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THE SCALLOP FISHERY 



issue permits for scalloping in whatever way they saw fit, and at what- 

 ever charge they deemed proper. A severe penalty of $20 to $100 fine 

 was imposed for taking scallops without permits, except for family use 

 and for bait. At the present time five towns, Fairhaven, Marion, Matta- 

 poisett, Wareham, and Nantucket, issue special scalloping permits, 

 while four others, Bourne, Chatham, Edgartown and Harwich, include 

 the scallops under the general shellfish permits. 



The local town laws which benefit the scallop industry are made each 

 year according to the condition of the industry. Edgartown and Nan- 

 tucket have perhaps the best-governed scallop industries. Laws requir- 

 ing licenses, regulating the opening of the season and restricting at 

 proper times the catch, so as to get the best market prices instead of 

 overstocking the market when the prices are low, are to be recommended 

 on account of their benefit to the scallopers. 



Scallop Legislation. 



