Gulf Coast

Research Laboratory, Abundance of postlarval shrimp in
Ocean Springs, Miss.
Mississippi Sound and adjacent
waters.

30.0 20.0

NOTE.-See appendix on p. 94 for list of publications resulting from research contracts and grants, 1960-64.

Normal post mortem changes and 2 structural abnormalities in oysters have been described; pathological effects of low salinity on oysters were worked out. Knowledge of normal changes after death is essential as a base for studies of shellfish diseases. Present contract expires Mar. 14, 1964. A new contract for research on basic reactions of oyster tissue to injury is under review.

Mississippi Sound is an important nursery area for brown,
white, and pink shrimp. Knowledge of the abundance of
postlarval shrimp entering the area will permit forecasts of the
quantity of shrimp available to the fishery. The contract
has developed information on time of peak abundance of each
of the shrimp species. These peaks were found to be distinct
for each species, but could be influenced by environmental
conditions, such as temperature and salinity. It is antici-
pated that forecast methods will be developed.

Much needs to be learned of the identity, relationships, and
variation of shrimps. Such information is vital to proper
management of the resource. This project is continuing, and
additional support is contemplated. Several short papers
describing subspecific variation in commercial shrimps are now
nearly completed.
This contract was awarded to acquire knowledge of the pink
shrimp life cycle from development of juveniles on the inshore
nursery grounds to their return as adults on the offshore spawn-
ing areas. Abundance and movements of the juveniles in the
estuaries has been determined. Studies are progressing well
on the environmental conditions affecting shrimp and the time
of migration to the spawning grounds. This research will
help to provide the knowledge to enable scientists to forecast
abundance of adult shrimp and to determine conditions needed
for optimum juvenile production. This research is expected
to be completed by June 1964.

30-812-64-7

FISHERY RESEARCH STUDIES PERFORMED BY CONTRACT OR GRANT-Continued

Southwestern Louisiana, University of. The seasonal occurrence, distribution, 19.8

and abundance of postlarval brown
and white shrimp in Vermilion Bay,
La.

7.4

Remarks

This contract is in the third phase of a 3-phase study to determine
that part of the life history of pink shrimp between spawning
and entrance to the nursery grounds. The first phase de-
scribed the larval and postlarval stages so this species could be
identified from all others. The second phase determined the
water current patterns on the Tortugas shrimp ground so larval
movements could be followed. The third phase deals with the
Seasonal and areal abundance and distribution of the larvae as
they move from the spawning grounds to the estuaries. Re-
sults of this research will aid in forecasting shrimp abundance
to the fishing industry.
This contract is for research on postlarval shrimp abundance in
Vermilion Bay, an important nursery area in the Gulf of
Mexico. The data will be used to develop forecast methods
for the commercial shrimp industry. Data collected to date
indicate that brown shrimp reach peak abundance in April
and white shrimp in June. Studies are now underway to
determine the year-to-year variation in the time of these peaks
and the influence of environmental conditions on these species.
Knowledge of the movements of postlarval shrimp into estuarine
nursery areas and juveniles from these areas to offshore waters
is important in forecasting the number of shrimp which will
be available to the fishery each year. As these numbers may
vary by geographic location, studies are conducted in several
places. The Aransas Pass area is an important brown shrimp
nursery ground. Studies under this contract provide data on
larval and juvenile abundance in this area and on the effect of
environmental conditions on this abundance.

Cephalopoda (squids and octopods) are a virtually untapped
resource and play an important role in the economy of the sea.
The purpose of this project is to complete several studies on the
basic taxonomy.

NOTE.-See appendix on p. 94 for list of publications resulting from research contracts and grants, 1960-64.

FISHERY RESEARCH STUDIES PERFORMED BY CONTRACT OR GRANT-Continued

Remarks

California, University of, Scripps In- Scripps tuna oceanography program... 200.0 200.0 200.0 200.0 200.0 Objective: To increase general knowledge and understanding of stitution of Oceanography, La Jolla, Calif.

Texas A. & M. Research Foundation, Hydrological and biological studies for
College Station, Tex.

the Corps of Engineers proposed Mississippi River-gulf outlet project, Louisiana.

12.4 73.8 73.8

28.0 28.0 28.0

28.0

physical, chemical, and biological conditions in the eastern
tropical Pacific; to provide basic information to identify and
explain ocean features to which tropical tunas react which
affect their availability to U.S. fishermen; and to relate such
features to previous ocean and weather conditions that may
permit understanding and eventually allow predictions to
improve efficiency.
Accomplishments: Work has contributed significantly to the
basic understanding of the oceanic circulation of the eastern
tropical Pacific. It has helped our understanding of how year-
to-year and season-to-season fluctuations in the distribution
of the commercially valuable tunas are related to variations in
features of the ocean circulation. An impression of the scope
of the research is given by the titles of resulting publications
and papers in press or in preparation.
The changes that occur in the bays, estuaries, and inshore waters
resulting from channel dredging, flood control, and other river
developments may have great impact on the survival and
abundance of many commercially important fish and shellfish,
Knowledge of the exact effect of these changes on marine species
is required in order to evaluate the full impact of development
projects on aquatic life. This contract, now terminated, pro-
vided some basic information on the Mississippi River outlet
area. Studies were made of water currents and movement:
distribution, abundance, and size composition of fish and shell-
fish: and hydrographic conditions such as temperature and
salinity. These data have been helpful in present estuarine
studies by Bureau scientists.

Estuarine oceanographic conditions were compared with catches
and distribution of juvenile pink salmon off Kodiak Island.
This was part of a larger program financed by the Alaska salmon
industry and will not be continued in future fiscal years.
Established 17 oceanographic observation posts along the At-
lantic seaboard where daily observation of temperature and
salinity are made from surface to bottom.
pero

XIII. MISCELLANEOUS

Annual reports are published regularly providing permanent record of marine climate along the coastal waters from Maine to Florida.

Surface and bottom circulation patterns have been defined in area from Cape Hatteras to Nova Scotia by means of drift bottles and seabed drifters.

Correlations have been found between abundance of fish and marine climatological conditions.

24.9

The proposed Rampart Dam will affect the normal ecology of
small game and fur bearers in the forebay area. An initial
report was completed and accepted Feb. 7, 1964, and a further
report is in preparation.

This contract resulted in the installation of a centralized and
efficient system for controlling temperature, salinity, and flow
of sea water and was essential to planned environmental
studies. The system is being successfully used by both the
clam and herring programs.
Comprehensive search of fisheries literature is a most important
prerequisite to the undertaking of any fishery research project.
Such search prevents duplication and apprises the scientist of
background knowledge in his study area. This study has
demonstrated that the literature of the aquatic sciences is
amenable to mechanization for rapid and thorough search.
The contract expires June 30, 1964. Discussions are in progress
with other interested agencies with a view to increasing financial
support and making the Center fully operational as the infor-
mation retrieval center in the aquatic sciences literature.
These funds helped support fish taxonomy studies of a Peruvian
UNESCO fellow working on Peruvian fishes in the U.S.
National Museum,

NOTE.-See appendix on p. 94 for list of publications resulting from research contracts and grants, 1960-64.

Smithsonian Institution.