Figure 1. 



-Lobster larvae sampling stations in western Cape Cod 

 Bav, 1974-77. 



ment in Cape Cod Bay is a result of geostrophic, tidal, and 

 longshore currents which have a net effect of producing a flow 

 parallel to the coast toward the southeast (E G and G Environ- 

 mental Consultants 8 ). Movement of surface water nearshore is 

 most influenced by wind-induced currents which are variable 

 in direction (O'Hagan 9 ). 



Sampling Gear Specifications and Procedures 



Division of Marine Fisheries research vessels, RV F.C. 

 Wilbour and RV J.J. Sullivan, were employed for surface tow- 

 ing. Sampling gear consisted of a 1 m x 2 m neuston net, ap- 

 proximately 3 m in length and constructed of 1.05 mm nylon 

 mesh. Net frame was constructed of 12.7 mm steel rod with 

 four floats for buoyancy. Based on knowledge of diurnal 

 lobster larvae distribution (Templeman and Tibbo 1945), 



"E G and G Environmental Consultants. 1975. Preliminary Phase II Final 

 Report. In Forecasting Power Plant Effects on the Coastal Zone, 187 p. E G and 

 G Environmental Consultants, 196 Beak Hill Road., Waltham, MA 02154. 



'O'Hagan, R. M. 1974. Analysis of 1972-1973 ocean current measurements 

 near Pilgrim Station. In Marine ecology studies related to operation of 

 Pilgrim Station, Semi-Annual Report No. 4, sect. Ill, 38 p. Boston Edison 

 Company, Boston, MA 02199. 



we sampled only in the daytime and primarily at the surface 

 from 1974 to 1977. In 1975, we also conducted surface tows 

 at shoal stations employing two 1 m x 1 m neuston nets. 

 These were suspended amidships from a horizontal boom on 

 each side of a 5.5 m skiff to avoid propeller wash. 



A General Oceanics Model S 2030 R flowmeter 10 attached to 

 the mouth of the neuston net was used to determine the 

 volumes of water sampled (Table 1). Overall, surface collec- 

 tions averaged 3,522 m 3 of water sampled per tow. We towed 

 the neuston net breaking the water's surface. The vessel was 

 maneuvered to keep the net out of the propeller wash. 



In 1977, we conducted subsurface tows aboard the F.C. 

 Wilbour using aim x 1.5 m Tucker trawl, approximately 

 5 m long with 1 .05 mm mesh as described by Clarke (1969) and 

 Hopkins et al. (1973). The trawl fished at an angle of 45° pro- 

 ducing a net opening of 1 nr. 



Upon completion of each surface and subsurface tow, net 

 contents were washed into the cod end, emptied into a nested 

 set of sieves (6.35 mm and 1.05 mm size mesh), and rinsed. 

 Material retained in the 6.35 mm mesh sieve was rinsed again, 



'"Reference to trade names does not imply endorsement by the National 

 Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA. 



48 



