of this species is reached 1 or 2 months earlier in Offatts Bayou than in Clear 

 Lake. The secondary peak of abundance which normally occurs in October or 

 November in Clear Lake was only slightly evident in Offatts Bayou. This sec- 

 ondary peak of abundance is closely associated with the normal rise in salinity 

 in Clear Lake during these months. The greatest abundance of this species 

 is associated with areas of higher salinity in the Galveston Bay area. 



The bay anchovy was the second most abundant fish in Offatts Bayou 

 samples and the third most abundant in Clear Lake samples. This species, 

 which is considered to be the most important forage fish in Texas estuaries, 

 probably occurs in far greater abundance than indicated by trawl sannples. 

 The catch per unit effort of this species, however, was roughly comparable 

 in the two areas. Peaks were reached in Clear Lake in October I960 and 

 August 1961, whereas, lows were recorded for December I960 and January 

 1962 in Offatts Bayou. 



The above studies are being modified toward a broader program to 

 investigate the entire Galveston Bay system. The detailed work of the last 

 5 years is scheduled to be published as quickly as the data can be analyzed. 





Sampling fish and crustaceans in Offatts Bayou 

 with a small bottom trawl. 



51 



