A METHOD FOR QUANTITATIVELY SAMPLING NEKTON ON INTERTIDAL OYSTER REEFS

We developed a sampling methodology using a 24-m(2) lift net to quanti tatively sample intertidal oyster reefs as a part of a long-term study of their functional ecology. The method involved surrounding an area of oyster reef with a buried net at low tide, allowing the water level to rise, raising the net at high tide to trap motile organisms, allow ing the water to recede, and collecting the entrapped nekton. Natural and artificially constructed reefs were sampled, and efficiency (mark- recapture) studies were performed to evaluate the method. The advantag es of this method are: (1) the habitat in the area to be sampled recei ves minimal damage; (2) the size and shape of the net system are flexi ble and can be adapted to fit a variety of habitats; (3) no permanent structures, other than a shallow perimeter trench, are present to act as attractants; and (4) it is relatively inexpensive to purchase and m aintain gear. One disadvantage to the method is that it is very labor intensive, typically using three to five people. This method proved mo re efficient on natural reefs than artificial reefs, and the return ra te was slightly better for Fundulus heteroclitus than for Palaemonetes spp. Seventeen decapod and 24 fish taxa were collected from initial s pring, summer, and fall 1995 sampling.