Vol. 53 - Alaska Resources Library and Information Services

were recorded for subsamples of large catches of yellowfin sole, rock
sole, Pacific cod, walleye pollock and several other fish species.
Stomachs of these species were examined for content when time allowed.
A number of rock dredge samples were treated qualitatively, primarily in
areas of high juvenile abundance. These samples were described in field
notes (see Appendix C) and searched carefully for juvenile crabs. Crabs
from these samples were measured and data recorded as described above.
Field coding forms were used to record all taxonomic identifications,
counts, weights and size information. A separate coding form was used
to record location, time, depth and other pertinent information for each
sample; this information was taken directly from the Marine Operations
Abstract (MOA) kept by the bridge Duty Officer. Observational data,
such as sample descriptions and fish stomach contents, were recorded
in the Chief Scientist's field notes (see Appendix D).
2.1.3 Limitations
The most serious limitation in sampling juvenile king crab is the lack
of suitable fishing gear (Powell and Nickerson 1965). Any surfacedeployed
device designed to sample early juveniles can at best be
considered only as a reconnaissance tool. The rough terrain where early
juvenile king crab are found in the coastal waters of the North Aleutian
Basin severely limits attempts at quantitative sampling. The epibenthic
data collected during this study are therefore considered qualitative;
any calculated density and biomass numbers should be viewed as
estimates, their greatest value being for within-study comparisons. The
data resulting from trynet samples are probably the most accurate due to
the generally reliable fishing behavior of this gear, which was used
primarily on smooth, small grained bottoms. The rock dredge, used on
rough bottoms, has erratic fishing behavior, apparently similar to that
of the bottom skimmer described by Sundberg and Clausen (1979).
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