SCALLOP INDUSTKY OF NORTH CAROLINA 197 



12. Leo;al regulation of the scallop fishery is recent (I-^IT) and 

 includes a closed season, a minimum size, a rule against soaking 

 scallops, and the establishment of raking and dredging areas. The 

 fee for a dealer's license is $5 and for a scallop fisherman's license 

 $1. A tax of 10 cents a gallon on shipped scallops was reduced later 

 to 5 cents. 



13. Conservation may be either regulatory or active. Especially 

 favorable growing areas might be stocked advantageously by trans- 

 planting commercial numbers of small scallops to them, wdiich will 

 spawn before being taken up. If this is not practicable, planting 

 with a small quantity for spawning purposes only holds some hope of 

 justification. 



Factors favorable to private culture are rapid growth and high 

 price. Unfavorable factors are danger of loss from natural causes^ 

 danger of destruction by fishermen, lack of suitable grounds that 

 are not natural scallop ground, and, possibly, public sentiment. 

 Danger of loss from the migration (swimming) of scallops probably 

 would be the least hazard to be faced. 



All or nearly all that may be accomplished by regulatory con- 

 servation may be performed by a proper closed season. This should 

 start in the spring before the young scallops are marketable and end 

 when they have completed spawning. A closed season from May 

 1 to January 1 is recommended. 



The cutting of new^ inlets frequently is urged by scallop fishermen. 

 These are very expensive and their effect is uncertain. 



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