604 



HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. 



6. STATISTICS OF THE MASSACHUSETTS POUND-NET FISHERIES. 



The statistics gathered by the special agents in Massachusetts in the census year show that 

 the number and value of pound-nets in the State in 1880 were as follows: 



The amount of the products of the fishery in 1880 must be set down as not less than 9,275,000 

 pounds as taken from the water, the first valuation of which was not less than $210,000. 



7. THE POUND-NET FISHERIES OF RHODE ISLAND. 



The pound-net fisheries of Rhode Island have certain peculiarities which are not possessed by 

 those of any other region on our coast. We find no weirs here corresponding to those of Maine 

 or Cape Cod. The coast is too much exposed to permit the use of such a frail apparatus. 

 Pounds similar to those employed in Vineyard Sound are quite extensively in use, and very suc- 

 cessfully. The characteristic form of net, however, one which seems to have originated in Rhode 

 Island and has never been extensively employed elsewhere, is the trap.* It is a very simple 

 apparatus, but one which demands the constant care of the fisherman. 



As even the tyro in geography and fishery lore would at once suspect, the principal fishing- 

 grounds are in and about Narragansett Bay. A favorite locality is at the mouth of the Saugh- 

 konnet River. As I have already stated in another place, a few traps have been introduced by 

 the Rhode Island and Connecticut fishermen among the Elizabeth Islands, but of late years they 

 have not been very profitable. 



THE FISHING SEASON. The fishing season for pounds extends from April to October, although 

 but few fish are taken during the warmest days in summer; a great many pounds, however, 

 are taken up at the end of spring. Traps are not generally in use except in spriug, usually from the 

 latter part of April to the middle or last of June. According to Mr. D. T. Church, of Tivertou, 

 the majority of the fishermen of that place go to Seaconnet in spring and fish with their traps for 

 about a month. At the end of that time they dry their nets and use them no more till spring 

 again returns. 



THE SPECIES TAKEN. The principal species of fish taken are scup, bluefish, squeteague, sea- 

 bass, flounders, striped bass, and herring. The herring are usually the fish earliest caught, and 

 are followed by menhaden and squeteague. 



* See section oil Apparatus for description of this net and the manner of working it. 



