65 



Stocking Methods. 



All stocking methods are based upon the Parent Stream 

 Theory, which presupposes that the young alewives return as 

 mature fish to the same waters where they were hatched. De- 

 pleted streams can be restored and new fisheries created by 

 stocking, through the introduction of young alewives into the 

 headwaters, which may be accomplished in two ways: (1) 

 transplanting mature, ripe alewives to the spawning ponds; 

 and (2) planting artificially hatched fry. 



Until the first step, a free and unobstructed passageway, is 

 accomplished, restocking the spawning grounds of depleted 

 streams is a waste of time. Its success has been demonstrated 

 in the case of the artificial fisheries which have been created 

 by connecting fresh-water ponds with salt water, and by 

 stocking them with adult alewives, and the maintenance of the 

 fishery in streams such as Town Brook, Plymouth, and Smelt 

 Brook, Kingston, where impassable dams exist, by placing a 

 certain number of alewives each year in the headwaters. 



Mature Alewives. — The yield of certain depleted streams has 

 been greatly increased by transplanting into their headwaters 

 spawning alewives from productive streams. It is sure, prac- 

 tical, and at the present time the only certain step for restock- 

 ing unobstructed streams. It possesses the great objection of 

 expense in catching and transporting the adult fish. Possibly 

 small alewives could be seined in the late summer and similarly 

 transported at a less cost. 



This method of re-establishing depleted fisheries involves the 

 successful transportation of the adult fish for various distances. 

 The alewife is a delicate fish to transplant, resembling in this 

 respect the white perch. If sufficient care be taken they may 

 be transported successfully, but any lack of judgment is likely 

 to have disastrous results. Four factors influence the outcome, 

 — temperature, distance, number of alewives per can, and 

 aeration. Hot weather renders transportation more difficult. 

 The alewives are more likely to die on long journeys, and the 

 amount of direct aeration and that obtained indirectly by jolt- 

 ing of the vehicle determines their survival. The selection of 

 the proper number per can is alfeo very important. The de- 



