Regional Population Differences in Young-of-the-Year Winter Flounder in Long Island Bays: A Comparison of Mortality, Growth, and Condition

Winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) once supported an important recreational and commercial fishery on Long Island; however, in recent years the populations in this area have reached record low numbers.  Recruitment into the fishery appears to be limited by survival of post-settlement juvenile populations. The aim of this two year study is to investigate biological, environmental, and anthropogenic effects influencing the survival of young-of–the-year (YOY) winter flounder in Long Island bays.  Samples were collected during bi-weekly beam trawl surveys from June to October 2010 in Jamaica Bay, Moriches Bay, Shinnecock Bay, Cold Spring Pond (Peconic Bay), and Napeague Harbor, sites with varying degrees of anthropogenic impacts ranging from the extreme west to eastern end of Long Island.  Sampling will be repeated in 2011 along with a caging study to assess the impact of predation on mortality.  In 2010, percent daily mortality ranged from 0.97-3.79 between the five sampling areas.  Additionally, length frequency analysis shows evidence of prolonged spawning and varying cohort strength among the sites.  Otolith analysis to determine hatching dates and growth rates as well as condition indices such as muscle RNA/DNA ratios, lipid content, and condition factor (R) are currently being analyzed and will be presented.  It is hypothesized that site-specific environmental and biological variables will be correlated with health and survival indices.   This project will provide managers with information on which factors contribute most to YOY growth and survival of this important resource.