There were approximately 150 to 250 photographs per dive. Total 

 dive times varied from 1.5 to 2.75 hours but were usually at 

 least two hours in duration. The amount of sea floor covered 

 varied on each dive, depending on current speed and direction, 

 but generally approximated one nautical mile. Throughout the 

 dive the diver scientists recorded observations on the fauna, 

 bottom/sediment type and other information on a portable cassette 

 recorder. 



In the laboratory, four data sets for each dive were 

 available for analysis. 1) videotapes, which include pictures 

 and audio; 2) 35 mm photographs; 3) a transcript of the diver 

 scientists observations and 4) the ships bridge log. For 

 quantitative analysis the 35 mm color photographs were the most 

 valuable, although interpretation of these data were greatly 

 enhanced by reference to both videotapes and the scientists' 

 observations . 



Each frame of the 35 mm color photograph was examined using 

 a light table and 5x lens. Data frame information was recorded 

 (i.e., frame number, date and time) and observations were made on 

 the sediment type. Animals were identified to the lowest 

 possible taxa and the number of individuals in each taxon were 

 recorded. In the case of colonial forms, the number of 

 individuals per frame was meaningless or could not be counted so 

 they were simply noted as "present." The total individual frame 

 area evaluated using the Delta was 1.24 m^ and using the Mermaid 

 II it was 0.66 m . 



RESULTS 



Study Sites 



The three study areas are physically similar in many 

 respects. They all occur in the western Gulf of Maine (Figure 1) 

 and have all been considered excellent fishing grounds in the 

 past (Rich, 1929). Based on our observations, the areas are 

 still being fished today with Jeffreys Ledge being dragged most 

 heavily. (An experimental site we established in 1985 on 

 Jeffreys Ledge had been destroyed by dragging when we returned to 

 the location in 1986). The depth of the study sites on the three 

 banks is similar, ranging from 198 to 290 ft. Similar sediment 

 types were found on each of the three banks. Over the course of 

 a single dive, however, sediments were observed to range from a 

 sand to silty sand to cobbles and boulders. In the areas of 

 highest scallop density ( Fippennies Ledge) the sediments were, 

 usually sandy and occasionally included some shell hash and 

 small rocks. In some instances, the surface of the sediments 

 appeared to be more of a silty/organic sand where there were 

 tubes formed by amphipods or small polychaete worms. 



Faunal Characteristics 



The fauna in the three areas is quite similar with a total 



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