240 EEPOET OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



I have been unable to learn whether any appreciable difference has 

 presented itself on the north side of Gape Cod, corresponding to that on 

 the south side. Of the fact of the decrease in 1871, along the entire 

 coast from Newport to Monomoy Point, there can, I think, be no ques- 

 tion, as, although the number captured was perhaps absolutely greater 

 than in the previous year, these were taken mainly in a greatly increased 

 number of traps, pounds, and gill-nets, while the line-fishermen, as al- 

 ready stated, on ground where formerly they could readily capture from 

 one hundred to one hundred and fifty fish in a day, now found twenty or 

 thirty a very large allowance for the average catch. I have myself been 

 able to appreciate a very great difference in the abundance of blue-fish 

 in the vicinity of Wood's Hole from 1863 to 1871. 



In 1872 a continued decrease in the number of blue-fish was again ap- 

 parent, the number being much less everywhere than before. At Hyan- 

 nis, Wood's Hole, and Edgartown, the estimated decrease compared 

 with 1871, varied from one-half to three-fourths ; and they the fish were 

 also said to be smaller than usual. These statements are corroborated 

 by parties in Now Bedford. According to the wholesale dealers in 

 Fulton Market, they were less plenty than heretofore. At Edgartown 

 and Nantucket, and in Vineyard Sound, comparatively few were taken 

 with the line, the gill-nets being depended upon for a supply. 



The decrease at Hyannis is noticeably shown by the statements on 

 page 178, where it will be seen that with nearly twice the number of 

 boats in 1872, as compared with 1871, fewer fish were landed at Baxter's 

 wharf. Captain Handy took less than half as many fish as in the pre- 

 vious year, and Timothy Crocker and J. G. Loring both referred to a 

 corresponding decrease. 



The question now arises as to the causes of this decrease in abundance 

 on the part of the blue-fish on the south side of New England, while 

 they appear to be as plentiful as ever off the coast of New Jersey and 

 Long Island. It is of importance in this inquiry that this variation in 

 the number of blue-fish has been accompanied by a similar change in 

 the other fishes, and especially in the scup and menhaden. As, how- 

 ever, there is no marked indication of decrease elsewhere than from 

 Watch Hill to Monomoy, we are entitled to look for some local cause as 

 affecting the number; and it is a curious coincidence at least, if not a 

 relation of cause and effect, that it is precisely in this area of dimin- 

 ished abundance of particular kinds of fish that we find the summer- 

 fishing, by means of traps, pounds, and gill-nets, to have received its 

 highest and most rapid development. 



Although fixed apparatus for the capture of fish have been in use in 

 Narragansett Bay for a considerable number of years, the introduction 

 of such engines into more eastern waters has been comparatively slow, 

 and usually limited to a short season in the spring of the year. Within 

 the last five or ten years, however, the pounds have not only increased 

 in number, but have greatly extended the time of their operation, so 

 that instead of being taken up in June, they are now kept down much 

 later, many of them even into October. It is, however, not to any di- 

 rect action of the pounds upon the blue-fish that 1 attribute their 

 scarcity. That the blue-fish themselves destroy other fish in immense 

 numbers, there can be no question ; and a reduction of their food, 

 whether caused by themselves or supplemented by other influences, will 

 tend to induce them to seek other fields of supply. That this latter is 

 the case, seems to be shown by their temporary increase at least off the 

 coast of New York aud New Jersey. Indeed, in reference to the question 

 of the fish-supply, it may be considered as established that the fecun- 



