focusing. Theory and details regarding this electrophoretic method may be fround in the original report 

 (Schenck and Saila 1982) as well as in Lundstrom (1977), Saravis and Zameheck (1979), and Marine 

 Colloids (1980). Samples were taken during the spawning season when stock separation should have been 

 greatest. From February through April 1980, approximately 50 winter flounder were collected from New 

 Haven, CT; Connecticut River; Niantic River, Niantic Bay, and Jordan Cove (combined for analysis); 

 Thames River, CT; Mystic River, CT; and Charlestown Pond, RI. In March 1981, about 75 fish were 

 examined from the Cormecticut River, Niantic River, Niantic Bay, Jordan Cove, and Thames River. 

 Additional samples were collected in Niantic Bay during each season to examine changes on an annual 

 basis. All except the New Haven fish were processed immediately after collection. Each fish was pithed, 

 measured, weighed, sexed and its eye lenses were removed and individually frozen. After the eye lens 

 proteins were separated, sample gels for each specimen with separated protein bands were fixed and stained 

 and examined for the presence or absence of certain protein bands. Some samples were quantitatively 

 read with a scanning densitometer. Data were analyzed using linear discriminant analysis, details of which 

 may be found in Schenck and Saila (1982). 



Larval studies 



Abundance and distribution 



Ichthyoplankton collections containing larval winter flounder have been made at numerous locations 

 in the Millstone area since 1973. Prior to 1979, the collection of winter flounder was incidental to the 

 general ichthyoplankton surveys, with varying objectives. Since 1979, special sampling in the Niantic 

 River has been conducted during the occurrence of larval winter flounder. The most comprehensive 

 sampling has been conducted since 1983, with numerous special studies conducted to identify sampling 

 biases. Except for entrainment sampling (discussed below), the varying sampling designs prior to 1983 

 have limited the usefulness of these data in understanding factors affecting the abundance of larval winter 

 flounder in the Millstone area. 



All offshore ichthyoplankton sampling designs have used 60-cm bongo samplers towed from boats at 

 approximately 2 knots and weighted with various depressors of differing weights. Sample volumes were 

 determined with General Oceanic flowmeters (Model 2030). Mesh size of the nets have varied with paired 



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