COMMERCIAL FISHERIES. 



By Charles E', Wheeler 

 Stratford, Conn. 



The question has been raised as to what is wrong with our 

 commercial fisheries. In this connection it can be said that in 

 some localities the trouble is that fish are getting fewer and 

 prices consequently higher, while in other localities the fisher- 

 men have been forced to liberate tons of fish because they could 

 not get enough for them to pay for barrels and ice. So the 

 answer to the question in some sections is small production, and 

 in others small returns. 



In the course of over thirty years of experience in the fishing 

 and shellfishing industries of New England, the writer has noted 

 many changes that have affected these industries commercially. 

 Many varieties of both fish and shellfish that were once abundant 

 are now on the verge of extermination in some localities, and 

 sadly depleted in others. Many streams that were once pure 

 and productive are now grossly polluted and barren. 



Many little fishing settlements along the shore, once bright, 

 thrifty spots, now show signs of deterioration. The net-reels 

 are tumbling down, the fishing boats are laid up to die, the nets 

 are being utilized as poultry fencing and the fisherfolk are busy 

 in other walks of life simply because "Fishin' aint what it used 

 to be." And in answer to the question: "Why isn't it?" one 

 hears either, "Not fish enough to pay," or "Not enough for our 

 fish to pay." Commercial fisheries, like other industries, are de- 

 pendent upon production first and upon distribution and re- 

 turns next. 



Inasmuch as many fishermen in New England have quit 

 fishing because there are not enough fish locally to make fishing 

 profitable, it is obvious that the trouble here is on the produc- 

 tion end. It is equally obvious that in the south where trap 

 fishermen have been forced to liberate thousands of barrels of fish 

 because they could not get enough for them to pay for handling 

 and shipping, the trouble is on the sales and distribution end. 



In considering fish production from the viewpoint of Na- 

 ture's supply, one finds that fish do certain things, under certain 



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