Life Sciences Commons^™

Habitat Requirements For The Softshell Clam, Mya Arenaria In The Chesapeake Bay, Patrick Baker, Roger L. Mann

Reports

Large populations of softshell clams persist only in relatively shallow, sandy. mesohaline portions of Chesapeake Bay. These areas are mostly in Maryland, but can also occur in the Rappahannock River. Virginia. In some other portions of the bay, especially polyhaline portions. sparse populations of soft shell clams persist subtidally. Restricted populations exist intertidally.

Softshell clams grow rapidly in Chesapeake Bay, reaching commercial size in two years or less. They reproduce twice per year, in spring and fall, but probably only fall spawnings are important in maintaining population levels. Major recruitment events do not occur in most years. despite heavy annual …

Charles City County Tidal Marsh Inventory, Kenneth A. Moore, Sharon Dewing, Gene M. Silberhorn

Reports

No abstract provided.

An Evaluation Of At-Sea Handling Practices: Effects On Sea Scallop Meat Quality, Volume And Integrity, William D. Dupaul, Robert A. Fisher, James E. Kirkley

Reports

No abstract provided.

A 100-Year Sediment Budget For Chesapeake Bay, Carl H. Hobbs Iii, Jeffery P. Halka, Randall T. Kerhin, Michael J. Carron

Reports

Chesapeake Bay is a depositional basin that is filling from both ends and the sides. During the century ended in the mid-1950s between 1.0 x 109 and 2.92 x 109 metric tons of sediment accumulated in the bay. The bay's largest tributary, the Susquehanna River, is a major source of fine-grained sediments; its coarser load being trapped by dams. The continental shelf is the largest single source of sediment for the basin. A massive quantity of sand, perhaps as much of forty percent of the net deposition, enters the bay between the Virginia capes and works its way tens of …

Arrow Arum, Duck Corn Peltandra Virginica (L.) Kunth, Gene Silberhorn

Reports

The Wetland Flora Technical Report series provides concise information regarding the identification, growth habits, distribution, habitat, ecology and wetland indicator status for the title species. Illustrations are also included to aid in specimen identification.

On-Board Quality Control Preparing Mid-Atlantic Fisheries For The Future, Robert A. Fisher

Reports

The U.S. population is eating more seafood than at any time in the nation's history. Strong national and local marketing and consumer education programs have encouraged this increased consumption. AF, consumers become more knowledgeable about seafood products, and as sales respond to competition, high quality products will be the 1ule rather than the exception. This guide focuses on the very beginning of quality assurance, on-board handling.

Areas of focus for on-board quality control measures include vessel sanitation, icing-temperature control, harvesting techniques, on-deck handling, and storage. These procedures, outlined on the following pages, are in line with preliminary requirements being set …

Estimation Of Standing Crop Of Oysters In The James River, Virginia, Using Commercial Fishing Records : Final Report, Bruce J. Barber, Roger L. Mann

Reports

Virginia was the leading producer of oysters, Crassostrea virginica, as recently as the late 1950's, when landings of market oysters from the 243,000 acres of public grounds was about 700,000 bushels (Hargis and Haven, 1988). Beginning about 1960, a major decline in market oyster production occurred, principally the result of two oyster pathogens, Haplosporidium nelsoni (MSX) and Perkinsus marinus ( Dermo) . These pathogens have essentially decimated productive oyster grounds in the main stem of Chesapeake Bay as well as the lower portions of all the major rivers. Market oyster landings from public grounds had declined to 328,338 bushels in …

Richmond County Marsh Inventory, Walter I. Priest Iii, Sharon Dewing, Gene M. Silberhorn

Reports

No abstract provided.

Marine Pollution Impacts On Living Marine Resources, Herbert M. Austin

Reports

No abstract provided.

Saltmeadow Hay, Spartina Patens (Aiton) Muhl, Gene M. Silberhorn

Reports

The Wetland Flora Technical Report series provides concise information regarding the identification, growth habits, distribution, habitat, ecology and wetland indicator status for the title species. Illustrations are also included to aid in specimen identification.

Eutrophication Of Lake Matoaka Assessment And Projection, Bruce Neilson, Gary F. Anderson, Martha Rhodes

Reports

No abstract provided.

A Fisherman's Guide: Getting The Most Out Of Monkfish, Robert A. Fisher, Bill Dupaul

Reports

No abstract provided.

Short-Run Situation Outlook: Mid-Atlantic Sea Scallops, James Kirkley, William Dupaul

Reports

No abstract provided.

Heating Soft Crab Shedding Systems, Mike Oesterling

Reports

The molting of blue crabs, and ultimately soft shell crab production, is regulated by water temperature. A certain threshold or minimum water temperature must be reached before blue crabs begin to molt (shed). Although crabs begin shedding at temperatures in the mid-60'sF (18-19°C), water temperatures near 70°F (21°C) are optimum for active shedding. As the water temperature increases, the time required for a crab to progress through the stages leading to molting decreases (the time needed to go from a white-line, to a pink-line and finally red-line crab). The time needed for a complete molt--for a soft crab to exit …

Recruitment And Growth Of Oysters On Shell Clutch Planted At Monthly Intervals (May-August 1986) At Jones Shore Basin The Lower Potomac River, Maryland, Reinaldo Morales-Alamo, Roger L. Mann

Reports

No abstract provided.

Status Of The Major Oyster Diseases In Virginia 1989 A Summary Of The Annual Monitoring Program, Eugene M. Burreson

Reports

No abstract provided.

Habitat Requirements For The Hard Clam, Mercenaria Mercenaria, In Chesapeake Bay, G.Curtis Roegner, Roger L. Mann

Reports

The hard clam, Mercenaria mercenaria, is found along the eastern coast of North America from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to Texas. In Chesapeake Bay the hard clam is restricted to salinities above approximately 12 ppt. The abundances and distribution patterns of hard clams in Chesapeake Bay are based on studies performed nearly 20 years ago - a more extensive survey of hard clam resources is due. Statements concerning long term trends in populations are not feasible.

The basic anatomy of hard clams conform to that of venerid bivalves. Hard clams grow to a maximum shell length (anterior-posterior dimension) of …

Striped Bass Research, Virginia: Characterization Of Virginia's Striped Bass Commercial Fisheries Annual Report 1989-90, Virginia Institute Of Marine Science

Reports

The research reported herein (and in the 1982 through 1989 annual reports) is directly related to Priority III stated in the "Action Plan" (p. 15) of the Emergency Striped Bass Study (Anadromous Fish Conservation Act Amendment, Public Law 96-118). The amendment was the result of a decline in striped bass (Marone saxatilis) landings from Maine to North Carolina since the mid-1970's. This report summarizes the results of the fall 1989 and spring 1990 sampling period and compares these results with the previous work.

A Mark-Recapture Study Of Striped Bass In The Rappahannock River, Virginia Annual Report 1989-1990, Joseph G. Loesch, Bruce W. Hill, Philip W. Sadler

Reports

A total of 6,203 striped bass were tagged in fall 1989 and 2,033 in spring 1990 on the Rappahannock River.

In fall 1989, 63.5% of the tagged striped bass were less than 400 mm fork length (FL). In comparison, 86% of the fish were greater than 400 mm FL in spring 1990.

Pound nets in the Rappahannock River account for 75% of the recaptures, while out of state recaptures account for only 0. 008% of the total returns.

A Survey For Oysters And Shell In The Vicinity Of The Proposed Construction Site For A City Of Norfolk Water Line Across The Lafayette River Near The Hampton Boulevard Bridge, Roger Mann, Reinaldo Morales-Alamo

Reports

At the request of the Department of Utilities of the City of Norfolk, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science conducted a survey of the oyster ground in the Lafayette River in the immediate vicinity of the proposed construction site for a 20 11 water line across the river just below the Hampton Blvd. bridge and in front of the Norfolk Yacht and Country Club (Figure 1).

The section of river bottom surveyed was delineated by the Department of Utilities engineers on their site plans. It consisted of a strip across an oyster ground leased by Holland Fisheries. Inc. (Virginia Marine …

Cataract Occurrence In Micropogonia Furnieri (Desmarest, 1822) In The Area Between Capes Frio And Torres (23° S And 29° S), Brazil : Investigation Of Causes And Electrophoretic Studies Of Total Proteins Of The Eye Lenses, Anna Emila A. De M. Vazzoler, Van Ngan Phan

Reports

The frequency and distribution of these specimens were analysed and the electrophoretic patterns of soluble eye-lens proteins were determined. This cataract is not of parasitic origin and was rare in specimens from the coastal area. In the lagunar region it occurs mainly in specimens of the River Baguacu from April to November.

Sandbridge Bulkhead Impact Study, C. Scott Hardaway Jr., George R. Thomas

Reports

No abstract provided.

Stock Identification Of Summer Flounder (Paralichthis Dentatus) In The Southern Mid-Atlantic Bight, John A. Musick, Joseph C. Desfosse, A. Deane Estes, Paul Lyons

Reports

A total of 12, 339 summer flounder were tagged from Virginia waters during 1987-89. A total of 874 were recaptured for an overall return rate of 7 . 1%. Most of the returns ( 48.5%) were from Virginia waters, or areas to the south. A smaller number ( 21.6%) were from areas north and offshore of Virginia. Another 29. 9% were recaptured and returned with inadequate location data. Examining only the returns with adequate location data, yielded a separation of 69.2% and 30.8% between the groups. No differences were noted in the sizes at tagging between these groups. Tagged flounder …

Juvenile Finfish And Blue Crab Stock Assessment Program Bottom Trawl Survey Annual Report Series Volume 1989, Patrick J. Geer, Christopher F. Bonzek, James Colcovoresses, Robert Harris Jr.

Reports

This report summarizes data collected by the Virginia· Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) trawl survey monthly cruises for January through December, 1989. The trawl survey is a long term, broad scope monitoring program. Its primary goal is to produce annual indices of juvenile (young-of-year) abundance of commercially, recreationally and ecologically important marine and estuarine finfish and crustaceans. The objective is to provide indices of sufficient accuracy and precision for both immediate resource management needs and long-term understanding of environmental influences on fishery resources. A second important product of this effort is the documentation and monitoring of habitat utilization by juveniles …

Marine Mammal Project : Semi-Annual Report, 1 Jan-30 June 1990, John A. Musick

Reports

The Virginia Institute of Marine Science/School of Marine Science is the marine mammal stranding coordinator for the state of Virginia. Its purpose is to collect data from strandings, conduct population estimates from local marine mammal fauna, and to provide rehabilitation efforts to live stranded marine mammals.

Thirteen marine mammals, including twelve cetaceans and one pinniped, have been reported stranded in Virginia since 1 January 1990. The strandings were comprised of six different species. The most reported stranded species has been Tursiops truncatus (6). Two marine mammals, a harbor porpoise Phocoena phocoena and a humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae, were stranded live. …

A Survey Of Oyster Resources At Glebe Point In The Great Wicomico River, R. A. Blaylock, K. J. Walker, Roger Mann

Reports

This survey of oyster resources associated with leased oyster bottom in the Great Wicomico River in the vicinity of Glebe Point (State Rt. 200) was undertaken by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) at the request of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). The study was designed specifically to assess the present and potential value of the two oyster leases adjacent to the bridge crossing the Great Wicomico River at Glebe Point.

Initial Information On The Atlantic Croaker : A Final Report On "Development Of Age Determination Methods, Life History - Population Dynamics Information, And Evaluation Of Growth Overfishing Potential For Important Recreational Fishes, Mark E. Chitteneden, Luiz R. Barbieri, Cynthia Jones, Et Al

Reports

Observational data on abundance of Atlantic croaker, Micropogonias undulatus, and boxes of specimens from which to obtain biological data for life history/population dynamics wor~ were collected at weekly or fortnightly intervals from Chesapeake Bay commercial :fisheries, primarily pound nets, in 1988 and 1989. A special collection of 24 boxes of one commercial grade was purchased from one fishery in 1989 to evaluate box-to-box variation in total lengths and sex ratios, and how it affects interpretation of routinely collected data. Length composition data from 25 years of York River trawling were used to compare length frequencies in trawl and pound net …

Mitochondrial Dna Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis Of Weakfish (Cynoscion Regalis) Stock Structure Along The Mid-Atlantic Coast, Jan Mcdowell, Ana Beardsley, John Graves

Reports

To determine the genetic basis of intraspecifc population structure within the weakfish, cynoscion regalis, a total of 376 individuals was collected from four geographic sites along the midAtlantic coast of the United states for two success! ve years. Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of weakfish mitochondrial DNA with six restriction endonucleases demonstrated a low level of intraspecific mtDNA variation. The common restriction genotype occurred at a frequency of 0.88 to 0.95 in all samples, and there was no significant heterogeneity found in the frequency of occurrence of the combined rare variants among the samples. Furthermore, the temporal and spatial distribution …

The Assessment Of Commercial Fishing Effort In Virginia Annual Report 1990, Joice S. Davis, James C. Owens, Joseph G. Loesch

Reports

The Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), through funding by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC), has conducted an assessment of commercial fishing effort in Virginia's major rivers and Chesapeake Bay beginning in late 1985 to the present, except for brief intervals when funding was unavailable.

This report primarily summarizes the final year of assessment, from 1 October 1989 through 30 September 1990. Objectives of the study were: -1) to assess pound net fishing effort in Chesapeake Bay, in the James, York, Rappahannock, and Potomac rivers, and the Virginia tributaries to the Potomac River; and, 2) to assess stake, anchor …

Chesapeake Bay Status Of Stocks Report 1989-1990, Herbert M. Austin, Christopher F. Bonzek, Daniel Scoles, Thomas C. Mosca

Reports

This is the fourth in a series of documents prepared for the Chesapeake Bay Stock Assessment Committee (CBSAC) under the aegis of Status of Stock Knowledge.