SCALLOP INDUSTRY OF NORTH CAROLINA 193 



Ajiainst these difficulties, certain strikino; advanta<:^es are opposed. . 

 Scallop growth is so rapid as to be without parallel among com- 

 mercial bivalves. Seed planted in the spring would be marketable 

 the next winter after increasing several fold in bulk. It is this fact 

 that makes annual leasing practicable. The relatively high price of 

 scallops obviously is an attractive feature. If the scallop farmer 

 were not too dependent upon scallops for his current income, while 

 the naturally produced product remained the chief source of supply, 

 advantage could be taken of the market and top prices obtained. 

 In addition, it might prove feasible to ship direct to hotels, restau- 

 rants, and retailers and so absorb wholesalers' and jobbers' profits. 



CONSERVATION BY REGULATION 



Although occasional small-scale attempts have been made to estab- 

 lish or reestablish scallops in various areas in various regions, sub- 

 stantially all really serious attempts to conserve scallops have been 

 by regulation. In North Carolina these have consisted in the estab- 

 lishmtnt of a closed season, of a minimum size, of zones (one where 

 raking only is allowed and others where dredges may be used), and 

 in limiting the width of the rake and the number of dredges that 

 may be operated per boat and man. 



With regard to zoning and limitation of equipment, the investiga- 

 tor has little comment to make. Their value probably lies more in 

 their appeal to the scallop fishermen and their effect upon rate of 

 marketing than in their ability strictlj^ to bring about conservation. 

 Under certain circumstances regulation as to minimum size might 

 be very important. The most important feature is the limitation put 

 upon the duration of the scallop-fishing season. This varies con- 

 siderably from year to year. The present season, as stated elsewhere, 

 opened December 1, 192T, and closed May 1, 1928. The number of 

 open days per week varied from two to six. In addition to a winter 

 season, it is customary to allow scallop fishing for local consumption 

 (luring summer months. Fortunately, the biology of the bay scallop 

 in North Carolina is such that all that can be done by regulation can 

 be done very simply by the establishment of an open season, which 

 begins when scallops about 1 year old have completed spawning and 

 closes before the younger generation lias attained sufficient size to 

 induce marketing. If such a season be established, reiiulation as to 

 type of gear and open days per week (through their effect upon rate 

 of catch and exhaustion of the crop, very important for profitable 

 marketing) and the establishment of a minimum size become of no 

 importance for conservation. It is only when the season is longer 

 that regulation as to mininnnn size may be helpful, and then the 

 (difficulties are serious.- 



Because scallop spawning continues into January, an open sfeason, 

 to be fully effective, should not begin before the middle of January. 

 However, ordinarily comparatively little harm results from opening 

 the season immediately after January 1. If the season is to be opened 



s When considering conservation regulations for a commercial species it is well to bear 

 in mind that their primary purpose is economic and, therefore, that conservation that in 

 the long run is not economic is not justifled. In order that it may not defeat its very 

 purpose, it may be necessary to reduce its effectiveness to soule extent. 



