Comparative survival of bay scallops in eelgrass and the introduced alga, Codium fragile, in a New York estuary

Eelgrass, Zostera marina, is generally regarded as the preferred habitat of bay scallops, but in some cases scallop populations have persisted or increased in areas lacking eelgrass. This suggests that some other substrate(s) may serve important ecological functions for bay scallops. One candidate is Codium fragile, a macroalgal species with which bay scallops are known to associate and in which we commonly find juvenile and adult bay scallops in eastern Long Island, New York. In this study, we examined whether survival of planted bay scallops differed in Codium, eelgrass, and Codium + eelgrass substrates at two sites during August and October of 2 years. Survival of tethered scallops and recoveries of live free-planted individuals varied with scallop size, planting season and year, but no differences were observed between the three substrates for a given scallop size and planting date. Crab (particularly Dyspanopeus sayi) and whelk predation were implicated as important causes of tethered scallop mortalities while emigration and removal by predators likely contributed to scallop losses. Densities of naturally recruited 0+ years scallops recovered by visual and suction dredge sampling were similar in the eelgrass and Codium substrates. While our results suggest that Codium may offer some degree of predation refuge for bay scallops, further work needs to weigh the potential disadvantages of this substrate (such as low DO levels, potential attachment and transport of scallops, and differences in current flow, food availability and sedimentation relative to eelgrass) to determine if Codium may serve as a valuable habitat for bay scallops throughout their lifespan.     

The flux of particulate carbon in an estuary

The major sources and sinks of suspended particulate carbon are identified for northern Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, USA. The area of the bay under consideration was divided into two sections. The northernmost section (upper bay), from the head of the bay to the vicinity of Baltimore, was characterized by a high input of particulate carbon from upland drainage. The section from Baltimore to the mouth of the Potomac River (middle bay) was dominated by an internal supply of particulate carbon from primary production. The northernmost section was characterized by major particulate carbon losses to the bottom and to benthic respiration, with slightly less than half (43%) of the particulate carbon respired in the water column or converted to dissolved organic matter. In contrast, respiration in the water column or conversion to dissolved organic matter was responsible for the loss of about 65% of the particulate carbon in the middle section of the bay, while losses to the bottom and to benthic respiration totaled only 12%. Even though the supply of particulate carbon to the upper bay was about 1.5 times the supply to the middle bay, the loss of carbon due to biological activity (biological efficiency) in each area was similar, and amounted to about 70% of the supply of particulate carbon.The research reported here was partially supported by the University of Maryland and by the U. S. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife under Contract No. 14-16-0005-2096. Contribution No. 471 of the Natural Resources Institute, University of Maryland, USA.     

Florida red bay (Persea borbonia) leaf extracts deter oviposition of a sympatric generalist herbivore, Papilio glaucus (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae)

Summary. The ability to perceive and respond to phytochemicals that reliably indicate poor suitability of a potential host plant confers a selective advantage to ovipositing female swallowtail butterflies. Papilio glaucus females are generalists that nonetheless do not oviposit on red bay (Persea borbonia: Lauraceae). Red bay is toxic to P. glaucus neonates but is commonly found in habitats alongside their principal host plant, Magnolia virginiana, in central Florida. The hypothesis that deterrent compounds present in the leaves of red bay mediate its rejection by P. glaucus was evaluated in our study. Florida populations of P. glaucus did not oviposit on host leaves sprayed with the methanol extract of red bay foliage, although they accepted solvent-treated and untreated tulip tree leaves in 3 choice bioassays. Additionally, tulip tree leaves sprayed with methanolic extracts of red bay also deterred oviposition by P. glaucus females from Ohio, Kentucky and Pennsylvania, although these populations do not naturally encounter red bay. Clearly, deterrent compounds found within this non-host are the basis of its rejection by populations of P. glaucus and such recognition is fundamental to the species, not just a reflection of local adaptations. Received 2 April 1999; accepted 11 June 1999.     

Effect and its time lags of water level fluctuations in Three Gorges Reservoir on the macroinvertebrates in a tributary bay北大核心CSCD

In order to study how water level fluctuations (WLF) of reservoir influence the macroinvertebrate in tributary bay, we studied the effect of WLF of the Three Gorges Reservior on macroinvertebrate communities in Xiangxi Bay, and the time lags of such effect, based on the surveys in spring and summer from 2005 to 2010. In this research, WLF was represented by water level drawdown (WLD) and the sum of absolute values of rate of water level fluctuations (RWlf). Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the relationship between WLF and macroinvertebrates. No significant correlation was found between macroinvertebrates and sum of absolute values of RWLF, while WLD showed significant influence on some biotic parameters. In spring, WLD did not cause significant effect to macroinvertebrates (P > 0.05). In summer, however, the influence was significant, especially in the area of the downstream (XX01 - XX02) of the Xiangxi Bay (P < 0.05). The middle reach of the bay (XX05), located in the conjunction area between Xiangxi Bay and a secondary tributary of the TGR, was also affected significantly (P < 0.05). The relative abundance of Tubificidae declined with the increase of the WLF, while abundance of Chironomidae increased. The time lags of the influence to macroinvertebrates were about 15 days. This analysis indicated that WLF in the mainstream of the reservoir mainly influences the downstream of the tributary bay, and also affects the conjunction area of the secondary tributary. Chironomidae are more tolerant than Tubificidae in water-body with dramatic disturbance, therefore can be considered as the indicator of the effect of summer WLF on macroinvertebrates.     

Influence of human activity and monsoon dynamics on spatial and temporal hydrochemistry in tropical coastal waters (Sanya Bay,South China Sea)

Human activities and oceanic influences like mixing and/or upwelling define the hydrochemical and biological characteristics of coastal regions. In Sanya Bay, northern South China Sea, the balance between these two influences on spatial and temporal scales is poorly understood. The influence from human activities was due to discharge from Sanya River, whereas the most important marine influence was related to seasonal changes in hydrodynamics. Spatial differences (p<0.05) in total nitrogen (TN) and chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) were observed. Seasonal differences were observed for temperature and nutrients. Human activities are the dominant factor influemcing hydrochemistry in the inner bay. This region exhibited the maximum influence of discharge from Saya River as estimated by higher nutrient levels. Oceanic influences like upwelling and mixing caused by monsoons are the dominant factors influencing hydrochemistry in the central and outer bay. Both human activities and oceanic influences play important roles in coastal ecosystems in Sanya Bay. This study has defined these characteristics so that better management policies can be enacted.     

Spread of the native grass <Emphasis Type="Italic">Elymus athericus</Emphasis> in salt marshes of Mont-Saint-Michel bay as an unusual case of coastal eutrophication

Contrary to many estuaries where the increase in inputs of nitrogenous nutrients results in a macro-algal or phytoplanktonic bloom, no proliferation of this kind has ever been observed in the waters of Mont-Saint-Michel bay (north-western France) owing to a very high turbidity which greatly limits light penetration. On the other hand, it is well known that the factor that usually limits the growth of vascular plants in salt marshes is not the light resource but nitrogen availability; these plant species are therefore able to benefit fully from the enrichment of water by nitrogenous compounds. This seems to be the case of the sea couch grass Elymus athericus that has spread very rapidly on the salt marshes of this site since the mid-1980s. Firstly, the present study (i) accurately documents, from a compilation of data from administrative archives, the changes in agricultural land use in the major watersheds during the period 1970–2010, together with related changes in the nitrate contents of the rivers flowing into the bay; (ii) quantifies the spatial spread of sea couch grass between 1984 and 2013 from the five maps made during this period. In the second part, using in-depth analysis based on the findings of previous studies, it shows that the expansion of this native grass corresponds to a biological invasion phenomenon, for which nitrogen enrichment of the bay seems to be the only plausible explanation.     

Experimental study on dynamic equilibrium of headland-bay beaches

A dynamic equilibrium bay (DEB) is an embayment with continuous sediment supply and its shoreline planform can remain stable over a long period of time without erosion or accretion. For coastal conservation of sandy headland-bay beaches (HBB), the concept of using a static equilibrium bay (SEB) is well known, but that for DEB has received little attention. Moreover, an empirical equation for the stability of a DEB is not yet available. Experiments on DEB shape that aim to derive new coefficients in the parabolic bay shape equation (PBSE) for DEB are now being conducted in the laboratory. The work commences from an initial artificial HBB in static equilibrium with sediment supply source from the lee of an upcoast headland. A final equilibrium planform is obtained for the condition with a specific wave obliquity and sediment supply rate until no further shoreline change is found. In order to fit the PBSE for a DEB, a new parameter called SSR (sediment supply ratio) that represents the ratio of sediment supply rate from the source and the potential longshore sediment transport rate is introduced to quantify the balance of sediment to the bay. Alternative C coefficients in the PBSE for DEB, which include wave obliquity and the SSR, are then calculated. These new coefficients for DEB can now be used to evaluate the influence of sediment supply from a riverine source on a DEB and to classify its equilibrium status for planning sediment management strategies in coastal conservation.     

A genetic basis for geographic variation in shell morphology in the bay scallop, Argopecten irradians

The bay scallop, Argopecten irradians, exhibits extensive variation in morphology among geographically separated populations, resulting in the recognition of three major subspecies (A. i. irradians, A. i. concentricus, A. i. amplicostatus). The extent to which morphological variation results from differing environmental conditions is unknown. In the present study, bay scallops from Massachusetts, North Carolina, Florida, and Texas were collected, spawned and the offspring reared in a common garden experiment to determine if scallops cultured under similar environmental conditions exhibited the morphology expected given the geographic origin of their parents. Significant differences among populations were indicated by ANOVA in both the wild-caught (13/14 morphological characters) and cultured (11/14 characters) scallops. Principal components analysis clustered wild-caught scallops according to geographic origin and cultured scallops according to geographic ancestry. The morphological characters most influential in resolving groups were plical width, plical spacing, number of plicae and valve convexity. Geographic variation in morphology apparently has a strong genetic basis, and reflects significant differentiation among disjunct populations of bay scallops. Received: 12 September 1996 / Accepted: 15 October 1996     

Study on polychlorinated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins and dibenzofurans in rivers and estuaries in Osaka Bay in Japan

In order to search the source of polychlorinated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in blue mussel in Osaka bay, sediments from Osaka bay and from rivers running near an urban municipal incinerator were analysed for PCDDs, PCDFs and PCBs. The river and estuary sediments were all found to be contaminated with PCDDs at average levels of 9.8 and 12ppb on the dry basis, PCDFs of 7.8 and 5.1 ppb, and PCBs of 1600 and 1300ppb, respectively. The two sediments contained similar profiles of specific isomers and congeners of PCDDs and PCDFs with each other. In addition, there was observed positive close correlations between PCDD and PCDF levels in the two specimens as well as fly ash from urban municipal incinerators. These allow the conclusion that the main source of the two chemicals in Osaka bay is fly ash from waste incineration.     

Relationship between bottom characteristics and benthic organisms in the shallow water of Oppa Bay,Miyagi

An investigation was conducted to examine the species composition, abundance and biomass of benthic macrofaunal invertebrates in Oppa Bay, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, in August 1984. Among 212 species identified, nearly half (105) were Polychaetes. Usually five species, Ampharete sp. 1, Neosabellides sp. 1, Nephtys polybranchia, Chaetozone sp. 1, and Lumbrineris longifolia were numerically dominant. The faunal features of dominant species were clearly divided into two areas using two indicator species, Amphalete sp. 1 and Neosabellides sp. 1. The former species decreased in numbers in the area from the river to the bay mouth, while the latter increased. Sediments consisted of sand at the river mouth and in the northern bay; and of silt-clay in the central bay, bay mouth and southern part of the bay. Gradients of species diversity (H) were expressed as a function of distance by linear regression. The relationship was positive (r=0.812) from the river to the bay mouth accompanied by increasing depth; and negative (r=-0.906) from northern to southern parts of the bay in proportion to the increase of silt-clay in sediments.     

赤潮多发区深圳湾叶绿素a的时空分布及其影响因素

于2008年2月至2008年11月分四个季度调查了赤潮多发区深圳湾叶绿素a的时空分布,并分析了叶绿素a与主要环境因子之间的关系.结果表明,深圳湾叶绿素a质量浓度范围为3.07～309.94 mg·m~(-3),年平均值为42.29 mg·m~(-3).四季叶绿素a平均质量浓度由高到低排列分别为:春季(108.33 mg·m~(-3))>夏季(35.2 mg·m~(-3))>秋季(16.68 mg·m~(-3))>冬季(8.96 mg·m~(-3)).叶绿素a的质量浓度在冬季和春季呈现由湾内向湾外递减的分布特征,而夏季和秋季呈现由西岸向东岸递减的分布特征,整体则呈现由湾内向湾外递减的分布特征.相关分析显示深圳湾叶绿素a与水温、COD、TOC、PO_4~(3-)-P和浮游植物密度因子显著正相关,与DIN因子极显著正相关,说明叶绿素a与水温、DIN、PO_4~(3-)-P、COD、TOC和浮游植物密度之间有着比其它因子更为密切的关系.以叶绿素a作为富营养化评价标准,发现深圳湾海域富营养化严重,存在随时爆发赤潮的潜在风险.     

Genetic structure and gene flow of eelgrass <Emphasis Type="Italic">Zostera marina</Emphasis> populations in Tokyo Bay,Japan: implications for their restoration

Massive losses of eelgrass Zostera marina beds in Japan have occurred over the past 100 years. Toward their restoration, transplantation of eelgrass has been attempted in some areas, including Tokyo Bay. This study examined population genetic structures and gene flow in eelgrass in Tokyo Bay to establish guidelines for conducting restoration. Genotypes of a total of 360 individuals from 12 beds were determined using five microsatellite markers. The eelgrass beds in inner bay had above-average genetic diversity. A neighbor-joining tree based on F _ST values among beds revealed that a strong gene flow had occurred among six beds in the inner bay. Genetic assignment testing of drifting shoots indicated that those with seeds migrate in both directions between the inner and outer bay. We suggested that the restoration of eelgrass in the innermost part of Tokyo Bay, where natural habitats have been lost, should be conducted using the inner bay beds.     

Seasonal and interannual variability of hydrology and nutrients in the Northeastern Black Sea

The main objective of this work was to investigate the temporal variability of hydrochemical parameters in two coastal regions of the Northeastern Black Sea: the Gelendzhik bay, influenced by anthropogenic activities and the Golubaya bay an open coastal region. Dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, pH, alkalinity, phosphate, organic phosphorus, silicates, nitrates, nitrites, ammonia, organic nitrogen, oil products and heavy metals were measured. Si/P and Si/N ratios showed that the Gelendzhik bay waters were significantly enriched in nitrogen and phosphorus compounds. Unlike the Golubaya bay, phosphates were always present in the Gelendzhik bay, and development of photo-synthesis was not limited by these. Features of seasonal variability of nutrients in the Gelendzhik bay (increased concentrations and pronounced summer-autumn maximum) appeared to be a result of human impact—outflow of nutrients with shore input and recreational activities during the summer holiday season. The data obtained indicate that pollution from local spots from the coast of the Black Sea, related primarily to eutrophication, could play a large role in the nutrient balance of the sea and could affect its ecological state.     

Environmental assessment of Kuwait Bay: an integrated approach

Kuwait Bay is an imperative characteristic of the State of Kuwait. It has a number of major activities existing around it, including, business, industrial and recreational ones. The phase of construction and development of projects, and their resulting pollution have led to major change in the features of the area. The purpose of this research is to serve as a managing tool for decision-making through the environmental assessment of Kuwait Bay. Due to the multiplicities and diversities of the man-made activities and the natural environmental setting of the bay, the impacts are out looked on a holistic approach rather than on a single approach. The methodology of assessment including, sampling and analysis of water and sediment, statistical analysis, as well as application of the Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix (RAIM) in order to analysis the impacts in an integrated approach. The southern areas of the bay are the main sources of pollution that distributed northward to cover the central region of the bay. Sulaibikhat Bay (South-West sector of the bay) is the most vulnerable area due to its exposure to anthropogenic activities such as reclamations, sewage inflow and other activities. The area near Shuwaikh Port is suffering due to reclamation processes. The northern and north-west sectors suffer from coastal erosion as well as from pollutants arriving via Shatt Al Arab.     

Metabolism and model of an estuarine bay ecosystem affected by a coastal power plant

The effects of a coastal power plant on an outer estuarine bay ecosystem on the west coast of Florida were evaluated with measurements and an ecological model. Field measurements of community metabolism and biomass were taken from the thermally affected bay and from similar control bays. Model simulations were used to help understand these observations in terms of ecosystem structure and functioning.In the outer discharge bay the direct impact of the thermal plume was diluted and spread overlarge areas. The ecosystem developed structure and functions with lower biomass than in the control bays but with slightly faster rates of organic turnover. The productive turnover time of producer biomass during the summer was about 5 days in the discharge bay and about 6 days in the control bays. Power plant influence on total community metabolism was small with less than 10% difference in annual averages between the discharge and control bays (5.22 and 5.58 g O₂/m²/day). The selection for faster metabolic turnover rates in the discharge by was evidenced by a dominance of plankton metabolism over benthic metabolism. The annual average gross planktonic production was around 3 g O₂/m²/day in the discharge bay and around 2 g/m²/day in the control bays.In the model, temperature served as a stimulant to both productivity and respiration. When the isolated effects of increased temperature were simulated the model responded with lower producer biomass and faster rates of organic turnover, as was found in field measurements. These simulations also showed increased nutrient recycling and indicated patterns of temperature-induced migrations. Since power plant operation affected water exchange in the bays, several levels of total water exchange were simulated. These simulations indicated the importance of water exchange as a stabilizing factor, especially for sensitive compartments with rapid turnover rates (i.e. plankton and phosphorus stocks). Simulations of the effects of future power plant units on the bay ecosystem showed no large changes in total metabolism but indicated larger effects of plankton entrainment mortality and temperature-induced migrations of larger organisms.     

Phosphatase activity in Eutrophic Tokyo Bay

Alkaline phosphatase activity in seawater samples taken from Tokyo Bay was measured by both spectrophotometric and fluorometric methods. A stratified distribution pattern of the enzyme was observed in August, a vertically mixed pattern in December. The distribution of phosphatase activity in the eutrophic seawater was paralleled by variations in other parameters, such as viable counts of bacteria, chlorophyll a content, inorganic and total phosphorus concentrations, amounts of seston, particulate deoxyribonucleic acids (DNA) and protein. A significant correlation between phosphatase activity and these measurements indicated that the enzyme was a good indicator of the degree of eutrophication. The positive relationship between phosphatase and inorganic phosphorus indicates that enzyme activity was not inhibited at inorganic phosphorus levels present in the bay and that production of phosphatase by microorganisms inhabiting the bay was not repressed at the inorganic phosphorus levels in the bay. Culture experiments revealed that the formation of repressible phosphatase by bacteria isolated from the bay was not affected by the inorganic phosphorus levels in the bay.     

Features of spatial distribution of benthic infauna in a Mediterranean shallow-water bay

The unique hydrography of the Western Mediterranean Sea does not favour the formation of typical estuaries, although it does favour that of other land-sea systems. However, in Els Alfacs, a shallow-water bay situated in the Ebre Delta (northeast Spain), where there are considerable continental inputs, the distribution patterns of the macrofauna and the meiofauna reflect a hydrographical regime very similar to that of an estuary. During July 1987, 23 stations were sampled in the Alfacs Bay using plastic cores. The distribution pattern of the meiofauna follows a gradient and presents a less marked zonation than the macrofauna. Nevertheless, in both cases the peak densities of both faunal components are spatially separated from the principal site of freshwater inflow. The average density of the macrofauna (10 430 individuals/m²) and the meiofauna (704 100 individuals/m²) occurs in the bay during the period of maximum flow (spring-summer), and as such this bay is one of the most productive areas of the Western Mediterranean.     

Dye tracing of a subsurface chlorophyll maximum of a red-tide dinoflagellate to surface frontal regions

Rhodamine dye (3701) was injected into a 22-m subsurface chlorophyll maximum of the red-tide forming dinoflagellate Prorocentrum mariae-lebouriae var. minimum in the northern Chesapeake Bay (USA) and traced for a sixday period as it spread over a 600 km² area. The precise physical mechanisms, which resulted in the transfer of dye and organisms to the surface, are documented. The major component of the dye and organisms was transported from the central bay into major tributary estuaries via net nontidal flow of bottom waters and surfaced upstream in frontal regions. Once in surface waters, the dye and organisms flowed downriver toward the bay. Due to the three-layer flow of the rivers at this time, the dinoflagellate and the rhodamine re-entered the bay proper at middepth below the fresher Susquehanna plume, thus forming a near-surface chlorophyll maximum (4–6 m) flowing in an opposite direction to the deep subsurface chlorophyll maximum (18–26 m). Current meter arrays verified the opposite flows of these two lenses. The near-surface, southward-flowing lens was followed downstream to an area where the influence of the Susquehanna begins to subside as indicated by isopycnals inclined to the surface. Here the near-surface lens is mixed upward to the surface forming massive red tides (25 000 cells ml^–1) delineated by a frontal region. In addition to the predominant along channel flow, major cross stream Ekman transport and upwelling of dye and organisms was detected in response to wind forcing resulting in localized surface patch formation along the western shore shoaling regions of the bay proper. Thus, annual variations in the locations of surface red tides can be correlated to streamflow and windinduced variations in the locations of frontal regions.     

Long-term variation of organochlorine residues and assemblages of epibenthic organisms in a shallow North Florida (USA) estuary

A 4-year study (1972–1976) determined long-term trends of organochlorine residues (DDT, DDE, DDD, PCB's, mirex) and trawl-susceptible organisms in a shallow, river-dominated estuary in North Florida (Apalachicola Bay, USA). Moderate levels of such compounds were found in various species prior to the restricted use of DDT in 1972. A subsequent precipitous decline in organochlorine besidues was attributed to decreased upland usage, major flushing of the river basin in early 1973, and various factors associated with estuarine function. No mirex was found in sediments or aquatic organisms. Apparently, the half-life of organochlorines is relatively short in this bay system. Various statistical methods were used to test the relationships of different physico-chemical and biological parameters. During the 4-year study period, seasonal river flow fluctuations dominated water color, turbidity, salinity, nutrients (NO₃), chlorophyll a, and the temporal succession of fishes in the bay. Certain long-term trends of fish associations were noted; relative dominance of key fish species declined and stabilized while bay-wide species richness and diversity increased with time. Qualitative changes in species representation determined the long-term pattern of community variability. This was consonant with a distinctive fish fauna during the first year of sampling. The bay anchovy Anchoa mitchilli was dominant during 9 of the first 12 monts of the project; this influenced the time-related changes in community indices. Temporally clustered fish associations reflected the importance of river flow in the estuarine environment. Direct correlation of fish distribution with the rapid disappearance of organochlorine compounds was complicated by aperiodic natural phenomena such as storms and river fluctuations. Population and community trends appeared consistent with other studies showing similar patterns of dominance of stress-resistant fish populations and related changes in community parameters. In this case, the relatively predictable annual succession of fish associations allowed an appraisal of key forcing functions. Due to the high level of seasonal and annual biological variability in this estuary, there were some problems in the application of linear statistical models to the data base. Although the long-term trend of relative species representation is useful as an index of stress, new techniques are needed to analyze extensive field data so that functions such as trophic interactions are included in the estimation of causal relationships. There are indications that such effects could be related to the impact of organochlorine compounds on estuarine systems.     

Seasonal and diurnal presence of finless porpoises at a corridor to the ocean from their habitat

A number of local populations of finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides) are widely distributed throughout the warm coastal waters of Asia. The Omura Bay population, consisting of approximately 300 individuals, is the smallest of five populations inhabiting Japanese waters. It is a relatively new population that established after the global warming that took place approximately 9000 years ago. To observe whether these porpoises appear in the major corridor to the ocean from Omura Bay, we used acoustic monitoring to record occurrences of finless porpoises from November 2007 to May 2009. A stereo acoustic event recorder recorded the intensity and the sound source direction of biosonar signals, providing independent traces of sound sources corresponding to each detected animal. A total of 226 individuals were detected over the 1.5-year monitoring period, of which 76% occurred at night and 73% occurred during March and April. We compared the presence of porpoises to the Japanese anchovy catch in Omura Bay and the Hario Strait over the same period. Results suggested that possible reductions in anchovy resources in the bay could attract porpoises to the outside of their normal habitat. In total, 70% of the porpoise recordings took place when the tidal current was moving out of Omura Bay. Porpoises might follow the prey that are transported out of the bay due to the strong outbound current. The finless porpoises confined to the bay might extend their swimming area if prey is available.