Developing a growth-transition matrix for the stock assessment of the green sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) off Maine

The green sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) is important to the economy of Maine. It is the state’s fourth largest fishery by value. The fishery has experienced a continuous decline in landings since 1992 because of decreasing stock abundance. Because determining the age of sea urchins is often difficult, a formal stock assessment demands the development of a size-structured population dynamic model. One of the most important components in a size-structured model is a growth-transition matrix. We developed an approach for estimating the growth-transition matrix using von Bertalanffy growth parameters estimated in previous studies of the green sea urchin off Maine. This approach explicitly considers size-specific variations associated with yearly growth increments for these urchins. The proposed growth-transition matrix can be updated readily with new information on growth, which is important because changes in stock abundance and the ecosystem will likely result in changes in sea urchin key life history parameters including growth. This growth-transition matrix can be readily incorporated into the size-structured stock assessment model that has been developed for assessing the green sea urchin stock off Maine.

Recovery of the Gulf of Maine--Georges Bank Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) complex: perspectives based on bottom trawl survey data

NMFS bottom trawl survey data were used to describe changes in distribution, abundance, and rates of population change occurring in the Gulf of Maine–Georges Bank herring (Clupea harengus) complex during 1963–98. Herring in the region have fully recovered following severe overfishing during the 1960s and 1970s. Three distinct, but seasonally intermingling components from the Gulf of Maine, Nantucket Shoals (Great South Channel area), and Georges Bank appear to compose the herring resource in the region. Distribution ranges contracted as herring biomass declined in the late 1970s and then the range expanded in the 1990s as herring increased. Analysis of research survey data suggest that herring are currently at high levels of abundance and biomass. All three components of the stock complex, including the Georges Bank component, have recovered to pre-1960s abundance. Survey data support the theory that herring recolonized the Georges Bank region in stages from adjacent components during the late 1980s, most likely from herring spawning in the Gulf of Maine.

A comparison of two zooplankton time series data collected in the Gulf of Maine

Interannual and seasonal trends of zooplankton abundance and species composition were compared between the Bongo net and Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) time series in the Gulf of Maine. Data from 5799 Bongo and 3118 CPR samples were compared from the years 1978–2006. The two programs use different sampling methods, with the Bongo time series composed of bimonthly vertically integrated samples from locations throughout the region, while the CPR was towed monthly at 10 m depth on a transect that bisects the region. It was found that there was a significant correlation between the interannual (r = 0.67, P < 0.01) and seasonal (r = 0.95, P < 0.01) variability of total zooplankton counts. Abundance rankings of individual taxa were highly correlated and temporal trends of dominant copepods were similar between samplers. Multivariate analysis also showed that both time series equally detected major shifts in community structure through time. However, absolute abundance levels were higher in the Bongo and temporal patterns for many of the less abundant taxa groups were not similar between the two devices. The different mesh sizes of the samplers probably caused some of the discrepancies; but diel migration patterns, damage to soft bodied animals and avoidance of the small CPR aperture by some taxa likely contributed to the catch differences between the two devices. Nonetheless, Bongo data presented here confirm the previously published patterns found in the CPR data set, and both show that the abundance increase of the 1990s has been followed by average to below average levels from 2002 to 06.

Biodiversity as a dynamic variable in the Gulf of Maine continuous plankton recorder transect

Studies relating biodiversity to ecosystem processes typically do not take into account changes in biodiversity through time. Marine systems are highly dynamic, with biodiversity changing at diel, seasonal and inter-decadal timescales. We examined the dynamics of biodiversity in the Gulf of Maine pelagic zooplankton community. Taxonomic data came from the Gulf of Maine continuous plankton recorder (CPR) transect, spanning the years 1961–2006. The CPR transect also contains coincident information on temperature and phytoplankton biomass (measured by the phytoplankton color index). Taxonomic richness varied at all timescales considered. The relationships between temperature and richness, and between phytoplankton and richness, also depended on temporal scale. The temperature–richness relationship was monotonic at the multi-decadal scale, and tended to be hump-shaped at finer scales; the productivity–richness relationship was hump-shaped at the multi-decadal scale, and tended to be monotonic at finer scales. Seasonal biodiversity dynamics were linked to temperature; inter-decadal biodiversity dynamics were linked to phytoplankton.

Manuscrits de la bibliothèque de l'Arsenal. Archives de la Bastille. DEUXIÈME SECTION — PRISONNIERS DOSSIERS INDIVIDUELS ET DOCUMENTS BIOGRAPHIQUES (1). AFFAIRE DU DUC ET DE LA DUCHESSE DU MAINE. Correspondance contre les intérêts de l'État avec la cour d'Espagne, par l'entremise du prince de Cellamare, ambassadeur d'Espagne à Paris, et complot contre le Régent, pour les droits à la couronne de France, des princes légitimés, en cas d'extinction de la maison royale, et pour rétablir le duc du Maine dans le pouvoir que le testament de Louis XIV lui avait donné. Dossiers particuliers et notes.

Contient : Dossiers particuliers de Boisdavy, de l'abbé Brigault, de Dadvisard, de La Jonquière, de l'abbé Lecamus et de l'abbé Thouvenin, comprenant leur correspondance des années 1716-1719 ; Notes prises par Duval, secrétaire de la Lieutenance de police, et ses commis, et par les commissaires des papiers de la B. nommés en 1789, sur les dossiers de l'affaire du duc du Maine

Meeting the Standards: An Analysis of Eight Grade Educational Assesment Test Scores in Maine

This paper examines the impact of socioeconomic factors on eighth grade achievement test scores in the face of federal and state initiatives for educational reform in Maine. We use student-level data over a five year period to provide a framework for understanding the policy implications of these initiatives. We model performance on standardized tests using a seemingly unrelated regressions approach and then determine the likelihood of meeting the standards defined by the adequate yearly progress requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act and Maine Learning Results initiatives. Our results indicate that the key factors influencing a student’s test scores include the education of a student’s parents, special services received for learning disabilities, and alternative measures of academic achievement.

Analysis of Optimum Location, Viability, and Potential Effects of Wind Farm Construction in Maine

Maine has the highest potential for wind energy in New England and falls within the top twenty states in the nation. It falls just behind Wisconsin and California with an estimate electrical output of 56 billion kWhs. The geological makeup of Maine’s mountains in the western part of the state, and the exposed coastline provide opportune areas to capture wind and convert it into energy. The information included in this poster will suggest the most likely areas for wind development based on a number of factors as recommended by the American Wind Energy Association.

The Economic Effects of Ski Resorts on Communities in the State of Maine

Skiing and snowboarding is a fairly expensive activity for participant and one in which the industry as a whole makes handsome profits. In the 2005/06 season, resorts in the Northeast reported an average gross revenue of $18.5 million. (NSAA) With the current weather phenomenon of El Nino, however, resorts in New England especially, have been suffering economically. The gross revenue in New England in the ’05/’06 season was down 4% from the previous year, likely due to the fact the total snowfall declined by 16%. (NSAA) Much of this loss in revenue came during the Christmas to New Years vacation period. In the 2007 season, most mountains were less than half-opened during this peak week and the number of skiers and riders was especially low. With such a large decrease in profits, it is likely that many people will soon be affected (if they have not already been), including local employees. This project, therefore, seeks to analyze the impact that the resorts have on the local economies in order to determine the potential problems the changing snowfall patterns could have on locals’ well-being. It is hypothesized that there will be a strong correlation between the proximity of a community to a resort and the relative economic prosperity of that community; meaning that the ski industry is a pivotal part of their income and livelihood.