SKAD FISHERIES OF THE ATLANTIC COAST. 261 



In 1880 there were 15 seines used in Taunton River, requiring the 

 services of 108 men, and their catch of shad was reported at 0,615, 

 weighing 21,498 pounds. The yield of alewives during the same season 

 numbered 1,718,000. In 189G there were 8 fisheries for alewives, at 

 which 13 seines were used, with an aggregate length of 1,903 yards 

 and valuation of $1,178. These required the services of 87 fishermen 

 and 22 shoresmen, and their catch of shad numbered 3,355, worth $934, 

 and of alewives 1,898,478, valued at $9,478. 



BUZZARDS BAY. 



In this coastal indentation, covering 225 square miles on the southern 

 shore of Massachusetts, there are a few shad taken each year inciden- 

 tally in the pound nets set primarily for alewives, scup, butterfish, etc. 

 These nets are set along the shore west of Appouagansett Bay, at the 

 mouth of Pamansett River, between that river and Goose Neck, and 

 on Elizabeth Islands. The number used in 1896 was 35, valued at 

 $11,550, and the season extended from early in April to some time in 

 November, shad being taken during April and May. The yield of shad 

 was 721, valued at $252, while the alewives taken in the same nets num- 

 bered 258,875, worth $1,380. A State law interdicts the use of pound 

 nets in Buzzards Bay after the expiration of the permits granted prior 

 to the enactment of that regulation. These privileges expire at the 

 end of the season of 1897, and after that date there will probably be 

 no fishing in this locality except that with hand lines and the clam and 

 scallop fisheries. 



Vineyard Sound. — In the Vineyard Sound pound-net fishery there 

 are a few shad taken each year, the yield in the 42 nets operated in the 

 spring of 1896 being 2,664, valued at $582. The same nets caught also 

 320,165 alewives, which sold for $1,525. Shad are first taken in these 

 nets about April 20, and few are caught after May 15. 



CAPE COD AND MASSACHUSETTS BAY. 



The principal shad yield in Massachusetts is obtained by the mack- 

 erel fishermen from Provincetowu, each of the small vessels engaged in 

 drifting mackerel nets from that port taking a few shad incidentally 

 during the month of June, the yield usually ranging from 600 to 1,200 

 shad annually to each vessel. The vessels engaged in this fishery 

 measure from 5 to 15 tons, are manned by two or three men each, and 

 carry from 25 to 45 nets, averaging 60 yards in length, with from 3 

 to 3J incli mesh. In 1896 there were 27 small vessels eugaged in this 

 fishery, with an aggregate measurement of 341 tons and valuation of 

 $21,950. These vessels were operated by 58 men and carried 791 nets, 

 47,453 yards in length, valued at $7,910, and the total catch of shad 

 was 19,040, for which the fishermen received $596. These shad were 

 unusually small, averaging only about 2 pounds each, due to the small 

 mesh of the nets. Seven Proviucetown sailboats, worth $1,300, mauned 

 by 14 men, and carrying 150 mackerel drift nets similar to those used 



