Seasonal surveys of 49 stations across eastern georges bank fishing grounds over a one year period to 1) evaluate seasonal biomass changes of pre-recruit, recruit, and adult scallops using catch…

Seasonal surveys of 49 stations across eastern georges bank fishing grounds over a one year period to 1) evaluate seasonal biomass changes of pre-recruit, recruit, and adult scallops using catch data from a dredge cover net, 2) collect scallop gonad samples to investigate seasonal and spatial variations in scallop spawning, 3) evaluate seasonal changes in scallop health status by macroscopically inspecting for scallop meat color, nematodes, orange pustules, and shell blisters, 4) investigate relationships between predator distribution/abundance and the distribution/abundance of scallops and clappers, 5) evaluate seasonal changes in the distribution and abundance of key bycatch species in relation to scallop aggregations, 6) assess the potential of edna as a methodology to estimate scallop/flatfish distribution and abundance, 7) determine when yellowtail and windowpane flounder are spawning within the eastern part GB throughout gonad examination, and 8) conduct biological sampling of american lobster caught in the dredges to assess distribution, abundance, shell hardness, presence of eggs, shell disease symptoms, and damage due to the dredge.