CONFEEENCE. 131 



has no objection to the protection of fish that breed in the bays, nor to 

 the " close time," if reasonable. But he does not think it proper nor 

 feasible to cnt off the bait from the cod-fishermen. 



Professor Baird. Shall it be carried thronghont the season, or only 

 during the spawning season of the shore fish 1 



Mr. Lyman. That is very important. I think it would lessen the op- 

 position to the passage of the law if we give the traps a chance to catch 

 herring and menhaden. These are needed for the Gloucester fishermen. 

 I would rather put a limit on the beginning of the season than the end. 

 Catching the herring early I do not think injures the fishing much. 



Professor Baird. Supposing they did not catch quite as many fish 

 for the first year, would they not catch enough more in future years to 

 compensate them ? And supposing this applies only to the south side 

 of the cape, could not they supi)lement the loss from the " close time " 

 bj^ other means of catching ? Ten years ago there was only a single 

 trap for ten miles around Wood's Hole, and yet they managed to get all 

 the bait they wanted. 



Mr. Lyman. The George's fishing has been growing uj) under the sys- 

 tem of getting bait from weirs more particularly. Let us leave it so 

 that the time shall be cut off at the beginning, and not the end of the 

 season. 



Professor Baird. But let the law run through the season 1 



Mr. Lyman. I think so. 



Professor Baird. There is this consideration to the advantage of this 

 regulation, that there is much less probability that fish will be lost or 

 wasted. The Messrs. Luce, of Menemsha, said that if fish were sent off 

 only five days in the week, they would be better cared for, and they 

 would get a better price for them, while there would be no difference to 

 the consumer. 1 anr quite sure the supply will be more equally distrib- 

 uted, less fish wasted, and as much money made by all parties. 



Mr. PowBL. It will diminish opposition, to have the " close time " 

 cease by the end of the scup-fishing, because Spanish mackerel and 

 squeteague are not caught with hooks, and they come after the scup. 

 I think I can get through such a law. 



Mr. Lyman. I think we had better cut it at both ends. 



Mr. PowEL. I know the people of Ehode Island will accept it. 



Mr. Lyman. From the 10th of May to the 15th of June will give suf- 

 ficient time for the scup. 



