Proposed Short-term Activities include the following: 



° Examine status of stocks of crustaceans (lobsters, red 

 crabs, blue crabs, rock crabs) in the New York Bight, 

 and review factors (including diseases) which may 

 affect abundance. 



° Sample crustaceans from the New York Bight (including 

 12 Mile and 106 Mile Sites) , as well as from 

 appropriate reference sites, on a monthly or seasonal 

 basis for prevalences and intensities of shell disease 

 noting temperature, depth, sex, size, molting stage, 

 and gill abnormalities. Molting stages for each 

 species must be determined. 



° Examine data and design a statistically valid sampling 

 scheme to determine relationships, if any, between 

 shell disease and contaminant levels (inorganic and 

 organic) , in tissues, in sediments, and in the water 

 column. 



° Carry out tagging studies of diseased crabs and 

 lobsters to determine disease progression and to 

 provide information about possible differential 

 mortality in natural populations. 



° Conduct microbiological studies to determine causative 

 agents of shell disease in New York Bight crustaceans 

 and in those from reference sites, to determine if 

 there are differences among areas or host species. 



° Conduct experimental studies of disease progression and 

 effects on survival, using microbial isolates from 

 diseased animals. Variables to be examined include 

 salinity, temperature, pressure, presence of specific 

 contaminants, availability of oxygen, trauma, and 

 numbers of pathogens present. 



Proposed Long-term Activities include the following: 



° Continue sampling activities and stock assessment 



activities. Long-term sampling program to be developed 

 with aid of fishermen, and with possible assistance of 

 Sea Grant Extension Service staff. 



° Examine the relationship between black gill disease, 

 shell disease, and associated microorganisms in 

 crustaceans. 



° Carry out physiological/biochemical studies of the 

 process of chitin formation and maintenance in 

 crustaceans, particularly as it may be affected by 

 pollutants. 



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