This is a pilot study for a new fisheries-independent bottom trawl survey operating in the near coastal ocean waters of the Mid-Atlantic region. The survey is an element of the ASMFC Northeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program (NEAMAP) and is designed to sample fishes and invertebrates from coastal waters (approximately 20-90 feet) between Montauk, New York and Cape Hatteras, North Carolina using a bottom trawl. The main objective of the survey is the estimation of biomass, length and age

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... tructures, and diet compositions of finfishes and select invertebrates inhabiting the area. V. Project Summary/Accomplishments: The pilot survey was successfully completed during a research cruise between the dates of 25 September through 15 October 2006. A total of 98 stations were sampled, compared to the anticipated number of 100. About 432,000 individual fish weighing almost 19,000kg and representing 114 species (including selected invertebrates which where processed similarly to fishes). Almost 63,000 specimens were individually measured. Lab processing is proceeding on the 3,630 otoliths and 2,903 stomach samples which were saved (622 otoliths and 971 stomachs have been fully processed as of the date of this report). A full report is attached to this standard project summary. VI. Challenges/Changes: Beyond completion of laboratory samples, no significant challenges remain for this contract segment. VII. Participants: Program personnel remain unchanged. VIII. Quality Assurance: Previous progress reports provided brief descriptions of quality assurance procedures in selecting fishing gear, conducting fishing operations, and processing the catch. These are interwoven into the attached report as well. Data collected during the survey have been processed through several data quality checks which were previously developed for other survey work and new checks developed specifically for NEAMAP. IX. Funding Status: A small balance (~$5,000) remains in this project account. Those funds will be used in continued processing of samples prior to the project completion date. X. Future Activities: The future of this program is dependent upon continued funding. We are awaiting instruction from ASMFC before we finalize plans for the next project segment. XI. Presentations/Public Outreach: Since completion of field sampling on 15 October, presentations of survey results have been (or will be) made as follows: