EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. XXXIII 



volvcd the redaction iu addition of tlie bliie-tisli, since these require food 

 in large amount and of easy access, and tliey would naturally leave for 

 more favorable localities. 



During the season of 1871, while blue-fish and Spanish mackerel were 

 comparatively rare in Vineyard Sound and the adjacent waters, they 

 abounded to an enormous extent in localities fartlier to the west, the 

 coast of Long Island Sound and the coast of New Jersey being supplied 

 with them to an unprecedented degree. It is not a little suggestive that 

 while traps are scarcely known iu the waters referred to, there has been no 

 complaint in regard to the scarcity of the shore fishes, nor but little of 

 that of such species as the menhaden, blue-fish, &c. 



MExVSUIlES SUGGESTED FOE BELIEF. 



In view of all these circumstances, therefore, the conclusion appears 

 warranted that if measures can be taken to prevent the present great 

 destruction of spawning-fish, the supply will again increase before long, 

 and with the increasing abundance of the shore-fishes, the blue-fish 

 will also increase in number. At the same time, I am not prepared 

 to advocate the abolition of traps and pounds, as without them it 

 would probably be extremely difficult to furnish fish in sufficient quan- 

 tity to meet the present and increasing demand of the country. Nor 

 is it probably desirable to suppress them during the wiiole of the 

 spawning-season, as it is in consequence of the profits made during 

 that time that the fishermen are enabled to meet their expenses, and 

 very few would put down and maintain their traps for the summer-fish. 

 ing alone. The traps and pounds also perform an important service in 

 the capture of bait, especially of herring, alewives, and menhaden, for 

 the spring mackerel-fisheries, without v/hich it is alleged that this latter 

 industry could not be successfully prosecuted. In this connection, how- 

 ever, it should be stated that the practiceof carrying seines or gill-nets, 

 and of catching herring and menhaden for themselves on the mackerel 

 grounds, is rapidly increasing with the mackerel fishermen, who, conse- 

 quently, do not depend to the same degree as formerly upon the pounds. 



There is, however, no reason why there should not be occasional in- 

 termission during the six weeks when most of these fish deposit their 

 eggs, of sufficient length of time to allow a certain percentage to pass 

 through to their breeding-ground ; and, after consultation with various 

 I)ersons interested, I have come to the conclusion that if the capture of 

 fish in traps and pounds be absolutely prohibited, under suitable penal- 

 ties, from 6 o'clock on Friday night until 6 o'clock on Monday morniug, 

 even during a season of six weeks only, (thus requiring a close time of 

 three nights and two days, to enable the fish pass and perform their 

 natural function of reproduction.) the interest of all parties would be 

 subserved. Indeed, it would seem to be decidedly to the advantage of 

 the owners of the pounds to enter heartily into such an arrangement, 

 as it is well known that in the heiglit of the season the supply of fish 

 S. Mis. Gl m 



