In 1975, the subtidal clam biomass was estimated at 134,427 pounds per hectare. In 1996, the subtidal estimate was up to 319,864 pounds per hectare. We attribute this increase in biomass partly to an expanded butter clam population and partly to differences in sampling methods. Length frequencies of these four species of clams show the 1996 subtidal populations to be larger in size than clams surveyed in 1975. Gapers averaged nearly 50 mm larger in 1996, indicating poor recruitment over the intervening years.
Intertidal areas show a lack of large clams, resulting in a low average size for all four species.
Mud shrimp were not found south of a line drawn about 245 SE from Goose Point. The data indicate that burrow densities of both sand and mud shrimp are highest in the middle portions of the bay. Ninety-five percent of the eelgrass density comparisons made were accurate within the scope of our mapping procedure. Eelgrass beds consist primarily of Zostera marina. The introduced eelgrass species, Zostera japonica, was observed at four roadside sites.