1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 ■ 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 



Fig. 2. CPUE geometric means with 95% C.I. for all sizes and only legal size lobsters caught in wire pots from 1978 

 through 1987. 



however, the legal CPUE has steadily declined 

 from 0.196 in 1978 to 0.089 in 1987 (r = 0.98, 

 p < 0.05). This decline is most likely due to an 

 increase in fishing pressure in LIS. Over 90% of 

 legal-size lobsters in our catch were recruited from 

 sublegal-size classes. Increased fishing pressure 

 on lobsters in NY and CT waters was recently 

 reported by Colvin (1987) and Smith (1987). 



The variation in monthly CPUE values during 

 1986 and 1987 was typical of the seasonal abun- 

 dance of lobsters (Table 2). The increase in 

 CPUE during the spring and early summer months 

 (May- July) was related to the seasonal variation 

 in water temperature, because lobster activity 

 (e.g., feeding, movement, and molting) is at a 

 maximum after water temperatures rise above 10 

 °C (Mcl^eese and Wilder 1958; Dow 1966, 1969, 

 1976; Flowers and Saila 1972). A 50% decline 

 in total CPUE at .Jordan Cove from August to 



September 1986 represented the greatest monthly 

 decline in CPUE at any station since the study 

 began and it was related to scouring at the dis- 

 charge due to 3-unit operation. Beginning in 

 August 1986, a fine sUt material covered traps and 

 lobster shelters in Jordan Cove (500 m from dis- 

 charge). Analysis of sediment samples collected 

 at the Jordan Cove and Effluent subtidal sand 

 stations indicated changes in sediment composi- 

 tion during the same period (see Benthic Infauna 

 section). SCUBA surveys of the discharge area 

 revealed that fine sediment had been scoured dur- 

 ing a period of 3-unit simultaneous operation 

 (May-August 1986). The decline in lobster 

 catches from August (351 lobsters) to September 

 (165 lobsters) was temporary, and catches in- 

 creased in October and continued to be normal 

 through 1987, indicating that sediments in Jordan 

 Cove had stabilized. A similar short-term impact 

 associated with the disruption of lobster habitat 



124 



