260 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



lower portion of this river each year, as well as in Old Warwick Cove 

 and Patowomut Eiver, the aggregate yield in these waters averaging 

 about 400 annually, taken by means of seines, dip nets, etc. 



Providence- Blacl'stone River. — The numerous dams and the sewage 

 from the city of Providence have served to almost exterminate shad 

 from Providence-Blackstone Eiver. But each year a few hundred are 

 taken by seines, dip nets, and other contrivances, the yield in 1890 

 being estimated at 500 in number. 



Greenwich Bay. — Two seines hauled in Greenwich Bay in 1896 caught 

 108 roe shad and 52 bucks, which sold for $19. 



THE SHAD FISHERIES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



There are no regular shad fisheries in Massachusetts, this species 

 being caught only incidentally in connection with the taking of other 

 fishes. The following table shows, by water areas, the yield of shad 

 in each form of apparatus operated in this State in 1896: 



TAUNTON RIVER. 



This river is formed by the union of Satucket and Matfield rivers in 

 Bridgewater, Mass., whence it flows to its entrance into Narragansett 

 Bay. It is navigable for 18 miles to East Taunton, where it is crossed 

 by a dam, developing a fall of 9 feet of water. Shad enter Taunton 

 Eiver about the latter part of March and remain until some time in June, 

 although few are taken after the end of May. It does not appear that 

 there have ever been important fisheries in this river dependent exclu- 

 sively upon shad, and during recent years that species has been taken 

 only incidentally in connection with the alewife fisheries. The following 

 summary shows for recent years the total yield of shad in this stream : 



Tear. 



1878 

 1879 

 1880 

 1881 

 1882 

 1883 

 1884 

 1885 

 1886 

 1887 



Tear. 



1888 

 1889 

 1890 

 1891 

 1892 

 1893 

 1894 

 1895 

 1896 



Number 

 of shad 

 caught. 



6,353 

 7,329 

 4,836 

 2,451 

 2,056 

 2,104 

 2,814 

 3,804 

 3,355 



