o = Se gs ‘ YP Sate Milbe ACV

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hs

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ee eee!

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> ah as ss in ieeea ; = oy it ee
OTT FAL aS, TOT ST ee Te eee en ee re eee

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Cita? ie ahs

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e

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.

ANNUAL REPORT

COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES,

Peer AL AS Se MB lL Ys

JANUARY SESSION, 1892.

PROVIDENCE:
E. L. FREEMAN & SON, STATE PRINTERS.
1892.

16 abi ag Oh ay Oe

To the Honorable General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations at its January Session, 1892:

The Commissioners of Inland Fisheries herewith present their annual

report for the year 1891.

SHAD.

The Commissioners of Inland Fisheries received from Col. Mar-
shall McDonald, United States Fish Commissioner, two million sixty
thousand (2,060,000) shad fry May 4th, 1891. These were deposited
in Palmer river, which is the only stream in the State adapted to them,

not having insurmountable dams or other obstructions.

TROUT.

We have purchased forty thousand (40,000) trout eggs, which were
hatched and the fry has been placed in various streams of the State.
The trout fishing the past.season has not been as good as last year,

owing in part to excessive fishing last year, and lower state of water.

The Bay and coast fisheries the past season has in some respects
been peculiar; all along the coast the blue-fish and small mackerel
have been abundant, while in the bay, scup, tautog, flat-fish and small

mackerel have been present in large numbers.

,

4 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.

The herring and the bass have failed to appear in numbers. The
menhaden fishing has been very light. The catch is indicated in the
table of shipments as follows.

The following table shows the amount of fish and lobsters shipped
from Newport by the Old Colony Steamboat and Railroad for each
month of the year 1891:

Month. : Fish. Lobsters.
DEAADY ata ithe cise + Sak asmate jor eee es 23 Barrels. 44 Barrels.
SPAN Woe ais nyo ctoly > de eye's sae hele Cakes sev 51 e 48 Se
PPA URIR VE Nhe Mica ete caus LY Sh oseue ein ah ete A elas ante wide 61 s 62 is
PAM ee ee R Neal dis v piss cies apie Sale gi e¥e Mim Poise 288 cn 227 45
Rp eree Sic ieahty o's abe npmedo sis Smee Sse CIA Bea eae 12,174 T 236 a
LOT 22) 2S lege a aa RR ae 97 RUA Pg Ma DeSee 3,010 a 317
“| OLN RRS ee oe SATE NaS of Re oh 1,072 . 542 ef
RIEU e mt tas ss lun clentactig wei es Seis ae Se 610 a 401 i
(LLETUACE LD) CIE ES ae ah a a a 309 ad 265 rf
PTR Mic AER orotic fade ye kid e's ae Wha Mee > we 268 , 24 ¥
POW MANIET ERraly te ta Ie nats two 1a) ais. Cine wie wren ca 0 100 os 5 f
JTS E 201 0) 2) AOA a Ce i a 22 33 fy

STA ies rors ie its 05 FOL RN ga 18,032 re 2,204 ra

Total of fish and lobsters shipped from Newport by the Old Colony

lines:

NUMERIC rte Ss eee wie eici rent icine Saath bee wlwic ie RiGee Sie eRe remain 17,434 Barrels.
PSOE Ses oe OLE SPEAR er CUI TESS eID. a Anse oes ay pe pce a
Uo 2h. BE agg SS aetna REED eee RUINS En PRED OIR | STR Lg pa, me 16,194 ze
PERE Sie oes cats ON ce avek nian Vole Dk ote e he soe RwN MMT 21,353) <*
122 hol Vk ER OE leaps aaa ADS ny AT EL NG San Ar beta yh ik ER Aid et 11,583 Jo
WEMMUPEIN ES: PUTS LL teat Liss ges fees wR Ustad ee oar bas Oe |e ee a Ae 20,2386 =‘

For further statistics of the fisheries of Rhode Island we copy from
the Statistical Review of the Coast Fisheries, published by United ~
States Commission, 1891.

REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. o

.

RHODE ISLAND.

The tables presented show many phases of the fisheries not similarly exhibited
in the statistics of 1880; it is difficult therefore to institute comparisons in all
cases. There has been a large decrease in persons employed, amounting to 26
per cent , and an increase of 73 per cent. in capital invested and 18 per cent. in
the catch. This is due to the improvement in the vessels, especially those em-
ployed in menhaden fishing, in the menhaden factories, and in the pound-net
and trap fisheries. There is not much difference in the value of menhaden ves-
sels ; in the aggregate fewer vessels are now employed, but these are of an im-
proved type, and, with fewer men, perform the same work that was done by a
larger fleet in 1880.

There has been a gratifying increase in the menhaden industry, the manufac-
tured products of which in 1880 were valued at $221,748, while in 1888 the
amount was $334,686. This is the most important fishery of the State, taking
the value of the manufactured products as a basis, but is excelled by the oyster in-
dustry, if we consider only the amount paid to fishermen for their catch. With
the exception of the menhaden industry, there is no important vessel fishery; the
craft employed are generally small and engaged in shore or market fishing.

48. Table of persons employed.

How engaged. 1887. | 1888.
SUE SIMO RVERRE IS i tei tlatee vinie islcrce lao 4 tad sere cece calae eae seine en o/aes sis 's cise ha oe 364 400
MIVA A NOMIN SAV GRHCIB 1. 1./nie(¢ siete ti elsiste/siaislecis cieisisis clei assis sislesisc's secs vicit ease 14 17
Sa een rs.) Wnt Joca tats Py isl. secede sad adel Sebo 915 875
ON BNOLe iM fACLOLICR: CLCs coco oiclelcleteld cide oe ave ee adie oe atin SG Gh ae) etal dieee ls grate 342 411
SRG are cere a ee att ae eieralayeinlaaieiaie atl alae M(siei attic sia Riciold lacielgvamaieisibie amcaeyfeiee 1,635) 1,703

6 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.

49.

Table of apparatus and capital.

1887. 1888.
Designation.
No. Value. No. | Value.
-oye Sop VA 2 A A i ee 55 | $171,400 | 64 $194,150
Onithite. <<< SOR eRe tcintch Covers eierslatdernemtnte si ae\| esiaisie Sones 23,281 ieee Sa 29,085
WERSEIN PANN DOLUM P| eaiclslcls alse ocim hella 5 selelel wnielel ase s 7 2,550 | 9 | 3,225
Renae exec tae Las won stan vee saa Bans | eta evan sees ae 510
BOate tects seis cetetsweler cc seis cise lo nise elas she anism ciale ote 54 743 91,324 749 | 91,679
Apparatus of capture—vessel fisheries :
Paebamenaas ys hoe aay ll Cichll iadhe 17 10,950 17 | 10,800
Hand lines and trawl lines.2-<s.22 semis g siete = ie sree A Orcs 1,750 1,555
PHUIO Ep esa aoaaode toca Cnchinebs mgOddoos S donc 3 30 9 90
Harpoons........ sree) « eis sinlale eae slelsis esate a civ0'e tia'=\s 20 300 32 480
GiB este ceibies siete sine es MASE E hoe ab ateettinitioia cetaete ne 175 350 225 450
WE PEN TAKER CLCLs cele > iainis)s =sin\ << =0\vieele\ciaeiela Sais 72 919 75 975
Apparatus of capture—shore fisheries :
Hanlgeines /s260 -.-: Aetna as Shanna annrne 42 2,900 42 2,900
Hand lines and trawl lines ..... ....-.-.0.-0-- nye ehieiats ore TO R66 soasdar 179
Trap nets and pound nets....... ...0 22-2000 vec. 160 72,400 166 79,870
IY KO ICES s oicic <einin az oeis « «'e sini ois ives = \-\z\e's s\n's ines wlan 354 | 2,570 374 2,670
ral Srageg ees tot Pe ate et ace las a eater wi siciciels Sale lsialelsysisne,ajnis 99 | 6,270 96 6,090
WORed SER TONER, CLC etn cacic lal. seiipes/= <a siefainies 999 7,483 | 493 2,950
GiB amis sinieiatels o's BERRA bot iacO SOC eC S OC aaa 5,600 6,798 | 5,450 6,723
Miscellaneous apparatus. .... 22 ....sccccccces|sccecre 50° Bs So. aoe 10
AEST OOTUG oir a's nis os ws see a.vlaelxs on bs dalwb'on Dvn uA de dem xeon B45 Aa alain cine elena 353,485
SOREN ENE Leticia Sian’ qAd sna enen ther, een ger sie tear eb Abasp DAY DOO ee mnaaers 235,000
Motal eve ok oes ee BOG tide SUI BOSd See AGOC Db ao) eto Acrage Cr vol ASG oaoed 3 $1,022,876

* Tonnage in 1887, 1,221.21; in 1888, 1,349.60.

} Tonnage in 1887, 105.30; in 1888, 131.91.

.

REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.

T
50. Table of produets.
1887. 1888.
Species, 00 | ———
Pounds. Value. Pounds. Value.
PARLE OUIMORS arate flcarai stele siev sip e/a asi sises aw sie siecle atetaisvaiere sjejsisie'« 682,800 | $10,250 666,800 $10,215
Alewives, salted........ Ratistersar cists in iaicte isis setae Cosas 325,000 6,500 415,000 8,500
PIB WLVGRCIR IO GEE vies eta'elelale\er aia) (es wia.crn's cic a9 ee! sivieis) sie ers 130,000 2,250 — 150,000 2,450
Blnehighoss ts < sessi0' SwSeedagraoe a tiaraieisia sis sisieieistare 321,650 22,305 388,850 23,140
ESTAR Phiereiere etre aisle tale ai si7/8 staple saya sterei dia aie ofc ciaieia siete s 266,000 9,320 283,000 9,810
MES M terete erettey cioiela tors) aia ate of in 'eia(eiaic'6\sy,01c\is/eceisi cfs: gicate-sete 204,394 6,499 253,250 7,653
LEO OM hel ta te Pao a7ea cn) caja widleivie.c's. iw sia’d ndiele dee 82,558 3,754 53,140 2,009
Reta ee lat hatey weiss 4 sels, quien k elcluia'ule's Vat Selec 318,000 16,950 321,600 17,332
IISc 00) cheierars vi ojas ctsloisie\e cle pies civieeroree =ShAnc 426,300 11,406 558,000 13,290
Haddock ogotinoid SOBBASEE BONN ooo COCORCHe PAO: Douce 87,450 2,468 86,460 2,607
Haddock, salted......... ea Atl A aed ae Bs 4,464 147 4,704 118
TSG RS. Seo S58 BOOS Bed OO DOPED Obes OnRpIoDE oO Stee 8,000 320 8,500 298
HORS 6 62. Se Beto G SAD BE OD GCCOE RE ECan CCORE ABE cere 268,063 18,545 237,100 20,007
Wigee KEKE] SANGO a ea) stsiaiaicis sic s\n,ei01e/a'60 100 \€ sicie s/c s,sieie’e 500,200 28,541 303,800 23,624
INTELL EN corel a etait ra) ois) aia 6 s\ sic) ol eres seis s/slieie' siwilsieieis Sg0ccr 34,035,000 85,088 | 78,269,800 195,277 -
PONG iiatetieteselaiyslersis stars (ales fie) sia <'si Ae civ a.e bicleis wcjacins ieee 61,000 2,440 60,000 2,400
POG SANLCE ccc sees ndee pees os oe'c ons nee 50,960 1,752 50,400 1,800
DR ena et see hisses es Setar eet a) Sivas? Waa eae be we 3,030,033 75,545 4,207,700 84,480
Sea bass... Sfeteta fete eretoleleaerere intelelnveisiey aiateloxa\ete - 497,800 13,090 512,400 15,504
BAC seas s sa/sciccrccicts SD ReD Econ ORD OUCROanooe DuSEodode 16,700 1,247 17,400 1,213
SOLIS a tactsies ss a\sio.ctors' ls! s doboodongbdcoHbOneuoneaG sac 55,000 2,875 61,500 3,135 -
Squeteague.......... dont sdguoce ned Gseasreatroasase 268,000 10,450 275,000 11,540
plat FIC CUM ANS irerelatlarstasialolerelelars ic aicle''o/6 e 2/n)a\elaie'ele Sialewiste ors 61,200 5,324 85,500 7,048
SAMMUT a o8 cho 6 sac 4) gs s. dda va do aw'aeiens Ree 101,452 4,430 217,063 9,718
(MATUG RS he AIBA OO. Gn SS DODBCCL CET BEe CORO COE Dr cne 182,000 7,200 187,450 7,608
MUR GAM COUS MSM acre eucle.q sie cael oleic, 5<)c'ch werd enieiviet ek stare 83,545 1,289 122,361 1,677
Refuse fish........-.. 46 DSOCSEC DELS Shae AOD.AE 860,000 1,090 1,396,000 1,756
WOOD RGEVS ee cltern'< alc.-%c.ac5) (a's niaisiette'e sSiavel eioretea Sacsooodor 570,039 27,128 588,500 28,047
Crabs fe. «fine atatatisavalaiare (sis dyciecnevarersie tole’ seers Sele cate a we 4,800 1,200 4,000 1,000
WO VIBLGEA stale alevaretealssyacaia sin e\sln ols. srataicia/eisiinstutslekeerersvaleisiane ose 1,358,210 | 261,026 1,324,785 252,601
Glamis UY GIGKENGKTD) oa a's oo) acs see oielalcice aacjalec ats Agr 258,250 25,030 308,250 30,030
Quohaugs ( Venus mercenaria) waidlute a Siedcalale se ielete cuietne 153,720 15,699 264,232 28,075
Bcallope....iscsiccses alalaiols stoma ia(ofciaicie's; aera ote\sisietsteiersiaie/a7s 11,284 2,337 4,942 1,130
RG talerae ar traciajeefonie alec e sleihaiawietals atalaoinercews "45,284,872. $683,495 | 91,687,487 825,092

8 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.

51. Summary by customs districts of the vessel fisheries of Rhode Island in

1887 and 1888.

Designation.

Number and nationality
of fishermen:

Americans...... soaae

PAUINOURETS: 3: <sie:e eeate

Number and nationality

of crews on transports :)

AMe€ricans...-.c..00|

Number of vessels fish-|

AINE ites ste) s/o. 52s) </e/=! «)ei

Number of vessels trans-
porting .... ............

Net tonnage of vessels
HISHIDE a clmisads oseee sc

Net tonnage of vessels

transpor EIT Pili cadvieieie ssa

Value of vessels fishing.. §
|

Value of vessels trans-)
PONE 72). /5 5) clelw.# win ssie =

Value of outfit, gear, pro-

visions, fuel, ete., of

vessels fishing Per ceteris

Value of provisions, fuel,

ete., of vessels trans-)
|

POLUINE: . 20s ecw ce ee

Value of catch of vessels!

RIM ep haste aa/eis| oe) xis n'd|

Value of products trans-|
TRC CC sc oiuielsl sizielaie = ais ase

12,400)

Newport. (Bristol and Warren.| Providence. Total.

1888. 1887. 1888. 1887. 1888. 1887. | 1888.
330 10 14 48 358 =. 400
ewe treet le mee eee eee se eoe . ee Greene 6s de shoe ee
NE 2 eh ee eee eee
330 10 14 54 364 400
PUNSD sone, wk eb OUSaee chee ae eit ECR 14 17
40 5 6 15 55 64
9 . eee see), eeee ceoeeleoees sense (/*eeeeee- 7 9
hipansiea 43.25 48.52 132.25) 211.45) 1,221.21) 1,349.60
DSO oi releie eyes I. wiovete le simie's |lalclels alesis [itso a eva oie 105.30} 131.91
$166,350| $2,900 | $5,200 | $13,400) $22,600 $171,400) $194,150
27-75] SI Recital label Ish b eos leona ese 2,550 3,225

|

37,785 475 1,225 2,590 4,425) pieeenl 43,435
ILM | oic'e wists) tatcll atele a wie m/e ceilioistaisinie trenlfare stan erate 530 510
| 239,922 3,060 7,870 42,656 45,271 174,123) 298,063
bie GaAs A SARI MAAS ele Sie elit pasme =| emeenorts 13,840

REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.

9

52. Table showing by apparatus and species the yield of the vessel fisheries

of Rhode Island in 1887 and 1888.

\ is
1887. 1888.
Apparatus and species. - — — -
Pounds. Value. Pounds. Value.
Hand lines and traw] lines:
We GHHBHatacieya cfeistetaele rlele’s seaieiac sissies oS icine bales 12,150 $709 42,200 $1,962
eM niond ss sil ade teae dh coe le sda oe m slaictsvane-asies 133,894 4,329 180,250 5,408
ods dalted..<:.< Sualstafeiatcies wisineieeies''s eisis,airc a seice 66,878 3,054 38,580 1,359
ST es AR a OO ee 80,950 2,313 80,460 | 2,462
Haddock, salted ....2.6.. Varela SXatoisne Wok Suh cm ialaveleters 4,464 147 4,704 118
IWIENGRG 3 IEG Siege OBE Cr eneoe POAC OOON OOOO 43,063 5,048 29,300 2,637
Migekere ls Saltedis. ac, cacatscneae <aiveeis, uo. c0b be bible 324,200 17,981 167,800 | 13,424
PRRUCO Rc terdaiaidiels s «sie ccictes s “EG onsoD. Cet ep eee eeta al svaral Peis oterel liek siesecns 3,950 158
Tat ha Nae SPS Se oa en 665,599 | $32,078 | 547,244 | $27,528
Seines: 7 7 Soria
IMAGE LE Meresars sieie'n oi oie] ocot g aictajelcts Ai ainicier' a cia aivie aa siaiaieae|' ha ckc adie ede ole ees Bou e 4,000 | 360
INES TUA ETN sere raps ole1e, sfeveiai(eiaters era cas via/aje'e/ele sie.e Wola Sieie < 34,035,000 85,088 | 78,269,800 195,277
Miscellaneous fish...... pinta Pialcialobevele a aharaie sic ie isiatcte 7,045 141 4,361 97
Tae AY ENR ier an vesees| 34,042,045 | $85,229 | 78,278,161 | $195,734
_ Gill nets: Pea ei ee, Be ie fo
IBIBeHED) cio 7 20S sietaretsieratsls eral ava lFretcal/aretavata'scle!afo\ ste che} WIE) ae! oi etrelficetiateisie cts 650 30
ELD TET lees Aus CS SS eee ee ee a ge ME, 4,000 360
NE ere Safe ars cine Settee ard Sh sais ais os. Siok p06 8a ei 2,833 85 1,700 50
PR DIE eet al este ates win sid hes slash vin’ s w!oie'cinxe'n's 2 peisictat a hess nF: $85 coz 6,350 440
Harpoons: Pony * Tee
SN EER nto porta ee siaiyie ois| otv'ele' dn ub) a we ewae's a 101,452 $4,430 217,063 $9,718
Pots iti kas ee | Rey
JERS FS ee Sl a ee oo Hd GaSe OOO ADE Saye vache te efolte ol oredl Phe detente bk = ithe cae eek 4,100 $249
HOD BEETS Maialate sabre iota ots cl arctatal caterers inierelea sc aiars aisle 20,039 1,128 38,500 2,047
ALO So ABRGREados Ree Ge Con UDA tAdS GINA GO BAnaD 20,039 ~~ $1,128 42,600 $2,908
Dredges and rakes: FA ee MELT ate
OV SG raetsttels/\eed «siafolciels ofciste\eha/e'e alana ctcictels em stains) aie 939,710 | $45,887 281,288 $53,645
AYO TAS: BERR ogee seannnue Gocrbourclac coc. oke 33,720 2,949 24,238 2,575
SICAL OS saretarers,nia-isiere oisiclecaiaisiowic/elsigl aatercisisieuh asicisyaiciels 11,284 2,337 4,942 1,130
Tt Ane RE eee RNR AB ie Bt Ne weee.| 284,714 | $51,173 | 310,468 | $57,350
Grand total........ sea pee ties Gir ther), Fe, 35,116,682 | $174,123 | 79,401,886 | $293,063

10

REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.

53. Table showing by fisheries and species the yield of vessel fisheries of
Rhode Island in 1888.

Fisheries and species. Pounds. Value. | Fisheries and species.
Rani. Pitas |
Shore: Mackerel:
PlGAR A i. scene we 42,850 $1,992 | Mackerel..........-
SGU ee ae fe ceass as a 180,250 5,408 | Mackerel, salted....
Cod, salted .......... 38,580 1,359 | Miscellaneous fish ..
ical MD 4,100 246
Ridiigeiecs =. cna ls | 80,460 | 2,462 | moval: dese eede:
Haddock, salted. .... 4,704 118 |!
ME eaciee hanes» + | 1,700 50 | Mollusk:
Tautog.... .... bere 2,950 158 Oysters ......- +++
ee eae se env ee Sh Quohaugs... ...++.
Le a aes 356,594 $11,793 i Scallops... -....++.
VON citc eles ee pce ie'e 217,063 $9,718 | POtal esc se cclee ee
Menhaden..... .... vesees| 78,269,800 | 195,277 |)
Lobster... ..... sete 38,500 | 2,047 | Grand total......

|

| Pounds. Value.
37,300 $3,357
167,800 13,424
4,361 97
eee —— ee
209,461 | $16,878
281,288 | $53,645
24,238 | 2,575
4,942 1,130 -
| 310,468 | $57,350
|
| 79,401,886 $293,063
|

54. Table showing the number of vessels engaged in each fishery in Rhode Island

in 1888, together with ther tonnage, value, and number of crew.

Fishery.

BIWOPRGUBID linc cto kc cae ls
Crustacean

Mollusk

eee ewww

ee ee ee ee ee ee ee

ee

ee

ee ee ee ee

ee

re

|
ope eh | Net ton-
engaged. Har:

30 | 375.95
12 770.00
21 243.91 |
16 210.89 |
3 17.55. |
22 191.36 |

ee

Value of | of isber
men.*

$43,500 119
136,000 225
20,800 80
25,250 60
1,600 9
24,300 53

* All American citizens,

REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. ak

55. Table showing by apparatus and species the yield of the shore fisheries of
Rhode Island in 1887 and 1888, exclusive of the shellfish
and crustacean fisheries.

1887. 1888.
Apparatus. Species. ; -
Pounds. Value. Pounds. Value.
Pound Nets... .s 0-00 IRA GWIVEHE « cictekwic aoe te cwstetcts 681,00 | $10,230 | 664,300 $10,170
Alewives, salted.... ........ 10,000 | 200 15,600 325
Alewives, smoked. ......... 80,000 | 1,250 95,000 1,552
TESTE a hie ea 53,500 | 3,076 | 65,800 3,948
BantarAwh yn. cosee<,yabke: 262,000 9,240 | + —-277,700 9,704
Bipie. yks ok pele eae Nae 75,000 | 3,000 111,000 5,994
Flounders... ........ Fede $e 313,300 | 8,566 408,000 9,545
Banetishn yes eee ces 8,000 | 320 8,500 298
| oe ae, (URE SD ee Te 3,027,200 | 75,460 | 4,206,000 84,430
Ripa WaRS ee) seh Ys cae 3) 485,300 12,640 496,300 14,976
iar ss oh kee ode dos 7,590 562 8,400 588
Pipe s2 ee ta outa rtcke 40,000 2,000 42,200 2,153
Squeteague..........-0-2 00: 252,000 | 9,660 255,850 10,692
Striped badswck-s ese coms oes 50,000 | 4,250 73,000 6,032
Merah Hse sos nnae deed 25,000 950 52,000 2,070
Miscellaneous fish*.........- 76,500 1,148 118,000 1,580
Rerase: FSW HIER sece's cea waits 860,000 1,090 1,396,000 1,756
Potaliewilesteses edealer hs 6,307,100 | $143,642 | 8,293,650 | $165,813
Gill nets...... Port Pivetiehe ees eel ytedeess 218,500 | $16,170 | 230,700 | $18,842
IButtertish< scence. sie ae eae 1,000 | 20 1,800 36
Squeteague..... ....0. Silke 9,000 | 410 10,650 373
PED PTN TOMO Wik inte d 0 Miter meremizad cee <r
Total csieit, acewkee heat 228,500 | $16,600 243,150 | $14,251
Fyke nets ...... eans- (|) BIOQUDGEIB. 4. 50nc02%000 ceeee 93,000 ; $2,410 125,800 $3,145
BMAD ialoka x. cae haus Meteo csatersg eactes > gouk . 198,000 | 12,250 161,000 8,635
Haul seines.......... Wlewuweee cas shcbea sve! 1,000 | pay 2,500 45

* Miscellaneous fish includes the cheaper grades of food-fishes, as flatfish, flounders, scup, sque-
teague, etc., which have been taken in small quantities and shipped without regard to quantities of
different species; also, species of infrequent occurrence not sufficiently important to separate.

} Principally sculpin and menhaden used in the production of oil and fertilizer, and a few other
species unfit for market because of their small size or deterioration in quality.

12 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.

55. Table showing by apparatus and species the yield, &c.—Continued.

1887. 1888.
Apparatug. Species.
Pounds. Value. Pounds. Value.
Haul seines.......... Alewives, salted...........-. 315,000 $6,300 399,400 $8,175
Alewives, smoked... .......| 50,000 1,000 55,000 898
Blnefish:, 2s sc2cis loss aieaic sles is 2,500 250 4,000 400
LETH. = Wess sees fie eees ss 3,000 60 3,500 70
Hel sere ce sisais lense) sos tve aetna nie 45,000 1,700 45,500 2,457
Flounders...... ass oe ee 6,000 120 8,000 200
Perch or Cunners... 2. .--- =<. 61,000 2,440 60,000 2,400
Gila DAES ben esse oct oooh ey 500 20 600 24
So EES Ue Ah I es Se ee 9,200 685 9,000 625
Bintelices se? peetetes oie pets 15,000 875 19,300 982
Squeteague....... aE 4 eae 7,000 380 8,500 475
Striped bass.........+0. ean: 11,200 1,074 - 12,500 1,016
ALIN 18 5 sag aaglocde dageeaece 5,000 250 6,250 312
Matalicnecs pcx gears Weare 531,400 | $15,174 634,050 | $18,079
Lines......... seeceee! Bluefish... ..e- sees sees ones | 35,000 | $2,100 45,500 $2,958
WGA. sb WRU bss | 74500 | 2,170 73,000 2,245
| Cod, salted..... Spectre shee 15,680 700 14,560 650
AMIOUNGEFH: cece deers cio. bia | 14,000 310 16,200 400
| Leys (erg <5 4590 So neosieocdoce | 6,500 155 6,000 145
i; Migekerel 3. njsiaa as: soar: 225,000 15,000 199,800 16,650
Mackerel, salted.... ..<. <<< | 176,000 10,560 136,000 10,200
lewis bdo do ke dewns <4 50,960 1,752 50,400 1,800
MIPS ABR cals walys eslele spe /estr si l- | 12,000 430 15,500 504
3 Mantis. ies iseteus yvexe ss | 152,000 6,000 125,250 5,068
Watal soa were ease | 757,640 | $39,177 682,210 | $40,620
ifTand total cpwcterssh ss! 8,115,640 $229,253 | 10,139,860 $250,543

REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 13

56. Table showing the extent of the menhaden industry of Rhode Island.

Designation.. 1887. 1888.
Number of factories in operation..... 20.22. cece seecccscceecces w cloratala 3 | 3
Rib COA REHORIOH cc .ctaiicicisieicteisinccte's sieisin'(dh0 sian aisleie ado) slaiste(o.ae eyaja/< Sein’ $193,000 | $193,000
Amount of cash GATAUDAM: nara cle) s\ai salen) slu's Rdvialnicie/'s nl aieieia ae aseeasee tate $69,000 $70,000
PPGMIOM OL BHGTEBINCR CIMNIPIOVERs. £6020 5,0 600 s\0000.scwb esies tees cacestunene 177 | 246
EERE MEBELMIEN GYODIOVCH <0 6c cece sececdecesicn tacn Sra oeee Sauw ages 222 225
Number of steam vessels employed.... ..... Fac pela cava dremate tise s janes 11 bide:
iGO TONITE Ee 2 GRA EG re ROBB POORENEAIGCE COCHUAGE CIEL DEOCOLCGGNOORCTOOOE 766.88 747.56
Walues-js<ues'' Riseiatel Sate cldivs elelalel & ately wre odislarctinastelaalwie daldele aisha cia « areas $126,000 $135,000
Value of outfit..........-.. = ROCA SIGIR A DECIG CDESCATRDOSOT RC NB GLACETE $30,000 $29,000
Number of sailing vessels employed in fishing......... serie atl sin! sae al 1 1
Net tonnage........ ECCS ABA ONCE DAL C OE: osc HEAD BE ine BEIne Ecce toner 27.50 22.44
MAUI os che ion LESS Re Oe Pe Ge ph ee Se me $1,500 $1,000
VERIO TOLLO tL iblite elem cicisie sl oje'eis afoiac ceils: Mutei sniseiae a)sieicieleraie /ois,alelsl we njejsiee.e $1,000 $700
Number of sailing vessels employed as “ carryaway8’’..... ..2-.e2 sees 3 5
PUI UONIN AG Co aacres Vatseiviec sicajeio’ selva terciesis we a cheisds pisle ean aae sees 42.32 64.08
ANd eon tow ste C et. Cael ccice ste Mh des Paha cinta cttakite Se do heater eae. ares $1,400 $1,825
Walkie Oljs@utiit. siobhe fs do Snob sla 3 6 dbi E0345 Gs 43 dae ee ee $180 $265
Number of menhaden handled......... detereinis ae wdyS5S cintaals saletertaas ries 60,901,670 127,169,670
WA MS AVES IST OVeT TV SAE GI AIDS — CRI TERE IES cE nme eer tN ag $73,072 $155,004
EDEL OM Oatlons) Off OUMIAG EC). ares epeje's area a5 wietsis aoe sein siseas aie aiel she's os ac 538,623 | 762,360
Wile AS SOG. a .50 steic vac) siee.e adie 0) ¢1s:a\arat ai =<) acpnlaje) ala) aysie tga sey vcerelelaiale $129,539 | 168,418
Number of tons of scrap produced........ ynieini asad omic a edie erwin en dha. e Syelniais 3,810 8,551
Value as sold........ Selsteaets apatate cheicieta AOBDEE efarttralate wiuteratexeheu/uiaid staletare $81,010 $166,268
Bivus-F isu

came upon our coast the middle of June and remained until the last of
October. Their abundance in the waters from Monhegan Island, Me.,.
to the capes of the Delaware has been simply wonderful. Captain
Church writes us ‘‘that he could have caught more this season with a
purse net than he did of menhaden, and of the latter he took about
30,000 barrels. That it made little difference where you went, they
were there in large schools.’’ He adds: ‘** Yet some people say they

14 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.

are all caught up. I wish they were, for they are the terror of nearly
all other kinds of fish.’’

Bass.

There has been a marked falling off in the number of these king of
fish to the sportsman from last year. Their failure this year has been
attributed to different causes, by some to the dumping of garbage near
the mouth of the bay. The drift of the lighter portion of this over the
fishing ground could hardly be supposed to effect the change, since it is
dumped not less than two miles from land and distributed over a large
area of surface. The amount of garbage rarely exceeds 150 barrels
and probably not over one-third, or fifty barrels, of this floats upon the
surface. Of this a small part only ever reaches our shores; some of
this is devoured by birds, and we hear of fish being taken with vegetable
matter in them; a large pollock was found with a quantity of celery in
its stomach. We cannot see that the floating of this small amount of
refuse of vegetable matter over the fishing ground can be more delete-
rious to the fishing than the same quantity of seaweed. That the gar-
bage attracts sharks and the sharks keep off other fish seems more
plausible. But the presence of sharks in the water this season in very
large numbers is attributed to the unusually warm weather by some of
our closest observers, and to this cause we are inclined. While we
doubt not the garbage does attract these fish in its locality we hardly
think it possible to draw them from distant localities to the extent ob-
served this season.

MACKEREL

have been in or near our coast all the season, but did not take the hook
freely ; very few were taken except small mackerel, which are reported
as very plentiful all along the coast.

[From the Halifax, N. 8., Morning Herald.]
LETTER FROM W. H. ROGERS.

CoLuUMBIA, Pa., June 23, 1891.
The large increase in the catch of mackerel on the Nova Scotia coast this
spring is particularly gratifying to the writer, as it doubtless is to the fisher-

REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. gs
.

men interested, and particularly so as the failure on the American coast is still
more marked than in former years. The reason for this state of things is easily
understood by those who have given the subject any thought or intelligent con-
sideration. Scientific investigation both in Europe and America have demon-
strated that :

1st. All the mackerel caught by man amounts to but a drop in the bucket to
what are destroyed by natural causes and devoured by their natural enemies,
both in the sea and upon its surface. ,

2d. Mackerel are controlled in their movements by temperature and food in-
fluences, and not by modes of fishing, sawdust, PURSE SEINES, etc. The matter
of temperature is of course beyond the reach of human laws, while that of food
supply is not. It is quite obvious to those who will give the subject any intelli-
gent thought that the almost total destruction of the alewive fishery of Nova
Scotia up to 1882-3 had well nigh destroyed a very important item in the food
supply of the coast fishery in all its branches, as has been the case in other coun-
tries. Knowing this I addressed myself to the work of improving fishways and
opening the streams for the ascent of anadramous fishes, with what results the
public know, and the departmental reports of the catch of alewives during the
past seven or eight years prove, and the increasing catch of mackerel bear wit-
ness to the correctness of the views 1 have maintained, and which are recorded
in every published report from year to year.

Having done this for my native province in the face of the most fierce and
- pitter opposition of certain public men who live for nothing but self and have
no use for anybody or any improvement unless they contribute to the inflation
of their purse or vanity, I am now spending the few remaining years of my life
in opening the streams of the United States, and am sending shad, alewives,
salmon and other fish over doors and up such rivers as the Hudson, Delaware,
Susquehanna, Raritan and other great streams, on some of which scores of
thousands of dollars had been wasted on such silly devices as the Hawkins abor-
tion, by men who knew no more of the matter than he does, I note what was
said in your columns recently as to the salmon caught in Wilmot’s trap at the
Rhino dam. Iam quite familiar with the conditions existing there, and know
what occurred as well as if I had been on the spot, and will assert that no
salmon ever did or ever will pass through a Hawkins fishway under a six-foot
head or upwards, or alewives under a four-foot head or upwards, and that every
dollar spent upon it of either public or private funds will be wasted. The his-
tory of a few years will prove the soundness of these views, as it has already
done in the sawdust and other important matters in relation to the interests of

the fisheries. But then ‘‘ Experts (?)” are now employed.
W. H. ROGERS.

16 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES.
J

TAUTOG

have been plenty on the fishing grounds in the bay, but not so plenty
on the ledges outside until late in the season. About the middle of
October, when they had gone out of the rivers, they were so plenty
that one fisherman caught from 200 to 250 in number in about four
hours fishing. This lasted for about three weeks.

Scup

the past season in their approach to our coast came more freely into
the Bay. While the outer traps caught much less, those inside caught
enough more to swell the shipments beyond that of any previous year
of which we have record, excepting that of 1889. They remained in
our waters all the season and furnished abundance of fishing. With
the schools that came here in May were large numbers of small fish,
and they caused the fishermen much trouble to separate them. This
was done by large mesh netting that would allow the small ones to
pass out.

It was thought that from 1,000 barrels they would save but about
50 barrels of large scup.

It was a great sight to see the millions of these little fellows turned
from the traps every morning for near three weeks.

This is reported as the experience of all the traps from Point
Judith to Seaconnett.

Surely the presence of these small scup in such immense numbers
this year would justify the theory that it will be followed next year by
largely increased numbers of the larger ones, and there can be little
question of the soundness of this reasoning.

But an unusual depletion of their numbers from natural agencies
that are at work, unseen and unknown, while they are absent from us,

may, as it often has, disappoint us.

HERRING.

These fish that are the earliest comers of all anadromous fishes

REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 17

failed to appear but in very small numbers in our waters, yet they are
said to have been very abundant in Buzzard Bay and Vineyard
Sound.

Tue ANCHOVY

Have been very abundant along the coast; they furnish food for many

other fish.
MENHADEN.
The catch has been the poorest for many years, the catch of the
whole fleet hardly exceeded the catch of one steamer in 1889. This is

owing partly to the restrictive laws in some of the States. The total

eatch is about 225,000 barrels.

State of Ithode Island, in account with Commissioners of Inland Fisheries :

1891. } Dr.
Jan. 1. To paid for brook trout eggs, hatching and raising........... $84 60
- PE SSA Gy Ria x cae th eee wee 4 4 Pee eee ey nt ae 4 80
May 4. ee Expense on 2,060,000 Shad Fry .............. er Pe 24 00
Dec. 31. a Psxpenses of Commissioners\2 0 el. tied hs eases a lees 44 56
Pager. Sami ps and Staliobery.<..o8.)6 15 dada aia So gens ~ 8 50
$166 46

1891. CR.
ee a caat (rom Slate: | PeaSUrer goat) cece 4. eee ano ee gas we $65 56
Piemance auc, COMMIBSIONOISs: 22. hey feck 6 c-cd eae eee eds 100 90
$166 46

de MK. SOUTHWICK.
HENRY T. ROOT,
WILLIAM P. MORTON,

Commissioners of Inland Fisheries.

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