of contamination of the fish, with the development of a potential hazard 
to consumers, but also because the accumulation of disposal containers 
on the bottom might create a hazard to fishing equipment, especially to 
trawl gear that would become damaged or possibly lost if dragged over 
heavy concrete disposal containers. Furthermore, if radioactive dis- 
posal areas are to be closed to fishing, as they undoubtedly should be, 
it is in the interest of the best uses of our marine resources that dis- 
posal areas be placed where little or no fishing now occurs, 
In some areas the fishing intensity is well defined. This is the 
case in the coastal area northward from Long Island and including the 
Gulf of Maine. Most coastal estuaries have well developed fisheries. 
Thus, such areas as Delaware Bay, Chesapeake Bay, Albemarle Sound 
and Pamlico Sound are undesirable locations for disposal sites not only 
because of the shoreward transport in the bays and the restricted circu- 
lation in the sounds, but also because of possible conflict with the fish- 
eries. 
The region east and slightly south of Long Island between the 30 
and 50 fathom contours, in which fishing vessels are unlikely to be found, 
coincides with the region noted previously to be characterized by ''sum- 
mer stagnation''’, The lack of fishing effort in this area suggests itas a 
possible location for disposal sites. However, the restricted circulation 
through the region for about six months of the year suggests that during 
the times of ''stagnation'' an accumulation of wastes might occur in the 
area to such an extent that adjoining areas might be adversely affected 
once circulation is restored following the fall turn-over. At best, re- 
gions of this kind should be used as disposal sites only after a careful 
study of the year round exchange of water with adjoining areas. 
Unfortunately, detailed studies have not been made over the en- 
tire Atlantic and Gulf coasts. However, it seems likely that appropriate 
information can be obtained, for any proposed site, from state and local 
fisheries groups. 
In general the trend is toward the development of fisheries in 
deeper and deeper water. At present very little fishing is done beyond 
100 fathoms. However, experimental fishing has been carried on out to 
1000 fathoms, and indications are that with an increased demand for fish 
and with the development of the proper fishing gear, these relatively 
deep areas can support a considerable fishing effort. 
Submarine Cables. 
The disposal of packaged radioactive wastes in areas through 
which submarine cables pass will be objectionable from two points of 
view. First, there is a possibility of damage to the cable should a dis- 
posal container fall directly on it during disposal operations. Second, 
during cable maintenance and repair it is common practice to drag 
grappling equipment across the ocean bottom to locate the cable and to 
bring it to the surface. An accumulation of disposal containers on the 
bottom in such a location not only could interfere with the grappling 
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