Figure 13. --Partially completed shed holding 7,600-gallon experimental pool. 



The light sources at sea were the same as 

 those used for the commercial trials; how- 

 ever, a 5-foot diameter lift net was used in 

 place of the purse seine. Some of the more 

 significant preliminary findings were: 



(1) Fish were attracted to all of the light 

 sources used; however, the narrow-angle 

 lights concentrated the fish into the 

 requisite tight school, whereas the wide- 

 angle lights did not, 



(2) An initial period of attraction occurred 

 shortly after dark, followed by a lessening 

 of activity until shortly before dawn. 



(3) Fish behavior in the light field varied 

 greatly from night to night, and predators 

 and currents played seemingly important 

 roles. In fast-nnoving currents, the 

 schools under the light were ragged; fish 

 swam into the current with only the front 

 edge of the school under the light. 



Vertical schooling patterns were studied 

 with a portable depth recorder, but we failed 

 to detect consistent patterns. 



For laboratory studies, a 7,600-gallon plas- 

 tic -lined pool was constructed. Aside from a 

 few survival and feeding tests, we accomplished 

 little with the pool before the project leader 

 left for graduate school. The equipment is 

 being maintained for future use. 



THE WORK GOES ON 



Thus at sea, in the air, and in the laboratory 

 work continues with the ultimate goal of a 

 healthier domestic fishery industry. 



We appear to be riding a wave of progressive 

 optinnism that marks the general tone of the 

 industry in the Southeastern States, and we 

 strive to lead the way twoard use in commer- 

 cial fisheries of the latest in technological ad- 

 vancements combined with exploratory and gear 

 research knowledge from continuing studies. 



STAFF 



Harvey R. Bullis, Jr., Base Director 

 John R. Thompson, Assistant Base Director 

 Francis J. Captiva, Base Fleet Supervisor 

 Sven J. Svensson, Assistant to Fleet Supervisor 

 Marilyn M. Nelson, Secretary to Base Director 



Gulf of Mexico Exploratory Fishing and Gear 

 Research Program (Pascagoula) 



James S. Carpenter, Supervisory Fishery 



Biologist, Acting Chief 

 Hilton M. Floyd, Fishery Methods and Equip- 



nnent Specialist 

 Martin R. Bartlett, Fishery Methods and 



Equipment Specialist. -EOD 6/25/67 



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