144 



loading is high in this area. Boat activity may also be contributing 

 lesser light availability to eelgrass (see chapter 4) . 



Along Ricketsons Pt., eelgrass occurs extensively amongst the 

 large boulders and cobble, but only 50% cover was assumed for these 

 beds. Southwest of Ricketsons Pt., eelgrass may grow in deeper water, 

 but could not be discerned on available photographs. 



Small patches of eelgrass were found nearshore during dives in 

 1985 between the area immediately north of Ricketson Pt. and Clarks 

 Cove. These beds were abundant nearest to Ricketson 's point and 

 gradually became less abundant to the north, and disappeared completely 

 at Moshers Pt. No eelgrass could be found in the field or on 

 photographs along any part of Clarks Cove. 



Eelgrass is virtually absent from any part of the coast of New 

 Bedford, although this was not true in the past. The only eelgrass 

 found today in New Bedford is a small area on the southwest corner of 

 Clarks Pt. Here eelgrass grows amongst a rock and boulder field at 0.3 

 m MLW and continues offshore to an unknown depth, but probably less than 

 0.9 m MLW due to low water transparency there. The New Bedford sewage 

 outfall, which is conspicuous on aerial photographs, discharges 600 m 

 from this bed. 



Eelgrass is absent in Fairhaven along the Acushnet River shore and 

 Fort Phoenix shores. 



Fairhaven to Brant Island, Mattapoisett (Figs. 9 + 10) 



This vegetation map was base on 1972, 1974, 1980, 1981 aerial 

 surveys. Underwater and boat observations were conducted in 1984 and 



