OF MASSACHUSETTS. 107 



a marked decline in the scallop fishery, while the other shows some im- 

 provement. Of the two depleted areas, the one (north of the Cape) 

 may never revive the industry ; the other (Buzzard's Bay) gives indica- 

 tions that the industry can once more be put on a profitable footing. 

 The only thing necessary is perpetual precaution on the part of the 

 fishermen in order to prevent this decline. 



Causes of the Decline. The causes of the decline of this industry 

 can be grouped under three heads: (1) natural enemies; (2) overfishing 

 by man; (3) adverse physical conditions. In the last instance the 

 severe winters, storms, anchor frost, etc., bring destruction upon the 

 scallops, especially during early life. 



The Fishery. 



The Season. There is considerable diversity of opinion among the 

 scallopers as to when the scallop season should open. Some advocate 

 November 1 as the opening date, instead of October 1, as the present 

 law reads ; and many arguments are put forth by both sides. 



The class of fishermen who desire November 1 are those who are 

 engaged in other fishing during the month of October, and either have 

 to give it up or lose the first month of scalloping. Naturally, they wish 

 a change, putting forth the additional argument of better prices if 

 the season begins later. The scalloper who is not engaged in other 

 fishing of course desires the law to remain as it is at the present time, 

 claiming that the better weather of October gives easier work, more 

 working days, and allows no chance of loss if the winter is severe. 



Under the present law, the town can regulate the opening of its 

 season to suit the demands of the market and the desire of the in- 

 habitants. This does away with the necessity of any State law on this 

 point, which, under the present system of town control, would be 

 inadvisable. 



The general opinion of the fishermen is in favor of the present date, 

 October 1. As nearly as could be determined, about 75 per cent, favor 

 October 1 and 25 per cent. November 1. This sentiment is divided by 

 localities, as more men were in favor of November 1 at Nantucket 

 and Edgartown than on Cape Cod and Buzzard's Bay, where very few 

 favored a change. 



The Methods. The methods of scalloping follow the historical 

 rise of the fishery. As the industry grew more and more important, 

 improvements became necessary in the methods of capture, and thus, 

 parallel with the development of the industry, we can trace a corre- 

 sponding development in the implements used in the capture of the 

 scallop. 



(a) Gathering by Hand. When the scallop was first used as an 

 article of food, the primitive method of gathering this bivalve by hand 

 was used. This method still exists on the flats of Brewster, and often 



