Following Ricker's suggestion to combine samples from successive years, catch curves were constructed 

 from combined data for 1978-79 and 1981-83 (Fig. 7). Catches within each group were adjusted to give 

 equal weight to each year. Although years were combined, irregularities were still seen in the curves. The 

 geometric mean of Z for the two yearly groups was 0.721, corresponding to a survival rate of 0.486 and 

 an annual total mortality rate (A) of 0.514. These rates are probably less biased than the estimates made 

 using the method of Robson and Chapman and represent the best estimate of mortality for Niantic River 

 winter flounder. 



Food habits 



Major taxonomic groups of organisms eaten by winter flounder in the vicinity of MNPS were examined 

 from June 1973 through November 1974 (NUSCo 1975). Important food items consumed included 

 crustaceans, annelid and polychaete worms, and mollusks (Table 17). Algae was also frequently found in 

 stomachs at several stations, supporting the contention of Wells et al. (1973) that filamentous algae was 

 frequently eaten by winter flounder. This separates the winter flounder from most other northeastern 

 Atlantic marine fishes, which are strictly carnivorous. Average stomach fullness ranged from about 

 one-third full in the Niantic River to half-full at Seaside Point and Twbtree Island Channel. Food items 

 varied by location and seemed to reflect bottom type and different benthic communities. For example, 

 bivalves were particularly important in the muddier upper Niantic River, whereas worms and crustaceans 

 were more important in the sandier areas of the lower river and in Niantic Bay. The variable diet of 

 winter flounder in the area was not unexpected as it has been reported to be an omnivorous, opportunistic 

 feeder (Pearcy 1962; Richards 1963; Mulkana 1966; Frame 1972; Kurtz 1975; Festa 1977; Scarlett 1986). 

 Richards (1963) reported that winter flounder fed on more prey taxa than any other demersal fish in Long 

 Island Sound. Several studies have hypothesized that some movements of winter flounder are feeding 

 migrations not associated with water temperature preferences or for spawning (Kennedy and Steele 1971; 

 Van Guelpen and Davis 1979). However, not enough data were available for Niantic River winter flounder 

 to examine this possibility. 



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