Acknowledgements

We appreciate and acknowledge the efforts and professionalism of the officers and crew of the ALBATROSS IV. Their dedication and cooperation made the success of this cruise possible.

This cruise was sponsored by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Science Foundation. This report was prepared by David Mountain, Charles Miller, John Sibunka, Maureen Taylor and Peter Garrahan.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Purpose of the Cruise

Sampling Operations

Cruise Narrative

Individual Reports



Appendix A. Personnel List

Appendix B. Event Log

Appendix C. Hydrographic Data

Purpose of the Cruise

The cruise aboard ALBATROSS IV (ALB-9505) was the fourth in a series of six broad scale surveys conducted monthly from February to July to monitor the changing biological and physical status in the Georges Bank ecosystem. These six broad scale surveys are part of the 1995 U.S. Globec Georges Bank Program. The first cruise, EN-261 (Wiebe) was from 2-20 February, the second cruise EN-263 (Miller) was from 13-23 March and the third was EN-265 (Sibunka), from 11-22 April. The principle objectives of the cruise were to:

  1. determine the distribution and abundance of the ichthyoplankton and zooplankton community on the Bank and in adjacent Gulf of Maine and slope waters. Emphasis is on target fish (eggs, larval and juvenile cod and haddock) and copepod species (all stages of Calanus finmarchicus and Pseudocalanus sp.) and their predators and prey.


  2. provide systematic collections of larval and juvenile cod and haddock for age and growth estimates and feeding habits.


  3. ollect individuals of Calanus and the euphausiid, Meganyctiphanes norvegica, for population genetics studies.


  4. conduct a hydrographic survey of the Bank.




Sampling Operations

The plan for the GLOBEC Broad Scale surveys is to accomplish the objectives above by first sampling at a grid of 38 "standard station" locations which covers the entire bank (Figure 1). Then a smaller scale grid of stations would be selected to focus on the area of the bank in which the highest concentrations of cod and haddock larvae were observed in the original, bank-wide survey.

The stations in the bank-wide grid are assigned standard numbers, 1-38, in the order they are intended to be occupied on each survey. On this cruise they were occupied in order. For sampling the 38 stations were separated into two groups, full stations and partial stations. At the 18 full stations, a complete set of sampling operations was conducted. This involved a double-oblique bongo net tow, a CTD cast, a 1-m2 MOCNESS (Multiple Opening Closing Net Environmental Sampling System) tow, a plankton pump cast and a 10-m2 MOCNESS tow. At the partial stations only the bongo tow, CTD cast and MOC-1 tow were done.
On the second, small-scale survey to define the distribution of larvae, the sampling operations alternated between both a bongo tow and a MOC-1 tow at about half of the stations and just a bongo tow at the other half. Since the locations of stations in the larval survey grid change for each Broad Scale survey cruise, they do not have "standard station" numbers, but were given consecutive station numbers (consecutive from the beginning of the cruise). The survey pattern was three concentric circles with eight stations each about a central station. The radii of the circles were 5, 10 and 15 nautical miles. The survey grid occupied is shown in figure 1b. On this cruise pump casts were added to the sampling at 4 of the stations on the larval grid to supply samples of larval prey organisms for J. Green.

Bongo tows were made with a 0.61-meter frame fitted with paired 0.335-mm mesh nets. A 45-kilogram (kg) ball was attached beneath the bongo frame to depress the sampler. Digital flow meters were suspended in the mouth of each net to determine the volume of water filtered. Tows were made according to standard MARMAP procedures, i.e. double oblique from surface to within five meters of bottom or to a maximum depth of 200 meters while maintaining a constant wire angle throughout the tow. Wire payout and retrieval rates were 50m/min and 20m/min respectively. These rates were adjusted down in shallow water (<60m) to obtain a minimum of a five minute tow. A Seabird CTD was attached to the towing wire above the bongo to monitor sampling depth in real time mode and to measure and record temperature and salinity. Once back on board, the 0.335-mm mesh nets were each rinsed with seawater into a 0.335-mm mesh sieve. The contents of one sieve was preserved in 4% formalin and kept for ichthyoplankton species composition, abundance and distribution. The sample from the other net was frozen if abundant Calanus and Pseudocalanus were present; otherwise the sample was discarded. These frozen samples provide fish food for an ongoing Coastal Ocean Program study on Atlantic mackerel at the University of Rhode Island.

The 1-m2 MOCNESS (MOC-1) sampler was loaded with ten nets. Nets 1-4 were fitted with 0.150-mm mesh for the collection of older and larger copepodite and adult stages of the zooplankton. Nets 0, and 5-8 were fitted with 0.335-mm mesh for zooplankton (nets 0 and 5) and ichthyoplankton (nets 6-8) collection. Tows were double-double oblique from the surface to within 10 meters from the bottom. The maximum tow depth for nets 0 and 1 was 300 meters, and for nets 5 and 6 was 200 meters. Winch rates for nets 0-5 were 5m/min and for nets 6-8, 10m/min. The depth strata sampled were 0-15m, 15-40m, 40-100m, and >100m. The first (#0) and sixth (#5) nets are "down" nets. For shallow stations, with only 2 or 3 of the depth strata, not all nets were fished. The contents of nets 0-4 were sieved through 0.150-mm mesh, subsampled using a plankton splitter if the final volume was too large, then preserved in 10% formalin. Samples from nets 5-8 were sieved through 0.335-mm mesh and preserved in 95% ethanol. After 24 hours of initial preservation, the alcohol was changed. The used ethanol was retained for disposal or recycling ashore. At selected sites, a 90-ml subsample of the contents of the bottom and surface 0.150-mm mesh nets was removed and preserved separately in formalin. Fifteen live stage-five Calanus copepodites were videotaped and frozen in liquid nitrogen for future analysis of their lipid content. The MOC-1 used on this cruise was equipped with a 16 bit electronics unit.

The 10-m2 MOCNESS (MOC-10) was loaded with five 3.0-mm mesh nets. Tows were double oblique from surface to 15 meters from bottom or a maximum depth of 300 meters. The same depth strata were sampled as with the 1-m2 MOCNESS. The winch rate for retrieval varied between 5 and 15m/min depending on depth strata. The slow winch rates were used in order to filter at least 4,000-5,000m3 of water per depth stratum sampled. A step oblique tow profile during retrieval was done if needed to achieve this. After sieving through a 0.335-mm mesh, samples were preserved in 10% formalin. The MOC-10 used on this cruise was equipped with a 12 bit electronics unit.

The Pacer high-volume pump was used to collect nauplii and younger copepodites stages of the zooplankton. The pump system was deployed by connecting the intake hose to a section of PVC clamped to the hydrowire along with a Seabird CTD. Two 45 kg weights were used to depress the array. Three 30 m sections of 7 cm diameter hose were connected to the pump, allowing a maximum depth of 70 m to be attained. At shallow stations the hose was lowered within 5 meters of the bottom. Three integrated samples were collected at depth strata similar to MOCNESS samples: bottom-40 m, 40-15 m, and 15-0 m. Samples were collected in 50 micron nets and preserved in 10% formalin. Before pumping started, the hose was flushed for 60 seconds at the maximum depth to assure that water from the desired strata was being sampled. Likewise the hose was held at the surface for 60 seconds to allow the collected water to pass from the hose. Pumping volumes were approximately 340 L/min. Wire retrieval rate was approximately 4-6 m/min. These rates resulted in volumes of 0.5 m3 for each 5 m depth interval sampled.

At the end of the cruise an additional station was occupied north of Great South Channel to collect Calanus for an ongoing feeding study at the University of Rhode Island (Durbin and Durbin) and for lipid analysis (Miller). The MOC-1 was deployed at 15m/min to 140 meters (station depth was 168 meters) and held at that depth while each net (#'s 1-4) was fished to obtain a volume of 300m3 water filtered. Thereafter the MOC-1 was retrieved at 15m/min and nets # 5-9 were fished as follows: net 5(140-100m), net 6(100-75m), net 7 (75-50m), net 8(50-25m), and net 9(25-surface). A 3/4-meter ring net fitted with a 0.335-mm mesh net and depressed with a 45-kg weight. Tows were smooth double-oblique with a maximum of 50 meters of wire payed out. Winch rates were 10m/min for both payout and haulback. Vessel speed was 1.5 kts. Five ring net tows were made.

The ship's ADCP system (a 300 kHz, broad band unit) was used to make continuous measurements of the water current profile under the ship, in order to construct the current field over the whole Bank.


A listing of the sampling events during the cruise is presented in Appendix B. A summary of the sampling operations is listed below.



Sampling System Tows/Casts Number of Samples

Bongo nets, 0.61-m 61 tows 64 preserved, formalin
0.335-mm mesh 14 frozen

MOCNESS, 1-m2 51 tows
0.150-mm mesh 157 preserved, formalin
0.335-mm mesh 238 preserved, EtOH

MOCNESS, 10-m2 17 tows
3.0-mm mesh 75 preserved, formalin

Pump 22 profiles
0.050-mm mesh 57 preserved, formalin

CTD/Rossette 38 casts


Equipment notes:

The 1 m2 MOCNESS system worked well during this cruise. There were only minor printing setup problems due to some software changes made prior to the cruise. After the first few tows, the net bar response stopped working. And during the cruise the net bar itself broke off the response unit. A few more people from the scientific crew were trained to fly the MOC-1 for future cruises.

The MOC-10 worked well, with not significant computer problems. There were some mechanical problems with the net bar release system (see Narrative below). Also during one cast, a piece of black electrical tape got caught in the flowmeter causing flow rates to appear decreased.

The zooplankton pump system caused few problems this cruise. Because the R/V Endeavor was conducting concurrent research with the Albatross IV, a second pump system was needed. The setup on this cruise was a duplicate of the original one on the Endeavor. A few design modifications were made based upon past experience. The pump barrel is now housed together with the pump manifold and both can be tied down simultaneously. The electronic flowmeter is of a newer design and was housed in a water-proof plastic box. Knife-type valves were inexpensive and effective replacements for the ball valves in the original pump system. The pump worked very well positioned sternward of the J-frame along the rail on the Albatross. The hose was forward of the J-frame, coiled well and seemed out of the way.

Cruise Narrative

Sailing was scheduled for 1300 on May 8. Due to strong winds sailing was delayed until 0600 on May 9. The scientific field party and the ship's personnel are listed in Appendix A. The watch schedules were established as 0600-1400, 1400-1800, 1800-2200, and 2200-0600. This allowed each watch an 8 hour period for sleep, while still having two meals occur at the change of the watch.

The vessel arrived at the first standard station, station #1, at 1415 on May 9 and began sampling operations. All systems functioned well. The scientific party included many individuals who had been on 2 or 3 of the earlier Broad Scale cruises and quickly oriented to the routine of the sampling operations.

At station #7 on May 11, the MOC-10 nets were too heavy to be lifted aboard by hand. The ship's boom had to be used to haul the nets aboard. The nets contained a very large catch of salps.

At station #18 on May 12, only one net tripped on the MOC-10 tow. The gearing on the release mechanism appeared stiff. After some turning of the mechanism is seemed to work freely again. But during the next MOC-10 tow on station #20, the control program cut off during the tow. The tow was terminated. Upon recovery, the gearing was again stiff to turn. The battery voltage also was low. After inspection by C. Miller and ET B. Stone, a small mis-alignment of the motor was believed to be the cause of the problems with the gear mechanism. The increased resistance to turning may have caused the gear stepper motor to draw the low battery voltage below the minimum to maintain the program communication, causing the program cut off. After realignment of the motor and a change of battery, no further problems were encountered with the MOC-10 system.

On May 13 a meeting of the scientific party was held to review the operations. The night watch found it difficult get a proper sleep during their 8 hour period, likely because it came during the morning and early afternoon. After discussion it was agreed to switch to a '6 and 6' schedule (0600-1200, 1200-1800, 1800-2400, 0000-0600) starting a 0000 on May 14.

On the evening of May 15, radio communications with the SEWARD JOHNSON were established to learn of their findings in order to help choose a location for the larval survey. G. Lough (Chief Scientist on SEWARD JOHNSON) reported finding larvae all along the southern flank of the bank between the 50 and 60 m isobaths, but with no area of large concentration. The highest catches in the first 38 stations were at stations #4, 5, 10 and 13. As a result the larval survey a chosen to be centered at 41' 00 N, 68 00' W (Figure 2). The 38 station survey was completed at 1300 on May 16, and the larval survey grid was begun at 1745 the same day.

The first 22 stations of the larval survey grid (consecutive stations #39 - #61) were conducted without incident. The winds then increased in speed and reached steady speeds above 30 knots, with gusts above 40 knots. The last two stations on the grid were dropped and the vessel proceeded toward a spot north of Great South Channel were special sampling was conducted to collect copepods for mackerel feeding studies underway at URI and for lipid analysis. After these special collections were complete, the vessel then proceeded to Woods Hole and arrived at 1630 on Thursday May 18.

Despite sailing 16 hours late, good weather conditions and efficient operations aboard ALBATROSS IV enabled the cruise to accomplish its sampling and to return 16 hours early.


Individual Reports

Hydrography
(Maureen Taylor and David Mountain)

The objective of the hydrographic sampling on the broad scale survey cruises is to characterize the physical environment within which the target organisms reside. Of particular interest is the seasonal development of thermal and density stratification of the Georges Bank waters. The temperature and salinity data can also give an indication of the source of the waters on the Bank: Gulf of Maine, Scotian Shelf, and Slope water.

The primary hydrographic data presented here were collected using a Neil Brown Instrument Systems Mark V CTD instrument (MK5), which provides measurements of pressure, temperature, conductivity, and fluorescence. The MK5 records at a rate of 16 observations per second, and is equipped with a rosette for collecting water samples at selected depths.

A Seabird Electronics Seacat model 19 profiling instrument (SBE19 Profiler) was used on each bongo tow to provide depth information during the tow. Pressure, temperature, and salinity observations are recorded twice per second by the Profiler. The Profiler was also deployed during pump operations, again to provide depth information.

The following is a list of the CTD data collected with each of the sampling systems used on the cruise:

Instrument # Casts
MK5 39
SBE19/Bongo 61
SBE19/Pump 22
SBE19 calibration 7

The MK5 was deployed with 6 bottles on the rosette and samples were collected for various investigators. On each MK5 cast, samples were collected for oxygen isotope analysis at selected depths for R. Houghton (LDGO) and a sample was taken at the bottom for calibrating the instrument's conductivity data. On stations which included pump operations, rosette samples for nutrient analysis were collected at selected depths for J. Bisagni and J. O'Reilly (NMFS), and samples for chlorophyll analysis were collected from 100 meters (or the bottom), 20 meters, and surface. Chlorophyll samples (three, 50 ml replicates) were filtered for three size fractions: total, < 20 microns, and < 5 microns. Total chlorophyll filtration results were also used for comparing the data from the MK5 fluorometer. Also on pump stations, surface samples for phytoplankton species composition were collected for J. O'Reilly (NMFS). The chlorophyll analysis was conducted at sea using an acetone extraction method and results were read 24 hours later on a fluorometer. These results are not presented here because the fluorometer used on this cruise requires calibrating before the calculation of chlorophyll in the samples can be made.

Parameter # samples taken

MK5 calibration 39
Oxygen isotope 135
Nutrients 75
Chlorophyll 159
Species composition 16


The SBE19 Profiler and the MK5 data were post-processed at sea. The Profiler data were processed using the Seabird manufactured software: DATCNV, ALIGNCTD, BINAVG, DERIVE, ASCIIOUT to produce 1 decibar averaged ascii files. The raw MK5 data files were processed using the manufacturer's software CTDPOST in order to identify bad data scans by "first differencing." The latter program flags any data where the difference between sequential scans of each variable exceeds some preset limit. The "Smart Editor" within CTDPOST was then used to interpolate over the flagged values. The cleaned raw data were converted into pressure averaged, pressure centered 1 decibar files using algorithms provided by R. Millard of WHOI, which had been adapted for use with the MK5.

Surface samples for chlorophyll, oxygen isotope, and species composition were not taken at station #4 because the surface Niskin bottle did not close properly and the sample was lost.

Figure 1a shows the station locations occupied during the bank - wide survey. Stations occupied during the secondary larval fish survey are shown in figure 1b. The MK5 was deployed only at station 39 of this "star" pattern of stations. The data presented here are from the MK5 CTD system only. The surface and bottom temperature and salinity distributions are shown in Figures 2 - 3. Surface and bottom anomalies of temperature and salinity as well as a stratification index (sigma-t difference from the surface to 30 meters) were calculated using the NMFS MARMAP hydrographic data set as a reference. The anomaly distributions are shown in figures 4-6. Figures 8a and 8b show the surface and bottom fluorescence distribution. Profiles of each MK5 CTD cast with a compressed listing of the data are shown in Appendix C.

The surface distribution figures show that the southern portion of the Bank was warmer and saltier than the MARMAP reference, while the northeastern part of the Bank appeared colder and less saline than the reference. A satellite image from before the cruise (May 8) indicated a band of cooler surface water extending from the Scotian Shelf across Northeast Channel to the northeast part of the Bank and southwestward along the shallow part of the bank. The surface temperature and salinity distributions (figures 2a and 3a) also suggest the influence of the cool, low salinity Scotian shelf water extending from the northeast part of the bank to the southwest. Determining the percentage of Scotian Shelf water vs Georges Bank water in that area will require additional analysis of the data.

The most significant feature of the hydrography is the warm, saline water on the southern flank of the bank. Along the bottom salinities > 34 psu extend to near the 60 meter isobath. A warm core ring was observed in satellite imagery (May 20th) along the edge of the 200 meter isobath south of this region, and may be the cause of the encroachment of the warm saline water onto the bank. Still, even in other instances when rings were south of the bank, rarely (if ever) has such warm, saline water been observed extending so far onto the bank.

The stratification anomaly distribution (figure 6b) shows that most of the bank was less stratified than the expected level of stratification for mid - May. Our cruise departure had been delayed a day because of strong winds that passed through on May 8th. The strong winds and large seas may have mixed the surface layer and reduced the level of stratification on the Bank prior to this survey.

The volume average temperature and salinity of the upper 30 meters were calculated for the Bank as a whole and for four sub-regions. These values are compared with characteristic values that have been calculated from the MARMAP data set for the same areas and calendar days (figure 7). The volume of Georges Bank water (salinity < 34 psu) was also calculated and compared against the expected values. Georges Bank as a whole showed temperature and salinity properties slightly colder and fresher than the expected values for mid - May perhaps because of the lingering influence of Scotian Shelf water in the northeast region of the Bank. The southeast region showed a rather large negative anomaly of Georges bank water because of the presence of water >34 psu in the upper 30 meters in this region.

Zooplankton (Charlie Miller)

Zooplankton stocks all across the Georges Bank region (Great South Channel, southern Gulf of Maine, Georges Bank, slope water, NE Channel, Nova Scotian shelf) were dominated during mid-May 1995 by Calanus finmarchicus. Stage composition of Calanus varied somewhat with location, but consistently. On the outward bound Stations 1 and 2 C4 was strongly dominant with a few C3, C5 and a very few adults. Then on the entire southern flank, southern bank and NE peak C5 was dominant with many adults but few C4 in the mixture. At some stations the males outnumbered females and many females carried spermatophores. On return to the Gulf of Maine (particularly Stations 34 and 38) we 'returned' to the situation first observed at Stations 1 and 2, only presumably advanced by a week. The dominant stage was C5, a few C4 remaining and a few adults in the mix. Again, females frequently carried spermatophores.

Based on these observations and those from the previous cruises, Calanus is finishing the G2 generation throughout the region. The northern and western portions lag behind the southern and eastern portions by about one stage interval. This entire schedule is advanced about a month from what we observed in May-June of 1994 (C.O. ISELIN 9407). At that time I interpreted the stock (based on older slope water and Gulf of Maine data) as finishing G1. Now it appears more likely they were actually finishing G2 (as suggested then by Cabell Davis).

At Stations 34 and 38 just out into the Gulf of Maine, the deeper stock was mostly C5 showing signs of the diapause phase. They had full lipid stores, assumed a resting posture in dishes, had empty guts and no readily observed gonadal development. In the surface the C5 were various in lipid accumulation, including some with only a tiny squib of oil posteriorly. Many had strongly developing gonads and were obviously going to mature. These facts make it appear that the G2 generation of 1995 is dividing (as did that of 1994) into groups maturing and groups initiating diapause. Conditions in respect to temperature have been quite uniform across the region, so it is difficult to see what cues that could provide for the rest/mature decision.

Other copepod species were minor contributors to biomass region wide. Pseudocalanus spp. were present everywhere, but did not approach the abundances seen in 1994 when they were particularly abundant over shallow portions of the bank. Populations of Centropages hamatus and Centropages typicus were sparse as well. I only saw one female specimen of C. typicus on the whole cruise. C. hamatus were more numerous than Calanus at a few shallow stations, but not individually large enough to make up much biomass. Presumably their late-spring to summer population maximum lies ahead.
Sagitta elegans was very abundant at many sites. It was present in significant numbers at all stations inside the 60 m line. At Station 31 on the northern edge of the bank we hit a massive concentration of them. In the double MOCNESS haul there were none collected on the first arrival at the surface (nets 3 and 4), but the second arrival (nets 8 and 9) produced samples almost entirely Sagitta. Sitting in the sieve they looked like saimin to serve six. All specimens were juveniles, some a little farther along than others were bearing seminal vesicles. Some seminal vesicles seemed burst, although they may just have been injured. All ovaries were far from mature. Chaetognath patches have been reported from this region before (Lough and others), and they have been seen occasionally in the Pacific. Those I have observed there were also juveniles. The reason for such dense accumulations of small predators is not known. These did have some copepods mixed in with them, and many seemed to have dined well before capture. Others, of course, had gobbled a copepod in the net.

Hydroids (Clytia) were present at a number of stations, particularly 4, 5, 10 and 11. At a few stations they made up a significant portion of the biomass, but none showed really high abundance as seen in 1994. They were absent (rare at least) from the NE peak and not seen (except in one MOC-10 haul) in stations along the entire northern leg of the cruise. If on this expedition we had been looking freshly at the plankton without special attention to the possible presence of Clytia, we might have noted them but certainly would not have been tempted to assign them special ecological significance. However, there were enough of them that they could be very abundant by June.

Coiled pteropods (Spiratella/Limacina) were abundant at some stations, particularly a few in the Gulf of Maine and several during the 'star' pattern (Stations 39-61).

Virtually all shallow stations over the bank and many of those along the south slope and on the NW peak produced large quantities of Coscinodiscus, a centric diatom. Once aboard these cells sink like bits of lead, but since they are caught at all levels they must either have better buoyancy before rubbing in the net or they are powerfully mixed through the water column by tidal turbulence. I suspect they have a mucilage covering that amounts to a buoyant collar and that it is rubbed off by netting. This same plant was very abundant in March (and presumably April) as well, making it appear as if they are sustained in a perpetual bloom in shallow areas. Coscinodiscus were joined by numerous Rhizosolenia wherever the hydrography indicated intrusion of (cold, slightly dilute) Nova Scotian shelf current water. We need to learn more about these plants and about the relations prevailing between primary productivity and nutrient supplies over the bank. It is very hard to see how even a very large copepod, an adult Calanus, for example, could deal with one of these cells as a foodstuff. Some feeding experiments or direct examinations (ala Jeff Turner) of fecal material for frustule bits are in order.


Ichthyoplankton (J. Sibunka, A. Weiner, A. Tesolin, and R. Jones.)

Samples collected at 38 Globec broad scale standard stations for ichthyoplankton analysis from both the bongo and MOC-1 (nets 6-9) were examined on shipboard for the presence of fish eggs and larvae. This was done in an attempt to determine their occurrence on the Bank and obtain a gross estimate of distribution, abundance and size range. The following discussion on ichthyoplankton catches is based on these findings.


Cod and Haddock Larvae:

Larval cod (size range 10-25mm) dominated the catches this cruise in both abundance and distribution on Georges Bank. The largest catches and highest occurrence of cod larvae were found at stations occupied in the western and south-central portion of the Bank. The sizes of these larvae were from 10-22mm , with most between 10-15mm total length. Smaller and intermittent catches of cod were collected from the northern flank area of the Bank. These larvae were generally larger, between 18-25mm in length (figure 9).

It was difficult to distinguish larval cod from haddock in these samples. This was partly due to the gross nature of examination of preserved samples in jars and also due to the large volumes of zooplankton in samples which obscured fish larvae. Haddock larvae however were seen in samples collected at Station #'s 4 and 5 located in the south-western portion of the Bank. Catches were approximately 10 larva/station; and the size range of 10-20mm length was the same as for larval cod collected at these stations.

In a comparison of cod and haddock larvae collected on this survey with results of the ten-year MARMAP program for May, a similar distribution and abundance pattern is evident. The MARMAP data shows the highest catches of both cod and haddock occurred along the southern and south-central portion of the Bank. However, these high catches consisted of larvae between 5 and 8mm in length. Larger larvae (>10mm) were widespread across the Bank. No explanation can be given at this time regarding the concentration of larger larvae seen in samples collected during this survey.

Cod and Haddock Eggs:

Collections of large sized gadid eggs (cod and haddock, >1.2mm diameter) during this cruise were both infrequent and small in numbers caught. These results indicate that the peak in spawning for these two species on the Bank had past for this season. The only two occurrences of great abundance (200+ eggs/station) were at Station # 25, located south of Nova Scotia and at Station # 32, located on the north central portion of the Bank. Historical (MARMAP) data indicate April and May as the principle spawning months, with the greatest abundance of eggs occurring on the Northeast Peak area of the Bank. With water temperatures across the Bank for this winter/spring season of 1995 similar to those of years past, no explanation can be given to why cod/haddock spawning seems to be about a month earlier than expected.



Miscellaneous Fish Larvae:

The following fish larvae were also identified in the ichthyoplankton samples collected during this broad scale survey.


1. American Plaice Hippoglossoides platessoides
2. Witch flounder Glyptocephalus cynoglossus
3. Atlantic mackerel Scomber scombrus
4. Sculpins Myxocephalus spp.
5. Lanternfish Myctophidae
6. Sea snail Liparis spp.
7. Rockfish Sebastes spp.
8. Butterfish Pepilus triacanthus
9. Eels (Leptocephali) Anguilliformes
10. Atlantic herring Clupea harengus
11. Sand lance Ammodytes spp.
12. Hake Urophycis spp.
13. Flounder Bothus spp.



Brief analysis of MOC-10 samples (P. Garrahan, J. Sibunka, T. Rotunno, J. Peterson, P. Heredia, A. Jacquet, and J. Bechtel)

Stn 03 - Zooplankton (ZP) -medusae, ctenophores, amphipods, chaetognaths, phoronomids.
Ichthyoplankton (IP) -1 leptocephalus, 1 cod (28 mm).

Stn 04 - ZP -ctenophores, medusae, amphipods.
IP -~75 cod (15-30 mm), 1 American plaice (28 mm), 1 leptocephalus, unidentified larvae.

Stn 07 - ZP -garbage cans full of salps, phoronomids.

Stn 09 - ZP -ctenophores, chaetognaths, amphipods, shrimp, phoronomids, lobster larvae.
IP -~8 butterfish (16-25 mm), 2 leptocephali,1 Goosefish (40 mm), Myctophids, 1 Gulf Stream or small mouth flounder (~18 mm), unidentified larvae.

Stn 12 - IP -~50 herring (~40 mm), 10 cod (18-40 mm).

Stn 13 - IP -25-35 cod (15-40 mm), few haddock (~18 mm).

Stn 16 - ZP -medusae, lobster larvae.
IP -1-3 cod (24 mm), hatchetfish, 1 leptocephalus, Bothus sp., unidentified deep sea types, unidentified larvae/juveniles -Carangidae?

Stn 17 - ZP -many salps, amphipods at surface.
IP -few Myctophids.

Stn 18 - IP -~20-30 cod (20-30 mm), 2 leptocephali, 3-5 herring (35-40 mm).

Stn 20 - aborted tow.

Stn 23 - IP -5-10 cod (20-40 mm), ~25 herring (45-55 mm), 1 sand lance? (35 mm).

Stn 25 - samples in opaque gal. jars -no observations recorded.

Stn 27 - IP -10-15 cod (18-38 mm), 2 sculpins (15-20 mm).

Stn 29 - ZP -Many krill, ctenophores at surface, pteropods.

Stn 30 - ZP -amphipods, ctenophores, brachyurans, chaetognaths, mysids, pteropods, euphausids, medusae, isopods, salps, phoronomids, hydroids, siphonophores, squid.
IP -2 cod (~15 mm), 1 deep sea type.

Stn 34 - samples in opaque gal. jars -no observations recorded.

Stn 30 - ZP -isopods.
IP -11 pipefish.

Stn 38 - ZP -amphipods.
IP -8-10 cod (18-28 mm), 1 sand lance (40 mm).


APPENDIX B

Event log for cruise ALB 95-05, if available, can be found by clicking here.


APPENDIX C Hydrographic Data

Hydrographic data is not available on-line yet.