236 



NEW ENGLAND FISHERIES 



A more detailed view of the lobster industry of the country 

 in 1880 is presented in the accompanying table : 1 



Since 1880, a more careful record of the lobster indus- 

 try has been kept, and as the abundance of this crustacean 

 has diminished, steps have been taken to prevent further 

 diminution of the supply. Certain grounds have been 

 almost totally exhausted from over-fishing. This was due 

 largely to the canning industry, which frequently made 

 use of half-pound lobsters until the passage of an act in 

 the State of Maine fixed the minimum length of lobsters 

 caught at ten and one-half inches. The effect of the 

 act was to close the canneries in 1896 ; but it has been 

 of great benefit to the fishermen, as young lobsters now 

 have a chance to reach maturity. 



For a decade after 1880, the catch of lobsters increased 

 yearly, but since 1890 the catch has been on the decline. 

 The value of the catch, however, has increased yearly 

 until 1906 when it was six times as great as in 1880. 

 The number of the fishermen engaged in the fishery and the 

 number of lobster pots used has also increased. The aver- 



i Goode, Sec. V, Vol. II, p. 793. 



