REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS (~)F INLAND FISHERIES. 203 



In view of the fact that there are no such data at hand to show 

 the rate of growth of lobsters under natural conditions of environ- 

 ment at Woods Hole, we are unable to determine the actual percent- 

 age of increase for the average lobster in Massachusetts waters. The 

 longer duration of the stage-periods in Woods Hole lobsters, however, 

 would almost preclude the possibility of the amount of increase under 

 natural conditions attaining 18.4 per cent, per stage, as at Wickford, 

 for it appears to be a general rule that the longer the stage-period the 

 less will he the percentage of increase at the molt. We are thus led to 

 the conclusion that the average male lobster of the Massachusetts or the 

 Maine coast does not attain the 11-inch length before he is 7 years of 

 age; and that the female lobster of this length is at least 9 years old; 

 while, as we have seen, the Wickford lobster of the same size, if a male, 

 is hut 6 years old, and the female is not less than 8.* 



According to the foregoing view it might be inferred that lobsters 

 would be more plentiful or larger at the present time in Rhode Island 

 waters than in regions where the prevailing temperature is lower. 

 And indeed this view would appear reasonable, did we not take into 

 consideration, first, the great difference in the character of the coast 

 in the case of Narragansett Bay shores and those of Maine; and 

 secondly, the factor of lobster fishing, which is developed to a pro- 

 portionately greater extent along the southern New England coast. 

 The coast of Maine is more favorable to the carrying on of a great 

 lobster fishery, not only because its rocky character provides greater 

 protection for lobsters in the early stages, but also because its great 

 extent furnishes a relatively wider field for the industry. The coast 

 of southern New England, on the other hand, is generally charac- 

 terized by sandy or pebbly beaches sloping gradually into the deeper 

 water. Here also the shore line is more regular, not being frequently 

 indented with the manv inlets so characteristic of the northern 



*In this regard it may be appropriate to say that it is not at all to be doubted that, under 

 proper artificial conditions, wherein the food supply is adequate and the temperature at a maxi- 

 mum throughout the year, the rate of growth of the lobster might be so hastened that the 

 marketable size (9 inches in Rhode Island) could be attained in a period of four years and per- 

 haps less. 



