OF MASSACHUSETTS. 115 



No permits were issued in 1907-08. Previous to this year, permits 

 were required from every sealloper. Wareham has a fish committee, 

 the duty of which is to enforce the fish laws. 



The first scalloping started in Wareham in 1879, when several boats 

 from New Bedford commenced dredging in Wareham waters. From 

 that time the industry rapidly developed, until it assumed considerable 

 importance as a winter occupation. Since 1899 the industry has been 

 practically dead until the present season of 1907-08. The Wareham 

 scallopers to a man attribute this decline to the inroads of the destruc- 

 tive starfish. While the scallops have been so exterminated that no 

 profitable fishery has been conducted the last seven years, they have 

 not been wholly extinct, as a few could be found each year. Lately 

 the number has been increasing, until in 1907-08 the season was very 

 profitable. In connection with this it is said that the starfish were less 

 numerous than usual. The prospects of another good season in 1908-09 

 are excellent, as " seed " scallops are said to be plentiful in many places, 

 especially in the deep water, which furnishes protection in case of a 

 severe winter. 



Wellfleet. 



At the present time in Wellfleet Bay there is no commercial scallop 

 fishery, although scattering scallops are found in various parts of 

 the harbor. 



Yarmouth. 



The scallop grounds of Yarmouth are on the south side of the town, 

 on the flats which border the shore from Bass River to Lewis Bay. 

 Part of the waters of Lewis Bay belong to the town of Yarmouth, 

 and scallops are found over all this territory. The nature of the bot- 

 tom is the same as at Dennis and Barnstable. The total area of scallop 

 territory is estimated at 2,250 acres. The scallop grounds of Dennis 

 are open to Yarmouth scallopers. 



Both dredges and " pushers " are employed in the scallop fishery of 

 the town. The method depends upon the location of the scallops, 

 whether in shallow or deep water, as well as the means of the individual 

 scallopers. Both the Chatham dredge and the " scraper " are used. 

 Forty-one men were engaged in the 1907-08 fishery, using 15 boats and 

 ten dories. 



The production for 1907-08 was 8,000 gallons, valued at $10,480. 

 Scallops were shipped to New York and Boston markets. 



Capital invested. 



Value of boats, $3,750 



Value of dories, 200 



Value of gear, 475 



Total, $4,425 



