Benthic Macrofauna, 



The population statistics of the major species from the Boston Foul Ground 

 and Lightship are presented in Tables D-4 and D-5. Both disposal sites have 

 similar population characteristics, although the Foul Ground appears to have 

 more diversity but lower total number of individuals than does the Lightship 

 disposal site. 



Fisheries 



Initial interviews with draggermen and lobstermen from the north and south 

 shores have indicated that fisheries resources are abundant in Massachusetts 

 Bay. Since this area is near many fishing ports, there is considerable compe- 

 tition to fish near the disposal sites dispite inherent disadvantages. 



It is the authority of the Food and Drug Administration to close areas 

 outside of state waters to shell fishing if the possibility of contamination 

 exists. In New England, closures are made by the Northeast Technical Services 

 Unit (FDA) Davisville, R.I. The foul ground is unique in New England in that 

 both shell fishing and groundfishing are prohibited in the radius of 1 mile 

 around the site center. 



Finfish . There is a tendency for draggers from different ports to fish speci- 

 fic grounds. Northshore vessels fish north of the foul ground and along the 

 edges of Stell wagon (Middle) Bank. Vessels fromScituate fish east and south- 

 east of the Boston Light dumping ground. Boats from Boston and Weymouth, as 

 well as those from the other areas, fish shoreward of the Boston Light ground. 

 The approximate location of dragging grounds in the study area are shown 

 in Fig. D-9. The shaded areas are fished throughout the year. Cod are caught 

 from January to February or until dogfish sharks appear in the summer. Dab and 



