The charge given to the Working Group contained six specific 

 topics to be addressed: 



(a) Review and evaluate information on shell disease 

 of crustaceans with particular attention to 

 possible relationships with environmental factors 

 in the New York Bight. 



(b) Determine whether it is possible to estimate 

 increased mortality rates in crustaceans as a 

 consequence of shell disease. 



(c) Review current trends of abundance and condition 

 of stocks of red crab, lobster, rock crab, Jonah 

 crab, and blue crab in the New York Bight, and the 

 factors influencing such trends. 



(d) Determine, if possible, from recent data, the 

 present frequency of shell disease in crustacean 

 resources of the New York Bight. 



(e) Prepare a report to EPA on shell disease in the 

 New York Bight by April 1, 1989, as part of the 

 New York Bight Restoration Plan. 



(f) Outline a proposed short- and long-term research 

 program to augment existing information. 



XV 



