodic research vessel

surveys of the Northeast's continental shelf. There is no scientific review, nor any technical or copy editing, of the FR; copies are available

through free subscription. The Shark Tagger (TST) is an annual summary of tagging and recapture data on large pelagic sharks as derived

from the NMFS's Cooperative Shark Tagging Program; it also presents information on the biology (movement, growth, reproduction, etc.)

of these sharks as subsequently derived from the tagging and recapture data. There is internal scientific review, but no technical or copy

editing, of the TST; copies are available only to participants in the tagging program.

Northeast Fisheries Science Center Reference Document -- This series is issued irregularly. The series

includes: data reports on field and lab observations or experiments; progress reports on continuing experiments, monitoring, and

assessments; background papers for scientific or technical workshops; and simple bibliographies. Issues receive internal scientific review

but no technical or copy editing. No subscriptions. Free distribution of single copies.

The mission of NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is "stewardship of living marine resources for the

benefit of the nation through their science-based conservation and management and promotion of the health of their

environment." As the research arm of the NMFS's Northeast Region, the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC)

supports the NMFS mission by "planning, developing, and managing multidisciplinary programs of basic and applied

research to: 1) better understand the living marine resources (including marine mammals) of the Northwest Atlantic, and

the environmental quality essential for their existence and continued productivity; and 2) describe and provide to

management, industry, and the public, options for the utilization and conservation of living marine resources and

maintenance of environmental quality which are consistent with national and regional goals and needs, and with

international commitments." Results of NEFSC research are largely reported in primary scientific media (e.g.,

anonymously-peer-reviewed scientific journals). However, to assist itself in providing data, information, and advice to

its constituents, the NEFSC occasionally releases its results in its own media. Those media are in three categories:

Publications and Reports

of the

Northeast Fisheries Science Center

To obtain a copy of a technical memorandum or a reference document, or to subscribe to the fishermen's report,

write: Research Communications Unit, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, 166 Water St., Woods Hole, MA

02543-1026. An annual list of NEFSC publications and reports is available upon request at the above address.

Any use of trade names in any NEFSC publication or report does not imply endorsement.

STANDARD

 MAIL A