292 A, E. Verrill—The Bermuda Islands. 704 
same. That from henceforth noe manner of pson whatsoever do 
hale or drawe any pilchards or other frye or small fish (uniess for 
baite or food) out of any of the bayes or other places belonging to 
these Islands as aforesaid. And the rather for that it is a greate 
reliefe being taken only for baite to bring in sea fishe, and otherwise 
a greate losse, especially in tyme of scarceitye of corne. And it is 
further enacted by the power and authority aforesaid, that noe mar 
of what quality so ever shall hale or drawe in any bay or about any 
Island wth any long netts any manner of breames, to the distruccon 
and fraying of the greate fishe from shoare, but only wth netts of 
Tenn fathom long at the most, in forfeiture of the said netts soe used 
to be sould, and converted to genrall uses of the plantacon.” 
Capt. John Smith, in 1629, says that there were “fish enough but 
not so much near the shore as it used.” 
A law was passed Jan., 1677, against taking ‘“ White-bone 
Porgaye” when schooling in April and May, except for immediate 
family use. Modern laws, regulating and restricting the methods of 
fishing, have been in force for many years, and have, without doubt, 
been very useful in preserving some of the most valuable fishes.* 
Although the records are rather indefinite, there can be no doubt 
whatever that the larger and more important fishes decreased very 
rapidly during the first 20 years of the settlement, and probably 
they continued to decrease more gradually during all the 17th and 
18th centuries, because during that time the inhabitants used fish 
very largely as food, there being but little meat or fish imported. 
Moreover, there was a considerable fishery carried on in the 18th 
century for the export trade with the West Indies. The fishes 
exported are said to have been mostly Hamlet Groupers (Hpinephelus 
striatus), but probably various other large fishes were taken for this 
purpose, especially the several species of Rockfishes (as MJyetero- 
perca bonaci, M. tigris, M. falcata, pl. xcv), and the large Hogfish 
(Lachnolaimus maximus, fig. 55). The latter was evidently very 
* During the months of May, June, July, and August, it is illegal to catch any 
fish with a net of less than a four inch mesh—excepting turtle, cast, or fry nets, 
the use of which, for their respective purposes, is not prohibited. The catching 
of Oysters and Scallops is illegal during the same months. Harrington Sound is 
prohibited water the year round for any other than a cast-net, used to take fish. 
The selling of Rockfish and Hogfish under 2 lbs.; Porgy and Hamlet under 1 1b.; 
Shad, Bream, Yellow Grunt, Chub, and Mullet under 5 inches in length is 
illegal. Turtles (except the Hawksbill) must not be taken if under 10 lbs. in 
weight, save for the purpose of stocking turtle ponds. The destruction of fish 
in inland waters by explosives is prohibited. 
