11-63 



Marcy (1976a) states that this species spawns later in the 

 year than the alewife (when the water over the spawning ground is 

 approximately 21-25°C) , and does not run up as far above tidewater to 

 spawn. Bluebacks may have utilized freshwater spawning areas in the 

 vicinity of New Haven Harbor in recent years. In 1971 and 1972, blue- 

 back, larvae were reported in July and June, respectively; however, we 

 believe that these data were incorrect identifications of anchovy lar- 

 vae. Since then, no larvae of this species have been reported. Together 

 with the seine and trawl catch record, these findings would suggest that 

 local spawning of blueback herring may have been prevalent in the early 

 1970 's but has since declined below detectable levels. 



New Haven Harbor traveling-screen data indicate relatively 

 high impingement rates (30 to 60 fish per day) for only two dates: one 

 in early June 1976, the other in early December 1977. Average impinge- 

 ment rates are much lower than this. For the June- July 1976 sample 

 period, there had been less impingement of this species than at other 

 generating stations reviewed. 



Rainbow Smelt (Osmerus movdax) 



The smelt is an anadromous species, popular as a sport and 

 food fish (Bigelow and Schroeder, 1953) . This species also constitutes 

 a major prey item for salmonids and other large gamefish. As with other 

 anadromous species, disruption of spawning habitat has greatly reduced 

 the utilization of heavily-populated coastal areas by this species. 



In marine waters, smelt rarely stray more than a mile or two 

 from shore (Bigelow and Schroeder, 1953). They also prefer cool water 

 (8-9°C) ; thus, during summer, most leave harbors and shallow embayments 

 for the cold bottom waters along the open coast. With the return of 

 colder temperatures in the fall, the smelt return to the harbors and 

 embayments in preparation for the spring spawning run to gravel-bottomed 

 freshwater streams. 



