SUMMARY 



a response to the early sprinq warming* with runoff of fresher* 

 Lower density water overlying ocean waters and suppressina mixintj 

 throughout the water column* and the consequent oxygen depletion 

 by biological activity. 



Mizenko and Chamberlin (Paper 15) presented data on the formation 

 of anticycLoriic Gulf Stream eodies and their irigration through 

 the Slope Water south of Mew England. Eodies create fast* 

 localized currents which can submerge marker buoys and move 

 lobster and crab traps when the eddies impinge upon the upper 

 continental slope. The total number of eddy days was reduced in 

 1976 compared with 1975* with the sjirmer quarter showing the 

 greatest redaction. Why the Gulf Stream had a lower energy 

 state* as shown by the number of eddies cast off* compared with 

 the Shelf Water/Slope Water front* is a puzzle. 



Rogers (Paper 21) provided an update on the swarming of siphono- 

 phores in New England coastal waters. The "lipo*" or slime* 

 which fouls fishing nets* was mild in 1976 compared with 1975. 



R^sgonse of Fishery Resources 



What can be said about the response of marine fishery resources 

 to the 1976 status of the environment? We can comment on only a 

 few fishery resources. These comments must be considered only as 

 best estimates rather than as definitive statements. 



The 1976 year class of 

 a bo ve-nor ma I upwelling. 

 harvest . 



Pacific mackerel was favored by 

 This has been reflectea in the 1977 



Larval menhaden were not favored by the wina-criven 

 transport conditions in the Middle Atlantic Bight. 



Recovery of the Peruvian anchoveta fishery may oe delayed by 

 trie mild 1976 El Nino conditions. 



Anoxia in bottom water off New Jersey hao little effect on 

 finfish recruitment* although many adults died. All age 

 groups of shellfish suffered high mortalities. 



Decreased Slope Water on Georges Bank favored herring larvae 

 survival in the fall. Later survival was adversely influ- 

 enced by the severe winter that followed. 



Extreme runoff in October affected crao recruitment in the 

 Middle Atlantic Bight. The following cold winter also was 

 adve rse . 



The October runoff was detrimental to survival of the oyster 

 spat in Chesapeake Bay. 



