113 



low prices at which these privileges have been sold, as riparian 

 owners of favorable seining places have been in a position to 

 throttle competition. 



The prices paid for these seining privileges has generally 

 declined. The Dighton privileges which formerly sold for 

 $400 to $500 now each sell for from $10 to $20. In 1913 the 

 three Taunton privileges which in 1899 cost $45 were sold for 

 $10 apiece. The city of Fall River in 1880 sold its privilege 

 for $103; in 1884 for $50; in 1906 for $7.50; and in 1909 for 

 $21. Since 1909 the privilege has not been sold. 



The shad, once present in numbers, is now commercially 

 extinct. In 1906, 2,100 shad were caught in one place by Mr. 

 Goff, whereas in 1913 only 500 were taken at both seining 

 places. The alewife fishery, one of the greatest and most fa- 

 mous in the country, is seriously impaired. To check this de- 

 cline prompt action is necessary. An excellent fishway has 

 been installed at East Taunton, which will give a clear passage- 

 way up to the various tributaries. The success of the Taunton 

 River fishery chiefly depends upon the opening of the tributary 

 streams and the extension of the spawning grounds. Pollution 

 is a serious handicap which must be overcome. The present 

 methods of fishing, whereby alewives are taken by various 

 towns, both in the main river and tributary streams, are 

 detrimental to the best interests of the fishery, as an in- 

 sufficient number reach the spawning grounds. By pooling 

 the interests of the whole river, and by the judicious use of 

 closed seasons, the fishery once more may be restored. The 

 Division of Fisheries and Game is endeavoring, through the 

 installation of practical fishways on the upper branches, to 

 open up former spawning grounds, such as Robbins, Monpon- 

 set and Nippenicket ponds, which in recent years have been 

 inaccessible to the alewives. 



Salisbury Plain River. — This Bridgewater stream, 14 to 15 

 miles long, enters the Taunton River by way of the Matfield 

 River. It is obstructed by two dams, and receives trade-waste 

 pollution from its tributaries. Although at one time it pos- 

 sessed a fishery of some little importance, the present general 

 conditions, and lack of adequate spawning grounds, preclude 

 the possibility of its re-establishment. 



