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Vol. 53 - Alaska Resources Library and Information Services

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ability (r 2 =0.9<strong>53</strong>0) in the single variable model for the April-May<br />

cruise data. Using the September data, the combination of polychaete<br />

<strong>and</strong> sea urchin biomass in the two-variable model accounted for 92<br />

percent of the variability (i.e., r²=0.9239). The sea urchin was<br />

again an important variable in the analysis of data for age 2+ <strong>and</strong> 3<br />

crabs during April-May, accounting for 57 percent of the variability<br />

(r 2 =0-.5699) in the single variable model.<br />

3.6 Adult Distribution Patterns<br />

The distribution of red king crab >68 mm carapace length is shown in<br />

Figures 3.6-1, 3.6-2 <strong>and</strong> 3.6-3 for cruises 83-1, 83-3 <strong>and</strong> 83-5, respectively.<br />

These larger crabs were found primarily at depths >50 m in the<br />

TB <strong>and</strong> IB subareas. The total numbers of larger crabs collected <strong>and</strong> the<br />

calculated catch per station are presented in Table 3.6-1, which shows<br />

that relatively few large crabs were collected during this study. The<br />

greatest numbers of crabs were taken from BB <strong>and</strong> TB stations; the 15<br />

individuals from the IL subarea during cruise 83-1 were taken in a<br />

single trynet haul. Most large crabs captured were taken with the<br />

trynet, although a few were collected in rock dredge hauls from the KB<br />

<strong>and</strong> TB subareas.<br />

The decrease in the catch of large crabs during the September cruise<br />

(83-5) resulted partially from a decreased sampling effort, especially<br />

in the BB subarea, as indicated by the station locations in Figure<br />

3.6-3. This decline also reflects an assumed shift in the distribution<br />

of these crabs. Although the majority of large crabs were found in the<br />

inner BB <strong>and</strong> TB subareas, some were found in the IL, PM, PH <strong>and</strong> KB<br />

subareas during April-May <strong>and</strong> June (Figures 3.6-1 <strong>and</strong> 3.6-2, respectively).<br />

Also, while the majority of crabs were found at depths between<br />

50 <strong>and</strong> 70 m, some were found at shallower depths during the first two<br />

cruises, such as stations KB2*4 <strong>and</strong> KB2*9 (both 14 m depth) <strong>and</strong> TB330<br />

(30 m depth). During the September cruise (83-5), a few crabs were<br />

found along the edge of the PM subarea <strong>and</strong> inner BB at 70 m depth, <strong>and</strong><br />

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