DV-04-003 Preliminary Investigation of Sediment Disturbance from Bloodworm Digging

William Ambrose
Carnegie Science Hall
Bates College
Lewiston, ME 04240
207. 786.6114
wambrose@abacus.bates.edu

In the past decade, fishery scientists, managers, and ecologists have expressed increasing concern about the effects of commercial fisheries on benthic communities. Although the effects of dredges and trawls on sub-tidal, hard and soft bottom communities have been studied, very few studies have documented the impacts of clam and baitworm digging on Maine’s intertidal habitat. Ambrose will collect preliminary information on the intensity of disturbance to intertidal mudflats from commercial bloodworm harvesting by quantifying the digging efforts of individual diggers, as well as the frequency of digging and area dug over seven months on three or four flats between Maquoit Bay (Casco Bay) and the Sheepscot River. Results from studies such as this could ultimately be used to help better manage Maine’s intertidal habitats and their commercial species.

1-year: $3,000