(NUSCo 1978). A total of 7,021 winter flounder were branded in 1977 

 with 624 recaptured. The total population was estimated to be 52,000 + 

 38,000 (Table 4). 



Similar methods were used in 1978 and 1979 with the survey taking 

 place from early March to mid-May (NUSCo 1979, 1980). Some 8,272 were 

 marked in 1978 and 8,023 in 1979; recaptures totaled 729 and 491, respec- 

 tively. The population was estimated at 52,000 + 17,000 in 1978 and 

 54,000 + 21,000 in 1979 (Tables 5, 6). 



In 1980, fish were marked with a brand marking the week but not the 

 station (NUSCo 1981a). Some restrictions were placed on sampling and no 

 tows were taken at stations 4, 7, and 8. Sampling took place from the 

 week of March 17 through May 6; 7,625 were branded and 963 recaptured. 

 A population estimate of 33,000 + 14,000 was calculated (Table 7). 



The same restrictions regarding sampling stations as in 1980 were 

 also imposed in 1981 (NUSCo 1982) . The survey was conducted from the 

 week of March 2 through May 2. A total of 10,708 winter flounder were 

 marked (934 recaptured) and the population was estimated as 92,000 + 

 23,000 (Table 8). 



Although fish as small as 6.5 cm were branded beginning in 1981, the 



population estimates of winter flounder smaller than 15 cm have been 



calculated for each survey year based on the following proportion: 



population of fish <15 cm (unknown) _ Jolly estimate of fish ~ 15 cm 

 total survey catch of fish < 15 cm total survey catch of fish _> 15 cm 



Addition of the estimates of small and large fish gave a total population 



for the Niantic River (Table 9). 



