9313677 Durbin The dominant copepod species on Georges Bank, Calanus finmarchicus, Pseudocalanus moultoni and P. newmani, show strong interannual variation in abundance that may significantly alter energy flow and larval fish recruitment in different years. We hypothesize that: (1) Recruitment variability in the dominant copepods reflects interannual differences in the abundance and source of the parental stock, and to the effect of food upon the egg laying rates of adult females; (2) Subtle changes in regional climate strongly influence processes controlling the abundance and production of the parental stock of Calanus in the Gulf of Maine (GOM); and (3) Production rates of Calanus will be food limited on Georges Bank except during the peak of the spring bloom, whereas winter/spring period. These two species will therefore respond differently to seasonal changes in food levels on Georges Bank. We propose to investigate two major aspects of Calanus finmarchicus and Pseudocalanus spp population dynamics and production on Georges Bank, in relation to the above hypotheses: (1) The recruitment of Calanus and Pseudocalanus on Georges Bank during the winter/spring period, as inferred from pump samples to quantitatively sample nauplii and early copepodites during the broad scale surveys; and (2) The rates of growth and egg production of Calanus and Pseudocalanus on Georges Bank, in relation to small scale spatial and temporal variability in the food environment during the process cruises.
