A Report upon the Mollusk Fisheries of MassachusettsMassachusetts. Commissioners on Fisheries and Game
Science
A Report upon the Mollusk Fisheries of Massachusetts
Massachusetts. Commissioners on Fisheries and Game
Shellfish fisheries -- Massachusetts
The quantity of scallops taken during 1907-08 was approximately
10,000 bushels, valued at $13,100. During October the catch was
about 15 bushels per day for the average scalloper, but later became
considerably less. The greater part of the scallops were sold to
the New Bedford Fish Company, the representatives of which bought
them unsoaked from the fishermen. Certain of the fishermen, however,
preferred to ship their catch to the Boston and New York markets.
CAPITAL INVESTED.
Value of boats, $10,800
Value of gear, 1,300
Value of shore property, 7,000
------
Total, $19,100
No permits were issued in 1907-08. Previous to this year, permits were
required from every scalloper. Wareham has a fish committee, the duty
of which is to enforce the fish laws.
The first scalloping started in Wareham in 1879, when several boats
from New Bedford commenced dredging in Wareham waters. From that
time the industry rapidly developed, until it assumed considerable
importance as a winter occupation. Since 1899 the industry has been
practically dead until the present season of 1907-08. The Wareham
scallopers to a man attribute this decline to the inroads of the
destructive starfish. While the scallops have been so exterminated
that no profitable fishery has been conducted the last seven years,
they have not been wholly extinct, as a few could be found each year.
Lately the number has been increasing, until in 1907-08 the season was
very profitable. In connection with this it is said that the starfish
were less numerous than usual. The prospects of another good season in
1908-09 are excellent, as "seed" scallops are said to be plentiful in
many places, especially in the deep water, which furnishes protection
in case of a severe winter.
_Wellfleet._
At the present time in Wellfleet Bay there is no commercial scallop
fishery, although scattering scallops are found in various parts of the
harbor.
_Yarmouth._
The scallop grounds of Yarmouth are on the south side of the town, on
the flats which border the shore from Bass River to Lewis Bay. Part of
the waters of Lewis Bay belong to the town of Yarmouth, and scallops
are found over all this territory. The nature of the bottom is the
same as at Dennis and Barnstable. The total area of scallop territory
is estimated at 2,250 acres. The scallop grounds of Dennis are open to
Yarmouth scallopers.
Both dredges and "pushers" are employed in the scallop fishery of the
town. The method depends upon the location of the scallops, whether
in shallow or deep water, as well as the means of the individual
scallopers. Both the Chatham dredge and the "scraper" are used.
Forty-one men were engaged in the 1907-08 fishery, using 15 boats and
ten dories.
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