Application of remote sensing to settlement of Callinectes sapidus megalopae in the Mississippi bight

Blue crab larvae undergo zoeal and megalopal development in offshore waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The surface residing planktonic larvae are dependen t upon advective currents to return them from sea at the appropriate time f or settlement in near-shore habitats. Settlement is episodic. The periodici ty of settlement is similar over years; however, magnitude is highly variab le. A numerical model of the gulf was used to determine advective pathways and environmental forcing conditions affecting successful returns. Two fact ors were found to be important: wind stress and timing of the break-off of Loop Current eddies. Interannual variation in wind stress was most signific ant.