OF MASSACHUSETTS. 25 



IV. Natural Agencies. — The above causes are given as they are 

 obviously important, but by no means are they to be considered the only 

 reasons. Geographic and climatic changes often explain the extinction 

 of shellfish in certain localities. 



The Present Abuses op the Shellfisheries. 



Not only has this survey shown by specific examples the alarming but 

 actual decline of the natural shellfish supply (in spite of deceptive pro- 

 duction statistics), but it has brought to light numerous evils of various 

 kinds. These abuses have developed gradually with the rise of the 

 shellfisheries, until at the present day they cannot be overlooked or con- 

 sidered unimportant. So closely are these connected with the present 

 status of our shellfishery that upon their abolition depends its future 

 success or failure. Some need immediate attention; others will require 

 attention later. After a thorough and competent investigation, reme- 

 dies for the correction of each evil should be applied. 



In the future Massachusetts will have to utilize all her wealth of 

 natural resources, to keep her leading position among the other States 

 of the Union. To do this she should turn to her sea fisheries, 

 which have in the past made her rich, and hold forth prospects of 

 greater wealth in the future. Untold possibilities of wealth rest with 

 her shellfisheries, if obsolete methods and traditions can be cast aside. 

 In any age of progress the ancient and worthless must be buried be- 

 neath the ruins of the past, while the newer and better take their place. 

 There is no more flagrant example of obsolete methods and traditions 

 holding in check the development of an industry than with the shell- 

 fisheries, and it is time that Massachusetts realized these limitations. 



The shellfisheries of Massachusetts are in a chaotic state, both legally 

 and economically. The finest natural facilities are wasted, and thou- 

 sands of acres of profitable flats are allowed to lie barren merely for a 

 lack of initiative on the part of the general public. This chaotic and 

 unproductive state will exist until both the consumer and the fishermen 

 alike understand the true condition of affairs, and realize that in the 

 bays, estuaries and flats of Massachusetts lies as much or more wealth, 

 acre for acre, as in the most productive market gardens. 



In Rhode Island the clam and scallop fisheries have almost disap- 

 peared. Five or ten years from now the shellfisheries of Massachusetts 

 will be in a similar condition, and beyond remedy. Now is the time for 

 reform. The solution of the problem is simple. Shellfish farming is the 

 only possible way in which Massachusetts can restore her natural supply 

 to its former abundance. 



I. The Shellfish Laws. — The first evils which demand attention are 

 the existing shellfish laws. While these are supposed to wisely regulate 

 the shellfisheries, in reality they do more harm than good, and are 

 direct obstacles to any movement toward improving the natural re- 



