Systematic IRT temperature surveys were initiated in 19G2 by the U. S. Bureau of 

 Sport Fisheries and Wildlife on both the Atlantic and the Pacific coasts. These studies are 

 incorporated into a new Federal program of research on migratory salt-water sport fishes 

 concentrated on understanding how environmental parameters influence distribution and 

 well-being of migratory coastal species. 



Under the encouragement of the SEAS Committee an expanded cooperative program 

 of survey is being established for the Atlantic coast. Thermal mapping with IRT on a 

 monthly basis is now planned to extend from Cape Cod to Cape Fear and along the northern 

 coast of the Gulf of Mexico in the following sections: 



1. Cape Cod, Mass., to Cape Henlopen, Del. — Sandy Hook Marine Laboratory. 



2. Cape Henlopen, Del., to Cape Hatteras, N. C. — Virginia Institute of Marine 

 Science. 



3. Cape Hatteras, N.C., to Cape Fear, N.C. — Beaufort Biological Laboratory. 



4. Northern Gulf of Mexico — Gulf Coast Marine Laboratory. 



The SEAS Committee is considering a plan under which this survey program could 

 be expanded eventually to cover the whole Atlantic coast at frequent intervals, and lor re- 

 cords to be forwarded to a central clearinghouse to provide for regular and prompt issuance 

 of coastal thermal maps. With this goal in view the Committee is vitally interested that 

 standards be established for IRT survey methods and reporting systems. 



On the Pacific coast, the Tiburon Marine Laboratory monthly survey program in- 

 cludes the following areas: 



1. Cape Flattery, Wash., to Cape Lookout, Ore, 



2. Point Arena, Calif,, to Point Sur, Calif. 



3. Point Arguello, Calif., to Punta Salsipuedes in Mexico. 



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