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
Number of men, 4
Capital invested, $40
Production, 1907:--
Bushels, 400
Value, $350
Total area (acres):--
Sand, 150
Mud, 25
Gravel, 25
Mussels and eel grass, -
Total, 200
Productive area (acres):--
Good clamming, 5
Scattering clams, 15
Barren area possibly productive (acres), 130
Waste barren area (acres), 50
Possible normal production, $18,000
_Edgartown._
Although Edgartown possesses 200 acres of clam flats, it is not in a
true sense a clam-producing town. The reason for this small production
is due to the nature of the flats, which are mostly under water at
low tide, making clamming difficult. Naturally Edgartown devotes its
energies to the more profitable quahaug and scallop fisheries.
The clam flats of the town are situated along the shores of Cape Poge
Pond and in the lower part of Katama Bay, where many acres of flats are
continually submerged. The shore flats are of small area, owing to the
light rise and fall of the tide, less than 3 feet at this part of the
coast.
(1) _Cape Poge Pond._--Scattering clams are found all along the shore
flats, except for a ¾-mile strip on the west side. The soil is of a
coarse sand or gravel.
(2) _Katama Bay._--The best clam flats of the town are situated in
Katama Bay, and extend over a considerable territory. These flats,
consisting of a coarse, sandy soil, lie continually submerged. Here the
clams are dug by means of a "sea horse." This "animal" is nothing more
than an elongated clam hoe with a belt attachment, whereby the clammer
can "churn" out the clams at a depth of 2 to 3 feet.
The clam industry of Edgartown has fallen off considerably since 1879.
However, the clammers say that it has improved during the last fifteen
years. The following comparison is made between the production of 1879
and 1907:--
COMPARISON OF 1907 WITH 1879.
=========+============+============+============+=============
YEAR. | Production | Production | Production | Value of
| for Food | for Bait | (Bushels). | Production.
| (Bushels). | (Bushels). | |
---------+------------+------------+------------+-------------
1879, | 1,000 | 3,000 | 4,000 | $1,570
1907, | 625 | 575 | 1,200 | 1,000
=========+============+============+============+=============
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