1/ 



Most fishing near the site took place from July through August. Most of 

 the fishermen moved through this area following the offshore movement of rec- 

 ently shed lobsters, two went no further offshore than the disposal site at any 

 time of the year. 



Catches within the designated disposal area were described as good in small 



areas which could be fished out in a short time. The presence of resident 



or 

 lobsters (grounds beepers), or of migratory lobsters on favorable bottom was 



suggested. Catches in the area surrounding the disposal site were also good 



and could be fished longer. 



The catch per pot appeared to be better than surrounding sand bottom and 



similar to soft-bottomed areas to the west. The condition of the lobsters 



was reported to be excellent with fewer injured lobsters than are caught near 

 finfish dragging grounds "along the buoys" to the west. Some large catches of 



egg-bearing females were reported but in general the composition of catches was 



similar to adjoining areas. 



Unusually large numbers of crabs have been caught on the west and south 

 edges of the spoil. In one case the catch was large enough to fish for crabs 

 alone despite the low price for whfich they were sold. 



Only one fisherman was fishing in the area while dumping was being carried 

 out. He found initial high catches immediately after dumping ceased, which de- 

 creased to a steady level after one and one-half to two years. Another fisherman 

 reported low catches a year or two after dumping ceased, which then increased to 

 a steady level . 



In the first year after dumping ended small pots would sinft into the spoil 

 so that lobsters could not enter. One fisherman had his gear caught on a very 

 heavy conducting cable but did not lose any pots. 



