The strong currents and wind exposure in the dump site area limits the 

 effort further. A lobsterman who fishes at these times estimated that he 

 did not get closer than two miles to the disposal site. One other lobster- 

 man probably also gets this close. 



Lobsters are not caught in this part of Penobscot Bay between December 

 and April. They either bury or move out. In 1977 the catch ended in 

 November. When lobstering falls off, crabs ( Cancer borealis ) can be caught 

 at 40-55 meters on muddy bottoms. Although crabs are caught in lobster 

 pots, catches are improved by use of special traps and fresh bait. Most of 

 the crabbing near the dump site is done by two vessels. 



In the fall pots are dense on a shoal just north of the entrance channel 

 to Rockport. During the dredging a tow boat left the channel and destroyed 

 some of this gear. It has been reported that the dredging company paid for 

 the damage. Gear destruction may be the greatest potential threat from 

 dredging in this area, but also easily avoided. 



3. Sea scallops . Scallops ( Argopecten gibbas ) were dragged in 

 Penobscot Bay as late as the 1940's and 1950's. They are now rare through- 

 out Maine. Patches of scallops are not limited to any bottom type and 

 could occur in the dump site area. Scallop dragging gear is heavy and 

 would displace soft spoil. 



4. Finfish . There is virtually no commercial finfishing in this 

 portion of the Bay. Productive fishing grounds are found outside the Bay. 

 Recreational bottom fishing is probably rare in this deep and exposed area. 



