This report is based on -field observations in August, 1978 and interviews 

 with 4 lobstermen and should be considered as a "first pass" to be expanded and 

 corrected. 



In September, 1978 the Connecticut Commercial Fisherman's Association was 

 formed. It is hoped that the exi stance of this group will help in assembling 

 information on the fisheries of the Western Sound. 



Fisheries . Lobstering is the dominant fishery in the area under consideration. 

 Table H-9 shows that in 1977 41.8% of the lobsters caught in the Sound came from 

 a relatively small area of western Connecticut (Fig. 1-11). The adjacent NY 

 area yielded only 3.6£ of the catch. Although there are large lobster landings 

 at North port N.Y., most of this catch is also from Connecticut waters. 



The following annual Dattern of fishing was described by Norwalk lobstermen: 

 In March, fishing begins in the area between the 20 meter line and Cable and 

 Anchor Reef. During late spring and early summer the gear is spread to the limit 

 of Norwalk grounds east and west, between 2 meters and the N.Y. line. Pots are 

 relatively heavy at the Eatons Neck dump site, Cable and Anchor Reef, Budd Reef, 

 and along the 20 meter line. Gear may be placed in the deep channel east of the 

 dump site in August. N.Y. fishermen may fish this channel from spring on, however, 



Cobb et al (1978) mapped lobstering grounds near the Eatons Neck dump site 

 from observations made from November to June, 1974-75. Heavy pot densities were 

 iound in the disposal ground in the summer. In the winter there were fewer pots, 

 but these were found east of Cable and Anchor Reef, Travel samples taken by 

 Cobb et al showed a similar movement in lobster densities in the valley east of 

 the dump site which were seen 1n August, 1978. This map can be interpreted as 

 showing the pattern of the New York-based fishery and the absence of near shore 

 populations off New York 1n the winter. 



