Fishing Grounds of the Gulf of MaineRich, Walter H. (Walter Herbert)
History
Fishing Grounds of the Gulf of Maine
Rich, Walter H. (Walter Herbert)
Fisheries -- Maine, Gulf of
John Dyers Ridge. This lies 14 miles S. by E. from Toothakers Ridge, 40
miles S. by E. from Monhegan Island, and 7 miles NE. from Cashes Bank.
It is about 5 miles long by 2 miles wide, lying in an ENE. and WSW.
direction. The water is shoalest on the western edge, where are from 45
to 50 fathoms over a sharp, pebbly bottom; thence the ground slopes to
the NE. into 75 and 80 fathoms over a hard, gravelly, and muddy bottom,
in all other directions falling off sharply to 90 and 100 fathom
soundings over a muddy bottom.
This is essentially a cod ground for the entire year, the species being
most abundant from May 1 to November. It is a cusk ground all the year
on the hard bottom of the deeper parts, March and April showing the
largest schools. Hake also are abundant in 70 fathoms and deeper on the
mud in summer and fall.
Fifty-five Fathom Bunch. West of Cashes Bank is a rocky ridge
extending ENE. and WSW. about 4 miles and having a width of about 1
mile. This is mainly a cod ground, the seasons for the species being as
on Cashes Bank.
Fippenies Bank. This consists of two shoals averaging 80 fathoms in
depth with a channel of 90 fathoms between them. These run NE. and SW.,
the eastern shoal about 8 miles long by 1 mile wide, the western about
half as large. Fippenies bears E. 1/4 S. from Thacher Island, distant 61
miles; from Portland Lightship, SE. by S. 1/2 S, 57 miles to the western
point of the northern shoal in 35 fathoms. The bank is nearly 10 miles
long NE. and SW. and averages 4 1/2 miles wide. The bottom is of gravel,
pebbles, and clay, having depths over much of the shoal of about 30
fathoms but also from 36 to 60 fathoms. It is fished by the shore fleet
in the spring and early summer. The fish and seasons are as on Cashes
Bank. Formerly twice as many haddock were taken here as on Cashes or on
Platts Bank, but this has changed in recent years. Halibut are taken
here in fair numbers in 45 to 55 fathom depths in June, July, and August
on the "black gravel" of the southern and western edge. The "white
gravel" on the north shoal is of little account as a fishing ground,
since it is composed mostly of the shells of dead scallops.
The Ridge (on the southern part of Fippenies). This is SSE. from the
light-ship at Portland 75 miles and has a bottom of yellow mud and
pebbles and depths of 75 to 95 fathoms. Cod are present here in December
and January; cusk the year around, but most numerous in February and
March; haddock in December and January; hake in September and October.
The length of this bank is from 4 to 5 miles and the width somewhat less
than 2 miles. It lies in an ENE. and WSW. direction.
Maurice Lubee's Ground. This lies outside of New Ledge (Platts Bank) 47
miles SSE. from the lightship at Portland. Extending in an ENE. and WSW.
direction, its boundaries are somewhat indefinite. It is perhaps 8 miles
long by 3 miles wide and has depths from 95 to 110 fathoms over a bottom
consisting mostly of mud.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account