SCALLOP INDUSTRY OF NORTH CAROLINA 



195 



inlets is urged by the scallop fishermen less in the hope that new 

 territory will thus be added or that scallops will become more numer- 

 ous than in the belief that a superior article of commerce, a larger 

 scallop, will be produced. This has been especially the case, during 

 the present (1927-28) season, with scallop fishermen of upper Bogue 

 Sound, where scallops are abundant but gen.erally small. It is 

 claimed that an inlet, by increasing the strength of the tide, would 

 result in the j^roduction of larger scallops. 



The evidence seems clear, indeed, that the desired tidal improve- 

 ment would result in larger scallops. However, there are many 

 things to consider. The expense of cutting a new inlet would be 

 large ; whether or not it would remain open is uncertain ; and what 

 the result and effect would be if it were to remain open is doubtful. 



Fig. 11. — A scallop protector ready for work. Swift State boat used in scallop 



patrolling 



An inlet may have little effect upon the tides (as seems to be the 

 case in Pamlico Sound). If strong tides develop, the bottom may 

 be changed greatly and areas suitable for scallops be reduced corre- 

 spondingly. If the bottom itself is not changed greatly, biological 

 bottom conditions may be. Thus if, on the opening of a new inlet, a 

 scallop flat regularly were left bare at low tide, it might be trans- 

 formed into an oyster rock. Although, doubtless, in individual cases 

 considerable benefit would result from the existence of effective new 

 inlets, it should not be forgotten that the special wealth of the sounds 

 is due to the fact that they are largely shut off from the sea and that 

 therefore too numerous tidal inlets are to be avoided. In the case of 

 upper Bogue Sound, some increase in tidal flow may be expected from 

 the enlargement of the inland waterway channel. 



