6 



cant source of food for the predacious fresh-water species such 

 as bass, perch and pickerel. Of greater importance is the at- 

 traction they offer to pollock, bluefish, squeteague and other 

 marine food fishes which come to our shores to prey upon the 

 young alewives when they descend the coastal streams. The 

 simultaneous decline of the alewife and shore fisheries suggests 

 that there is a direct relation between the two, and that the 

 success of the fishing towns along the coast in a considerable 

 measure is dependent upon the flourishing condition of the 

 alewife fishery. 



Results. The investigation has show r n the present impov- 

 erished condition of the fishery, the causes contributing to its 

 decline, and has brought out certain points in the life history 

 and habits of the alewife which furnish a basis for establishing 

 cultural methods. These remedial measures are based upon 

 a thorough and judicious consideration of the facts disclosed 

 by a study of the natural history of the alewife, a survey of 

 the streams up w r hich alewives once ran, and a review of the 

 statistical records of each fishery. If this program is followed 

 and the present faulty methods of operating the fishery are 

 eliminated, the alewife industry of Massachusetts is capable 

 of substantial development. 



The requisite steps in the reconstruction work are : 



(1) An unobstructed and uncontaminated passageway from 

 salt water to the spawning grounds. 



, (2) . Artificial restocking of depleted streams and the creation 

 of new fisheries in favorable localities. 



(3) Adequate and efficient methods of regulating the fishery. 



Presentation. The aim of this report is to present to the 

 general public, more especially the residents of the shore towns, 

 general information concerning the present condition, history 

 and possibility of development of the alewife fishery. Harmful 

 practices of various kinds have been uncovered, and responsi- 

 bility for these conditions has been squarely and openly placed 

 where it belongs. 



The first part of the report considers general topics, such as: 

 (1) The natural history; (2) the fishery; (3) the causes of 

 decline; and (4) remedial measures. The second part contains 

 a description of the individual alewife streams, arranged in 

 geographical order, with specific recommendations for their 



