The program has determined natural variability, seasonality, densities 

 and species composition of both entrained and offshore ichthyoplankton. 

 Entrainment studies have estimated the number of fish eggs and larvae 

 entrained and identified adult fish population which are most likely to 

 be impacted due to entrainment losses. 



An extensive offshore program was designed to obtain larval (primarily 

 winter flounder) distribution data for use in verification of a predictive 

 mathematical model. Review indicated the response of such a program was 

 inadequate for model verification. Since 1976 the offshore program was 

 reduced in scope. The offshore program (1973-1975) had identified the 

 primary local spawning areas of dominant entrained taxa. 



Extensive sampling programs concerning the enumeration of ichthyo- 

 plankton and larval entrainment mortality have been conducted since 

 1973. These ichthyoplankton programs have been evaluated and improved 

 frequently. The present sampling program is able to detect natural 

 annual and spatial fluctuations in density. Further recommendations to 

 streamline the program include deletion of October - March fish egg 

 processing and change in entrainment sampling frequency to 4 days and 

 nights per week (one replicate each time) from the present 3 days and 

 nights per week (3 replicates each time) . Recommendations to investigate 

 two potential shortcomings of the ichthyoplankton program were made. 

 First, the evidence of survival of fish egg and larvae after entrainment 

 would reduce the estimated impact of Unit 3. Second, further identification 

 by offshore or Niantic River sampling of the sources of entrained larvae 

 would provide better information regarding the adult population over 

 which the three unit entrainment impact is distributed. 



