FISHERY INDUSTRIES OF THE UNITEJ) S'l'ATES, 1929 793 



MASSACHUSETTS 



The fisheries of Massachusetts ranked first among the New England 

 States during 1928, accounting for 40 per cent of the total number of 

 fishermen and 63 per cent of the total catch. The fisheries and 

 industries related to the fisheries ('ni})loyed 11,013 persons, which is 

 19 per cent greater than the number employed during 1924, the most 

 recent year for which comparable data are available. Of the total 

 7,751 were fishermen, 78 were employed on transporting vessels, 

 2,104 in the wholesale trade, and 1,080 in the prepared products and 

 by-products industries. 



The total catch amounted to 380,168,359 pounds, valued at 

 $15,648,776. This is an increase of 56 per cent in the catch and 

 45 per cent in the value of the catch as compared with the catch 

 and its value for 1924. Of the total value of the catch, that for 

 haddock accounted for 33 per cent; cod, 14 per cent; mackerel, 12 

 per cent; and flounders, 10 per cent. Of the total production, 

 that of haddock accounted for 47 per cent; cod, IS per cent; and 

 mackerel and flounders, each 10 per cent. 



OPERATING UNITS BY GEAR 



The catch of fishery products in the marine waters of Massachu- 

 setts during 1928 was taken by 7,751 fishermen, who used 22 steam 

 vessels, 397 motor vessels, 1 sailing vessel, 3,816 motor and other 

 small fishing boats, and 17 major types of gear. The vessels had a 

 combined capacity of 16,332 net tons. 



The fisheries accounting for the greatest number of persons were 

 the otter trawl fishery, employing 2,507 fishermen, and the trawd line 

 fishery, employing 1,742 fishermen. 



CATCH BY GEAR 



Three types of gear accounted for 86 per cent of the fish taken in 

 the marine fisheries of Massachusetts during 1928. Listed in order of 

 their importance they were otter trawls, which accounted for 52 per 

 cent of the catch; lines, 26 per cent; and purse seines, 8 per cent. The 

 catch by otter trawls consisted largely of haddock, flounders, and cod; 

 that by lines principally haddock, cod, hake, and halibut; and that 

 by purse seines mostly mackerel. 



OPERATING UNITS BY COUNTIES 



Suft'olk County was foremost in the number of persons fishing, 

 accounting for 31 per cent of the total. Essex County followed with 

 28 per cent. Other counties employing a considerable number of 

 fishermen, listed in order of their importance, were Barnstable, 

 Plymouth, Bristol, and Nantucket. Suffolk County accounted for 

 40 per cent of the total number of fishing vessels and Essex 33 per 

 cent. Barnstable County led in the number of motor and other small 

 fishing boats, accounting for 33 ])er cent of the total. Plymouth 

 followed with 21 per cent. 



