Vol. 53 - Alaska Resources Library and Information Services

[An interesting note on annual abundance:
collections made along
the NAS in April and June, 1983, indicate a drastic reduction in larval
densities from 1982 levels.
Samples taken along similar transect lines
and throughout Bristol Bay to Cape Newenham show larvae are at least 10
to 20 times less abundant this year than in 1982 (D. Armstrong, University
of Washington and VTN, Oregon, unpublished data).]
Summary:
1) Larval densities were much lower along the western NAS
from Unimak Island to Black Hills (stratum I) than in the
eastern area from Port Moller into Bristol Bay (stratum II).
2) 1976-77 was a year of highest average densities in stratum I
and 1980 in stratum II. 3) Lowest densities in both strata
occurred in 1981.
4) Both 1980 and 1982 were probably good
years of larval production along the NAS.
3.4.3. Hatchout and Settlement
Red King Crab:
The time series of samples collected in any year from
1976 through 1982 were never long enough to span the period of complete
larval development from hatch through metamorphosis.
Enough data are
available, however, to:
1) assign a realistic average date of hatch and
discuss interannual differences in timing of peak hatch; 2) calculate
the appropriate duration of each larval stage and the frequency of molt
(next subsection 3.4.4); and 3) follow development to the megalops stage
and predict an approximate period of metamorphosis and settlement to the
benthos.
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