10 



asked that fishermen avoid the disposal area. 



Between 1970 and the present ocean quahog fishermen have converted from 

 "rocking chair" dredges to hydraulic dredges. More fishing is now done in sandy 

 sediments which yield a higher quality product. Recently fishing has been car- 

 ried out north and northeast of the disposal site at depths of less than 30 meters. 



Lobster Fishing 



Lobster pot buoys were mapped in the area one-half to one mile around the 

 dump site on July 15, August 4, and August 18, 1976 and on June 16, June 29, 

 July 12, July 26, and August 17, 1978. Locations were approximated by compass 

 bearings to the dump site buoys and distances from a hand-held range finder. 

 On July 29 the DAMOS LORAN C navigation system was used. Depths were measured 

 by depth sounder. Numbers were recorded from the buoys and the license holder 

 identified. Six of the fourteen fishermen fishing the area have been inter- 

 viewed. Two of these have been interviewed several times. 



The density of buoys was greater in 1978 than in T976 , however, the pattern 



of fishing was similar. Fishing began in June with pots set on the edges of the 



s 



spoil northwest (shoreward) and southwest sides and on the spoil mound. Pot 

 density and placement was similar through July 26 but with fewer placed on the 

 shallowest part of the mound. On August 17 the vessels which had been fishing 

 the dump site had moved offshore and pots were placed around the site perimeter 

 by other fishermen . 



The following information summarizes interviews made in 1976 and 1978. All 

 fishermen were full -time. Home ports were Point Judith, Newport, and Sakonnet, 

 RI. Boat lenghts ranged from 34 to 45 feet. Pots fished in the disposal site 

 area ranged from 10 to 200, frequently in a string of three 10-pot trawls. 



