Age, growth, and latitudinal patterns of two Rajidae species in the northwestern Atlantic: little skate (Leucoraja erinacea) and winter skate (Leucoraja ocellata)

2006 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 1078-1091 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael G Frisk ◽  
Thomas J Miller
Keyword(s):  
New England ◽  
Gulf Of Maine ◽  
Growth Curves ◽  
Von Bertalanffy ◽  
Southern New England ◽  
Asymptotic Size ◽  
Cape Hatteras ◽  
Northern Regions ◽  
Significant Length ◽  
Latitudinal Patterns

Vertebral samples of little skate (Leucoraja erinacea) and winter skate (Leucoraja ocellata) were collected from Cape Hatteras, USA, to Canadian waters to estimate age, growth, and length at weight relationships for both species throughout this range. Maximum observed age was 12.5 and 20.5 years for little skate and winter skate, respectively. Significant length at weight relationships were found for both species. von Bertalanffy growth curves for the northwestern Atlantic were estimated for little skate (k = 0.19, L∞ = 56.1 cm, t0 = –1.17, p < 0.0001, n = 236) and winter skate (k = 0.07, L∞ = 122.1 cm, t0 = –2.07, p < 0.0001, n = 229). Additionally, latitudinal patterns in size and growth were observed in little skate, with individuals in northern regions growing slower and reaching a larger asymptotic size: von Bertalanffy growth estimates (mid-Atlantic, k = 0.22, L∞ = 53.26 cm, t0 = –1.04, p < 0.0001; southern New England – Georges Bank, k = 0.20, L∞ = 54.34 cm, t0 = –1.22, p < 0.0001; Gulf of Maine, k = 0.18, L∞ = 59.31 cm, t0 = –1.15, p < 0.0001). Although differences were observed for sex-specific growth curves for both species, only winter skate curves were significantly different.

scholarly journals Northeast Bathymetry and Backscatter Compilation: Western Gulf of Maine, Southern New England, and Long Island Sound

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larry Ward ◽  
Paul Johnson ◽  
Michael Bogonko ◽  
Zachary McAvoy ◽  
Rachel Morrison
Keyword(s):  
New England ◽  
Gulf Of Maine ◽  
Long Island ◽  
Long Island Sound ◽  
Southern New England ◽  
Island Sound

scholarly journals THE MARCH 1962 STORM ON THE ATLANTIC COAST OF THE UNITED STATES

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (8) ◽  
pp. 32
Author(s):  
M.P. O'Brien ◽  
J.W. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
New England ◽  
Storm Surge ◽  
Atlantic Coast ◽  
Large Diameter ◽  
The United States ◽  
Storm Damage ◽  
Southern New England ◽  
Cape Hatteras ◽  
Moving Storm

As far back as 1635, records show that the East Coast of the United States has repeatedly suffered from severe storm damage (McAleer , 1962). Most of these storms appear to have been of the hurricane type. Such storms generally form in the Atlantic to the east of the Bahama Islands and move eastward and then turn northward to sweep along the Atlantic Coast line (Fig. 1). Along the southern part of the Atlantic Coast the hurricanes move relatively slowly; damage results principally from flooding caused by direct wind action. North of Cape Hatteras the hurricanes move more rapidly (speeds of 40 to 50 miles per hour) and damage is largely due to sudden flooding from a rapidly moving storm surge (Simpson, 1962). The combination of storm surge, wind-driven water, and storm waves inundating large areas along the coast has on numerous occasions caused great damage and loss of life. The great Atlantic Coast storm of March 1962, however, differed in character from the usual hurricane. It proved to be the most disastrous winter coastal storm on record, causing damage from southern New England to Florida. This storm, of relatively large diameter and having gale force winds, remained nearly stationary off the Coast for almost 36 hours . The size and location of the storm, as further discussed below, was such that persistent strong northeasterly winds blowing over a relatively long fetch raised the spring tides (maximum range) to near-record levels. The tidal flooding which attended this storm was in many ways more disastrous than that which accompanies hurricanes (Cooperman and Rosendal, 1962). The storm surge in tropical cyclones generally recedes rapidly after one or two high tides, but the surge accompanying this storm occurred in many locations on four and five successive high tides .' The great destruction was caused by high waves and breakers superimposed on these high tides.

A bioeconomic model of marine sanctuaries on Georges Bank

2000 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 1307-1319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel S Holland
Keyword(s):  
New England ◽  
Gulf Of Maine ◽  
Georges Bank ◽  
Bioeconomic Model ◽  
Seasonal Movement ◽  
Southern New England ◽  
Modeling Methodology ◽  
Spawning Stock ◽  
Age Structured ◽  
Groundfish Fishery

An empirically estimated fleet dynamics model for New England trawlers is integrated with spatial, age-structured models of primary groundfish species on Georges Banks, southern New England, and the Gulf of Maine. This bioeconomic model is used to explore how permanent marine sanctuaries on Georges Bank might affect catches, revenues, and spawning stock of principal groundfish species in New England. The simulations explore how the location of sanctuaries relative to major ports and their orientation relative to seasonal movement patterns of fish stocks impact their effectiveness and the distribution of benefits across groups of fishers from different ports. The simulation results also demonstrate that the impacts of sanctuaries can vary greatly across species, sometimes increasing yields for some while decreasing yields for others. While the specific results from the simulations reflect the characteristics of the New England groundfish fishery, the modeling methodology and some general conclusions are applicable to other fisheries.

Age-at-size relationships of the American lobster (Homarus americanus) from three contrasting thermal regimes using gastric mill band counts as a direct aging technique

2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (10) ◽  
pp. 1733-1740
Author(s):  
Carl J. Huntsberger ◽  
Raouf Kilada ◽  
William G. Ambrose ◽  
Richard A. Wahle
Keyword(s):  
New England ◽  
Gulf Of Maine ◽  
Age Determination ◽  
Homarus Americanus ◽  
Gastric Mill ◽  
Band Formation ◽  
Southern New England ◽  
Thermal Regimes ◽  
The One

Direct age determination of crustaceans has remained a long-standing challenge because all calcified structures are shed with each molt. Cuticle bands in the ossicles of the gastric mill have shown promise as age indicators. We validated the one-to-one relationship between known age and number of cuticle bands for 15 hatchery-raised juvenile American lobsters (Homarus americanus). Additionally, we applied this method to 308 lobsters from three contrasting thermal regimes in New England, USA. Band counts matched our expectations of differences in age-at-size across this thermal gradient; lobsters at harvestable size in southern New England were estimated to be 5.5 (±1.5) years old compared with 7.5 (±1.6) years in the Gulf of Maine. We found 81% of our band count estimates of age fell within 2 years of independent, regionally specified growth model estimates of age-at-size for lobster. Notwithstanding remaining uncertainties regarding the mechanism of band formation, our findings indicate the method may provide an independent and direct means to determine the age of individual American lobsters, which will improve estimates of essential life history parameters.

White hake, Urophycis tenuis, in the Gulf of Maine: spawning seasonality, habitat use, and growth in young of the year and relationships to the Scotian Shelf population

1989 ◽  
Vol 67 (7) ◽  
pp. 1715-1724 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael P. Fahay ◽  
Kenneth W. Able
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
New England ◽  
Gulf Of Maine ◽  
Early Life History ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Georges Bank ◽  
Scotian Shelf ◽  
Southern New England ◽  
Young Of The Year ◽  
Pelagic Juveniles

Our interpretation of the pattern of white hake spawning seasonality, habitat use, and growth of young of the year in the Gulf of Maine – Georges Bank area is based on analyses of extensive collections of early life history stages during 1984–1987 and on comparisons with studies conducted in Canadian waters. Eggs or larvae of Urophycis tenuis were not found at any time in the study area, but pelagic juveniles were abundant in May–June and size distributions indicated a shoreward migration with growth. Recruitment to nearshore areas was detected in June–July and the rate of growth for demersal juveniles was calculated to average 1.02 mm/day in the first summer. Spawning of this species during August–September on the Scotian Shelf does not appear to influence the Gulf of Maine population but, instead, appears to involve a separate stock with a different spawning schedule. It is concluded that spawning in continental slope regions south of the Scotian Shelf, Georges Bank, and southern New England during early spring results in recruitment to nearshore areas of the Gulf of Maine and southern New England. This spawning event also provides pelagic juveniles to the Scotian Shelf prior to the onset of local spawning there.

scholarly journals Improving marine disease surveillance through sea temperature monitoring, outlooks and projections

2016 ◽  
Vol 371 (1689) ◽  
pp. 20150208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Maynard ◽  
Ruben van Hooidonk ◽  
C. Drew Harvell ◽  
C. Mark Eakin ◽  
Gang Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New England ◽  
Disease Surveillance ◽  
Gulf Of Maine ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Sea Stars ◽  
Sea Temperature ◽  
Southern New England ◽  
Shell Disease ◽  
Fishery Collapse

To forecast marine disease outbreaks as oceans warm requires new environmental surveillance tools. We describe an iterative process for developing these tools that combines research, development and deployment for suitable systems. The first step is to identify candidate host–pathogen systems. The 24 candidate systems we identified include sponges, corals, oysters, crustaceans, sea stars, fishes and sea grasses (among others). To illustrate the other steps, we present a case study of epizootic shell disease (ESD) in the American lobster. Increasing prevalence of ESD is a contributing factor to lobster fishery collapse in southern New England (SNE), raising concerns that disease prevalence will increase in the northern Gulf of Maine under climate change. The lowest maximum bottom temperature associated with ESD prevalence in SNE is 12°C. Our seasonal outlook for 2015 and long-term projections show bottom temperatures greater than or equal to 12°C may occur in this and coming years in the coastal bays of Maine. The tools presented will allow managers to target efforts to monitor the effects of ESD on fishery sustainability and will be iteratively refined. The approach and case example highlight that temperature-based surveillance tools can inform research, monitoring and management of emerging and continuing marine disease threats.

Redefining spatial population structure of winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus): implications for stock assessment and management

2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (7) ◽  
pp. 1189-1200
Author(s):  
Matthew R. Siskey ◽  
Michael G. Frisk ◽  
Robert M. Cerrato ◽  
Karin E. Limburg
Keyword(s):  
Population Structure ◽  
New England ◽  
Gulf Of Maine ◽  
Growth Models ◽  
Stock Assessment ◽  
Specific Model ◽  
Winter Flounder ◽  
Pseudopleuronectes Americanus ◽  
Southern New England ◽  
And Migration

The southern New England – mid-Atlantic (SNE–MA) stock of winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) collapsed in the 1990s without discernable recovery to date. Owing to the lack of recovery, consideration of population subcomponents, which are currently ignored in fisheries stock structure definitions, may be necessary for rebuilding. We used the otolith chemistry tracer manganese–calcium ratios (Mn/Ca) to estimate inshore- versus ocean-nursery contributions of 77.3%/22.7% in SNE–MA, 15.7%/84.3% in the Gulf of Maine (GOM), and 60.0%/40.0% in Georges Bank (GB). In addition, we used strontium–calcium ratios (Sr/Ca) to estimate migratory- and resident-contingent membership of nursery-classified fish. Across all stocks, 30.2% of fish were classified as bay residents, 25.2% as bay migrants, 25.8% as ocean residents, and 18.8% as ocean migrants. Finally, model selection indicated that both nursery-specific and contingent-specific growth models were more appropriate than a common model. Nursery-specific models exhibited increasing deviations in length with age. Contingent-specific model reflected moderate differences at the youngest ages but convergence at older ages. These findings are informative for the population structure and migration ecology of winter flounder; however, simulation is required to determine whether partial migration and substock structure are necessary inputs for sustainable fisheries management.

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