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
Area of quahaug territory (acres), 2,500
Number of men, 145
Number of power boats, 38
Value of power boats, $14,000
Number of sail boats, 62
Value of sail boats, $10,300
Value of implements, $3,200
_Production._
"Little necks":--
Bushels, 5,500
Value, $13,850
Quahaugs:--
Bushels, 27,500
Value, $27,500
Total:--
Bushels, 33,000
Value, $41,350
_Yarmouth._
The quahaug grounds, which lie mostly in Bass River, are free to the
inhabitants of Dennis and Yarmouth, as these two towns have common
fishery rights. Quahaugs are found in four localities: (1) Bass River;
(2) Mill Creek; (3) Barnstable Bar on the north shore; and (4) Lewis
Bay. The total area is 1,000 acres, which includes all grounds where
there are any quahaugs, as there are now no thick beds. The average
depth of water over the quahaug grounds is 4 feet.
The town law governing the quahaug fishery reads thus:--
All persons other than the inhabitants of the towns of Dennis
and Yarmouth are prohibited from taking clams and quahaugs from
the shores and waters of the town of Yarmouth. Inhabitants
of the Commonwealth not residents of Dennis and Yarmouth may
obtain permits of the selectmen to take sufficient quantity of
said shellfish for their family use.
The history of the quahaug industry of Yarmouth is one of decline. The
industry has existed for fifteen years, starting in 1892. Mr. Edgar N.
Baker, who has been interested in the business ever since it started,
says:--
In the last ten years it is safe to say that the catch has
fallen off fully 75 per cent., and nothing but the constant
advance in prices and lack of profitable employment has
prompted men to give their attention to this method of
obtaining their "bread and butter." The most conservative
estimate would not put it below 50 per cent.
SUMMARY OF INDUSTRY.
Area of quahaug territory (acres), 1,000
Number of men (transient), 20
Number of boats, --
Value of boats, --
Number of skiffs, 10
Value of skiffs, $100
Value of implements, $140
_Production._
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