288 



BULLETIN OP THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 



METHODS OF FISHING. 



The men work singly or in pairs from the small skiffs. There is no advantage in 

 working two-men crews except when it is necessary to use the water glass. One man 

 can not manipulate the boat and the water glass and bully. More spiny lobsters can be 

 caught in a few hours during the night than in a whole day. Most of the fishermen plan 

 to arrive on the fishing grounds late in the afternoon, when the spiny lobsters begin to 

 move about. After fishing four or five hours the men rest awhile and again fish a few 

 hours before sunrise. If they fail to catch enough from the flats, they may attempt to 

 get more during the day from the deeper water by means of the water glass. However, 

 most of them prefer to spend another night on the grounds in an attempt to catch the 

 desired number. 



The shellfish that are caught are tossed into the skiff. They can be safely kept there 

 several hours, providing there is no bilge water in the boat, as bilge water tends to kill the 

 animals. From the skiff they are transferred to the well of the larger boat. If more 

 are caught than the well will hold, they are put into wet sacks and are kept well watered 

 until they are delivered at the market. 



When there is a dew, it is necessary to keep the spiny lobsters covered as soon as 

 they are taken from the water. Some fishermen carry a tub or barrel partly filled with 

 water in which the catch is placed. The same precautions have to be taken in the sum- 

 mer when the sun is very warm ; but most of the time the spiny lobsters can be carried in 

 the bottom of the boats without any attention. 



The fisherman who depends on spiny lobster pots usually spends a few hours in the 

 morning taking the catch from the traps. Some fish are usually found in the traps, and 

 these may be used in rebaiting. The average catch for a given night from pots is never 

 as good as that of the fisherman who has spent the night using the bully. However, the 

 pots have the advantage of operating regardless of weather conditions. During the 

 summer months, when the spiny lobsters are in deep waters and are scarce, the pot 

 fisherman is almost certain of a steady supply. Spiny lobsters at this time command 

 higher prices, and the men using the bully are able to get but few. On the other hand, 

 the pot fishermen lose many traps, and they require constant mending due to the corro- 

 sive action of the sea water on the wire. 



VALUE OF APPARATUS. 



There is no general uniformity of design in the apparatus used in this industry. 

 Most of the apparatus is made by the fisherman according to his individual ideas. The 

 fishing boats, depending on size, age, and equipment, range in value from $200 to $700 

 each. Some of these boats have been in service daily for almost 50 years and are still 

 seaworthy. The smaller boats or skiffs range in value from $20 to $40, according to the 

 material used in their construction. Below is a list of some of the apparatus with an 

 estimate of the value of each : 



Fish traps or pots $6. oo-$io. 00 



Boat lamps 3. 00- 5. 00 



Bully 1. 25- 1.50 



Grains $1. oo-$i. 50 



Water glass 75- 1.25 



Hoop nets 1. 50- 3. 00 



