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Vol. 53 - Alaska Resources Library and Information Services

Vol. 53 - Alaska Resources Library and Information Services

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Kvichak Bay during September. The distribution of juvenile crabs<br />

supports the hypothesis of "refuge" habitat. The results of statistical<br />

analyses indicate that biological parameters correlated better with the<br />

apparent juvenile crab distributions than did physical parameters.<br />

Strong, positive correlations were found between age 0+ to 2 juvenile<br />

crabs <strong>and</strong> sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus droehbachiensis) biomass <strong>and</strong><br />

between young-of-the-year crabs <strong>and</strong> tube-building polychaete worm<br />

biomass. Older juvenile crab distributions correlated positively with<br />

sea onion (Boltenia ovifera) biomass.<br />

The physiological <strong>and</strong> ecological characteristics of red king crab larvae<br />

make this life history stage the most susceptible to oil <strong>and</strong> gas pollution.<br />

The natural variability being documented in red king crab stocks<br />

indicates that vulnerability of the fishery to oil <strong>and</strong> gas could be<br />

greatly increased during years of extremely low recruitment such as<br />

1983.<br />

280

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