84 FISH AND GAME. 



unjust criticism. Unless a State fish commission has a definite working 

 knowledge of the inland waters, as a basis for methods of distribution, 

 indiscriminate stocking will eventually lead to considerable loss. Exten- 

 sive hatchery pioduction increases rather than decreases this error, which 

 can be remedied only by a systematic method of stocking based on an 

 accurate knowledge of the waters to be stocked. Under such intelligent 

 and systematic stocking, whereby suitable species and quantities of fish 

 are put into wateis adapted for their best development, it is probable 

 that the present production of the inland waters of Massachusetts may 

 be increased by at least tenfold. To accomplish such a result it was neces- 

 sary to obtain a new perspective, and the preliminary steps which led 

 toward this goal are here described. 



Natural Abundance. Massachusetts possesses manj^ beautiful lakes, 

 ponds and streams, capable of producing an abundance of food and game 

 fish, and in most cases but a few of the many thousand acres of waterways 

 are producing anywhere near their maximum or even normal possibilities. 

 Therefore it is important, both in the interests of sport and as a source of 

 food supply, that these latent assets should be developed for the benefit of 

 the public. 



In colonial days, when a relatively small population was scattered 

 along the seacoast, leaving the inland waters in their primitive, uncon- 

 taminated condition, the abundance of salt and fresh water fish was far in 

 excess of the needs of the colonists, thus giving rise to the fallacy which has 

 been zealously handed down to the present generation, that "nature 

 would always provide an abundance of fish." Even in this era of con- 

 servation this mistaken idea is still deeply rooted, especially among the 

 marine fishermen of our shore towns, and it can be corrected only by 

 the lesson taught by complete exhaustion of the natural supply, or by 

 the education of the general public, who are unbiased by special oppor- 

 tunities for personal gain. 



Decline. With the advance of civilization great changes have taken 

 place in our waterways. Many times the balance of nature has been 

 overthrown and a new equilibrium established. With the increase in 

 population, the coastal streams were first invaded; cities were established 

 on the larger rivers, and various manufacturing industries were likewise 

 scattered along the smaller streams. In order to supply water power 

 numerous dams were constructed, in most instances unprovided with 

 suitable fishways, thus preventing the passage of such fish as the salmon, 

 shad, striped bass, alewife, smelt and white perch up the coastal streams 

 to their spawning grounds. In this way the supply of these fish is not 

 only depleted, but the commercial sea fisheries are indirectly affected by 

 the destruction of a food supply which attracted the larger predacious 

 fish to our shores. Manufacturing wastes and sewage, particularly in 

 central Massachusetts, have totally ruined many streams, and have se- 

 riously depleted the supply of fish in others by rendering the water unfit 

 for fish life. Numerous legislative measures have been enacted in the 



