Vol. 53 - Alaska Resources Library and Information Services

SECTION 2.0
METHODS
2.1 Field Methodology
2.1.1 Timing and Location of Sampling Effort
Three cruises were scheduled for this project during 1983: 18 April to 7
May (cruise 83-1); 2-17 June (cruise 83-3); and 9-23 September (cruise
83-5). In addition, opportunistic sampling for decapod larvae along the
50 m isobath from Port Moller to Unimak Island was conducted on 27 May
1983 during the Blue King and Korean Hair Crab cruise to the Pribilof
Islands (cruise 83-2). The NOAA ship Miller Freeman was used for all
cruises. The sampling locations for the three scheduled cruises are
shown in Figures 2.1-1 through 2.1-3. The types of data collected and
quantities are summarized in Table 2.1-1.
The sampling design originally consisted of 72 permanent stations, each
to be sampled at least once during every cruise. Twelve of the stations
were offshore at previously established NMFS crab fisheries survey
locations (Otto, et al. 1982). The other 60 stations were arranged in
15 transects perpendicular to the shore with station bottom depths of
20, 30 and 50 or 70 m for each station in every transect.
The alpha-numeric station code (Figures 2.1-4 and 2.1-5) indicates the
subarea (letters), transect number within the subarea (first digit), and
the approximate bottom depth in meters (last two digits). Three of the
transects occupied equivalent positions to those sampled by Armstrong
during 1982 west of Black Hill to Cape Sarichef on Unimak Island. Two
transects were similarly located off Port Moller. Five transects were
located along the south side of Bristol Bay between Ports Moller and
Heiden. Four more transects were located along the north shore out to
Cape Newenham and one was located down the axis of Kvichak Bay.
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