2. The sexing and classification of reproductive code of winter flounder 

 should be accomplished by the most experienced personnel as much as 

 possible. More definite criteria should be used to distinguish between 

 females classified as "spent" (a reproductive code) and "female" (non- 

 reproductive) . 



2 . The size at which 50% of all females are mature should be calculated 

 by examining a selected sample of females in the critical size range. 

 All females above this length found within the Niantic River during the 

 spawning season should be considered mature for the purposes of estimating 

 egg production. 



4. All fish branded and recaptured should be measured. Although this 

 procedure will increase the time needed in the field, the data gained 

 may be invaluable not only for determining age structure but in the 

 analysis of capture-recapture data for the Jolly model. This addition 

 in labor may be offset by a corresponding reduction in the time spent 

 handling and branding juveniles less than 15 cm. As previously mentioned, 

 there is serious doubt whether the present techniques can be used to 

 estimate their numbers. Therefore little effort should be expended in 

 dealing with them in the population surveys other than obtaining an 

 accurate count of their numbers. 



5. The sample chosen for aging should not consist of all fish captured 

 in a tow but should be a stratified subsample of fish defined before the 

 survey commences as a certain number within a length group of a particular 

 sex. The total labor allowed for aging fish can be fixed in advance and 



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