Analysis and Evaluation of Ichthyoplankton Survey Data from the Northeast Continental Shelf Ecosystem

摘要

The Northeast Fisheries Center has conducted standardized ichthyoplankton surveys of the Northeast Continental Shelf ecosystem for about a decade. The report describes an evaluation of the surveys to determine their usefulness, the uniqueness of the information they provide, and the relationship between the quality of results and the survey effort. Broadscale, long-term, fishery-independent surveys are needed to monitor large marine ecosystems. The abundance, distribution, and species composition of the finfish community are very dynamic. Changes in the finfish community may be caused by fluctuations in the natural environment and pollution, or they may be biologically regulated (e.g., predation, including fishing). Ichthyoplankton surveys are a useful means of monitoring these changes.