160 ABOUT LOBSTERS 



and feeding grounds were. What was good enough for 

 him is good enough for me." 



Yet, will you turn up your nose at equipping with a 

 depth recorder, calling it new fangled, unnecessary and 

 sissy fishing gear? The ledges don't shift but your memory 

 may. Or will you try out a new pot design if it is offered 

 you? 



Education is probably the greatest need for the whole 

 lobster industry. Very few lobstermen will recognize this. 

 They are so close to their job and so steeped in their habits 

 that they can't or won't draw off and size up the whole 

 picture. 



Are you ready and capable of doing this? It is one of 

 the abilities of the top-liner to see his weaknesses — that is 

 the first step toward correcting them. 



You may doubt the statement that many lobstermen are 

 close-minded, but consider today's lobster pot. It hasn't 

 changed in over 100 years except for the addition of the 

 parlor. How many other tools haven't been improved in 

 100 years, except the lobster pot? 



Even the frying pan is less clumsy and less greasy and 

 the hoe is of better steel and lighter. Have the number of 

 men required to catch 1,000 pounds of lobsters been ap- 

 preciably reduced? 



Pots are still made of wood, and become lighter when 

 immersed in sea water when they should become heavier 

 to anchor them to the sea floor. They still will allow trapped 

 lobsters to escape. They still can be rolled about the ocean 

 floor in a storm, and smashed. They still are being chewed 

 up by toredo. Is this advancement? 



Advancement of lobstering practices will have to come 

 from today's apprentices, at least from those who see the 

 need for educating themselves, and will seek the education. 



Openmindedness is the opposite of narrowmindedness. 

 Will you try anything which promises to benefit your trade 

 Lots of fishermen won't be bothered. 



It has been said, " The very first essential of any rea 



