CHAPTER 13 



Table 13-1. — Northeast Fisheries Center investigation of oxygen depletion and resource assessment cruises from Sand\ Hook. N.J., 



to Cape Henlopen. Del., and seaward to about 73° W longitude 



Date 



Vessel 



Trawl specifications 



Tow 

 duration 



Trawl 

 stations 



bay trawl, 9 1 m chain sweep, 

 no liner 



bay trawl, 9.1 m chain sweep, 

 no liner 



50/70 trawl, 21.3 m chain sweep, 

 no liner 



bay trawl, 9.1 m chain sweep, 

 1.27 cm liner 



bay trawl, 9.1 m chain sweep, 

 1.27 cm liner 



3/4 #36 Yankee, 16.5 m chain sweep, 

 1.27 cm liner 



#36 Yankee, 24.4 m roller sweep, 

 1.27 cm liner 



#36 Yankee, 24 4 m chain sweep, 

 1.27 cm liner 



3/4 #36 Yankee, 16.5 m chain sweep, 

 no liner 



3/4 #36 Yankee, 16.5 m chain sweep, 

 1 .27 cm liner 



#36 Yankee, 24.4 m chain sweep, 

 1.27 cm liner 



#36 Yankee, 24.4 m chain sweep, 

 1.27 cm liner 



#36 Yankee, 24.4 m chain sweep, 

 1.27 cm liner 



#36 Yankee, 24.4 m chain sweep, 

 1.27 cm liner 



#36 Yankee, 24.4 m chain sweep 

 1.27 cm liner 



#36 Yankee, 24.4 m chain sweep, 

 1.27 cm liner 



Minutes 

 15 



15 



15 



15 



15 



15 



30 



30 



15 



30 



30 

 30 

 30 



30 

 30 

 30 



Number 

 4 



55 

 50 

 45 



22 



36 



24 

 25 

 24 



34 

 48 

 44 



distribution of summer flounder was dramatically affected 

 by the low-oxygen water mass. 



The 1976 State survey showed that anglers in Great Bay 

 averaged 3.3 summer flounder per completed trip, rep- 

 resenting the second highest seasonal mean in the history 

 of the 10-year census. The July 1976 mean of 5.6 summer 

 flounder per trip is the highest monthly average to be 

 recorded in the survey. This is attributed to the extreme 



daily figures of 10.6 and 7.2 recorded on July 15 and July 

 26, respectively (table 13-4, fig. 13-2). These extremely 

 high values are separated by a low value of 1.1 summer 

 flounder per trip recorded on July 22. The large variability 

 in catch rates during July appears to be directly related 

 to movement of the oxygen-depleted water mass that ex- 

 tended inshore to coastal waters in July and actually en- 

 tered inlet and bay waters on July 21, 1976. 



297 



