134 ABOUT LOBSTERS 



young. That the catch in other and neighboring states 

 did not show this increase lends added significance to 

 the above fact. 3 



Maine's Sea and Shore Fisheries point out that the 

 number of fry released does not necessarily result in an in- 

 crease of young lobsters. Hatchery experiences show that 

 the present hatching and rearing methods are not as efficient 

 as could be desired. If better methods can be discovered 

 the conditions can be improved. 



Oak Bluffs production of fourth-stage lobsters is only 

 200,000 a year. In the past, Rhode Island has had an annual 

 yield of 1,000,000 such lobster fry, yet compare the small- 

 ness of Rhode Island's coast with that of Massachusetts. It 

 is a pity that its production is so small, and the Oak Bluffs 

 Director, John Hughes, hopefully dreams of using some of 

 the salt-water ponds on Martha's Vineyard for large-scale 

 hatching. Here is a need for lobstermen to band together 

 to obtain a more suitable appropriation for the work. 



The mortality of seed bearing lobsters in bringing them 

 to a hatchery is great, perhaps 30 per cent; but it is more 

 than offset by the benefits of a rearing plant. There is no way 

 to prevent seed lobsters from entering a pot, but today's 

 tendency is for lobstermen to release them in the locality 

 where they are caught rather than bring them ashore for 

 purchase and marking by state inspectors, then to be re- 

 leased in waters which may be highly unsuited to hatching. 



" The artificial rearing of lobsters to the bottom-seeking 

 stages," says Mr. Barnes, " should be included in any plan 

 looking toward the re-invigoration of the lobster industry." 4 



The hatchery in Rhode Island went out of business due 

 to a hurricane. In Federal Government hatcheries and those 

 of other states, it was necessary to heat the water, and it 

 became too expensive to continue. 



" The time is already at hand," concludes Mr. Barnes, 

 " when, in common with all other coastal marine fisheries, 



3 Barnes, op. cit. 



4 Ibid. 



