12 



COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 



THE LOBSTER INDUSTRY. 



The total number of pounds of lobsters reported caught in Rhode 

 Island waters was over 140,000 less than in 1911. On the other hand, 

 since the number of pots set had decreased about one-fourth, the 

 average number of pounds per lobster pot increased from 38 to 43. 

 Within the Bay, lobster fishing has shown the same gradual decrease 

 as other branches of fishing, and seems to be due to the increase in the 

 oyster industry. 



Small lobsters were reported by the fishermen to have been more 

 abundant, especially in those parts stocked by the Wickford hatchery. 

 Here fish-traps and beam trawls, although with quite large meshed 

 nets, sometimes caught as high as a waterpail full at one haul of the net. 



Off Newport and around Point Judith and Block Island the catch 

 of lobsters was reported better than usual, especially from the middle 

 of June to the middle of July. During this period, one firm in two 

 hauls, caught sufficient to net them an ordinary full season's profit. 



The following tables have been compiled from data furnished for 

 the greater part by William T. Luth, Chief Deputy Lobster Com- 

 missioner, and at the conclusion of these a list of the licensed lobster 

 men is given as prescribed by law: 



Table III. 



Table Comparing the Number of Pounds of Lobsters, Number of Pots, and Average 

 Number of Pounds Per Pot, for the Years 1904-1912. 



Year. 



Total 

 Catch in 

 Pounds. 



Newport. 



Number 

 of Pots. 



Average 



Number of 



Pounds 



Per Pot. 



1904 

 1905 

 1906. 

 1907. 

 1908. 

 1909. 

 1910. 

 1911. 

 1912. 



7,935 

 9,180 

 11,355 

 12,104 

 20,011 

 23,220 

 22,091 

 23,294 

 17,259 



45 

 48 

 59 

 76 

 73 

 57 

 37 

 38 

 43 



