36 



FISH AND GAME. 



been called repeatedly to this economic fallacy, and a practical 

 means has been presented whereby the lobster fishery in Massa- 

 chusetts could be saved through protecting the large, spawning 

 lobsters. In brief, our solution would prevent the destruction 

 of the lobsters below the size suitable for market, i.e., below 9 

 inches, and protect by a closed season during the entire year 

 those lobsters of value to the species as breeders, above 12 

 inches in body length. These conditions can be made by re- 

 quiring that lobsters be taken only with a trap having an 

 entrance ring the inside diameter of which does not exceed 3^ 

 inches. In this way an automatic closed season for the best 

 breeding stock is established, in addition to protecting the 

 smaller lobsters, while at the same time lobsters of economic size, 

 between 9 and 12 inches, may be taken for market. 



Egg Lobsters. For a number of years the Commonwealth 

 has expended considerable money in attempting to preserve the 

 lobster industry by purchasing egg-bearing lobsters, with the 

 assumption that the greater proportion of the eggs would be 

 destroyed by "stripping" if they were not purchased at the 

 market price. Since the law forbidding the capture of egg 

 lobsters could not be enforced unless a deputy accompanied 

 every lobster fisherman in his 'boat, the more simple means of 

 reimbursing the fishermen was taken. The "brown eggers" 

 were shipped to the United States Bureau of Fisheries hatch- 

 eries at Woods Hole and Gloucester, which returned a due 

 portion of lobster fry, and the "green eggers" were liberated 

 when purchased. The collection and distribution of egg 

 lobsters for the years 1912, 1913 and 1914 are tabulated as 

 follows: 



Egg Lobster Collection and Distribution. 



