102 American Fisheries Society 



ance of fine transparent threads attached to a relatively large yolk 

 sac, can be held only for a short time in tanks before planting. 



(3) Planting. — The advantage of artificial hatching over 

 natural spawning is the protection of the eggs from the inroads of 

 suckers, white and yellow perch, which frequent the spawning 

 grounds. For protection from these fish, the fry should be lib- 

 erated over a wide territory. 



In spite of the great difficulty in obtaining the ripe fish, the 

 artificial hatching of alewives is a practical procedure, but the 

 beneficial effects of planting the fry cannot be demonstrated for 

 several years. 



REGULATION OF FISHERY. 



The third important step in preserving the fishery is the proper 

 legal regulation which will allow cultural and protective measures 

 to achieve the best results. In place of the present voluminous 

 special legislation for the alewife streams of Massachusetts, a few 

 simple, readily enforced general laws, capable of local modifica- 

 tion, should prove of great benefit in developing the alewife 

 fishery. 



Control. — The best method of operating the fishery would be 

 a central board of control, with local representation, which would 

 have adequate powers to enforce the laws, delegate authority and 

 regulate each individual fishery in the interests of the whole. Thus 

 each fishery would be freed from local disputes and irresponsible 

 manipulation. 



Lease. — The fishery should be leased to private individuals. 

 A long term lease, not less than five years, is necessary, since the 

 short term lease places a premium upon exploitation. The longer 

 period will encourage a purchaser to safeguard the fishery in all 

 ways. 



Closed Seasons. — Closed seasons are beneficial only when they 

 are used to supplement and protect constructive cultural work. 

 A closed season is of direct benefit to the alewife fishery when the 

 alewives are given a chance to spawn in large numbers, thus sup- 

 plying a natural means of stocking. In all cases of depletion at 

 least a three year period should be exacted, and the necessity of a 

 further closed season determined by the results obtained, especially 

 in cases where stocking operations have been simultaneously 



