bay site. Sediment and biota samples were obtained along the beaches and 

 salt marsh for subsequent evaluation of hydrocarbon content, intersitial 

 fauna, macrofauna, microbial counts and activity, and detrial strand line 

 material. Due to adverse weather, only limited samples could be obtained in 

 Nantucket harbor. Water samples for hydrocarbon analysis were obtained at 

 the salt marsh site. 



Appendix V contains a report of the survey, in which samples were ana- 

 lyzed for microbial organisms, chlorophyll, and preliminary identification of 

 living microfauna and macrofauna. The samples were properly preserved for 

 further analysis in the event the oil came ashore. It is unclear at this 

 time if such analyses will be conducted; however, the samples are available 

 as required for comparison with future samples to determine long-term changes 

 on the Nantucket becahes. 



The U.S. Geological Survey, under the direction of David Schultz, ob- 

 tained intertidal samples from Nantucket Island, Ester Island, Tuckernuck 

 Island, Monomoy Island, and Cape Cod. A total of 53 intertidal samples were 

 collected for hydrocarbon analyses, particle size distributions, species 

 identification, and bacteriological studies. All samples are at the Woods 

 Hole Oceanographic Institution. 



4.5 Preliminary Surveys of Impact on Fishing Activities 



Within the short time available, it has not been possible to properly 

 detemnine the impact of the Avgo Mevahant oil spill on the local fishing ac- 

 tivities, because the effects of the spill may be long-term in nature and 

 cannot be quickly assessed. For example, during the spring spawning season, 

 the larval fry of most fish species spend several days or weeks drifting in 

 the midwater or surface water columns. The spilled oil that entered the 

 water column may have destroyed part of the 1977 year-class of some fish 

 stocks during the two weeks that surface oil covered spawning areas. The 

 results of this destruction of eggs and larvae on stock abundance and poten- 

 tial yields cannot be determined at this time. While it is recognized that 

 finfish can avoid oil- contaminated waters, the effects of oil on spawning 

 bottom, in terms of altered adult behavior, are not known. No hydrocarbons 

 attributable to the Avgo Uevohant have been detected in the bottom sediments 

 except for those found in the immediate vicinity of the sunken bow section 

 (41° 01.4'N, 69° 26.5'W) on February 11, 1977. The effects of this spill 

 upon industry markets and prices are unknown; if, for example, the spill does 

 not reduce the quality of the landings, but the general consensus ashore is 

 that if the landings are contaminated fish prices may be depressed. 



Members of the fishing industry believe that the oil in the water column 

 may remain over Georges Bank for the following reason: the area is extremely 

 productive, largely because nutrients are recycled by the currents rather 

 than being swept offshore into the deep water where they would sink from the 

 zone of light and be lost. The currents over the Bank tend to hold material 

 over the area for long periods, recycling it fully to the benefit of marine 

 species. Oil injected into this circulation may thus remain for some time. 



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