Cruise results
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- 1. Marine Fish Diversity and Composition along Latitudinal Gradients of the Northwestern Atlantic Ocean
- 3. Latitudinal Assessment of Benthic Community Structure
- 4. Studies on the Trophic Ecology of Littoral, Cold-Water Fish Species
- 5. Striped Bass
- 6. Summer Flounder Interregional Migratory Pattern Study
- Data Management and Disposition of Data and Samples
- Scientific Personnel
| 23 April 2006
CRUISE RESULTS NOAA Ship DELAWARE II DE 06-01 NOAA LMRCSC CRUISE Cruise Period and Area of Operations This cruise was conducted from January 7 through 20, 2006 with designated stations (see Figure 1) located between Long Island (northern most site) at latitude 40° 52’ 12” longitude 71° 25’ 12” to the coast of South Carolina (southern most site) at latitude 32° 57’ 02” longitude 78° 50’ 02”. Objectives The objectives for this cruise were broken down into eight projects as follows: 1) Marine Fish Diversity and Composition along Latitudinal Gradients of the Northwestern Atlantic Ocean with the objective of examining species diversity and biomass at stations along the Atlantic coast; 2) Collection of specimens for reference collections (at all stations surveyed) with 3 individuals of all species except Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli), American Eel (Anguilla rostrata), Atlantic Menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus), Tomtate (Haemulon aurolineatum), Atlantic Silverside (Menidia menidia), Scup (Stenotomus chrysops), Black-cheeked Tonguefish (Symphurus plagiusa), Inshore Lizardfish (Synodus foetens), and White Hake (Urophycis tenuis) taken and preserved; 3) Latitudinal assessment of benthic community structure with the objective to collect dominant macroinvertebrates at varying stations, and evaluate the sediments taken for grain size and organic matter composition; 4) Studies on the trophic ecology of littoral, cold-water fish species with the objective to obtain 20 individuals of each species with the stomachs taken for analyses of contents and all weighed and measured; 5) Dietary habits, base line endocrine and PCB analyses of coastal striped bass with the primary objective to collect stomach contents from as many striped bass collected south of the Chesapeake Bay mouth as well as take tissues for endocrine analyses and PCB concentrations in key organs; 6) Summer flounder interregional migratory pattern study with the objective collect and tage as many summer flounder as possible with appropriate morphological and health data will be taken; 7) Physiological response of spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) to trawling; and 8) Hudson Canyon Sampling of which the objective was search for out-of-geographical-range (southern) fauna becoming established on the outer continental shelf off New Jersey in the vicinity of Hudson Canyon, and to collect over wintering black sea bass and scup for biochemical analysis. Site Selection Stations for DE 01-06 were chosen based on study requirements and consultation with scientists at the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC). Due to mechanical failures involving the engine cooling pump and steering system the Delaware II was not able to leave port until January 13th and severe weather hampered sampling. As such stations were significantly changed and the new designations shown in figure 2 and table 1. As a consequence, we only conducted the following studies: 1) Marine Fish Diversity and Composition along Latitudinal Gradients of the Northwestern Atlantic Ocean with the objective of examining species diversity and biomass at stations along the Atlantic coast; 2) Collection of specimens for reference collections (at all stations surveyed); 3) Latitudinal assessment of benthic community structure with the objective to collect dominant macroinvertebrates at varying stations, and evaluate the sediments taken for grain size and organic matter composition; 4) Studies on the trophic ecology of littoral, cold-water fish species with the objective to obtain 20 individuals of each species with the stomachs taken for analyses of contents and all weighed and measured; 5) Dietary habits, base line endocrine and PCB analyses of coastal striped bass with the primary objective to collect stomach contents from as many striped bass collected south of the Chesapeake Bay mouth as well as take tissues for endocrine analyses and PCB concentrations in key organs; 6) Summer flounder interregional migratory pattern study with the objective collect and tage as many summer flounder as possible with appropriate morphological and health data will be taken; and 7) Response of spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) to differing methods of collection with the objectives being to collect spiny dogfish using both trawls and hook and line, taking blood samples for serum chemistry at collection and after 48 hours holding in an onboard tank. Sampling Otter (36’ Yankee with roller gear) and Otter (36’Yankee with flat bottom) trawling and catch processing were performed during the cruise. Otter trawls with roller gear were performed at stations 29, 30 and 32 for 15 minutes due to excessive numbers of spiny and smooth dogfish being caught at approximately 3.8 kt. All catches were sorted to the lowest practicable taxon (LPT), which for most specimens was species. Biological data, including length and individual fish weights, were collected for all fish collected at stations 27-1, 32-1 and 32-2. All taxa were weighed by LPT. Large samples were enumerated by extrapolation from subsamples. Biological specimens of doubtful identity were preserved in 10% buffered formalin for subsequent identification. Study 7 was initiated at Station 30 with 6 spiny dogfish taken using the 36” Yankee with roller gear. A reference specimen representing each species was also retained for the Reference Collection of the LMRCSC. For stations SB-1 through SB-5, striped bass were targeted with multiple 30 minute trawls. Striped bass were taken only at station SB-1. Bottom grab samples using the Van Veen dredge were taken at stations 27 and 32, with three grabs taken at each location. Salinity, air temperature, hull temperature and depth were recorded as part of the cruise log and are provided in Table 2. Results Disclaimer: Results presented here represent a very preliminary overview of observations and data collection during cruise DE 01-06. Additional quality assurance examination needs to be applied to raw data and no attempt has been made to apply rigorous statistical tests to any existing quantitative data regarding any hypotheses. The following detailed presentation is meant only to provide the reader a general idea of the nature of the raw data available and its utility toward meeting the stated objectives of the cruise. Project Summaries: Of the 8 projects initiated during the cruise, 7 of the 8 were able to achieve partial success and of these 4 were completed to the satisfaction of the investigator. The results from each of these are as follows: 1. Marine Fish Diversity and Composition along Latitudinal Gradients of the Northwestern Atlantic Ocean – 15 species were collected (Table 3), of which only spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias were abundant (>50% of the sample). This data has been provided to the NEFSC. 2. Collection Of Specimens for NOAA LMRCSC Reference Collections - A total of 21 specimens (Table 4) were taken, preserved for archiving in the NOAA LMRCSC Reference Collection. These specimens will be photographed with data on length, weight and will be available on the LMRCSC website. 3. Latitudinal Assessment of Benthic Community Structure – Van Veen grab samples were taken at each of the sites noted in Table 1. Three individual core samples (2” diameter, 6” depth) were taken from each of three grabs, frozen and are archived at Savannah State University awaiting analyses. 4. Studies on the Trophic Ecology of Littoral, Cold-Water Fish Species – The majority of the catches consisted of smooth and spiny dogfish. Guts were brought back to the laboratory for analysis. From the six species we collected (spiny dogfish, smooth dogfish clearnose skate, summer flounder, sea robin, and bluefish) the majority of the gut contents consisted of squid and crab. There were also mollusks, polychaetes, isopods, fish, an octopus, crustaceans and a cuskeel. From the data recorded, trophic interactions will be analyzed. 5. Striped Bass – 60 striped bass were collected from station SB-5. Of these 29 fish were killed and blood drawn for determination of circulating hormones. Each fish was weighed and measured. Necropsies were performed on each fish taken, with stomachs frozen for latter analyses of stomach contents; samples of flesh, liver, and gonads taken for PCB analyses; and brains and pituitaries taken, flashed frozen and stored for later analyses for regulators of reproduction. All but one of the fish was taken at station SB-5 (see Table 5). The range in length was 68 to 88 cm, with the exception of the single fish caught at SB-1 at 107 cm. These size ranges are consistent with pre-migrants into the Chesapeake Bay that would join the spawning stocks. Samples are currently being stored for analyses during the summer of 2006. 6. Summer Flounder Interregional Migratory Pattern Study – During the collection of striped bass, 21 summer flounder were taken; of these, only 12 were tagged. The others were moribund and therefore not considered appropriate for tagging. Data is provided in Table 6. 7. Response of Spiny Dogfish (Squalus Acanthias) to Trawling – Twenty two spiny dogfish were taken during the cruise with 10 necropsied at time of capture; 4 at 24 hours post capture, and 4 at 72 hours post capture. An additional 4 were taken for a 96 hour post capture necropsy; however due to rough seas these were not used. Summary results are provided in Table 6. Data Management and Disposition of Data and Samples All data have been entered into a spreadsheet database using Excel (for Windows, Version 2002). A separate spreadsheet was used for each project. In all cases, data were independently verified by a second researcher. Metadata for each spreadsheet was created and lists the individuals who entered and checked the data. Since its being entered, data have been disseminated to the principal investigators for all projects and have been written to a CD-ROM. The CD-ROM and all datasheets are managed in a single folder under the auspices of Dr. Joseph W. Love, Research Associate. Digital images from the cruise have been posted to the LMRCSC website and included on quarterly reports. These images are a repository of events and encountered species during the cruise and have since provided material for an invited department seminar (Department of Natural Sciences, Dr. Eric May). All digital files are managed by Mr. Todd Christenson, LMRCSC Program Manager. All specimens taken during the cruise have been processed to the LMRCSC Reference Collection. Each specimen has been identified to species and samples of the specimens have been provided a catalogue number. These numbers have been entered into a spreadsheet for database management of the LMRCSC Reference Collection, which includes many representatives of fish species occurring near or in the coastal bays of Maryland. Collection data have also been transformed into a website with digital images of representative specimens. Digital images were taken at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore by Dr. Joseph W. Love and Mr. Branson Williams, undergraduate student. Samples collected during the cruise to determine the physiological response to trawl-net capture by spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) are currently being analyzed by Dr. Andrea Johnson (Research Assistant Professor). Blood samples collected have been processed and analyzed for hematocrit, and serum chemistry samples are currently being evaluated by Dr. Johnson. Data from striped bass (Morone saxatilis) specimens are currently being analyzed for PCB content by Mr. Will Gardner, and for hormonal levels in blood and brain by Mr. Lonnie Gonsalves. These data will yield greater insight the distribution of PCB’s in the Chesapeake Bay and the concentration of PCB’s in striped bass and provide a baseline for hormonal activities in striped bass preparing to enter the Chesapeake Bay. All tagging data for summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus) have been entered and electronically delivered to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. These data will be used in conjunction with a current tagging project involving summer flounder near the Ocean City Inlet (Maryland). Results from this large-scale tagging project will be disseminated to the public by Mr. Brandon Fortt (graduate student) and the Maryland Department of Natural Sciences via research reports and presentations at local conferences. Data and results from all studies will either be reproduced through peer-reviewed publications, society meetings, public forums, or website postings. In addition to faculty and research associates, approximately 3 graduate students and 2 undergraduate students will utilize the data for augmenting or developing their own research. In most cases, the data will provide foundation for larger research studies that are currently conducted or soon will be conducted at the UMES LMRCSC. Scientific Personnel NOAA Living Marine Resources Cooperative Science Center, UMES, Princess Anne, MD Dr. Eric May Research Coordinator Dr. Joseph Love* Project Scientist Ms. Erica Anusziewski Undergraduate Student Mr. Brandon Fortt Graduate Student Mr. William Gardner Graduate Student Mr. Lonnie Gonsalves Graduate Student Mr. Gregory Oliver Undergraduate Student Mr. Robert Patterson Undergraduate Student Mr. Branson Williams Undergraduate Student
Mr. Johnny Moore Undergraduate Student National Marine Fisheries Service, NEFSC, J.J. Howard Lab, Highlands, NJ Vincent Guida Chief Scientist National Marine Fisheries Service, NEFSC, Woods Hole, MA Peter Chase* Fishery Biologist *watch chiefs For further information, contact: Dr. Eric May, NOAA LMRCSC, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne MD 21853, (410) 651-8342 or ebmay@umes.edu 
Figure 1. Map of Northeast United States and Mid Atlantic Bight showing sampling locations 1 through 27 as originally proposed in the cruise instructions. 
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