The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-20
THE LOBSTER.
One Of the Causes That Account for
Secretary Redfeld's Alarm.

To THE EDITOR OF n SUN-Str:
Lobsteria should worry over the facts
made public in Secretary Redfeld's
latest report on tho activities OF the
bureau Of fisheries. The report sets forth
that in the t~wenty-four years ended
in 1913 the catch OF Holsters In the
United States decreased so per cent.
while against this decrease In quantity
there was an increase OF lis per cent
In value to the fishermen.
To delay the extinction OF the lobster
In the waters of this country the Secre-
tary Of Commerce suggests a Federal
lobster hatchery and nursery and recon-
mends artificial propagation on a larger
scale by State Governments. The report
OF Mr.. Redfeld. " far as the
at hand shows. makes no mention OF
perhaps the chief cause Of the i~ncrea sing
lobster scarcity. This Ia the catching
and marketing Of millions or youns
Holsters In violation Of the law.
These young crustaceans are com
monty known as chicken Holsters. Their
commercial designation Is shorts
There Ii perhaps not a bay or estuary
In the latitude where Holsters thrive that
Is not infested by fishermen who derive
a considerable part, and In many cases
the larger part. OF their profits from
catching and marketing shorts When
these INSCRIPTIONS lobstermen lit their
lines and open their pots all HOLSTERS
look alike to them. Those that measure
up 70 the legal length can he marketed
openly. Those that are "A little or much
too short are put In cars" n sunk
near the obsterman's nome station. To
the lobster car Is attached a small he'np
line long nougll to reach to the surface.
From the free end OF this line a piece
OF Irvine runs to a chip Of driftwood
that floats on the water. There Is moth
ing about the chip. Irvine. line or car
that gives a clue as TO whom the cache
Of shorts belongs. II an inspector
should chance to pick up the chip and
30 find what Is beneath II.
The law breaking lobsternan sells a
few OF his "shorts' to private customers,
who come sometimes TO his shore head
qua rters in automobiles after telephor-
Ing their orders. These are slowed in
the automobiles by the fshermen's help
ers. who know all the old and trust to
luck as to new inspectors, and the Gus
toners. who may have been strolling
around looking at the scenery, enter
their cars and drive away.
But the heavier part OF the dealing in
shorts" 10 with runners" men who
with swift motor boats OF forty or NIFTY
feet length nave routes which they
cover after n%iehtfsll. picking up the
"stOck' that the fishermen have on hand,
These boats usually wait till after mid
night to make the run to the slip where
they can market their cargoes. They run
without sidelights or any other lights
aboard. and their motors are muffled SO
closely that they make very little noise
Tho cargoes are delivered before day
light, and the boats run for home.
This business Is going or in greater
or lesser volume wherever Holsters ar.
caught. If ii Is not don't in the waters
about New DIRK II Is not for lack q,
opportunity. In good seasons the bot
ONT OF the channels between the Mar
rows and the yea are threaded with
lobster ines. Thirty or forty are set
between the Narrow-s and Sandy Hook
by fishermen from the New York and
| New Jersey shores.
So II Is not probable that Iobsteria.
patrons or purveyors, In worrying over
Secretary Redfeld's report. Larg.
Holsters can always he obtained by pay
ing the price, and the S~ecretary's sug-
gestions, IL followed. would ultimatel,
Increase the supply, Meanwhile there
will be a steady demand for lobster
meat and salad, and there will he an I'M
falling supply OF the material which car
be used safely In preparing them.
J. ".
ATLANTIC HIcHLANps. y. J.. Dec. Is.