Reports of exploratory otter-trawling between Nova Scotia and Virginia 37 [ 



It is probable that some of the Argentina and Chloropthalmus were taken well otT 

 bottom. Most of the species listed above are known from depths beyond those given 

 here. None were taken in large numbers. 



LOBSTERS AND RED CRABS 



It is planned to present in a separate paper, an account of the lobsters (Homarus 

 americanus) and red crabs (Geryon quinquidens) taken during this exploratory lishing. 

 It can be said here that lobsters were found in quantities sutficicnt to support at least 

 a limited amount of commercial fishing in depths of from about 70 to 150 fathoms 

 where we trawled up to 4 bushels or more in a 1 hour drag between Long. 69' 30' 

 and Long. 71°. Catches also were made as deep as 260 fathoms and as far westward 

 and southward as fishing was done (Lat. 37° 38' N, Long, 74^ 15' W.) 



It has long been known that lobsters, especially very large ones, occur off shore 

 between the offings of Nova Scotia and North Carolina, and in the last few years 

 otter trawlers have been bringing in fair catches from off the coast of New Jersey. 

 But since releasing information concerning their whereabouts and relative abundance 

 ofT the New England coast, based on our recent investigations, a number of boats 

 have been operating successfully with catches reported as high as 8,000 pounds 

 landed from a 5- or 6-day trip. All sizes of lobsters are present in this offshore area 

 from about 5 inches in total length to those weighing 20 pounds or more. While the 

 average size has been considerably larger than that taken inshore by the trap fishery, 

 in which the size of the trap opening excludes large lobsters, nevertheless a good 

 proportion of very small ones is present also. There is an indication from this that 

 the offshore population, rather than being composed chiefly of large and very old 

 individuals that may have gradually worked into deeper water, is in fact made up 

 substantially of all ages. It would seem therefore that the offshore stock is not too 

 dependent on emigrants from inshore but rather that much of this population owes 

 its existence to lobsters being carried there during their planktonic existence. 



The red crabs were found throughout the areas fished, but while they were taken 

 in the deepest hauls their shoalest range was quite sharply defined. Thus in area A 

 they first appeared at about 250 fathoms, in areas B and C at about 200 fathoms, and 

 in area D at about 150 fathoms. The best average catches per 1 hour drag were as 

 follows: area A, 23 to 115 crabs in 300-550 fathoms; area B, 30 to 79 in 200-400 

 fathoms; area C, 29 to 80 in 200-550 fathoms, and area D, 65 to 203 crabs in 150- 

 450 fathoms. They were well distributed, for catches were made in almost every 

 haul made within these depths. 



In size the great majority of the red crabs ranged from 1 to 2 pounds and, as they 

 have proven very good to eat, there is a possibility that a fishery for them may develop. 



BOTTOM TEMPERATURES 



On the three cruises made in 1953, from June 25 to July 30, temperatures were 

 obtained for most of the hauls with a maximum-minimum thermometer which was 

 attached to an otter board. It may be presumed that these minimum temperatures, 

 in most cases at least, were those prevailing at or very close to the bottom. 



It must be admitted that the instruments used were not of a quality or calibration 

 comparable to the precision of the best deep-sea reversing thermometers. However, 

 from time to time the latter were used as a check on the former, and d.flerences in 



