8 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 



pounds. That this unparalleled increase is not spasmodic or acci- 

 dental is evidenced by the steady increase in consecutive years: 



That the increase is not referable to the introduction of statistics 

 from additional localities is shown by the statistics from Newport 

 alone, which are summarized as follows: 



It is known that the total number of lobster pots has very greatly 

 increased, and to this fact one might be inclined to attribute the in- 

 creased catch. The facts are otherwise; for, while the number of 

 pots has increased from 7,935 in 1904 to 20,011 in 1908 (more than 

 250 per cent.), the catch per pot has not shown a proportionate 

 decrease. On the contrary, despite this great multiplication of pots, 

 the catch per pot not only shows no decrease, but has actually in- 

 creased approximately fifty per cent. The following is the catch per 

 pot for the past five years: 



Making allowance for the usual feeling of uncertainty in depending 

 upon statistics where the issue is close, there can be no reasonable 

 doubt that vast improvement in the condition of the lobster industry 

 in this State in the last decade is real. For a sharp contrast with the 

 situation here, we introduce the following quotation from the " Fishing 

 Gazette," which needs no comment, but which recalls the statements 

 of ten years ago regarding the condition of our own lobster industry: 

 "The market for canned lobster continues somewhat depressed not 

 only in the American market but also abroad. Stocks are fairly heavy. 

 Newfoundland advices are that lobsters are almost completely fished 



