Tidal export and import 



The potential export or import of winter flounder larvae from or to the Niantic River was investigated 

 in 1983 by sampling three ebb and flood tides at the time of maximum current velocity. Most of those 

 collected were Stage 3 (45%) and 4 (48%) larvae. Many more larvae were collected during a flood tide 

 (Fig. 22). This indicated that there was a net import of at least the later developmental stages into the 

 river from the bay. 



To quantify the net exchange of larvae between the river and bay, additional sampling at the mouth 

 of the Niantic River was conducted in 1984 and 1985. Five tidal cycles were sampled at 1-h intervals. 



2000 



1600: 



o 1200: 



O 



Ld 



a: 800 



400: 



JZL 



Figure 22. Frequency and collection times of larval winter flounder taken at the mouth of the Niantic River during 

 maximum ebb (E) and flood (F) tidal currents. 



87 



