22 



COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 



1909, when the total catch slightly fell off. But this increase in the 

 number of pounds tabulated should not be interpreted as an indica- 

 tion that the number of lobsters in Rhode Island waters was increasing. 

 A number of causes are responsible for this apparent increase. Among 

 others there may be mentioned the increasing use of power boats which 

 greatly extended the territory in which lobster pots could be tended, 

 the opening up of new territory (it was at about this time that the 

 lobster fishing at Block Island was beginning to be greatly developed) , 

 and the securing of more complete data. A further examination of 

 the table also shows that even the apparent increase ceased in 1907, 

 as from this time the number of pounds per pot steadily decreased. 



This continual decline which has been similar in all lobster pro- 

 ducing territory is a matter that should demand immediate and 

 careful attention. The amount of capital invested in the lobster 

 industry in Rhode Island is in round numbers $250,000. To save 

 this industry from apparent ruin your Commission has proposed a 

 number of changes in the existing laws. These will be found in 

 Chapter III, "Enforcement of State Laws." 



The following tables have been compiled from data furnished by 

 William T. Luth, Chief Deputy Lobster Commissioner: 



Table III. 



Table Comparing the Number of Pounds of Lobsters, Number of Pots, and Average 

 Number of Pounds Per Pot, for the Years 1904-1910. 



Year. 



is 



t, O 



1904 

 1905 

 1906 

 1907 

 1908 

 1909 

 1910 



7,935 47 



9.180 1 48 



11,355 59 



12,1041 76 



20,011 73 



23, 220 I 57 



22,091 36 



