48 UNUTILIZED FISHES. 



sioners, and their report sets forth the amount of damage directly 

 caused to the fishing interests by dogfish. At least 70 vessels 

 directly by dogfish to the fishing interests. At least 70 vessels 

 reported heavy losses, and hundreds of fishermen testify to similar 

 misfortunes. The recommendations of the Massachusetts commis- 

 sioners are for the encouragement of economic uses of the dogfish 

 by means of a bounty to the fishermen or a subsidy to every industry 

 directed toward the utilization of the dogfish. The utility of this 

 fish as a cheap and wholesome food is particularly emphasized for the 

 reason of its satisfactory taste, lack of odor, consistency when cooked 

 or canned, and its freedom from bones. The inferior parts, it is sug- 

 gested, could be used in feeding poultry and cattle. Other commer- 

 cial possibilities for the dogfish are in the way of currying oil from 

 the liver, polishing leather from the skin, and guano from the waste 

 parts. The conclusion reached is that some plan must be put into 

 practical operation whereby fishermen may receive a satisfactory 

 remuneration for catching and bringing dogfish to shore. The report 

 closes by calling attention to the following facts : 



1. The annual damage by dogfish to marketable fish and fishing gear owned 

 in Massachusetts is not less than $400,000. (See pp. 21, 22.) 



2. This damage falls directly upon the fishing industry, but indirectly and 

 ultimately upon the purchasing public. 



3. The inroads of the dogfish upon the profits of the fishermen have at pres- 

 ent a decided tendency to drive capable men from our maritime industries. 

 If this continues the difficulty of securing men for the Navy will be greatly 

 augmented. (Massachusetts now furnishes more men than any other State 

 except New York.) 



4. This damage is not confined to the coast of Massachusetts, but extends 

 over practically the entire coast of the North Atlantic Ocean. The Dominion 

 of Canada has already made a substantial move. Under the direction of its 

 Department of Marine and Fisheries three dogfish reduction works have been 

 established for securing oil and fertilizer from the dogfish. The industry of 

 canning dogfish for food is being fostered by the same department and is devel- 

 oping with abundant promise of success. 



5. On our Atlantic coast are numerous glue manufactories and menhaden 

 rendering plants where dogfish could be converted into oil and fertilizer, pro- 

 vided the catching and transportation of dogfish could be made to yield a living 

 profit. 



6. The theory and practice of subsidies and protection to " infant industries " 

 is prominent in the development of the United States. Our fishing industry 

 is to-day sorely in need of a small degree of protection through a subsidy, 

 bounty, or other governmental assistance, whereby an industry may be estab- 

 lished which shall make the capture of dogfish as profitable as is the capture 

 of the staple market fish. 



RECOMMENDATION OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 



The dogfish is a scourage to almost every state on the Atlantic 

 coast. Yet so difficult is it to secure concerted action which would be 

 effective in controlling the evil that appeal has been made to the 

 general government. The Bureau of Fisheries, however, having no 



