The area surrounding Appledore Island (the site of the Isles of Shoals 

 Mariae Laboratory) has been nominated as a federal marine sanctuary. This is 

 mainly to protect intertidal areas which have been studied over a long time 

 period and should not effect fisheries or disposal at the study site. 



In preparing this report, interviews were conducted with 2 lobstermen 

 (Kittery) 4 inshore draggermen (Portsmouth, Glouchester) and 1 gill netter 

 (Portsmouth). Most individuals have been contacted more than once. 



Lobster . Lobsters are caught close to the Isles of Shoals and its ledges dur- 

 ing the summer. In the winter and spring, the fishery extends into depths of 

 around 60 m. Catch per effort within Maine waters is ^ery high because the area 

 is not overfished to the degree that many other New England areas are. Lobsters 

 within the dump site tend to be large (1^-3 lbs.). Catches vary from very large 

 to very small. Many clawless lobsters are caught (lobsters lose claws when run 

 over by fish dragging gear or when as shorts they catch their claws between 

 laths. 



Much of the winter fishery in this general area is carried out by New Hamp- 

 shire vessels. It was reported that winter lobstering was extended into deeper 

 water east of the dump site in 1977. Catches were good, but there was some con- 

 flict with draggers . 



The lobster fishermen interviewed so far are not yery concerned about the 

 potential effects of spoil disposal because of the small volumes which will be 

 dumped and because earlier dumping had no detectable effects. 



Finfish' . Small draggers from York, Kittery, Portsmouth, and Glouchester, fish 

 in this area. There is considerable variation in tow routes and techniques in 

 the area so that it has not been possible to map fisheries in great detail. 



