Vol. 53 - Alaska Resources Library and Information Services

observing that:
1) the mature female population could fall below a
level needed for strong recruitment (Fig. 4.A in Reeves and Marasco,
1980); and 2) populations of adequate spawning strength could be poorly
situated geographically in terms of hatching larvae in areas for optimal
growth and metamorphosis of juveniles to protective benthic habitat.
As noted in Section 3.4.2, surveys in 1983 have revealed a greatly
reduced larval hatch compared to 1980-1982, and mature female abundance
has also declined precipitously (D. Armstrong, U. Washington; VTN Inc.,
Portland; R. Otto, NMFS, Kodiak; unpublished data).
Oil mishaps in
years of low larval production could impact eventual juvenile settlement
more severely than during years of high production (obviously the extent
of any oil impact is inextricably linked to the timing, duration, and
coverage of the spill).
As to the influence of geographic distribution of females on survival
of larvae and eventual settlement of juveniles to appropriate
refuge habitats, only speculative comments can be made.
The greatest
data gap in this regard is definition of areas where O+ juvenile crab
settle and survive.
Rarely does the NMFS survey catch very small crab
(gear and survey area limitations).
Based on data of Smith and Bakkala
(1982) and of 1983 surveys throughout the NAS and Bristol Bay (D.
Armstrong, U. Washington; VTN Inc., Portland; unpublished data), much of
the southeastern Bering Sea would not be suitable for survival of newly
settled king crab. Very large populations of flatfish (e.g. yellowfin
and rock sole) and other predators, coupled with a uniform bottom of
mud/sand that affords little refuge, would probably result in tremendous
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