84 FISH AND GAME. 



dependent upon the condition of the alewife fisheries. The 

 young in the fresh-water ponds, the spawning ground of the 

 adults, are a valuable food for fresh-water fish such as bass, 

 trout, pickerel, etc., and later, when they descend to the ocean 

 in the fall, form an attractive bait for the larger salt-water 

 species frequenting the coastal waters. 



Results of Investigation. - - The results of our investigation have 

 shown that - 



(1) The alewife fisheries of Massachusetts are in a precarious 

 condition. 



(2) The shad fisheries are practically exterminated. 



(3) The present methods of operating the fisheries in many 

 instances are inadequate. 



(4) The causes of the decline can be largely eliminated by 

 careful regulation. 



(5) The alewife fisheries under proper control are capable of 

 extensive development. 



(6) There is a distinct need of uniform laws governing the 

 management and operation of these fisheries, which can be readily 

 and easily enforced. 



Methods of Investigation. - - The work consisted of three parts: 



(1) a survey or personal examination of every alewife stream; 



(2) a study of the fishing methods; and (3) a collection of sta- 

 tistics, past and present, for each fishery. The survey comprised 

 a biological examination of each stream, with descriptions, maps, 

 drawings and photographs, special emphasis being placed upon 

 the spawning grounds, location of dams and fishways and sources 

 of pollution. The various methods of fishing were studied in 

 respect to their efficiency and as to their general effect upon each 

 particular alewife stream. Statistics were compiled from town 

 documents, special reports, legislative documents, private records 

 and from other available sources. 



Natural History. - - The alewife is found along the Atlantic 

 coast from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to Cape May. In Massa- 

 chusetts practically all of the rivers and streams emptying into 

 the ocean were formerly frequented by this fish, but of late years 

 owing to the intervention of man, the alewife has been almost 

 exterminated in many localities. 



During the spawning season in March and April the alewife 

 ascends the coastal streams to the fresh-water ponds to deposit 

 its spawn, and returns in May to the ocean. The eggs are non- 

 floating, and adhere in masses to stones, stakes and other sub- 



