Suggestions for new sites in MA and RI

[MSilvia]

"Comparing marine life in Eastport to Cape Ann is like comparing Cape Ann to diving in a swimming pool."

I'll second that. Anyone saying the best diving in New England is off Cape Ann hasn't done any diving near the Bay of Fundy. I lived up there for two years, and got my AOW off Mount Desert Island. There are a lot of great sites up that way.

 

[matt_unique]

Hi, I grew up in Massachusetts but have been living in Southern California for 14 years. I have a question for you New Englander's about lobster hunting. In California we can take Spiny Lobsters from the end of Sept. to the end of March. They have to be a certain size and can only be taken by hand. The limit is 7 per day. You can get them during the day but they come out at night which is when we generally go.

I was talking to a guy out here from Newport, Rhode island who said that you can only take lobsters in New Endgland during the day. I found this hard to believe. Could someone please tell me what the rules are in New England for taking bugs. Thanks
Tim

Yeah all kinds of lobster requirements - must be min size, cannot exceed max size, cannot be carrying eggs, cannot take one with a v notch cut in the tail (research lobster), cannot take a lobster with one claw, must be taken during the day, etc. Something like 4 out of 10 lobsters eaten in the world come from New England so they are very serious about regulations. The Environmental Police can impound your boat, dive gear, car, etc. if they catch you with illegal lobsters.

It is amazing to see a dive site at night with lobsters everywhere. It would be too easy and they would be over "fished" if taken at night. When you do get one and cook it right it tastes good!

--Matt

 

[PeaceDog]

So, um.....it would appear I need to check out Eastport Maine, then.

*adds Eastport to 2004 dive list*

 

[matt_unique]

So, um.....it would appear I need to check out Eastport Maine, then.

*adds Eastport to 2004 dive list*

Though I hope to discover some new sites in MA and RI.

 

[Murphdog]

Thanks for the information. You guys do it a little different in Massachusetts. I'd love to catch a bug with some claws for a change. Do you guys still dive in the frigid temperture your having?
Tim

Yeah all kinds of lobster requirements - must be min size, cannot exceed max size, cannot be carrying eggs, cannot take one with a v notch cut in the tail (research lobster), cannot take a lobster with one claw, must be taken during the day, etc. Something like 4 out of 10 lobsters eaten in the world come from New England so they are very serious about regulations. The Environmental Police can impound your boat, dive gear, car, etc. if they catch you with illegal lobsters.

It is amazing to see a dive site at night with lobsters everywhere. It would be too easy and they would be over "fished" if taken at night. When you do get one and cook it right it tastes good!

--Matt

 

[matt_unique]

Thanks for the information. You guys do it a little different in Massachusetts. I'd love to catch a bug with some claws for a change. Do you guys still dive in the frigid temperture your having?
Tim

I will probably end up at Cathedral Ledge at some point this weekend but when it's this cold I usually pass. You have to take special care to make sure your reg does not freeze up and it's just not fun when it's this cold.

--Matt

 

[ScubaSarus]

One interesting place we dove was Old Reef of Westerly town beach in RI. We hit it just right. The vis was near 40 ft. The depth was 30 ft. How we got there was to strap 100 cf tanks and head straight out from the beach. On approach the sand turned into huge boulders. We never made it to the so called ledge thats supposed to be there. It was like being in the carribean. When people saw the pictures they couldnt belive it was RI. On the way back in we discovered the tug boat hercules. If anyone has a boat, I'de be glad to take them there this summer on a calm day at slack tide.


Chris

 

[joed]

In Rhoed Island it is legal to dive for lobsters at night. That is when we usually catch them. The only regulations are size limit and no egg bearing females allowed. Only RI residents may get a lobster license.

 

[joed]

where is that reef? I have heard of that place but can't ever find it. Is there directions that you can give me? My friend dove there one night and said it was so clear that they turned off their lights and dove in the moonlight. Thanks. Joe d

 

[ScubaSarus]

You will see old reef on the chart directly off Westerly Town beach next to the old Atlantis Bar in Misquamicut. This isnt Misquamicut state beach but not to far from it. The sand being heavy and white maked for good vis. Its about 1/4 mile offshore. I just bought a 98 CU tank and hope to find a diver who's comftable about going out there on a calm sunny morning.