based on these data were reported previously (NUSCo 1978a, 1983b), they were re-examined for this 

 report and new length -fecundity relationships were calculated using a functional regression (Table 10). 

 Using the 1977-86 modal length of 31 cm for Niantic River females for comparison, the fecundity estimate 

 obtained from the first study was most similar to estimates made using relationships obtained from Saila 

 (1962a) and Kennedy and Steele (1971). The Niantic Bay data gave comparatively high estimates, but no 

 reason can be given for the discrepancy between the two studies. 



Table II. Annual indices of female spawners and egg production for Niantic 

 River winter flounder from 1977 through 1986. 



From composite index of abundance and percentage of mature females, assuming that all 

 females 26 cm and larger were mature. 



For winter flounder larger than 15 cm during 1976-82 and 20 cm thereafter. 



The proportion of females in the population larger than 26 cm was combined with the .lolly index of 

 abundance to obtain a relative number of female spawners from year to year; 1976 was excluded because 

 no reproductive data were available then. Spawning females comprised 20 to 51% of the population 

 (Table 11). Percentages for 1977-82 were lower because they were based on all fish larger than 15 cm 

 and thus included more immature fish in the abundance estimates. The value for 1980 (20%) was 

 particularly low and is another indication that a segment of the spawning population was missed then, as 

 comparatively more smaller, immature fish were caught. 



41 



