OF MASSACHUSETTS. 121 



Method of Improving the Scallop Industry. 



At the present age a fishing industry must show a steady development 

 to keep pace with the increasing market, which is continually widening 

 through better transportation facilities. Unfortunately, the tendency 

 in the past has been, particularly in industries directly dependent upon 

 natural resources, to meet the question of progression by increasing the 

 yield through the improvements in implements and methods rather 

 than by attempts to increase the natural supply, with the result that 

 under the increased strain the natural resources have been seriously 

 impaired and oftentimes completely destroyed. In these cases protective 

 legislation has either been absent or based upon wrong principles. Ex- 

 amples of impaired resources are found in the natural oyster beds, the 

 shad, sturgeon and alewife fisheries, the clam, quahaug and lobster 

 industries, etc. In the future, fishing industries should be developed 

 both by improved methods and by the increasing of the natural supply 

 through propagation and protection, a work which is being carried on 

 by federal and State fish commissions, and is gradually widening its 

 scope to include all kinds of fisheries. 



The scallop fishery presents peculiarities which differentiate it from 

 other fishing industries, and a knowledge of which is essential in con- 

 sidering its improvement. (1) Protective legislation is principally 

 confined to the " seed " scallop, or scallop less than one year old, 

 although the new law of 1910 has placed a daily limit of 10 bushels for 

 each man's catch. (2) The future welfare lies wholly in the hands of 

 the fishermen and their proper respect for the preservation of the 

 "seed" scallop. (3) Although there is plenty of room there is no 

 great prospect for a wide expansion of the fishery, as there are few 

 ways of artificially increasing the supply ; but, on the other hand, if the 

 spirit of protective legislation prevails there is but slight danger of a 

 serious diminution. (4) The scallop fishery is peculiarly fortunate, as, 

 unlike the clam and quahaug industries, it is unaffected by heavy fish- 

 ing and needs but minimum care on the part of the fishermen to remain 

 in excellent condition for years to come. Thus, while there are few 

 possibilities for its development by increasing the natural supply, 

 there is but slight danger of its permanent extinction. 



Methods of Increasing the Natural Supply. The possibilities of 

 increasing the supply of scallops and thus improving the fishery will 

 first be taken up. Many short-sighted fishermen would be opposed to 

 the increasing of the supply, for they consider that the price would be 

 lowered, and they would prefer a high price and small supply. But 

 this idea is erroneous, as it takes no longer to dredge from thick beds 

 than it does from depleted areas, and in view of the increasing popu- 

 larity of the scallop the price would soon regain its former level. The 

 consumer would be the gainer by the increased production, which would 



