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
_Production._
"Little necks":--
Bushels, 2,000
Value, $5,000
Quahaugs:--
Bushels, 3,400
Value, $3,400
Total:--
Bushels, 5,400
Value, $8,400
_Chatham._
Chatham is favorably situated in regard to the quahaug fishery, as
this shellfish is found in the waters on the north and south sides of
the town. The grounds are extensive, covering about 2,000 acres, the
greater part of which consists of the vast area south of the town known
as the "Common Flats."
The quahauging grounds are in four localities: (1) Pleasant Bay; (2)
Mill Pond; (3) Stage Harbor; (4) Common Flats.
(1) Part of the waters of Pleasant Bay belong to the town of Chatham.
In an arm of this bay, known as Crows Pond, the best Pleasant Bay
fishery is carried on in water varying from 6 to 16 feet in depth.
(2) An excellent "little neck" fishery is carried on in the upper part
of the Mill Pond, in comparatively shallow water, comprising an area
of 3 acres. On these bars in 1905 there was a very heavy set of small
quahaugs, which were rapidly taken up before they had a chance to
attain to a fair size.
(3) Quahaugs are raked on the west side of Stage Harbor in 5 to 15 feet
of water, in an area of 4 acres of muddy bottom.
(4) The Common Flats comprise 1,700 acres, and are covered at low tide
by a depth of only 1 to 2 feet of water. Quahaugs are found throughout
this territory in scattering quantities, but practically all is good
quahaug ground except the shifting outer part of the flat. The soil
varies from a pure sand to a sandy mud, and in parts is thickly covered
with eel grass, which makes raking hard. This area offers one of the
best opportunities for successful quahaug planting in the State. The
area is large, seed can be obtained easily and quahaugs grow well in
this locality. If it were not for the lack of protection, Chatham could
establish one of the best quahaug industries in the State by leasing
out the Common Flats for planting purposes.
Quahaugs are taken at Chatham only with rakes. In the deep water in
Crows Pond and in Stage Harbor basket rakes are used; but in the
shallow water on the Common Flats and in the Mill Pond the usual
implement is an ordinary garden rake, with wire netting basket. Handles
from 20 to 25 feet in length are used with the basket rakes.
The quahaug industry has existed in Chatham for the past twelve years.
SUMMARY OF INDUSTRY.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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