Beare i Wu shite we ease ihc | bac ot 6! ie fon, te rae sal * { aa | i i fl 4 ‘ ' ‘ oc ———s ’ ' wr Pls 4 ‘i rine,” pr os ee af iH] i U j i ij ” ‘ i - f Nie ‘ene i} 1 ae 4 i i eae uy! i vi af ae, ee i] w= u oi) 5 be ine =) wor ai 5) G los Dwvision of Fishes, U. $. Rational Museum U. S. COMMISSION OF FISH AND FISHERIES, 4 GEORGE M. BOWERS, Commissioner. & REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR THE YEAR. ENDING JUNE 30, 1899. WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1900.. i. ao ‘ ce vi or Pa ae att o i i: eS Be 48 ig Brey: CONTENTS: Page. RepontioL the! COmMISHIONCL --.s-05 oe ssa secee sac siee cae ccsceeeeecce c= VII-X XXIII Report on the Propagation and Distribution of Food-Fishes. By W. de\CmRavene lect ces mae S = 5 cee atre Seles Sas Ste ee celesissce XXXV-CXVIII Report on Inquiry respecting Food-Fishes and the Fishing-Grounds. Bye chee Smith soss een saccscae sec socecmecsses stacseonce es CXIX-CXLVI Report of the Division of Statistics and Methods of the Fisheries. yao et hOWNSONG rete Seine see eres eee elon oe emcees cess CXLVII-CLXIII APPENDICES. Notes on the Foregn Fishery Trade and Local Fisheries of Porto Rico. By IW PACO WHI COX = elec cise ec cinss tics soe Ale ste cas eee swae tect ce ee tcc seisicsice ccs 1-34 Check-list of the Fishes of Florida. By B. W. Evermann and W.C. Kendall. 35-103 Statistics of the Fisheries of the Gulf States. By C. H. Townsend. .--..-.--- 105-169 Statistics of the Fisheries of the South Atlantic States. By C.H. Townsend-.. 171-227 An Inquiry into the Feasibility of introducing useful Marine Animals into the Waters of Great Salt) Lake. By H.EMoore::.-2..-----<52.:..--ss------ 229-250 A Review of the Fisheries in the contiguous Waters of the State of Washing- ton and British Columbia. By Richard Rathbun ...--....---.-.---..----- 251-350 Descriptions of new Genera and Species of Fishes from Porto Rico. By Baie bwermann andyMn Co Marshi 295 ce ie once sSees occ ce a osisciencccnte=e 351-362 Descriptions of two new Species of Darters from Lake Maxinkuckee, Indiana. TAY 185 \WWod BGT ONS ea Semeroenis GSC COCO SCE ACS Cee ee ree ae eee 363-367 The Sturgeon Fishery of Delaware River and Bay. By John N.Cobb....-. 369-380 Il ; as ed to 7 > a a LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. Page PuaTE I. Spearfish Station, S. Dak., showing Hatchery, Ice-house, and Rearing-ponds. - VIL II. Nashua Station, N. H., Reservoir, Hatchery, Workshop, and Ice-house.....--- XII ii Nashua Station,.N. Hi. Rearing-ponds: conse ccecs- 5 eamecwiccse-=-reseeee ce am XIV IV. Nashua Station, N. H., Exterior and Interior Views of Hatcheries.........-.-- BOK V. Spearfish Station, S. Dak., Hatchery Interior. .............-..-----..----.----- XXVI VI. Edenton Station, N. C., Hatchery and Boiler-house.........-...-----.---.-.--- DOO VII. Wytheville Station, Va, Hatehery, and Residence: -2---5----55-------+---5--- XOXO XV, VIII. Bozeman Station, Mont., from the mountain looking west. .-.-.---.----.------- XXXVI IX. Erwin Station, Tenn., Pond System and Hatchery ....--....-----.------.----- XXXVIITI ROME wan SoLilon.lenn.. Horeman’ a) COMALO =. sete cn cosmic nesiiescs sale sce osleccme = XLII XI. Wytheville Station, Va., new Rearing-ponds...---.-...-.-...--.-.------------ XLVI XII. Wytheville Station, Va., Spawning-ponds, showing Raceway -.-.-.------------ LXVI XIII. Put-in Bay Station, Views showing new and old Hatching-jars and arrange- ments for Pike-perch Eggs before they are placed in Hatching-jars-..-...-.. LXX XIV. Harbor at Monroe Piers, Mich., showing U.S. Fish Commission Building... ---. XOX Ve ove Circular bond ab sam Marcos Station, Texas... ccn----5c=ceccseeecceccensn== LXXXIV PNG VElen SEMIN] EUS bretih) SAN Nar COS S bat OM aaa atete tale iaiaimlamm imine ole =m alelnlal=etateli=e=i= = === LXXXVI PXGVDieeNe WS) ab) oa MB TCOS IS UAGIOM cateeec mee tan inie laa mlcinie seine cianime = = wiclninemeleceia= LXXxXxXVIII XVIII. Bozeman Station, Mont., Hatchery Building -............-.-....---------.---- x XIX. Bozeman Station, Mont., showing Stable and new Wagon-shed..-.....--.----. xcH XX. Little White Salmon Station.—(1) Salmon-pens and Retaining-racks. (2) Carrying Eggs from Spawning-grounds to Hatchery. --..-.--.-------------- XCIV XXI. Little White Salmon Station.—(1) taking Salmon Eggs. (2) Stripping large SHITACA cosas cece ocho noased SS adnooconpoch seo sro SSe cape nese tacsabeaosasoees XCIV XXII. Development of Salmon Eggs from 2 days old to 30 days, at 549 F .....--...-. XCVI NONIOOLS WPCA mnt as eds hee ees adeee se Coneetne BASS ACEGOBCOOCBOG HeSSeE DOD eArEae C SROZOTY, TBR in SURG SS Weal pooece soe cone copos cep seesonoocopscosood Seseesreseessocs Cc KONG Vee anh OsteristatlOn: LOW ay spa = smesnce desea oeeminis nas oe iScje acc ciscic ce lseisiciaaiecim as Cc PRONG SISR ORTON UAT COSI S bibl ON bO Xe aeelentelnime senna melee ale ies ces eelalie’e cio eiuieisiciseiesieesmia'e (0: SEO, Sysseweasin Senne, Sh ORT. 3 eggs con esohadeerespsuss5=socSeee cEeSEouEcarSoredee (6) NENGVE EE OZEMAn Sablon. MONG. seem eae sasemee ee encom se cee amee aaain= cl seneeielam cm =inei> Cc XXIX. Woods Hole, Mass.—Laboratory, Hatchery, Aquarium, Museum, and Resi- MenCE cnn eckecse.scs~s Beep eca naan cst cedaeccneaeeeceaconacextisesesicceaoe = CXVIII PLATE 1. Fish-boats and Homes of Fishermen at Mayaguez, Porto Rico....-...-..--.---------- 3 2. Fish-peddlers at Porto Real. Fishing-boat at Mayaguez.......--...--.-------------- 14 3. Natives with Hoop-net, Bayamon River....--.----.-.------------------+-+-------++--- 20 4. Fishing-pot and Fishermen with their Families, Arroyo. Fishermen's Homes and Fish-nets at Palo Seco, near mouth of Bayamon River.......-.--.------------------ 24 5. Fishermen at Aguadilla. Schooner Francisca and wicker Fishing-pots..-..--------- 28 6. Fishermen’s Homes, Punta Santiago. Fishing-boats and Fishermen’s Homes, Punta HIATEIRO. Coe os hoeic conn sscocusosdon Saccchoorsonboser sous JoeserbeseeSoseSbeececednass 34 7h WEY GaP (CoRR RIS EMO RG See Scoe Seo esc ee Sn SeCoe OSE Hee SSeS SSeS SOc see Herr a aeesernco 240 8. Dip-net Fishing by Indians on Fraser River.-.....-......----------------------------- 253 9. Sketch map showing approximate route of Sock-eye Salmon in approaching Fraser and Skagit rivers from Strait of Juan de Fuca...-......----------------------2----- 264 10. Cannery Point, Point Roberts, showing Cannery Establishment and string of three IMIG PANGS) So S55 Go gabo caac ou Seen cn Co SenS ba SCS pe SUSE UCC E USS COS EEE RCOnEe Sure DOeEncaE aon 292 11. Removing Salmon from Trap-net, off Cannery Point, to show heavy construction of (Chil in Wing) Taney) AM Ss soe ocane noses co donane ceoepeoSobeSosseespecesec era 8 ee nte 296 12. Salmon Traps in vicinity of Village Point, Lummi Island..... coodonosocdoonadscocoSHee 298 VI LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. Page. PLATE 13. Trap-nets and Trap-net Locations at Point Roberts......-..-...-..--.-.-.---.------- 302 14. Trap-net at Hunot Point, Skagit Bay, Washington.....-.-...-...-.--.----.----.--- = 0-304 15. Trap-net at Demock Point, Skagit Bay, Washington..-........-..-----.....-..------ - 804 16. Crib of Trap-net at Demock Point, Skagit Bay, Washington .....-..........----..-.- 304 17. Etheostoma aubeenaubei. Hadropterus maxinkuckiensis -......-.----.--------------- 363 18, Acupenser sturto. Common Sturgeon se. scea.sac cess -6ie ee one e'e sense eee eee == eee eee ee eee 374 Transporting, Vessel used in'Sturgeon) Mishing=. 2-2-0 ece esc. coec as ccences deeieeenee eee ee 375 PLATE |. (To face page VII.) Report U. S. F. C. 1899. “SGNOd ONIYWEY GNV “SSNOH ss “e ocpmis are aaa dol AYSHOLVH ONIMOHS VLOWVG HLNO IS NOILVIS HSI4YV3dS RE EOR TE OF THE UNITED STATES COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1899. I have the honor to submit herewith a report of the operations of the United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1899, with appendices describing its special investi- gations and researches. Attention may be briefly drawn to the more salient features of the work of the year, detailed descriptions of which may be found in the accompanying reports of the different divisions of the Commission. First, however, a summary review of the status of the most important branches of the fisheries will be given. GENERAL CONDITION OF THE FISHING INDUSTRY. Through its agents and correspondents in every part of the United States, the Commission keeps in touch with the leading commercial fishing interests of the coast and interior; and inasmuch as its prin- cipal work is directed to the maintenance and improvement of these fisheries, by artificial propagation, by the publication of information showing the status and trend of the fisheries, by indicating to the fish- ing interests the means of developing the industry through improved apparatus and methods, and by pointing out the necessary measures for conserving the fishery resources, it is proper that the condition of the leading branches of the industry during the year 1899 be noticed in this report of the Commission’s operations. The approximate value of the commercial fisheries of the United States in 1899 was $40,000,000, of which the great ocean and coastal fisheries yielded $27,400,000, the river fisheries $8,600,000, and the Great Lakes and other interior fisheries $4,000,000. The fisheries for those species the supply of which the Commission is increasing by artificial means have a value of about $11,600,000. Owing to the recent decline in certain of the ocean and shore fisheries, more especially the fur-seal, whale, mackerel, and Jobster, the aggregate value of our fisheries is about 10 or 11 per cent less than during the later years of the last decade and the early part of the present decade, when the maximum seems to have been attained. Our leading fishery product, the oyster, worth about $14,000,000 annually, is readily susceptible of increase by methods of cultivation, and each season shows a larger proportion of the marketable output taken from planted grounds, thus insuring a permanent and increasing supply. Some of the States which have vital interests at stake are vil VIII §REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. neglecting methods known to be beneficial and continue to depend largely on the natural supply, which is surely becoming exhausted, while other States are reaping important pecuniary returns from more advanced cultural methods. Without implying any criticism of the policy of particular States, attention may profitably be directed to a comparison of the present and past conditions of the oyster industry in the two principal oyster-producing areas, Chesapeake Bay and Long Island Sound. This comparison virtually covers the States of Mary- land and Virginia, New York and Connecticut, whose oyster interests outside of those waters are relatively unimportant. Here the line between the different policies adopted in dealing with the oyster ques- tion is sharply drawn. In the Chesapeake region reliance now, as in the past, is placed on natural beds and restrictive measures, with little attention given to cultivation, while in Long Island Sound active and direct methods are practiced for increasing the supply and the natural beds are but a small factor. The following suggestive table shows the oyster output of the four States named, in 1880, when all conducted the oyster industry on practically the same basis, and in recent years when the two regions had widely diverged in their methods. When one considers that the natural advantages possessed by Maryland and Virginia are greatly superior to those of New York and Connecticut, and that in the former States there are 40,000 oyster fishermen and in the latter less than 4,000, the significance of the comparison is accentuated. Percentage of in- 1880. 1897. crease or decrease. States. Bushels. Value. Bushels. Value. Bushels. | Value. Maryland ss-ccctscons cemeaies eee 10, 600, 000 | $4,730,476 | 7, 254,934 | $2,885,202 | — 31.6 |/— 39.2 Waitin 22 ccc siciccsesicemeneeicingseee 6, 837, 240 | 2,218,376 | 7,023,848 | 2,041,683} + 2.7/— 7.9 Pdtal <.20: ccs eee 17, 437, 240 | 6, 948, 852 | 14,278,782 | 4,926,885 | — 181|— 29.1 Connecticut :.. 25: Ab seeeeee 336,450 | 386,450 | 2,093,909 | 1,255,741 | + 522.3 | + 224.9 INGW. WOLK. cos eee sce sce eens 1, 043, 300 1, 577, 050 2, 215, 020 2,141,203 | + 112.3 |+ 35.8 Total, /ccaceacascsceeo-enes 1,379,750 | 1,963,500 | 4,308,929 | 3,396,944 | + 212.8 + 7B 0 Norte.—An estimate for 1899, furnished by the New York shell-fish commissioner, shows a crop of nearly 4,000,000 bushels for that State. The great ocean fisheries for cod, haddock, hake, and halibut, prose- cuted on grounds adjacent to the New England coast and on banks lying to the eastward, are in a very satisfactory condition, the year 1899 being in some respects the most remarkable in their entire history, Perhaps the most noteworthy feature of these fisheries is the greatly increased quantity of cod landed in a fresh condition, from both the eastern banks and the grounds off the New England shore. Up to 1896 the salt cod was always in excess of the fresh cod; but since that year the reverse has been the case, and in 1899 the fresh fish exceeded the salt fish by 30 per cent, and the yield was more than double that of six years before. As shown in a statistical bulletin issued by the Commission, the quantity of so-called “ ground fish” (i. e., cod, haddock, hake, cusk, pollock, and halibut) landed at Boston and Gloucester in REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 1D:¢ 1899 by American fishing vessels was 155,367,808 pounds of fresh and salted fish, valued at $3,525,268, against 128,088,295 pounds, valued at $2,585,010, in the previous year. There is unmistakable evidence of an increased abundance of cod in the inshore waters along the entire coast from Maine to New Jersey. This may, without hesitation, be attributed principally to the work of artificial propagation centering at the stations of the Commission at Gloucester and Woods Hole. A comparison of the yield of the shore cod fishery in the seven States of the North Atlantic seaboard in which this fishery is carried on shows a marked advance in Maine, Massa- chusetts, Rhode Island, and New Jersey between 1883 and 1898, and a general increase for the region from 28,450,000 pounds, valued at $665,000, in 1888 to over 43,000,000 pounds, worth $934,000, in 1898— 50 per cent in quantity and 41 per cent in value. The period of unprecedented scarcity of mackerel which began in 1886 has continued without intermission to the present time. The catch in 1899 was slightly larger than in the two preceding years, but less than in any other season since 1890. The leading feature of the fishery was the appearance of a large body of mackerel near Cape Cod late in the season, when some good fares were landed. The decline in the lobster fishery continues in the centers of greatest production, and has been a subject of much solicitude on the part of the Commission, whose measures taken for increasing the supply are elsewhere referred to. Comparing the present output with the catch in 1880 (the earliest year for which authentic statistics are available), it appears that the yield has decreased 5,500,000 pounds, or 28 per cent. The height of this fishery seems to have been attained about 1889, when the catch was nearly 31,000,000 pounds, valued at $860,000. In 1899 the output was under 15,000,000 pounds, but the value was over $1,000,000. It is very important that the work done by the Fish Commission in increasing the lobster supply by artificial propagation be supplemented by the State authorities. While the lobster laws of the various States are commendable in principle, greater uniformity is desired and their more rigid enforcement is urgently demanded. During the past five years over 500,000,000 young lobsters have been artificially hatched by the Commission and planted on the east coast. As practically all the eggs from which these were produced would have been destroyed had not the Commission purchased the egg-bearing adults from the fishermen, it can hardly be doubted that these opera- tions have had a decided influence on the supply, but they have not as yet seemed to arrest the decline, in the face of over-fishing and the destruction of short lobsters and brood lobsters carrying eggs. Among the anadromous fishes, the shad and alewives have continued to be abundant along the entire east coast, notwithstanding that the fisheries are making larger and larger inroads each year. The supply of sturgeons is becoming less each season, and in some waters in which the fish formerly abounded practical extermination has occurred. The x REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. only stream in which a noteworthy run now exists is the Delaware. The protection and increase of these valuable fishes demand the most serious attention on the part of the State authorities, and their arti- ficial propagation is being considered by the Commission. The supply has become so reduced that the collection of even a small number of eggs is difficult. The runs of striped bass, white perch, and yellow perch present no special features, although in the Potomac and some other rivers excessive fishing is beginning to have its effect on the perches. The increasing abundance of the striped bass in the waters of California may be noted. The season of 1899 was one of the most noteworthy in the history of the Pacific salmon fishery. The pack of canned fish in the Columbia River was the smallest since 1873, with the single exception of 1889. The fall run of fish in the Sacramento was a failure. The catch in the shorter rivers of Oregon and Washington was, perhaps, an average one. In Puget Sound, on the other hand, all records were broken; nearly 900,000 cases of canned salmon were prepared (against 320,000 in the Columbia); and this region now ranks next to Alaska among the salmon-producing sections. In Alaska, also, the pack exceeded that of any previous year, aggregating considerably over a million cases. The total quantity of salmon canned in the United States waters of the Pacific coast was about 2,450,000 cases of 48 one-pound cans each (against 700,000 cases in British Columbia). The quantity of fresh fish represented by this pack, together with the catch salted or sold fresh, was not less than 175,000,000 pounds. The important fisheries for white-fish, lake herring, lake trout, and pike perch in the Great Lakes are in a generally satisfactory condition. While unfavorable weather, and a close season, during a time when the largest catches are usually made, reduced the output from Michigan waters in 1899, the supply of white-fish in Lake Erie and the Detroit River was very large, and the catch was much in excess of that of any of the preceding ten or twelve years. The fishery products imported by the United States annually are valued at upwards of $6,000,000. It is an interesting fact that a large part of this sum represents articles which are similar to or identical with products of our own waters, and which might just as well be pur- chased in the home markets. This does not refer to products which our fisheries do not yield in sufficient quantities to meet the demand, but to those of which our waters contain an abundance. The reason for seeking such products abroad is not difficult to determine. They are prepared by methods different from those in use in the United States, and are either superior in quality to the average home goods or have certain qualities which commend them to some of our people. The canned sardines of France, the pickled herring of Holland and Norway, and the cod-liver oil of Norway are well-known examples of these goods. Whatever excellence these may have is not due to any inherent property of the fish themselves but solely to the methods of REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. XI preparation. Itis certainly important that the United States fishermen and manufacturers adopt the best processes, and it would appear to be proper for the Government, as represented by this Commission, to undertake the necessary expert investigations with a view to inform our manufacturers as to the approved fishery methods of other countries. The acquisition of new island territory having large fish-eating populations opens up important trade opportunities for the manufac- turers of salted, smoked, and canned fish. Attention may be especially directed to Puerto Rico, where a recent examination of the Spanish customs records by agents of the Commission has shown that the value of the imports of fishery products during the last years of the Spanish régime was about $2,000,000 annually, of which less than $300,000 represented products from the United States and over $1,500,000 salt fish, chiefly cod, from the British North American provinces. Under proper regulations, there seems no reason why the trade may not be largely increased and pass under the control of our own people. PROPAGATION OF FOOD-FISHES. The inerease in the appropriation by Congress for the propagation of food-fishes has resulted in an extension of the work, and the output for the fiscal year is greater than that of the previous season by about 198,000,000 fish. The total number distributed was 1,056,371,898, rep- resenting the important commercial fishes, such as cod, shad, white-fish, quinnat salmon, pike perch, lake trout, and lobsters. On the Pacific coast collections of quinnat-salmon eggs were made as usual at Baird and Battle Creek, in the Sacramento River Valley, and on the Clackamas, Salmon, and Little White Salmon rivers, in the Columbia River basin. The experience this season varied from that of the past in the number of eggs secured in the different regions. At Baird runs of salmon were unusually good, and 16,568,600 eggs were taken, while at Battle Creek, where 48,000,000 eggs had been obtained the previous year, only 20,000,000 were secured this season, very few salmon entering Battle Creek on account of the low water. In the Columbia River basin the season was not as satisfactory as had been expected; but few salmon ascended the Little White Salmon or Clack- amas rivers, consequently the take of eggs at these stations was below the normal, as will be seen by referring to the accompanying reports of the different stations. Notwithstanding the falling off in the number of eggs taken at some points, about 29,000,000 salmon fry were liberated in the valley of the Sacramento during the fall and winter, and over 12,800,000 in the basin of the Columbia. The discontinuance of the Fort Gaston Station, from which the supply of steelhead-trout eggs had heretofore been obtained, necessitated the collection of these eggs from some other source, as the demand for this Species has increased, owing largely to its successful introduction into the Great Lakes. A substation was accordingly established on the Willamette River, near Oregon City, where several hundred thousand eggs were obtained. XIT REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. On the Great Lakes the collection of white-fish eggs from commercial fishermen was hampered by the operation of State laws, which prohibit the capture of white-fish during the spawning season in Lakes Michigan and Hurov. A few million were taken in Lake Superior, but the con- ditions under which fishing is conducted in this lake are such that itis not possible to obtain many eggs, and the work was practically restricted to the station at Put-in Bay, Lake Erie. The experiments mentioned in the last report having demonstrated the practicability of holding adult white-fish in pens for spawning purposes, 12,785 fish were thus confined, and from them 102,051,000 eggs were obtained, which, with 83,403,000 secured from fishermen, made a total of 185,454,000, as against 112,842,000 for the previous year. From the success in obtaining eggs from penned fish this year it would seem that in the future the necessary supply can be readily obtained by impounding a sufficient number of white-fish early in each season. Most of these eggs were hatched as usual at Put-in Bay and liberated in Lake Erie, though the hatchery at Alpena, Mich., was filled and some millions were sent to the hatcheries at Duluth, Minn., and Cape Vincent, N. Y. The lake-trout work in Lakes Superior, Michigan, and Huron was continued on the same lines as heretofore, but owing te the fact that the spawning fish did not appear on the spawning-grounds in Lakes Michigan and Huron until near the 1st of November, just before the close season commenced, the egg collections were much less than formerly. In Lake Superior efforts were more successful, 6,300,000 being obtained from the American and Canadian shore fisheries. As a result of the season’s work over 9,500,000 fry were liberated. The resumption of the propagation of pike perch the previous season met with such hearty commendation from all parts of the Great Lakes region that it was decided not only to increase the work on Lake Hrie, but to undertake the collection of eggs in Michigan waters for filling the Alpena hatchery, and in Vermont and New York waters for the station at Cape Vincent. The experience gained in Saginaw Bay and on the Missisquoi River in Vermont has shown that several hundred million pike-perch eggs may be collected in these localities under more favorable conditions. In Lake Erie the number of eggs collected aggregated over 493,000,000. Of these, 87,862,090 were taken from fish © which had been penned at Monroe Piers, Mich., and Put-in Bay. The application of this method did not prove as satisfactory with the pike perch as with the white-fish, as the conditions differed in many respects. The pike perch did not stand transportation as well, and unless stripped within 72 hours after being penned the eggs were usually valueless. The higher temperature of water in the spring, when the pike perch are penned, may be the reason for the smaller measure of success. - Work at the marine stations on the coast of Massachusetts was begun in the fall, the schooner Grampus being utilized during the months of October and November in collecting brood cod for the Woods Hole Station. Field stations were established at Plymouth, Mass., and PLATE Il. 1899, (To face page XII.) Report U.S. F.C. NASHUA STATION, NEW HAMPSHIRE—RESERVOIR, HATCHERY, WORKSHOP, AND ICE-HOUSE. REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. XII Kittery Point, Me., in November for the purpose of collecting cod eggs from the fishing vessels sailing from those ports. A total of 322,905,000 eggs was obtained, which produced 208,000,000 fry, which were planted on natural spawning-grounds along the ee of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine. On account of the meager number of eggs of the pollock taken in the past few years, but little attention was paid to the propagation of this species, though a few eggs were collected at Gloucester and hatched. It had been determined to largely increase the output of flat-fish, but these plans were hampered by the lateness of the season, ice remaining in the harbors until late in February. As soon as the ice disappeared satisfactory collections of eggs were made in the vicinity of Woods Hole and East Greenwich, R. I., but from unexplained causes it was difficult to fertilize those first taken. Subsequently the method of fer- tilization was changed. As a result of the season’s work, 52,441,000 fry were liberated in suitable waters in the vicinities from which the eges were collected. Early in March steps were taken to prepare for the lobster work along the coast of Maine. All of the dealers as far east as Rockland were visited, and arrangements were made with Mr. A. R. Nickerson, commissioner of sea and shore fisheries of the State of Maine, for the cooperation of the State officials in securing all egg-bearing lobsters captured during the spring. In the past considerable difficulty has been experienced in making the fishermen understand that they would be permitted to hold egg-bearing lobsters in live-cars, for the United States Fish Commission, as the State law provides that any person having in his possession egg lobsters would be subject to fine. Notices signed by the United States Fish Commissioner and State Commis- sioner Nickerson, advising the fishermen that they were authorized to hold live lobsters for this Commission, were distributed all along the coast, and the State deputy wardens were instructed not to molest anyone found with live female lobsters held for propagation. An effort was also made to secure a Suitable site for the construction of a pound where a million or more young lobsters could be held until their fourth molting. A cove was needed covering several acres, and which could be so inclosed that the tide would ebb and flow daily through it, thus affording an abundance of natural food. After carefully considering many places, a location was selected in the vicinity of Vineyard Haven, but further investigation showed that the expense involved in proper equipment was more than could be met from the funds available, and accordingly the attempt had to be abandoned at that time. The work of collecting egg lobsters commenced in April and con- tinued until June 30 at Woods Hole, and until July 10 north of Cape Cod. All of the important fishing centers between Rockland, Me., and Newport, R. I., were visited at least once or twice a week by agents of the Commission, and 121,878,000 eggs were secured. These were hatched at Woods Hole and Gloucester and yielded 110,491,000 fry, XIV REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 36,925,000 of which were planted along the coast of Maine at various localities selected by the commissioner of sea and shore fisheries, 33,685,000 above Cape Cod along the coast of Massachusetts, and the balance along the coast below the cape, as far south as Long Island Sound, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Although the plants already made have apparently had no appreciable effect upon the fishery, cor- respondents at various points report large numbers of young lobsters, varying from 2 to 4 inches in length, captured in traps or carried up on the beach in grass during heavy seas. Mr. W. D. Monroe writes that while at his home in Marblehead, immediately after a severe November storm, he observed hundreds of small lobsters on the beach in eelgrass; and that, although he had lived there for many years, he had never before seen such numbers of young lobsters in the vicinity, and thinks they are the product of the hatchery at Gloucester. The season’s shad operations were begun, as in former years, in Albemarle Sound, with the steamer Fish Hawk as a floating hatchery. Though this vessel was available for duty earlier than usual, owing to unfavorable weather it was the 5th of April before any ripe fish were secured. Egg-collecting was pushed vigorously until April 30, when the vessel proceeded to the Delaware River. During the month 21,000,000 eggs were hatched and the fry planted in North Carolina waters. Harty in April shad-hatching commenced at Bryan Point on the Maryland shore of the Potomac River and at Havre de Grace on the Susquehanna, and on May 11 the Fish Hawk arrived in the Delaware, opposite Glou- cester, N.J., and took up the work there. The results from all of these stations this season were satisfactory, enabling the Commission to plant over 235,000,000 fry, an increase over the previous year of more than 7,000,000. The importance of artificial propagation is fully realized by shad fishermen, and its effect on the fishery is the best illustration of the value of fish-culture. The catch of fish increases yearly, notwith- standing fewer fish ascend to their natural spawning-grounds at the headwaters of the various rivers, owing to the greater number of pound and gill nets. At the inland stations there has been a steady increase in the output of brook trout, landlocked salmon, and the large-mouth black bass, which is particularly gratifying in view of the growing demand for these species throughout the country. As an instance of the success achieved in artificially extending the range of brook trout, it may be mentioned that at the Leadville Station, in Colorado, over 3,656,000 brook-trout eggs were collected during the fall from streams and lakes which had been stocked comparatively few years ago, this fish not being a native of this section of the United States. ; . The propagation of the grayling, which was undertaken the previous season at Red Rock Lake, Montana, was continued under better condi- tions, and 5,300,000 eggs were collected. Consignments of these were sent to Wyoming, Minnesota, Michigan, Rhode Island, and Vermont, in waters where it is hoped this fine food and game fish may be established. PLATE Ili. 1899. (To face page XIV.) Report U. S. F. C. NASHUA STATION, NEW HAMPSHIRE—REARING-PONDS, REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. XV The following tables show the output of the various stations and the number of fish and eggs furnished to the States and Territories: Statement of fish and eggs furnished for distribution by the stations of the United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1899. eae ca Paes. | sngdslings. | ‘yearlings: Green Lake, Me.............- Golden trout..-........ ROOST 4 SsoaeaSeceee SUO TEU ie fer- te eee IBYOO GRO Gao ate inieie nice atoimsl| sa cicieeis fea e 196, 000 8, 800 Make tloOwbes ase =sem= enna 500, 000 SOONSTT: acer asses Black-spotted: trOW bse == ass -)cicemeiete es =n EASE |lioconascoeas Bt Gllb Gel unt igor eseoc econ. Hbe ooo S56 ehe ISESecS0scses ae 3, 767 Landlocked salmon..-.-...-...- S2NDOO} | Seiseiteeeceeee 333, 157 Craig Brook, Me.......-.----- Atlantic salmon ........--...... 650, 000 450, 000 392, 280 Landlocked salmon..-...--.-..-. 110, 000 141, 875 159, 250 IRAUIDO WE LOU Usa. neeteaecnneasnem|eaeme bees aise) 4 =e oot oO lecewouceeues IBTOOKALLOM bapa seis saci maura || See eciwece ss Bakerbrouten a laces =m ecseeee-lensemelece se SCOLGH KGAMLOMG ear aieiste wise =t-laiell Seats cies ales Quinnatisalmont=so- -o-seceeeseeloeeesee seoee Handlocked«salmonl-.22 = 35-5 seis |sccsecieescas Atlantic salMOn)s.5in se ccse Brook WOU tas=ssices sce ooece cee Dak trout cncccscssscccsscecece JEN NOR NL As ae aa onaoee senses Black: Passeccecsstcccccecasisovces eee 341, 872 15, 000 2, 300, 000 25, 000 300, 000 Quinnatsalmon..-....--#....... Atlantic salmon. .......-..-...- Landlocked salmon Rainbow trot. ..2sacseooeseee ee IBVOORM LOUGH e ss ecisccnice Soe wee ce Scowehisea troul---.sss.- uses BISCKIDABR en corccieccchesacues. Crappie Quinnatisalmon.-22-% =. 0--2<2 22 Black-spotted trout.....--...--- Bi00ktroutuceceseson se -cc ee cae IBIACk Daasha ccc cnceseccot sacs see Raimnbowtroute css = -scccessee es IBrOOKtrOUts <2 <06snooee bese cious 20, 000 Black bass, large-mouth....-..-. Black bass, small-mouth Crappiets jae. s-6 6s sc haase sano Rain ow trout.. Brook trout. . AKG tOUbte case cceeeweeeeccuss WWihitetinhip eat: ok tes Cecio ae IBINCK DASH=.- cnn sas eec owes cece os Hain oO WserOlbe. coset cat ees Black-spotted trout Brooke trolls. - cee ceca sclcceee Grayling BIRCK Dass. << s-soccveecceeecsias Guinnat BAlMONSesace oc wncecsee = ee ee ee es MIN MAT SAMNON sae 2 on inice estore ores WINDOW! LEOU Gea 2 oa snice ooa:<'= ons = Minna Salmons secenc~ eae ese ae ite-fishieeccsaso< se swaisscece ae Rainbow trout Rainbow trout IBTOOKMULOUb 2 a= to ese see. s=s Rainbow trout. ..<..2----------- Black-spotted trout Wake thOUbacsscne sees sone ee eaesn cower ee wei Wihttectis hiss sees eecaceeece ae lee sice So cacicic 240, 000 1, 500, 000 xx REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. During the year over 100,000,000 fish were handled on the four cars of the Commission, with a loss of a little over 1,250,000, or about 1.28 percent. The cars traveled 95,374 miles in making this distribution. The remaining fish propagated were distributed by detached messen- gers and employees of the stations, who traveled 138,347 miles. The railroads shown by the following list assisted the Commission very greatly by furnishing free transportation, without which the work would have necessarily been curtailed : Table showing the amount of free transportation furnished by the railroads named during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1899. ; Messen- ; : . Messen: Name of railroad. Cars. gers. Name of railroad. Cars gers. Miles. | Miles Miles. | Miles. a etison, Topeka and Santa Fe | Hoosac Tunnel and Wilmington foi oor Ni tebed alee ee ge 3,178] 1,274 SREB) ee ee Fcc occa eta Cee 48 Reetin and Northwestern R.R.|.....--- 200 || Houston and Texas Central R.R- 592 166 Baltimore and Ohio R. R.-..--.--.-. BOS) |bonesace Illinois Central R. R...--..----- 82) sccm Bangor and Aroostook R. R...-. 152 351 || International and Great North- Bennington and Rutland Rwy..|.---.--- 52 Bean ig) = orscene poneesooe eee 853 728 Boston and Maine KR. R ---.-2---|22--5--- 2,420 || Kansas City, Fort Scott and Burlington and Missouri River ” Memphis RoR 2-2. se... 20ee 452 31 R. R.in Nebraska. .-.-......--- Li s0smseccecine rosea City, Pittsburgand Gulf Burlington, Cedar Rapids and 1A Site Soe ane cqoseerosaseResee 480 696 Northern Ly Songoeeeer SD dObe 3, 285 1,353 || Maine Central R. R....-.--.----- 2, 488 44 Central Vermont Rwy ---------.|-------- 620 || Manistique Rwy- -- : 128 (2s Chesapeake and Ohio Rwy...--- BOO | saeme ne Mattoon Rwy...-- ---- oe 1822s. osee Chicago and Northwestern Rwy- 784 546 || Michigan Central R. R.-...--..- 8,170 410 Chicagoand West Michigan Rwy| 1,701 42 || Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Ste. Marie Rwy ----....--..--- 252) leaswenpe 12s Mane apioucas aubenCame acne cia 2TAGGy|Seeeeeme Missouri, Kansas and Texas Rwy |----.--- 863 Chicago, ai and St. Mobile and Ohio R. R......-.-.- 1802 Wet 2c ke Pan RWiye sees eee erie bY 4 peepee Montana ROR 22 eee scene ao sases|pseeea 240 Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis Montpelierand Wells River R.R |.-..---- 168 and Omaha Rwy .---:--------- BOZMEs eee Northern Pacific Rwy ..---.----. 1,579 | 243 Cincinnati Northern 0.5) ee Peres se 42; || Oh10 RAVOr Teo bese cee ei ee lee fl i ears Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago Oregon Railroad and Navigation and St. Louis Rwy.-.-...-:..-- DSTO os eeneee CO vert fact ones ese aeree nena L279) aaa Colorado Midland Rwy ....-.--.- 1,176 | 83 || Oregon Short Line R. R.---..--- | 2, 385 805 Colorado and Southern Rwy ..-. 364 | 1, 832 |] Portland and Rumford Falls Delaware and Hudson R.R..-.- AU ecascsec Lin Ay Cae bosonotsrecoss -casssae 114g eee Denver and Rio Grande R. R....| 1,488 4,578 || Rio Grande Western Rwy ..---- 1 496:)| "seem Denver, Leadvilleand Gunnison || Rumford Falls and Rangeley RWiicies case caen os seewee eoema| sees cce 929 MakestR Reece nee eee eee 56. |-sh acces Detroit and Mackinac Rwy..... 3, 004 594" \| RuatlandMRok sees cosse sce osaaee le neeeees 270 Detroit,Grand Rapids and West- St. Louis Southwestern Rwy- 418 750 ern R. Rida cema aera eacscenicct 150497 |(- sense San Antonio and Aransas Pass” Detroit, Toledo and Milwaukee IRWY cov eceneseueeeeose sence 415 426 Sow enie ee ciee cece aise mee BY ale eeoaoe| psn heli ied tel ty ceepeosurSenSasiticnoacns 22 Duluth, South Shore and Atlan- Southern: PaciticiCol-- 52 ---s-se5|seeeeeee 326 TG LEW Ayoescsnecscooncoriscddads PAPE Beeson St. Johnsbury and Lake Cham- LRG INES, pe cbboonsansoussoogsce |loepocsss 394 plain RR sso. tens see eae see eee 775 ihc bur owe un ee maale mene eliea iaeeeinnioe 174 || St. Louisand San Francisco R. R- 784 620 Flint and Pere Marquette R.R.| 4, 452 1,406 || Texas and Pacific Rwy ----.-.-.. 2,519 3, 404 Franklin and Megantic Rwy ...|.--.---- 50: || Union Pacific R. Resess---2esee 1/429) |S22acee Fort Worthand Rio Grande Rwy |.--...--- 284 || Union Pacific, Denver and Gulf Galveston, La Porte and Hous- IRWY, cheacecccoreh tesco eee 597 192 HOHE Ay seosincenspenseseasves:|Seesccsc, 14° | WabastvRRo ose. see ee eee 2, 106 96 Grand avide and Indiana Rwy. 680 | 157 || Wilmington and Northern R.R.).-..---. 56 Grand Crunk Rwy a. 26s Heh oeiacesee Wisconsin Central R. R.-.-....... 927|seeeaciae Great Northern Rwy..----.---.. 985 633 a Green Bay and Western R. R. -- a RYE eee cee Total)... 22. soc. spears 59,797 | 29, 439 Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe IB Ay. poDmedoeicdquaeaseceeceor a 736 102 SHR WSS) (To face page XX.) NASHUA STATION, NEW HAMPSHIRE—HATCHERY EXTERIOR, NASHUA STATION, NEW PLATE IV. HAMPSHIRE—HATCHERY INTERIOR. iiay = i fe ee REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. XXI BIOLOGICAL INQUIRIES. The work of the division of scientific inquiry has been of more than usual interest during the past year. Several important investigations have been inaugurated, and those already in progress have been com- pleted or continued. In July, 1898, a systematic survey of the biological and physical conditions of Lake Erie was begun and has been carried on with grati- fying success. The commercial value of the fisheries of the Great Lakes and the magnitude of the fish-cultural operations necessary to maintain the supply of food-fishes make it important that all of the conditions which affect fish life be carefully studied, especially that future fish-cultural efforts may obtain the best results. The investiga- tion was begun in Lake Erie, with headquarters at the station of the Commission at Put-in Bay, where the hatchery building could be used as a laboratory and the other facilities of the station, including a steam launch, could be utilized; furthermore, the region affords excel- lent natural advantages for pursuing the studies indicated. Prof. Jacob Reighard, of the University of Michigan, was placed in direct charge of the work, and was assisted by a corps of specialists, consist- ing of representatives from various institutions of learning and from the staff of the Commission. The summer was devoted to a study of the fishes and of the minute animals and plants which influence the movements and distribution of fishes, and the results were of such value that the investigation will be continued and its scope enlarged as much as possible. The biological surveys of the interior waters of the Northwest have been continued under the direction of Dr. B. W. Evermann. The inves- tigations during the season of 1898 chiefly concerned lakes Chelan, Kootenay, and Coeur d’Alene, and were, in a measure, preliminary to determining the advisability of more exhaustive inquiries in future. Lake Chelan, in the State of Washington, one of the largest. bodies of fresh water west of the Mississippi, and Lake Kootenay, in British Columbia, are two important sources of the Columbia River. The investigations regarding them embraced a study of their general fish fauna, and were also for the purpose of determining the presence in their waters of the blueback salmon or red-fish in connection with the studies of the salmon in the Columbia River basin, which have been carried on for some years bythe Commission. The fishesof Lake Chelan have never been studied, and, though it is known to contain 8 or 10 species, the red-fish probably does not occur in it. No satisfactory evidence could be found of the presence of the large red-fish in Lake Kootenay, but the small variety occurs in considerable numbers in the Kootenay system, and it is reported as spawning in streams in that region tributary to the Columbia. In Lake Ceur d’Alene, Idaho, it was desired to ascertain the resultsof plants of white-fish made by the Commission. No positive information was obtained, but the fishery resources of the lake are such as to warrant a further comprehensive study of its conditions. XXII REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. In accordance with the policy of the Commission of making a study of the biological and physical conditions of important inland waters, an examination of the lake systems of Maine was begun by an inquiry embracing the Sebago Lake basin. The inland fisheries of this State are valuable and carefully fostered, and among its lakes Sebago, with its tributaries, holds an important place, both on account of its size and the considerable fish-cultural operations which have been carried on in its waters. The inquiry at this time appeared the more desirable on account of the apparent decrease of fish life, notwithstanding the extensive efforts made to maintain the supply. Several species of food and game fishes inhabit the lake, the most important being the land- locked salmon, and although this was the primary object of the inquiry, the other species received due attention. Interesting data in regard to the apparent decrease of the fish supply and bearing on the relation between the landlocked salmon (Salmo salar sebago) and the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) have been collected. The investigation was carried on by Dr. W. C. Kendall during July and August, 1898, and continued in May, 1899, and at the close of the fiscal year was still in progress. Besides Sebago Lake several smaller lakes and other waters in its extensive basin were examined. For some time it has been held by citizens of Utah that certain useful marine animals might be advantageously acclimated in the waters of Great Salt Lake. While the salinity of the waters of the open lake was acknowledged to be too great for success in this direction, it was thought that in some of its bays, where rivers discharge, the density might be sufficiently low to permit the survival and growth of oysters, clams, crabs, and even fish. Accordingly, at the request of those inter- ested, the Commission decided to undertake a study of the physical conditions of the lake in order to decide as to the feasibility of the project. The investigation was made by Dr. H. F. Moore, in September, 1898, and as shown in his comprehensive paper published as an appen- dix to this report (pp. 229-250) the question may be regarded as settled. It was found that while there is an ample food supply, yet owing to the limited and irregular character of the zone of mixed water, even at the mouths of rivers and streams, the attempt to stock the lake with any marine species would be useless, and any efforts to introduce shad or other anadromous fishes in the rivers would be equally unavailing. An interesting inquiry into the utilization of the shells of fresh-water mussels in the manufacture of buttons has been made and a report on the subject published. While this industry has grown up within the last ten years, it has rapidly increased in value and importance, and if proper steps are taken to prevent needless depletion of the mussel beds it might well grow to larger proportions. The fishery has been exceed- ingly active and is carried on along about 200 miles of the Mississippi River in Iowa and Illinois, where the shoalness of the river makes nearly every part easily accessible, and the exhaustion of these beds, if present methods are continued, is a question of but a short time. In REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. XXIII various streams other species of mussels than those now sought are known to exist, and these will probably be resorted to in the future, The industry has attained such proportions in the way of capital invested and labor employed that its destruction would be a calamity in many communities. It would seem very desirable, therefore, that the States interested enact legislation forbidding the gathering of small mussels, providing for a close season during spawning time, and pre- venting damage to the beds by sewage and factory refuse. The experiments in fattening oysters have been continued at Lynn- haven River with interesting results. As it was found after a year’s trial that oysters which had been planted in an inclosed pool did not fatten and were inferior to those growing on beds in the open rivers, an attempt was made to increase artificially the fertility of the water. The effort was encouraging, and it is believed that a continuation of the experiments will result in valuable improvements in oyster-culture. An investigation, referred to elsewhere, of the waters of Narragan- sett Bay, was made with the steamer Fish Hawk in October and Novem- ber, 1898, to study the distribution of star-fish in that body of water. It was found that this enemy of the oyster multiplies with great rapidity in certain localities, and from these breeding-grounds the young are distributed to the oyster-beds. It appears that these nurseries might be destroyed at small expense and that the oyster-grounds are probably free from invasion from beyond the limits of the bay. Supplemental to this work, observations were made of the general biological conditions prevailing in the bay and in Block Island Sound. The study of salmon in the Sacramento River has been continued in a systematic manner, all portions of the river and the lakes at its source having been visited, seining stations established at regular intervals, and traps built. Thus the stream was kept under close observation and many facts ascertained regarding the natural history of salmon in this river. A full report on this work is being prepared and will soon be ready for publication. An investigation has been eundertaken looking to a better under- standing of the natural history of the herring, particularly as to their migrations and spawning habits, a thorough knowledge of which is important from the value of the herring fisheries on the Maine coast. Minor investigations have been made in the Wabash basin, in the San Pedro River, Arizona, and in the District of Columbia, together with interesting studies of the shad and mackerel. A noteworthy event was the rediscovery of the tile-fish in consider- able quantities and the definite location of its range. Since its appar- ent extinction in 1882, it has only been taken occasionally, but as the result of systematic cruising by the Grampus, in the summer of 1898, on the edge of the continental plateau south of southern New England and Long Island the fish was found in abundance and evidently breed- ing. As itsrange is close to the markets of the Atlantic coast it is not unlikely that a new marine fishery may yet be developed. XXIV. REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. The laboratory of the Commission at Woods Hole, Mass., has been kept open during the entire year under the direction of Dr. H.C. Bumpus, of Brown University, and a large number of voluntary inves- tigators have taken advantage of the opportunities offered. The equipment of the laboratory has been increased, collecting and other apparatus supplemented, a library established, and vessels and boats of the Commission have been utilized. While no restriction is placed on the lines of study pursued, in a majority of cases they bear, directly or indirectly, on economic problems related to the fisheries, and it is felt that the work carried on there has been not only of scientific interest and importance, but will also be of great practical value. Among the more important researches were a continuation of the experiments looking to the rearing of young lobsters, studies of fish parasites, and the habits of the star-fish, the ravages of which cause such loss to the oyster-beds. Observations were also made on the preservation of fish for market without the use of ice. Data were collected preliminary to undertaking the artificial propagation of the clam on a somewhat extensive scale, as it is believed that this very important shore fishery may thus be benefited. It has been felt that a more complete knowledge of the habits, distri- bution, and abundance of the marine food-fishes in the coastal waters of the South Atlantic States and of the non-economic fishes and other animals related to the food-fishes, as food, enemies, ete., is highly desirable from scientific, economic, and fish-cultural standpoints. It was therefore decided to establish a biological station and laboratory at some point where work could be carried on by volunteer investigators, as at Woods Hole. The plan met with the indorsement and encourage- ment of those interested in the development of the fisheries of the South, and after due consideration Beaufort, N. C., was selected as the most available place, the advantages of the locality having been shown by experience. The waters are full of animal life and the region is favorable for a study of the biological conditions of the southern coast in general. Accordingly, a building was rented, equipment provided, and on June 1, 1899, the laboratory was opened under the Gerpetion of Dr-H: ‘Vv. Wilson, a the University of North Carolina. STATISTICS OF THE FISHERIES. A canvass of the fisheries of the coast and tide waters of the Middle Atlantic States has been completed, covering the statistics for the calendar year 1897, the details of which are shown hereafter in the division report. It was found that the fisheries of these States have decreased in aggregate value $4,701,051 since the last canvass was made in 1891, chiefly owing to the falling off in the oyster industry in Maryland and Virginia, although this fishery is still by far the most important of the region, being worth $8,877,824 while the total shad fishery, which ranks next, is valued at $980,977. The fisheries for alewives, menhaden, and crabs vary in value from $229,000 to $471,000, REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. XXV and the blue-fish fishery is worth over $580,000. The total fisheries of these States were worth, respectively: New York, $3,401,190; New Jersey, $3,614,434; Pennsylvania, $269,507; Delaware, $252,123; Mary-. land, $3,617,306; Virginia, $3,167,863. They represent an investment of $15,188,614, and employ 95,316 persons. Monthly statistics of the yield and value of the more important fisheries which find a market at the port of San,Francisco have been collected, and for the calendar year 1898 they have aggregated more than 39,500,000 pounds, valued at over $7,330,000. This includes the whale fishery and most of the Alaskan salmon fisheries, as well as cer- tain ones of Oregon and Washington. The item of greatest importance is the salmon fishery, valued at nearly $5,250,000. The growth of the oyster industry of San Francisco Bay, based on transplanted eastern oysters, is of interest, the quantity marketed in 1898 being valued at $482,000. It was found that the sea-otter fishery, prosecuted off the coast of Alaska, is rapidly declining, only 154 skins having been entered at the custom-house during the year. It may be noted that the whale fishery experienced a revival in 1898, the value of its products being materially increased by an unusual capture of bowhead whales in the Arctic Ocean by the Pacific whaling fleet. The total quantity of fishery products landed at the ports of Boston and Gloucester in 1898 was 143,403,740 pounds, valued at $2,989,088, an increase over the preceding year of 16,538,142 pounds, worth $110,453. This increase must be entirely credited to Gloucester, the receipts at Boston showing a decrease, as compared with 1897, of 8,224,000 pounds. Interesting tables, illustrating in detail the fisheries conducted from these two ports, are published hereafter. An agent of the division accompanied the Fish Hawk to Puerto Rico, where his investigations developed interesting information regarding the commercial aspects of the fisheries in that island, as mentioned in the paragraph relating to that expedition. An inspection of the Pribilof seal rookeries was made by Mr. Charles H. Townsend during July and August, 1898, in order to report to the Treasury Department, as required by law, on the condition of the fur-seal herd. It was found that-the herd had decreased some 22 per cent since the count of 1897. During the year the number of surplus male seals killed on the islands, under the supervision of the United States Government, was 18,052, and the pelagic catch made by 35 Canadian vessels from the American herd was 28,142. THE STEAMER FISH HAWK. This vessel was returned to the Commission by the Navy Department September 15, 1898, and on September 29 Lieut. Commander Richard G. Davenport, U.S. N., under orders from the Navy Department, assumed command. Some alteration and refitting were necessary after her use as a gunboat, and October 18 she was again ready for Fish Commission work. Soon after a special investigation of Narragansett Bay, mentioned eise- where, was undertaken at the request of the Rhode Island commissioners XXVI REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. of inland fisheries, and was completed November 17. Shortly thereafter preparations were begun to fit the vessel for a scientific expedition to ° Puerto Rico. When this island became a possession of the United States little was actually known of the animal life in its waters; but it was believed that many species of food-fishes and other edible aquatic animals existed there, and it was felt that a knowledge of these, of the commercial fisheries, and the fish trade would prove of both scientific interest and economic value. The establishment of new business and social relations between Puerto Rico and the United States and the consequent changes in the industries of the island made it desirable that the conditions be studied before considerable modifications should take place. It was therefore decided to send the Fish Hawk to Puerto Rico with a party to study the subject. The scientific investigations were under the immediate direction of Dr. Barton W. Evermann, of the division of scientific inquiry, who had the aid of a full corps of assistants. The vessel sailed from Norfolk on December 17 and arrived at San Juan January 2. The investigations were immediately begun at this port and extended entirely around the island, stops being made at the principal places. Though the shortness of the time during which the Fish Hawk could be retained on this work prevented theinvestigation from being complete and thorough, extensive collections were made and valuable information obtained. A general report embodying the results of the éxpedition will be issued, as soon as practicable, in the Builetin of the Commission for 1900. The results of the commercial inquiries have already been published as an appendix to this report, pages 1-34. Many species of edible fishes are found and fishing for local consumption is conducted about most parts of the island, though not very actively, most of the fish used being brought from Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. 34,156,000 pounds, valued at about $2,124,000, were imported in 1897, of which over 28,000,000 pounds came from the British possessions and less than 5,000,000 pounds from the United States. Most of these fish were either dried, pickled, or canned. With improved methods of transportation and refrigeration it is thought that the local fisheries might be greatly increased in quantity and value. The work of the party was aided by the military and naval authorities in the island, the governor-general, Maj. Gen. Guy V. Henry, directing that every facility be granted to Lieut. Commander Davenport and Dr. Evermann. In order to take up the usual shad-hatching work in Albemarle Sound, the Fish Hawk left Puerto Rico February 22, arrived at Norfolk, Va., on March 8, and at Edenton, N.C., on March 15. From this date till June 12 the vessel was engaged in shad operations in Albemarle Sound and the Delaware River, when it proceeded to Woods Hole, Mass., and there remained until the close of the fiscal year, in connection with the scientific work carried on at that station. During the year this vessel was more extensively engaged at sea than usual, having steamed PLATE V. (To face page XXVI.) 1899, Report U. S. F. C. SPEARFISH STATION, SOUTH DAKOTA—HATCHERY INTERIOR, REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. XXVII over 7,000 miles. While engaged in scientific work her deep-sea dredges, trawls, and other appliances were almost constantly in use. On March 18 Lieutenant-Commander Davenport was detached from the vessel at his own request, and though he had only been in com- mand five months it is felt that the Commission has lost the services of a faithful and efficient officer. On the same date he was succeeded by Mate James A. Smith, U.S. N. REPAIRS TO STEAMER ALBATROSS. The Albatross was detailed by the President to the Navy Depart- ment April 13, 1898, as an auxiliary cruiser during the war with Spain and was returned to the Commission August 25, 1898. This vessel had been in commission since 1883 and was in need of considerable repairs and alterations besides new boilers, her present ones being nearly worn out and unserviceable. Accordingly, under authority of an act of Congress approved July 1, 1898, plans for the boilers were prepared, contracts let, and the work of repairing was taken up as soon as pos- sible, but owing to delays in the completion of the boilers, the ship was not ready for sea till the close of the fiscal year. The boilers are of the Scotch marine type 104 feet long by 12 feet greatest diameter. The principal alterations were raising the pilot house, thereby permitting the construction of two new staterooms underneath and an upper bridge on top, and the enlargement of the coal-bunkers to provide additional storage for 70 tons of coal. A new dynamo and engine were provided, the main engines and the machinery overhauled and repaired, the quarters of officers and crew refitted, the hull of the vessel inspected and scaled wherever necessary, and many other minor but essential improvements made. This work has been done under the immediate supervision of the commanding officer, Commander Jeff. F. Moser, U.S. N., and he reports that the hull and appurtenances of the vessel are now in first-class condition and that her general efficiency is greatly increased. By the addition to the coal-bunkers her steaming radius is extended 1,300 or 1,400 miles, and with the new staterooms the scientific parties carried can be more comfortably accommodated. NEW STATIONS. The new stations at Spearfish, 8. Dak., and Nashua, N. H., for which sites were acquired during the past fiscal year, and at Erwin, Tenn., where construction work was in progress, are designed primarily for the propagation of the salmonide, though the basses also are to receive attention at Erwin. At Spearfish a frame hatchery 322 by 65% feet has been erected. The building is on a stone foundation, is heated by steam, and contains a hatching-room, office, reception-hall, and boiler- room, with two bed-rooms in the upperstory. The hatching-room con- tains 32 troughs, 13 feet by 122 inches, fitted with the usual trays, which afford facilities for handling about 1,000,000 eggs. The water supply is obtained from springs, and is conducted into the building by gravity. 12 rearing-ponds 100 by 8 feet, 3 spawning-ponds 120 by 20 feet, 2 XXVIII REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. spawning-ponds 84 by 20 feet, all 3 feet deep, have been completed, besides 3 stock-ponds, aggregating 15,000 square feet. To protect these ponds from floods it was necessary to excavate an 800-foot chan- nel, 10 feet wide and 6 feet deep, to carry off water from a gulch located above them. An ice-house, 20 feet by 14 feet, has been built, and the necessary walks and roadways have been completed and the property fenced with wire. At Nashua a hatchery similar in construction to the one at Spearfish has been erected. The building is 100 by 18 feet, and is equipped with ~ 40 troughs 124 feet by 122 inches, with a capacity for handling 1,000,000 eggs. Two other buildings have been erected; one a frame structure 34 by 18 feet, on post foundations and containing a carpenter-shop, fuel- room, and refrigerator, the other an ice-house 20 by 14 feet, affording storage for 30 tons of ice. There have been completed 14 rearing-ponds 100 by 8 feet by 2 feet deep, 3-spawning-ponds 64 by 36 feet, and 2 spawning-ponds 70 by 48 feet, all 3 feet deep, and 2 stock-ponds, one about 4 acre and the other 14 acres in extent. The hatchery and ponds are supplied with water flowing naturally from springs above them, and these springs can be supplemented in dry weather, if necessary, with ample water from a dozen driven wells on the premises. The grounds have been graded and the necessary roadways and walks completed and the reservation surrounded with a fence. The development of the Erwin station has been continued, and there have been erected—besides the hatchery and superintendent’s dwelling mentioned in the last report—a foreman’s house, barn, ice-house, and fuel-house. The hatchery is a frame building 100 by 18 feet, equipped with 34 troughs 121 feet by 122 inches, with a capacity for about 1,000,000 eggs. The superintendent’s dwelling is a two-story frame cottage 27 by 36 feet, and contains 6 rooms. The foreman’s dwelling contains 5 rooms, and is a frame structure 50 by 38 feet. The barn, 20 by 30 feet, has 2 stalls and wagon room; and the ice-house, 20 by 14 feet, has storage capacity for 30 tons of ice. There are now completed 6 spawning-ponds 100 by 10 feet, 5 feet deep; 2 spawning-ponds 100 by 50 feet, and 24 feet deep; 24 rearing-ponds 50 by 12 feet and 2 feet deep, and 4 stock ponds with an aggregate area of 30,155 square feet. The water supply is derived from a spring, and is led to the hatchery and ponds by gravity. As no railroad station is near, a siding has been built for convenience in handling shipments of fish. The grounds have been surrounded with a substantial wire fence. An act of Congress approved July 1, 1898, directed the establishment of fish-cultural stations in the States of Georgia and Washington, in both cases providing that the land should be donated to the Government. In Georgia the location near Bullochville, in Meriwether County, described in the last annual report, being satisfactory, negotiations were entered into with the owners, and on February 14, 1899, 18.97 acres were given to the United States by Messrs. Benjamin F. and Cyprian REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. XXIX Bulloch and Mrs. Sarah J. Bussey, the deed containing a proviso that . the land should revert to the owners in case of its abandonment as a fish-cultural station. The preparation of plans was promptly taken up and at the end of the year the development of the station had begun. The station in the State of Washington being intended for propa- gating the blueback or sockeye salmon, it has been deemed advisable to locate the hatchery at Baker Lake, where extensive spawning-grounds of this species are known to exist, as noted in the last report. Baker Lake is in what is known as the Washington Forest Reserve and is the head of Baker River, its outlet, about 16 miles above where the latter empties into the Skagit River and about 35 miles by trail north- east from the town of Hamilton. The lake is about 14 miles long by 14 miles wide. The point selected for the hatchery is near the center of the south shore of the lake, where a State hatchery has been oper- ated for a number of years. By a proclamation of the President, dated May 10, 1899, the lake and surrounding lands within half a mile of its shore were set apart for the use of this Commission for fish-cultural purposes. The State hatchery and equipment have been purchased, and preparations for operating the station were at once begun. Battle Creek Station, California, had been operated since the season of 1896 under an arrangement made with the California State Commis- sion, and as it afforded exceptional opportunities for the collection of sahnon eggs its acquisition by the Government has been deemed of importance. An act of Congress approved January 28, 1898, authorized the establishment of a permanent station at this point. Owing to difficulty in obtaining a valid title to the land, the purchase was not completed till March 25,1899. The buildings and equipment of the California Commission have been purchased, and the station is now in condition for continued operation. It is on the east bank of Battle Creek, in Tehama County, about 12 miles east of the town of Anderson. ° The hatchery buildings are described in the appendix to the report for 1897, page 24. Edenton Station, North Carolina.—By act of Congress approved July 7, 1898, provision was made for establishing a fish-cultural station in the State of North Carolina. As this station was intended primarily for the propagation of shad, striped bass, black bass, and the perches, it was almost imperative that it should be located on the headwaters of Albemarle Sound, where the large shad and striped-bass fisheries are conducted, and where bass and perch are also abundant. In December, 1898, this locality was examined by Mr. 8S. G. Worth, who was designated to select a site, his past experience having pecul- iarly fitted him to judge of the requirements needed for the contem- plated station, as he had been in charge of the shad operations of the Commission on the Potomac River for many years, and had also been State fish commissioner of North Carolina. This investigation resulted in the selection of a tract of land comprising 15 acres, about a mile west of the village of Edenton, on the west bank of Pembroke Creek. An xxx REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. option was secured on the land on February 10, and as the act provided for the completion of the station by June 30, 1899, the Department of Justice was at once asked to secure the necessary titles. On March 15 a communication was received from a committee appointed by the State Board of Agriculture of North Carolina, asking the Commissioner to meet the committee at Edenton on the 29th of March, or to send a representative, to discuss the eligibility of the site selected and to secure a better location if it could be found. DOOR COCO CORCO eS oObSS Se Boreas eerocD | S29) hea so see ape lleeseme cond CRAIG BROOK STATION, MAINE (C. G. ATKINS, SUPERINTENDENT). The work during the past year has been devoted principally to col- lecting and rearing Atlantic salmon at the main station and landlocked salmon at the substation on Grand Lake Stream. The Atlantic salmon work was conducted conjointly with the State of Maine, and consisted in the purchase of adult salmon in May and June, which were held in confinement in the fresh-water inclosure at Dead Brook until they spawned in October, when they were liberated. At the beginning of the year the stock on hand was as follows: Calendar year in which fish were hatched. ; Species = eee BETS PoP NAV ‘ | @ | = | fish | 1898. 1897. 1896. | 1895. 1894. | : VETO GEO easace ceue SOU OSOFCCOSOODECCOOR DASE OBL PAR hl Ae esol eeseses icepcarn 233 400 Atlantic salmon, domesticated.....-..------------ [a ee (Ey Nee pea ee aed Sou leetemce Mandlocked Salmons 4-5 ce eees sea tce sent en s sisi = GU ts eC eened Wesecesel GeEeeete WK | roe creators Qn WEE MNO Nose nc ono gcosssouSEMShonoEeerooeteellocesce ere YASS Retce ceria dines sab |-oeiceasalecsecccis Steelhead, trombiaase s=csc cle Soest ets ceils Sam lee he 745 Nene eco 188) | Ps2os occ|beccsces|sececce ain bO we lo Ube sseeticcmoce soeese bee cee daesenics DAs i bl Pa a ie ees ee Ses See eee Cepepobe COUCH Sa: LOUD weietale lea ee alee nea = ee = US TG |e ocesnas [pdccoose | 508 1) |jpooacete ISOS WAT ces so boc eonsonososododeoch bdacsadeonS PO as cecdsd Gece Seereene Pereeeen eaaesaaa HT (PAG ol RES FED Pega Ete ic We ey tae 761, 700 482 188 | 508 279 | 400 | | In addition to the fish at Craig Brook there were 118,000 landlocked salmon at Grand Lake Stream, which were being held for distribution in the fall. These were reared in out-of-door troughs, and were fed on chopped flesh of various kinds—beef liver, hogs’ plucks, flesh of con- demned horses, etc. The distribution was made during the summer and fall, the first plants being made in August and the last in January. At the beginning of the year there were three’ broods of Atlantic salmon on hand. The first consisted of 400 adults, collected in May and June, 1898, and held at Dead Brook. The second lot of 233 were hatched in 1894, from eggs collected from migratory fish which had XLVI REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. been held in a pond specially prepared for them for the purpose of experimenting in domestication. The third brood were the fry hatched in the spring of 1898, numbering 636,264. The losses on these were quite heavy late in the summer, and the number distributed amounted to only 391,898, or 614 per cent of the stock on hand on June 30. These results were not satisfactory, compared with the output of the previous year, when over 85 per cent of the number on hand at the beginning of the year were successfully distributed in the fall months, having been reared under nearly the same conditions. The 4-year-old salmon were held until fall with a loss of only 4 per cent, and in November yielded 16,800 eggs of poor quality, which died by the end of April. On the recommendation of the superintendent the fish were liberated in Ala- moosook Lake, and experiments in domestication were discontinued. The salmon in the lot numbering 400 at the beginning of the year were reduced to 365 by November, when the spawning commenced. They yielded 2,147,677 eggs, which were reduced by losses to 1,862,767 when the Aeeieren was made, the United States Fish Commission receiving 1,500,288, and the State of Maine 362,479. Of those belonging to this Commission, 656,000 were shipped to other State fish commis- sions and to private individuals; from the remainder, 842,017 fry were produced. In May the State of Maine turned over to the Commission the fry resulting from its share of the eggs, amounting to 354,080, mak- ing the number available for distribution 1,196,097. Of these, 450,000 were liberated in the waters of the main Penobscot River, between Passadumkeag and Mattawamkeag and the balance—704,496—was retained for disposition in the fall. The term domesticated salmon, as used in this report, applies to salmon of the species Salmo salar, descended from parents hatched and reared at the station, having never gone to sea. On the 1s. of July there were three otsecons of 2 fish hatched in 1892, one of 33 fish hatched in 1893, and one of 454 hatched in 1897. ln November they yielded 15, 800 eggs, but all of the fry hatched from them perished before the Beeneption of the sac. In view of the pcor results obtained from the experiments it has been decided to abandon further attempts in ES line and to liberate the fish in suitable waters. Of the 54,476 landlocked salmon fry on hand in July, 45,379 were distributed during the fall and 3,961 retained. Of the 119,522 at Grand Lake Stream on June 1, 1899, 114,171 were distributed in Grand Lake Stream and Grand Lake in the fall. The crap for the collection of the adult landlocked salmon was finished in October and fishing began on October 28, continuing until November 21. During this period 866 salmon, 358 males and 508 females were collected. The largest male measured 24 inches and the shortest 13 inches, the average being 18.7; the largest female measured 224 inches and the shortest 14 inches, the average being 18.8. The maximum weight of females was 42 pounds, and the minimum 1 pound, the average being 2.59. Of the females captured 477 yielded 621,500 eggs, an average of 1,300 per fish. Of PLATE XI. (To face page XLVI.) Report U.S. F. C. 1899. WYTHEVILLE STATION, VIRGINIA—NEW REARING-PONDS, REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. XLVII these eggs 274,000 were shipped to Craig Brook and the remainder were held for hatching at Grand Lake Stream. These produced 272,672 fry, of which 130,797 were held until the close of the season, the balance being liberated in Grand Lake and Grand Lake Stream. Of the eggs transferred to Craig Brook 160,000 were shipped to other points and the remainder were hatched. The fry resulting from them numbered 89,873 at the close of the year. Of the 28 quinnat salmon hatched in 1897, only 10 were found in September, the missing ones having probably been destroyed by minks; 188 were received in May from St. Johnsbury and placed in a large deep pond for the purpose of experimenting in the domestication of this fish. From the lot of 2-year-old steelheads resulting from eggs shipped in 1896 from Fort Gaston, Cal., 4,500 eggs were secured during April; these were of inferior quality and only 1,637 of the fry produced from them survived to the end of the year. Of the 38,745 fry hatched in 1898 from eggs received from California there were distributed during the year 26,282. This lot of fish suffered from an obscure disease, the leading symptom of which was an apparently cancerous destruction of the fins, especially the caudal. A small lot were cared for in troughs to afford data with reference to this disease; 287 of these remain on hand. The rainbow-trout fry resulting from eggs collected in Craig Brook from wild fish released in Alamoosook Lake in August, 1897, though suffering to a certain extent from the same disease which attacked the steelheads, were successfully carried through the summer and 23,565, or 72 per cent of those on hand at the beginning of the year, were distributed during the fall. In March and April 11,450 eggs were col- lected from fish in Alamoosook Lake. These yielded 7,290 fry, of which 4,829 remained on June 30. A small number of Scotch sea trout hatched from the original invoice of eggs donated to the Commission by the journal Shooting and Fishing in 1891 still survive. They have oceupied a small, deep, turbid pond since 1893 and have yielded eggs each year. Of their descendants sev- eral hundred active, healthy fish remain. From the other fish on hand 186,300 eggs of poor quality were collected. Only 56,551 of the fry resulting from them are on hand at the close of the year. The fish food during the year consisted principally of liver, hog’s plucks, horseflesh, aggregating 45,7465 pounds and costing $513.22. In view of the fact that for eight months the stock at the station varied from 750,000 to 2,000,000 fry, yearlings and adults, this is not excessive. Two diseases, serious enough to demand notice during the year, dif- fered in some respects from anything observed here before. The first heavy mortality occurred in July, August, and September among the Atlantic salmon in the ponds and troughs, compelling a great deal of extra work and entailing heavy losses. The other attacked the steel- heads and rainbows, but did not, so far as observed, extend to many lots of these fish. It seemed to appear about the first of December, when part of the distribution had been made. Some of the affected lots were XLVIIIT_ REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. retained, and from the observations made the disease appeared to be of a cancerous nature, the fins, especially the dorsal, being the first point attacked. A somewhat similar ailment of the fins has often occurred in the past, but nothing ever approaching the severity of the disease this year. In many instances its course continued until the flesh of the trunk of the fish was entirely destroyed, laying bare the bony structure attached to several of the vertebrie entirely anterior to the caudal fin, It may be mentioned here that during the summer of 1898 a microscopic examination of the fish in the ponds and neighboring waters revealed almost everywhere, even among the wild native fishes of Craig Pond, the presence of a trematode parasite, which could not be distinguished from the species that attacked the lake trout with such fatal effect. St. JOHNSBURY STATION, VERMONT (JOHN W. TITCOMB, SUPERINTENDENT). At the beginning of the year the stock of fish on hand was as follows: Calendar y ear in which fish were hatched. Species. : as 1898. | 1897. 1896. 1895. Steclleadctrout se.sec cco sci ale’sjcleroisis amine aBareecn(seieienremietiaate 3, 963 | seein eeee Sie diajateate 35 RAM O Wa PEOUG: ba Sek Sate mod coe to te ctetesiatatsiol ene aie ae aeons J--eeee---- | ALO) |\Ccnnc sete Qainnatisalmone. essen ee eee ee ate eee eeemcine ee see eel ee ee ete 775 | somo acsncslanosdsooss Brookstrout ss oscecS = eck ok ntact ease Siatenn ates cme amectate Gra DON ese oe eee ste ciao Mandlockedisalmoneasenccenccices se seecececesoe sesame Ch IBES ecemonenee | Dislere(oets ele ol oe eset | The 35 steelhead and 410 rainbow trout resulting from eggs hatched at the station in 1895 and 1896 were carried through the summer with comparatively small losses. In the fall a considerable number of eggs were collected from the steelheads, but many of them were glassy, as is common with eggs taken from 2-year-old rainbow trout. It would appear that the steelhead can be easily domesticated; the fry on hand at the close of the year were strong and healthy. The rainbow trout produced few eggs, and most of them were glassy when extruded. During September the steelhead trout hatched in 1898 were planted in Crystal and Morey lakes and the landlocked salmon in Willoughby, Caspian, and Dunmore lakes. The brook-trout yearlings were distrib- uted during the fall and early winter. As the ponds at St. Johnsbury are very small and not adapted ‘for rearing quinnat salmon, 200 were transferred to Craig Brook station in May and the remaining 147 were planted in Morey Lake. Early in the summer field stations for collecting wild brook trout eggs were established at Darlings Pond, Groton; Lake Mitchell, Sharon, and Caspian Lake, Greensboro. Explorations were also made with the view to establishing additional stations at Little Leach Pond in Averill, Lake Dunmore at Salisbury, and ponds of the Wells River Fish and Game Club at Wells River. On July 8 the construction of a trap was commenced at Darlings Pond, but no efforts were made to retain any fish during the warm weather. On September 20 A. H. Dinsmore was placed in charge and REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. XLIX the first eggs were taken on September 28. Collections continued until October 25, during which period 680,000 were obtained from 6,092 fish captured, of which 510,000 eggs, or 75 per cent, were eyed. Late in the season many spent fish ascended the stream, showing that a consider- able number spawn in the pond. On account of its dark color the water of the pond can not be examined more than a foot below the surface, and consequently the nests could not be located. In support of the theory advanced in 1898 that the quality of the egg is affected by long confinement of the fish before ripening the following table is interesting and tends to confirm the statements then made: 1 > T Number | Number | Per cent ae | Number | Number. Per cent | - s When taken. retcterl | eyed. | eyed. || When taken. taken. | eyed. eyed. Tis? cle @ 7 a. ae | = a = | = : 1898. | | | 1898. | Sept. 28 and 29..... 76, 0389 | 63, 000 peel Oct 19.12.22... 74,400 | 56, 000 15.3 Octo Hees 85,450 | 74,000 | 86. 6 | Tees eee 47,000 | 34, 000 72.4 Dremapa eran cictare 108, 510 86, 000 | 79.3 | LT ecw seca asta 46, 300 34, 000 73.5 pawl eet a. ta 94,300 | 76, 000 | 80. 6 | 19205 Sse 60,000 | 23, 000 38. 4 Th ce 3 See 45,150} 33,000 | Wel} LO eee es ekise cis 43, 700 31, 000 7 Motalie SUS Te cp sone ep cape nn a gE 77,290,000 | 70, 610, 000 Pe eae see eo SS nee ~ 245, 251,000 | 177, 889, 000 LVI REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Woops HoLE STATION, MASSACHUSETTS (EK. F. Locke, SUPERINTENDENT). During the summer a number of repairs and improvements were made to the buildings and equipment, including the substitution of a wooden roof for the old iron one on the coal shed, the painting of the residence, and putting in new plumbing. A new boiler was also placed in the Cygnet, and the Blue Wing was provided with a new crank shaft. The laboratory was kept open during the entire year, and in July and August was taxed to its utmost capacity. Following the usual methods, the collection of brood cod was com- menced about October 1 by the Grampus, the first lot being received at the station October 11. Work was continued until November 15, during which time the schooner delivered 2,485 cod, varying in size from 6 to 20 pounds; and this collection was still further increased by the purchase of 349 from some of the commercial fishermen. All of the fish were delivered in excellent condition. They were fed on freshly shucked clams during the winter and appeared to thrive on them. The first ripe fish were found November 14, and collections continued daily from that time until February 10, when all of the brood-fish on hand were killed by the extremely cold weather. The total collections from these fish amounted to 102,223,000 eggs. In. addition to eggs collected from fish at the station, 54,380,000 were obtained at Plymouth by a crew of men stationed at that point under the direction of Mr. F.S. Conley. Operations were to have commenced in November, but owing to the fact that the steam launch Blue Wing, which had been detailed for that work, was unable, on account of the stormy weather, to report until December 12, no eggs could be delivered at the station from that point before the 13th. The season was very unfavorable, owing to the extremely cold weather and the numerous storms that prevailed along the coast during December and January. As a result of the operations at the two points, 156,603,000 eges were received and 92,143,000 fry hatched. These were all liberated in Vineyard Sound near Gay Head, except a few released in Buzzards Bay when the weather was so rough that the vessel used in making the plants could not reach that point. Table showing the number of cod eggs collected, daily losses in incubation, and fry hatched. Number of é Fry hatched. Date eggs were received. eggs Toes aee received. HET HITE Number. Date. | 1898. 711, 000 194, 000 457,000 | Nov. 23 1, 184, 000 221, 000 794, 000 26 1, 231, 000 289, 000 648, 000 | 28 4, 168, 000 780, 000 2,681,000 | Dec. 3 2, 273, 000 457, 000 1, 394, 000 5 3, 505, 000 640, 000 2, 303, 000 5 3, 790, 000 1, 013, 000 2, 197, 000 11 3, 267, 000 1, 041, 000 1, 925, 000 18 4, 831, 000 1, 533, 000 2, 771, 000 20 Meee ee esi aise ce co Sa nace SUE te eee 3, 553, 000 898, 000 2, 404, 000 21 Woogdote sac ORS EAS OO EUS aren OE EB Oe teaseecse 5, 310, 000 1, 329, 000 3, 435, 000 26 oSgOOCo coRat SOOUAD SAR eee ese eee 5, 825, 000 1, 586, 000 3, 799, 000 28 LO eeeleleieneieisiviesin sinioieCinivivis cineicsiscien ce wee ccene 4, 169, 000 1, 668, 000 2, 333, 000 29 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. LVII Table showing the number of cod eggs collected, etc.—Continued. | Number of | Fry hatched. : Loss during Date eggs were received. eggs : : Se cecaived. | incubation: })\7y umber. Date. 1898. 1899. Meal aearciameaenaceien eect acacia ate nia alctasieisstenawes 3, 439, 000 968, 000 2,248,000} Jan. 2 Mae ee itnie paar he cena dec wane we clue sainae naman 1, 100, 000 537, 000 269, 000 3 UDB Seo oh 2 Se sos oamsgcodscOneucceobeaneadpassoos 9, 212, 000 5, 910, 000 2, 954, 000 3 Lice Scns Soe tees ok ees eee dese cee 7, 152, 000 2, 559, 000 4, 281, 000 5 Tee ee Ae ea ae Re oe ee ene ee 3, 220, 000 896, 000 2, 066, 000 6 1G eee Sat se ee El 5, 091, 000 1, 928, 000 2, 846, 000 8 DEE eine caociece icc cclae nes cn conc ees aime 3, 836, 000 1, 355, 000 2, 266, 000 10 Da eek site ane cicicewia pat sinicaae st clcieticlas asia 971, 000 247, 000 608, 000 12 ee ta eta fale betereinteisosteieisciainie wleicievaisiaieisiectaiaeeicie 4, 596, 000 2, 098, 000 2, 199, 000 14 Reto nee one isieitoicin coe atelnre ce oclaeie na ciclo male 1, 588, 000 479, 000 1, 003, 000 16 Oe ee ce cwlaewicwoa ce sicmice ca ceeds onieeiessa acacsele 5, 164, 000 2, 126, 000 2, 605, 000 17 Been ceeewnn Winteletn af iatelcletnisale/uin'e uin'atuleisteteteleleie’s [== 4, 477, 000 1, 762, 000 2, 272, 000 19 1899. dihiig. 6 aa re osece potoe SEBO SR SaCesA Sap DDonaanctenaee 3, 056, 000 2, 343, 000 478, 000 24 Dace eee ea ocean ates ohn ce widide sleet mais as stemiee 3, 696, 000 906, 000 2, 472, 000 25 eee eee ao aienemee rains macnn teitaais asic ceieinie saree 4, 210, 000 1, 383, 000 2, 321, 000 28 ae Se eae mena aaa aa seisatdedtee sisted se 6, 392, 000 1, 412, 000 4, 657, 000 29 DS een ereee micas iatalaceiniaininceins stoic atsia eaten 3, 496, 000 704, 000 | 2,647,000 | Feb. 2 ae nee een aes ante ee eve sme tiklnocesbeeee 2, 394, 000 189, 000 | 2, 130, 000 3 ee eee ere iiela iain alles eninie saci aoe sitio setae eaten 10, 160, 000 2, 337, 000 | 7, 042, 000 5 eee ee aS eee a res Shoe oes Co eS 2, 297, 000 488,000 1, 666, 000 7 Oe ar eicte sin Pe ieastainte nina hist arnictswrlate Sas aieatenie’s 1, 288, 000 532, 000 | 693, 000 8 A ema nas oe eae seen eceeh apa eeinsanacemeces 2,510, 000 531, 000 1, 758, 000 9 ee otra rates tars aratelainin ea tnteia fate wf Se aiswieisvate 3, 790, 000 1, 300, 000 2, 215, 000 10 Sen ee clone ns ale ae cae ace cae Satematase 3, 696, 000 1, 126, 000 2, 172, 000 11 Dn MIRE A CHESS 31 FE oe ss oa eon 5, 617, 000 1, 614, 000 3, 434, 000 12 Db eeeeitacoe sc ciceenis scoedenlvne wawakinsen cease 4, 361, 000 1, 823, 000 2, 148, 000 12 itG] ae ees GRA Se ae aieietchee pinto aad te caleae eras 1, 113, 000 873, 000 108,000 | Mar. 3 URE eee seins ccisainak aca cece sceecucont Ocmiemeencs 1, 706, 000 487, 000 1, 062,000 | Apr. 10 eee a dae cale do ciaie/Sie ott hisiaiaumniesieciecienececee 758, 000 239, 000 497, 000 10 AOWemmar cents ceiccinsecviceis ocevwevcsiremecicecesica- 2, 400, 000 | 252, 000 1, 895, 000 13 ROU eee nace s Soriaaeeuenieaddatacen | 156,603,000 | 51, 053, 000 92, 143, 000 Continuing the system adopted the previous season, aS soon as the fish had finished spawning they were tagged with small aluminum tags and released, 597 being disposed of in this way, and at the close of the fiscal year reports had been received of the capture of 17 by commercial fishermen, at points along the coast from off Chatham and Georges Bank on the north to Amagansett, Long Island, on the south. Owing to intensely cold weather from February 9 to 15, closing all harbors and bays in the vicinity of the station, the fyke nets for the capture of flat-fish could not be set in Waquoit Bay until February 29, and then only after breaking considerable ice. Nets were also set in Great and Little Woods Hole harbors. Most of the fish captured in February were spent. 341 were taken at Waquoit Bay on March 11, but nearly all of them had spawned. Mr. J. B. Rogers was ordered to East Greenwich, R. I., on March 8, to collect eggs from fish taken at that point. From February 26 to April 21 94,792,000 were received at the station, 26,125,000 of them resulting from 90 fish taken at Waquoit, 29,099,000 from 81 fish captured around Woods Hole, and the remainder from 145 fish taken at Hast Greenwich, R. I. The eggs obtained early in the season, though treated as in former years, were poor, a large proportion being unimpregnated. The unfertilized ones were found in the middle of clusters. A number of methods were tried in bandling, but the best results were obtained by taking them in water in shallow dishes, putting only enough eggs in a dish to cover the bottom. They were then allowed to stand about two hours, at the expiration of which LVIII REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. time they were found in sheets about the thickness of ordinary window glass. These sheets were broken up, measured, and placed in the Chester jars and yielded a fair percentage of fry. In all 52,441,000 were hatched, 5,000,000 of which were shipped to East Greenwich, R. I. The remainder were planted in and around Woods Hole Harbor. Large numbers of small flat-fish from 3 inch to § inch in length were captured during the spring in surface nets near the station, and while it is impossible to say whether or not these were the results of Fish Commission operations, it would seem reasonable to so claim. In April arrangements were made to obtain egg lobsters from the fishing centers between Noank, Conn., and Scituate, Mass. The launch Cygnet was detailed to collect from fishermen operating in Vineyard Sound and Buzzards Bay and a schooner was employed to cover the field around Noank and Stonington, Conn., and Block Island, R. I. This boat was also used in planting fry and adult lobsters in Connecticut waters after the eggs had been hatched. At Plymouth and Scituate local men were engaged to collect and ship the lobsters to the station by express. The work was pushed energetically to the close of the fiscal year, at which time 18,498,000 eggs had been obtained from Noank, Stonington, and Block Island, 11,760,000 in the vicinity of Woods Hole, including Buzzards Bay, 298,000 from Plymouth, Mass., 2,491,000 from Scituate, Mass., and 11,411,000 from Newport, R. I. The collections from the first three points mentioned: were a little behind those of last season; those from Woods Hole and vicinity averaged about the same, while the Plymouth collections were only about 7 per cent of the take of 1898. The decrease resulted from fishermen taking less interest in the work. The Newport field is a new one, and it is believed that next year’s collections at that point can be made to double this year’s. As there is no law in Rhode Island which prohibits the sale of egg lobsters, arrangements were made to pay dealers for the privilege of stripping the eggs, after which they were returned to them to be sold. From the 44,458,000 eggs collected, 39,881,000 fry were hatched and planted over a wide territory. All of the adult lobsters handled, except those at Newport, were liberated in open waters. A pound net was set in Buzzards Bay to obtain mackerel eggs, and from May 29, when the first haul was made, to the end of June 4,918,000 apparently good eggs were secured, but they produced only a few fish. This was disappointing, as nearly all of the eggs developed to a point where, by aid of the microscope, the pulsations of the heart were plainly visible and the embryo could be seen to twist and turn in the egg. The following shows the number of eggs collected and fry hatched during the season: : , Number of | Number of Species. eggs collected.|fry hatched. Code eeeeme === a abengicimis vimanas acieinridwimielaie aaimininl annie eioias eel eee eee 156, 603, 000 92, 143, 000 Feet tis oem ees oe ee Sasa ec tc cue ce cereus aaa, ean oe ye 94,792,000 | 52, 441, 000 WAODS GOL seeetscealel= eleielemtataw = woe oeltas tell sicleiso meine Jte ee ae Le ftaaaee 44, 458, 000 39, 881, 000 INTRO RETR Lace we crises enieinie(eiv cree civiswlaisiawiasidicvaee.« ere viele see aeRO ne eee 4,918, 000 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. LIX STEAMER FisH Hawk (JAMES A. SMITH, COMMANDING). On March 18 the vessel left Edenton, N. C., and anchored at the entrance to the Chowan River, near the mouth of Salmon Creek. Two days after her arrival, the hatching apparatus having been installed, spawn-takers were sent to the various fishing shores and pound nets, but for two or three weeks the conditions were unfavorable, the weather being cold and rainy and the water temperature ranging from 47° to 56°, The first shad eggs were obtained March 27, but though daily trips were made to all the seines and pounds in the vicinity, no further collections were made until April 5, when 209,000 eggs were secured from Dr. W. R. Capehart’s seine at Avoca. A few eggs were obtained each day until the 15th, when the water temperature rose to 58°. On that date 1,234,000 were collected at Dr. Capehart’s seine and 269,000 from a seine operated by T. D. Holly in the Upper Chowan. from the 15th to the 30th good collections were secured, aggregating 21,267,000 eggs, from which 13,898,000 fry were hatched. As in past years, most of the eggs were obtained from Capehart’s fishing shore, though efforts were made to secure them from pound nets on the north shore of the Chowan, from the seines on the Roanoke, and also the Upper Chowan. The largest take in any one day was on April 28, when 2,487,000 were collected at the Capehart fishery. The vessel at that time was lying in Edenton Harbor and the eggs were transferred by steam launch. For the purpose of testing the water of Pembroke Creek, where a site for a new shad station had been purchased, experiments were con- ducted on board the Fish Hawk, during April, in hatching shad eggs in water under closed circulation. The results were unsuccessful, and on April 28 the vessel proceeded to Edenton and anchored in the har- bor. G. L. Hopper was placed in charge of a temporary plant erected on Pembroke Oreek, and 375,000 impregnated eggs were transferred from the ship and placed in jars at that point. By April 30, at noon, 307,000 of the fry had been hatched and deposited in the creek near the station. The experiment was entirely successful, proving beyond doubt the suitability of the water of Pembroke Creek for hatching shad eggs. When the vessel left on May 1 there remained 4,147,000 eggs, and in order to avoid transferring these, arrangements were made with the Edenton Ice and Storage Company to erect a temporary plant on its grounds. A shed of rough boards was put up, and a table with the necessary tanks, jars, pipes, ete., installed. The eggs were then transferred from the vessel and hatched, and the fry resulting from them, 3,652,000, were deposited in Edenton Harbor. The vessel arrived at Gloucester City, N. J.. on May 11 at 9 a.m. The same evening 3,000,060 shad eggs were collected by spawn-takers from Howells Cove, Bennett’s fishing shore, and the gill nets at Bil- lingsport and Cramer’s fishery, above Philadelphia. Work continued uninterruptedly until June 3, during which period 51,983,000 eggs were obtained. These produced 31,731,000 fry, which were planted in waters of Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut. In addition to LX REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. these, 2,200,000 fertilized eggs were deposited on the spawning-grounds at Howells Cove and 5,475,000 were transferred to other stations, 3,765,000 being sent to the Bristol hatchery, which is operated by the Pennsylvania Commission. These transfers were necessary, as the apparatus on the vessel was inadequate for hatching all the eggs taken. Howells Cove yielded the greatest number of eggs, 22,737,000 coming from that field; Bennett’s fishery yielded 13,551,000; the remainder were obtained from the Cramer Hill fishery and gillers. As the term of enlistment of some of the crew expired in May, it was necessary to employ seven additional men to assist in spawn-taking and hatching. On June 3 the collecting was discontinued, but the last of the fry were not hatched until June 8. On that date the fish-cultural apparatus was dismantled, and on the 12th the vessel proceeded to Woods Hole, where it reported to Dr. H. C. Bumpus, BATTERY STATION, MARYLAND (ALEXANDER JONES, IN CHARGE). A part of the temporary force was engaged on April 1 and the work of fitting up the hatchery, overhauling the boats, machinery, etc., commenced. By the 10th the station was in readiness for the recep- tion of eggs, and when the first collections came in the force was increased to 43 men, the largest number employed, at this station in many years. During the previous summer a number of minor repairs were made to the buildings and launches, and the capacity of the hatchery, which had been severely tested during the past two seasons, was increased by the erection of a line of shelves along its sides and ends, providing room for 180 additional jars, and giving the hatchery an aggregate capacity for 50,000,000 shad eggs. This extension proved insufficient, however, to accommodate the great numbers of eggs that came in during the season, and a further enlargement was necessary. A shed 10 feet wide and 60 feet long was erected on the south side of the building, in which 5 tables, holding 224 jars, were set up. By this means the capacity of the station was increased to about 70,000,000. The prospects at the beginning of the season were very unfavorable, as the temperature of the water remained low, and fish were reported to be very scarce down the bay. The first eggs came in April 19, and collections gradually increased from that time until the 24th, when 16,845,000 were taken. The daily. average was one to nine millions until June 2, when the appearance of salt water terminated the work. The total number of eggs reported was 185,058,000, though tne actual number received probably exceeded 200,000,000. The majority of the eggs are purchased from the fishermen, and as many of them are dead when brought in, and as it is impossible to always determine which are dead without the aid of a microscope, they were not measured until they had been in the house from 12 to 24 hours. This practically insured reporting only fairly good eggs. The regular spawn-takers took 35,000,000 during the season; the remainder, except 1,700,000 transferred from the Fish Hawk, were purchased from fisher- men on the same basis as heretofore, at $20 per 1,000,000. REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. LXI Some of the best collecting fields were several miles from the station, and as it was impossible for the launches and spawn-takers to attend these regularly, auxiliary stations were established—one in North- east River, one at Havre de Grace, and one in the narrows—for the purpose of receiving eggs obtained by the fishermen in those localities, The eggs so obtained were either brought to the station at once by the men in charge of the auxiliary station or held until they could be called for next day by the launches. This arrangement was inexpensive and worked very satisfactorily. The number of fishermen furnishing eggs has increased each year, and during the past season over 100 boats were engaged in the work. The quality of the eggs was excellent, over 125,596,000 fry being hatched. 2,800,000 eyed eggs were transferred to Central Station, 5,500,000 were sent to the State hatchery at Bristol, Pa., and 10,930,000 were planted on the spawning-grounds. The following table shows in detail the daily collections and losses, number of fry hatched and planted, and period of incubation: Eggs. Fry. mater x 66 ae ied y, eS) | atevor Eggs Taken. Lost. Hatched. Planted. batching.) shipped. 68, 000 GEA UN) | noesooeaccasellsacse se stogeod|[otecseeme dieser aeislaiainate 182, 000 57, 000 125, 000 125, 000 | Apr. 29 |.-.......... 538, 000 438, 000 100, 000 100, 000 PA Rete sae oe 1, 705, 000 605, 000 1, 100, 000 1, 100, 000 PH) | neceeissuecae 4, 480, 000 1, 245, 000 3, 235, 000 8, 235,000 | May 1/|............ 16, 845, 000 7, 740, 000 9, 105, 000 9, 105, 000 YN\asaceceitose 9, 005, 000 3, 700, 000 3, 805, 000 3, 805, 000 2 1, 500, 000 5, 720, 000 1, 095, 000 4, 625, 000 4, 625, 000 PAM Coanoaeeioc 5, 795, 000 715, 000 5, 080, 000 5, 080, 000 33,| |poocscecoane 4, 100, 000 325, 000 975, 000 975, 000 3 2, 800, 000 5, 715, 000 1, 070, 000 2, 645, 000 2, 645, 000 3 2, 000, 000 4, 363, 000 913, 000 3, 450, 000 3, 450, 000 Bib ncetemer et. Wives caeeaer scosee 4, 250, 000 1, 155, 000 3, 095, 000 3, 095, 000 Bile se eeeeeeers Poonscoscocsdase 845, 000 80, 000 765, 000 765, 000 G)| esas eeeteste oe aSGoeesaocecec 2,575, 000 340, 000 2, 235, 000 2, 235, 000 Saleemeceeeeeter Dansgoce casseone 2, 250, 000 290, 000 1, 960, 000 1, 960, 000 UE SausosoonD. eon Soeccnscsnnc 540, 000 135, 000 405, 000 405, 000 OD Sarees te ieret= {oonstsespsccese 3, 315, 000 510, 000 2, 805, 000 2, 805, 000 Wil |e orossconeos hcemagaccnsanst 6, 930, 000 1, 200, 000 5, 730, 000 5, 730, 000 16} |bsodeoessuse bodsosocoseccss 1, 955, 000 295, 000 1, 660, 000 1, 660, 000 UG seacce 322506 UU nesseconoseses 3, 056, 000 516, 000 2,540, 000 2,540, 000 WA ereralni=lelelnier=i= Ui esosobe seenss 7, 625, 000 700, 000 6, 925, 000 6, 925, 000 Ii scaeSooccuce We aeeeeecsesaec 4, 950, 000 300, 000 4, 650, 000 4, 650, 000 NG ||saseccsacese VS conosooacecaos 5, 855, 000 440, 000 5, 415, 000 5, 415, 000 UT | psnoasosesoe Wels negsesmesesa80 4, 465, 000 190, 000 4, 275, 000 4, 275, 000 1) anecegecesos UG oooecosecosoae. 4, 435, 000 700, 000 3, 735, 000 3, 735, 000 19 |........---- MUSE soemcessoscoe 2, 055, 000 125, 000 1, 930, 000 1, 930, 000 PANY Ese pesedesco UichSasnaeeeoadsc 1, 190, 000 115, 000 1, 075, 000 1, 075, 000 Pall |S eecosoceiciae Mee Bcosacoodgebsce 3, 270, 000 185, 000 3, 085, 000 3, 085, 000 ¥P9 loeaacecosser 19_...-----..2--. 2, 385, 000 190, 000 2, 195, 000 2,195, 000 2D |e neo ~~ “V-sassasescesees 2, 120, 0C0 235, 000 1, 885, 000 1, 885, 000 PAD || an eccoaotosd ee Soseocasesase 2, 000, 000 110, 000 890, 000 890, 000 27 100, 000 22. wooo san a annie == 2, 645, 000 2, 750, 000 2, 370, 000 2, 370, 000 28 |..---.-.---- 2B a aaanossoor sane 4, 385, 000 525, 000 3, 860, 000 3, 860, C00 29 |..---.------ PONS Soop seLoneose 4, 135, 000 664, 000 3, 471, 000 3, 471, 000 30 |.------.---- ibsesaseccetecse 9, 485, 000 2, 780, 000 6, 705, 000 6, 705, 000 31 | .----------- Aicgeasc pEReLOCSe 1, 710, 000 1, 050, 000 660, 000 660,000 | June 1 |...--------- PB am ans SBDODEOOS 7, 780, 000 2, 615, 000 5, 165, 000 _5, 165, 000 1 eSeece peace 8, 211, 000 2,541,000 | = 4, 745, 000 4, 745, 000 2} | 925, 000 7, 845, 000 2, 290, 000 2, 645, 000 2, 645, 000 2 2, 910, 000 5, 475, 000 480, 000 1, 580, 000 1, 580, 000 3 3, 415, 000 3, 975, 000 765, 000 1, 110, 000 1, 110, 060 4 2, 100, 000 8, 635, 000 445, 000 1, 610, 000 1, 610, 000 5 1, 600, 000 215,000 | - 40,000 175, 000 175, 000 Billeqnscsoonnor GE), QU | Sase Sacco dolsoscouesaconed||semnracesdcass| bot Aootoas 98, 000 185, 058, 000 40, 232,000 | 125,596,000 | 125,596, 000 |.....----- 19, 230, 000 a LXII REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Early in the season 40 cases of herring roe were canned, to be used as fish food at the Wytheville and Erwin stations. An immense amount of this roe is wasted every year, and as it is considered an especially suitable food for young rainbow trout it is recommended that a larger canning plant be installed before the opening of another season. The work of canning costs nothing, as it is done by the station force. Attention is called toe the condition of the marine railway for hauling out the launches. It is unsafe, and should be removed at once. CENTRAL STATION, WASHINGTON, D, C. (J. E. BROWN, IN CHARGE). The work of this station for the year has been conducted as usual, it being used as headquarters for the Fish Commission cars and as a receiving depot for the shipment of the output of the fish ponds. Eggs of salmon, trout, shad, and yellow perch were hatched at the station to demonstrate the methods of the Commission, forming an instructive and entertaining exhibit, for about eight months of the year, to the many visitors attracted to the aquarium. The following table shows the number of eggs received and hatched : See Eggs ¥F Species. received. Waecheds 10 SESS BS SOSDORCCPR DO CeG ome beac ocee orcC Son 2 O55 SenoCpCcosos-oTouerancnc 4, 013, 000 3, 500, 000 Brook trout..--------------+---- 222-2 22-2 e nee enn ne ene eee eee ee 9, 990 9, 990 TREM oh PIN OW een eeeeoeS esas > ao Seen epoocesaobebo ceo sasesnsgs sencseosoaos 13, 440 18, 397 INTER UNOCEN US Npngoeeeopog Cc CObEOpOSe ds ooceeSecncorseeeseseeEeaccedesbandaaon 4,990 4, 228 IDAIRG (ned) 0h hy eepmoSoSo SIO aCC COUT SOUC EO Sosa SecoTedecagaEEe Sopadscacweascsisuece 12, 000 11, 128 The superintendent of Central Station is also charged with receipting for and shipping all freight and express received or sent by the Com- mission, and this work during the past year involved the handling of 749 packages received and 541 sent out. The appearance of the station has been much improved recently by the installation on the ground floor of most of the exhibits used by the Commission at the various expositions, also a large variety of fishery apparatus, including not only domestic material but many forms from the Bergen Exposition, Norway. BRYAN POINT STATION, MARYLAND (L. G. HARRON, IN CHARGE). The storage shed and boathouse were whitewashed in March, and the boats and other equipment were painted and put in readiness for the coming season. On April 13 the launches Petrel and Blue Wing reported for duty, and at the first appearance of ripe shad (April 17) the force was increased to 45. Theegg collections by April 30 aggre. gated 32,740,000, but the number of fish commenced falling off from that time, and on May 19 it became necessary to discontinue operations and dismiss the men, though a few were retained until the 25th to close the station. The collections amounted to 49,283,000 eggs, from which 37,384,000 fry were hatched and 4,062,000 eyed eggs transferred to other points. Of the fry, 6,110,000 were planted in Southern waters, and 31,274,000 in the Potomac River on the natural spawning-grounds. REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. LXIII The following table shows the daily collection of eggs, fry hatched, eggs shipped, and air and water temperatures for the season: Tempera- Tempera- ture. ture. Eggs Eggs Eggs | Eggs Eggs Eggs : Date. ctr aal hatched. shipped.| yr oan’ Mean. Date. received. | hatched. shipped. Aroan kta air. |water | air. |water. fe} ie} (o} fe} Apr. 15 B25 000| Sesiateis ere a's|| sai5,5/=1-==15 68 56 May 6| 732,000) 1,962,000) 513,000 65.33) 68 17 GronOu0| Fone eee eseo S 52 55 7 608/000) ss.220: 2 [Sent Sieate | 68. 33] 68 TS eI OS1000|Saciecc tassl sesh s cc 58.66) 56 8) 689,000) 1,910. 000|......--. | 68. 33] 68. 33 TON ASOLO NOOU|2 cermin oc a [c= eraser 65.66 58 9 HOG O00 Sorscee ewe | pea sctacs 69 68. 33 20) || OPO Eke a eesatsal ke cepooe 66. 66, 58. 66 19} 1,200, 000; 1,939, 000)......... 70. 66] 69 PIG 2" 6634000)2~ 2 anteic.2 = 230, 000) 65 59 11 622,000; 644,000|.........] 69, 66) 68. 66 PV | BEB Ye RU Bee eee Be mee cee 58.33, 60 12| 1,028,000 525, 000|.........| 72.66] 69 23 | 2,974,000} 803, 000)......... 66 60 13 279,000, 600,000)......... 71. 33} 69 24 | 3,095, 000| © 352, 000)......... 70.66) 62.33 14 POON OOOraeie wees t-|| wlkniete vice 71. 66} 70. 33 Darl ao tO0Csececie=cac|scacceccs 73. 66) 64 15} 1,004,000) 526.000)........- | 70. 33} 69 26} 1,542,000) 918,000)......... 70.33) 65. 66) 16| $88,000, 1,589, 000)........., 76. 66] 70. 66 27 | 1, 142, 000} 3, 170, 000/2, 401, 000) 68. 66) 66. 66 17 519,000) 926,000) 812,000) 71.33) 70 28 | 1, 175, 000) 3, 668, 000)......... 65. 33) 67 18 659, 000) 383, 000)......-.. 68 69. 33 29 802000) 2e121 000) ccccc.-- 68. 66) 67. 33) 19 TOG O0O)S ee cence est occ. | 64 68 30 701, 000} 5, 378, 000|.......-- 76 68. 66, 20 \Niee2e mw ataicss ID ESO) eRe | 61. 66) 66 May 1) 2,368, 000) 2,39, 000)......-_. 73. 33) 69, 33 22) sacbse esl Eteeinsoe 106, 000) 59. 66) 62. 66 2, 260, 000} 1, 940, 000)......--. 74.33) 71.33 28) eanmita dacs | B82 0N0)E= 425-25 61 61. 66 3 132, 000} 1, 956, 000}.....---. 72 A | —————_— —__-——_ — Aah o90,000/) (645, 000! 2. ..05. 65 69. 33 |Total .. 49, 283, 000.37, 384, 000/4, 062,000 ......|...... 5 | 1,184,000) 624, 000]......... 67.33) 68. 66 I} | As the tarred felt: roof of the hatchery had commenced leaking, a shingle roof was substituted during the summer. In the following spring a sea wall, 120 feet long and 5 feet high, was built along the south side of the building to prevent the encroachment of the bank at its rear. The material used for this wall consisted of 8-inch cedar posts, 4 inches by 4 inches by 16 feet white-oak wales, and oak planks 2 inches thick. Another section, 32 feet long and 4 feet high, was built along the north side of the boiler house, and another along the north side of the cottage, to afford protection against the encroachments of the river. Considerable damage having resulted to the wharf during the winter, it became necessary to refloor it and to drive a number of white-oak piles at the corners as a protection against ice. FisH Ponps aT WASHINGTON, D. C. (DR. RUDOLPH HESSEL, SUPERINTENDENT). As a result of the work at this station during the fiscal year 44,465 large-mouthed bass, 160 small-mouthed bass, 3,662 crappie, and 3,000,000 shad were distributed in the fall months: Of the large-mouthed bass 39,000 were produced in the north pond, which has an area of about 33 acres. The remaining 5,465 were taken from the west pond and are supposed to have been derived from a few late-spawners placed in one of the partitions of this pond in June. In view of the exceedingly poor results attained with the small-mouthed bass, it seems useless to continue experimenting with these fish at this station. Early in the summer the south pond, which has been devoted to their culture for Several years, was estimated to contain about 4,000, but the number dwindled gradually and when the pond was drawn down in August only 160 remained. } The experiments with crappie were continued in ponds 20 and 5, and 3,662 were available for distribution in October. ‘These were fed on LXIV REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. young carp early in the season and subsequently on finely ground fresh fish. A few common tench and gold-fish were reared for the aquarium at Central Station and for stocking fountains in public parks. The golden ide spawned as usual in April, but their eggs were destroyed by the cold weather. The shad fry placed in the west pond in May, 1898, numberin oe 3,537,000, were held until October and then liberated. It is impossible to determine the exact number that passed out of the gates, but it was thought about 3,000,000 survived, as natural food was abundant in July, August, and September. As suitable food becomes very scarce in October, it is deemed advisable to liberate these fish hereafter in September. Late in March the adult black bass were transferred from the retain- ing tanks, where they had been held through the winter, to the spawning partitions in the north and south ponds and ponds Nos, 6 and 7, from ten to fifteen being placed in each partition. They commenced spawn- ing about the middle of April and continued until May 10, when all of the adults were taken out and placed in partitions in the west pond. The first young were observed five days after the eggs were deposited, the temperature at that time ranging from 62° at 7 a.m. to 72° at 4p.m. As soon as the schools scattered the young fish were allowed to pass through the gateway of the spawning partitions to the large ponds, where, on account of the great abundance of natural food, their development was rapid, and on June 20 the work of transferring the larger ones to the rearing-tanks was commenced. They were captured in small-haul seines, all that were less than 2 inches in length being returned to the ponds, as it has been found by experience that it is dif- ficult to make them take artificial food under that size. The indications at the close of the year point to a good crop of large-mouthed bass. — The following shows the water temperature in thenorth pond at 7 a. m. and 4 p. m., from April 20 to May 10, the spawning period: | | Date. 7 a.m. 7 p.m. Date. 7a.m. 7p.m oF oF, oF oF /AjDb PW sono ogdanaesnncadeooss 63 70 May 1 -..cceeneascennaacena=- 72 81 REE Re oe eee esse cams 61 70 0 EE ORC E DOCU aap O nore 15 83 ee eeits atts o/c aie aa cise 64 78 Oc ectacnoleose web ede ane 17 82 P82. - See BROS Sc Peet peeee 64 64 ¢ NES Sipm os ssceone econo 3: 69 77 WAN See on ceemsinnia wee oe 62 72 Biome am setae teistersecrersistereteta 70 (Gl DD eee dake aaeroaclalacietels 60 76 Giesecvernnias cten cine see 67 68 DO Seen ciccce cca amejceme 62 78 amt oaeeee cman testes 67 70 Eh gn Sse ReetS cinta costae 60 76 § ececaieete wctesees sees 68 70 DO tee slat isiciee cicieiniacine 50 67 (eee Seema Sotc sons 67 74 AD ema se ako icisies ae eee eee 49 67 OMe Sects eeiduiclenmicies oeiae 69 77 DU eteretar= stayetere Sele jainiste s\ciaie (aie 68 80 Early in April 60 adult crappie were placed in pond 2 and commenced spawning about the middle of that month. At the close of the year it was impossible to form any idea of the result, as these fish are very shy and remain hidden in dense watergrass at all times. REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. LXV In ponds 21 and 22, set apart for the rearing of carp for fish-food, 150 spawners were placed, and as soon as they commenced to spawn (April 30) the spawning-beds were taken from the ponds and placed in tanks connected with the bass ponds, so that the young carp could pass freely into them as soon as they were needed. It is customary to intro- duce them when the bass have attained a length of an inch, but as the carp spawned much later than usual none were ready on May 16, when the bass had attained the requisite size. It is estimated that over 600,000 young carp were turned into the north and south ponds. In May 2,700,000 shad fry were again placed in the west pond, to be held until September and liberated in the Potomac River. AQUARIUM, CENTRAL STATION (L. G. HARRON, IN CHARGE). During the summer, while the aquarium was closed, the interior of the grotto was repainted and dusted with stone dust, in imitation of Seneca stone. One of the nickel pumps used at the Omaha Exposition was installed in place of the hard-rubber pump, which was worn out, and a water motor was purchased to operate it in circulating the salt water. Other minor changes were made, including repairs to several of the large aquaria which had been broken during the summer. In the fall a new supply of salt water was brought from Chesapeake Bay, near Old Point Comfort, and the usual collections of fishes and other marine animals were made, 415 specimens, representing 32 species, being procured and placed in theaquarium. Collections of sea anemone, star-fish, and lobsters were also received by express from the Gloucester, Mass., station. The majority of these specimens were kept until June without difficulty, the success attained being attributable in a large measure to improved facilities provided for the circulation of the salt water. The ornamental fishes and species indigenous to this region, exhib- ited in the large tanks on the main floor of the building, were carried through the summer without difficulty. Special mention should be made of the 3-year-old large-mouth bass, which have been in the aquarium since they were taken from the ponds where they were hatched in 1897. During the year 2 died and 4 were used for scientific purposes, leaving 24 of the 30 still on exhibition. During the fall consignments of trout ~ and salmon were received from Wytheville, Va., and Craig Brook, Me., and proved a most attractive display through the winter months. On June 1, the temperature having reached 71°, the trout were planted in suitable streams in Virginia and Maryland. The principal food given the fish consists of round beefsteak and beef liver, the fat and sinew being removed and the meat cut in small pieces for the adult fish and ground in a meat-chopper for the small ones, The diet of the marine animals is changed from time to time by feeding chopped oysters or clams, fresh-water snails, and other crustacea, which form their natural food. Live minnows, small craw-fish, and angleworms are provided in limited quantities for crappie and bass. F C 99—_y LXVI REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. The following shows the salt and fresh water fishes exhibited during the year: Salt-water fishes: Jumping mullet, spot or goody, tautog, croaker, sea bass, sea trout, rabbit-fish, swell-fish, toad-fish, bur-fish, pig-fish, blue-fish, flounder, red drum, moon-fish, remora, king-fish, cavally, blenny, yellow-tail, hog-choker, striped bass, white perch, sea-robin, spade-fish, snapper, black drum, pompano, file-fish, sea anemone, star-fish, lobster, shrimp, blue crab, hermit crab, king crab. Fresh-water fishes: Rainbow trout, brook trout, steelhead trout, Scotch sea trout, quinnat salmon, landlocked salmon, Atlantic salmon, large-mouth black bass, small- meuth black bass, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass, common tench, golden tench, channel cat-fish, yellow cat-fish, golden ide, sun-fish, mill roach, chub sucker, com- mon eel, paradise-fish, top-minnows, gold-fish, terrapin, snapping turtle. The following table shows the maximum and minimum temperatures of the salt water from October 1 to June 30, and of the fresh water from July 1 to June 30: Fresh water. || | Salt water. Month. —e|| Month. ———e Max Min. || |; Max. ; Min aT, re al Tale oO 7 rel OF, oF. oF. oF". DWI sceneansactosseesecoasosscoace 85 77 Octobereaseseese eee Eee ae 68 | 58 AGT Ste coacnea eee scouaeEecosr 86 18. | ¢November Saaeeeeeseseae eee | 64 54 Sayan Sse Sees sssousesce 84 72. || Decemiberees.cesass= sean eee (ek) ol ane OOO?

ae eh aaa he yee x i U al la ¢ y .S we 4 ee’ oy REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. LXXI ~ were put in several—some at the head of the pond in order to prevent the fry from injuring themselves by leaping. Shade was also provided, traps of various kinds were placed for the purpose of catching rats and other animals destructive to fish, and a night watch was estab- lished. In some of the ponds the fish were thoroughly assorted and in other ponds wood mold was used liberally, several bushels being thrown in the water atatime. These experiments failed to produce any beneficial] results, and it was finally concluded that the large loss was due to the ravages of the belostoma. This insect appeared in comparatively large numbers about June 15, as many as 12 specimens being caught on one day, June 28. Before it made its appearance around the upper ponds the death rate there was light, but with its increase the mortality was greater. This bug, well known as one of the most destructive enemies of young fish, does its work at night. It both flies and crawls, and it apparently came into the ponds through the open ditch. At the close of the year there remained on hand the following fish: Calendar year in which fish were hatched. Species. Adults | Adults 1899. 1898. 1897. | collected collected in 1898. | in 1897. Tecan is tive kes et ea a 76, 588 | Ch yk REE 482 | 384 TT ON LORY aon BORG Soe eR EOE te or mene 48, 545 2,975 | rire Me ee eee Sots Mo tale erence = ese cS vecifan ancl sebtenes we | 125.133 3, 966 764 482 | 384 PutT-In Bay STATION, OHIO (J. J. STRANAHAN, SUPERINTENDENT). The weather during the white-fish season was worse than any expe- rienced for a decade, as shown by the marine reports, in which it is recorded that the loss of vessels on the Great Lakes was the largest in the history of the country. In addition to this, the season opened later than usual, the first eggs being secured on November il. On the 23d the mercury dropped to 19°, and fishing practically ceased at the very height of the season, the fishermen removing their nets to prevent their being caught in the ice and destroyed. Notwithstanding these unfavor- able conditions, the catch at the west end of the lake was greater than for several years previous; 83,403,000 eggs were secured from the boats of the commercial fishermen and 12,785 adult fish were penned at Put-in Bay Island and Monroe Piers, Michigan, from which 102,051,000 eggs were taken, making a total of 185,454,000 for the season, as against 112,842,000 the previous year. The work of penning live fish began at both points on October 31, and continued uninterruptedly, except on very stormy days, until November 21 at Monroe Piers and November 29 at the station. The fish at Monroe Piers were evidently more advanced than those at Put-in Bay, the first eggs there being secured on November 11, whereas at the station no eggs were obtained until December 17. LXXII REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES, As the work of penning white-fish had been conducted on a very limited scale the previous year, it was necessary this season to con- struct five new rafts, which, with the old one, gave a capacity for from 15,000 to 18,000 fish. These rafts carry five crates each, each crate being divided into two pens 8 feet square and 64 feet deep. The boom logs at the sides of the rafts were discarded, as they were clumsy and did not afford sufficient space for walks. Gunwales were made of 4 by 8 inch hemlock joists, placed 2 feet apart and trussed at frequent intervals by diagonal cross-ties and braces, on top of which were placed two tiers of 2-foot-wide hemlock planks, making the gunwale, as built up, 52 feet long, 2 feet wide, and 1 foot deep, strong and rigid, and able to withstand seas of considerable violence. At each end and between all the crates were 2-foot plank walks, giving ample room for working on all sides, a consideration of the utmost importance in handling fish and fertilizing eggs in stormy weather. With these improvements the rafts are considered almost perfect for the work. A large live-car, capable of holding 600 fish, was also constructed at Monroe Piers, to be used in conveying fish from the nets to the crates. This did not prove as effective or convenient, however, as tanks carried on the decks of the steamers. The work at Monroe was under direction of J. C. Fox, foreman of. Put-in Bay station, who reported that of 8,779 fish placed in subnets, 8,624 were transferred to the crates, about half of them being females; 3,307 of these yielded 62,208,000 eggs, an average of 18,961. At the close of the season 8,584 fish were returned to the fishermen, only 195 having been lost. At Put-in Bay 4,282 fish were collected, of which 1,217 yielded’ ~ 39,843,000 eggs, an average of 32,738 per fish. Of the whole number collected, 3,921 were returned to the fishermen, 237 died or were lib- erated, and 3 were held at the station for experimental purposes. Comparing the cost of operating at these two points with that of collecting from the boats of the commercial fishermen, it was found that the cost per quart of those secured from the fishermen was 72.56 cents, those from fish penned at Put-in Bay cost 76.22 cents, and from the Monroe crates 77.53 cents, the average cost of the crated fish being 76.87 cents per quart. With an ordinarily good season the 6,125 females should have furnished 171,500,000 eggs, on a basis of 35,000 per fish, estimating four-fifths of them as productive. of the eggs collected, 126,036,000 were held at the station to be hatched and planted in Lake ine 32,508,000 were shipped to Alpena, 12,132,000 to Duluth, and 14,778,000 to Cape Vincent. The number of fry hatched was 105,500,000. These were planted with comparatively small losses on the spawning-grounds in Lake Erie, reefs and gravel bars where white-fish deposit their eggs naturally being selected. The fry were planted under favorable conditions, the water being clear, and immense numbers of Daphnia, Cyclops, Diaptomus, and other crustacea being observed. REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. - LXXIII A few white-fish fry were kept in a floating box in one of the fry tanks, and in the same tank outside the floating box about 1,000 pike- perch fry were retained. Both of these lots throve on food found in the water. The superintendent’s attention was called by Mr. E. M. Ball to the fact that the white-fish fry avoided the Diaptomus, which is easily distinguished by its long antenne. He then began a series of observations with both white-fish and pike-perch fry, and found that Mr. Ball’s conclusions were correct. The fry partook freely of the other forms of life, but refused to touch the Diaptomus. It was also observed that by the end of the third or fourth day all forms of life became scarce except this. As the success of the white-fish work depends to a large extent upon the abundance of natural food when the fry are first planted, and as this food seems to be present only when the water is clear, it seems advisable, in making future plants, to pay more attention to the condi- tion of the water in which deposits are made. In other words, if the water in one locality is clear the fry should be planted there, even though it may not be the natural spawning-ground of the fish. Further experiments were conducted at the station this season to determine how long eggs may be held in water before applying the milt and still retain their vitality. As a result of these observations, it was ascertained that 97 per cent could be fertilized after being in the water six minutes, 984 per cent being fertilized where the milt was applied instantly. At the end of the eighth minute oniy 81 per cent were impregnated; at the expiration of the tenth minute, 474 per cent; _ at the fifteenth minute, 404 per cent; at the twenty-fifth minute, 17 per cent. After sixty minutes not an egg was fertilized. The object in making these experiments was to find out how long the eggs may be held in water and still be capable of perfect fertilization, in order to determine how wide a range may be depended on in remilting. Experiments with pike perch eggs during the past season seem to indicate that the eggs of this fish may be remilted to great advantage; but unfortunately the experiments could not be continued this year. A number of experiments were also tried to determine whether or not it is advisable to remilt all eggs. From the first lot 164 per cent of unimpregnated eggs were found where the milt was applied only once and 12.2 per cent where applied twice. In the second lot fertilization was the same by both methods. In the third lot there was a difference of less than 0.4 per cent. As it is impossible to use the dry method of fertilization in very rough weather or when raining very hard, some experiments were tried to determine the difference in results between the wet and dry methods. In the first two experiments the wet process produced slightly better results; in the last, the dry. The season for pike perch was peculiar in many respects. It opened ten days late, as the ice remained in the lake much longer than usual; but fishing ceased about the usual time, and the rapid rise in tempera- LXXIV - REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. ture prevented good work, though large numbers of eggs were secured. Arrangements had been made to pen pike perch as an experiment at Monroe Piers and Put-in Bay, but the operations were not as successful as had been anticipated. Contrary to expectation, the fish did not stand transportation or confinement as well as the white-fish, though apparently they are more hardy; but this may have been due to the higher temperature of the water at the time of the collection and pen- ning of these fish. It was also found impossible to carry as many of these fish in the tanks on the steamer, due probably to the warmer water. From this season’s work it appears that pike perch will not yield good eggs after being held in confinement more than three days, and that the males can not be used more than once. The percentage of fertilization from the fish confined in the pens at Monroe Piers was exceedingly small. During the season 2,771 were penned, of which 1,486 were females. After the eggs had been stripped 2,638 were returned to the fishermen, the remaining 133 having died in thepens. The 956 females stripped yielded 84,675,000 eggs, an average of 88,572 per fish. ' The temperature of the water at Monroe Piers averaged 554° during the 15 days collections were made; but it varied greatly, frequently changing 5° to 6° in a half hour, according as the wind or tide set in or out at the mouth of the river. Its maximum was 60°. At Put-in Bay 252 fish were penned, 111 of them being females. These yielded 3,187,700 eggs, an average of 72,447 per fish. As soon as the eggs are received at the station they are placed in 5-gallon kegs for about 24 hours and a gentle stream of water is allowed to flow over them. At the expiration of that time they are placed in jars, 34 quarts to each jar. At the end of three days they will have swelled to a bulk of about 44 quarts. To attain the best results the eges should be worked with the least amount of water possible to keep them in motion. This is very important, as experience shows that two jars of equally good eggs will produce very different results um one is worked rapidly and the other slowly. Of the 493,000,000 eggs collected, 65,630,000 were transferred to the Alpena and Cape Vincent stations. The others were hatched at the station and planted on the spawning-grounds in the vicinity of Put-in Bay, Port_Clinton, Monroe Piers, and Toledo. They commenced hatch- ing on May 4 and by May 17 plants amounting to 198,540,000 had been made, all in Lake Erie with the exception of a few million used for stocking lakes in Indiana. Toward the close of the season the fry were sent out in a 400-gallon tank on the steamer Shearwater, instead of in cans or kegs in the usual manner. This very much simplified the work of planting, as the fry were drawn from the tanks in the hatchery by means of a 1-inch rubber hose acting as a siphon to the tank on the vessel. In this way the vessel was loaded in about fifteen minutes, whereas it requires from two to three hours to do the work in the ordinary way. Careful PLATE XIV. (To face page LXXIV.) Report U. S. F. C. 1899. HARBOR AT MONROE PIERS, MICH.—U. S, FISH COMMISSION BUILDING SECOND ON THE LEFT, REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. LXxy examination showed that the fry were not injured by being passed through the pipe. When the vessel arrived on the planting grounds a section of hose about 10 feet long was attached to the bottom of the tank and the fry were allowed to pass overboard through it. By placing the end of the hose under the surface of the water no possible injury could result. The following gives the temperature of air and water at the station during the year: Air. Water. Air. | Water. Month. | ] l Month. | eee el (Raaee Max. | Min. | Mean.| Max.) Min. | Mean. Max Min. | Mean.) Max.| Min.!| Mean. : Wee | z | | 1898. oF, | of, | op, | op, | i | oF, 1899. On | oR. On. |; OF, | oF. oF omliy--~ .. 92 62 | 77 Nese ea 7Oee |aZ6 daar. =| 49 | —0 26.75 | 32.5 | 32.5 | 32.5 AN eee 88 70 | 76 79 «| 738 UES Ned YG) YS ee | 53 | —11 , 21 79 | 32.5 | 32.5] 32.5 Sept ...-. 90 56 | 69.3 71.5 | 65 69.83 | Mar | 50 18 | 32.61 | 35 32.5 | 33.59 Octe-2. 5. 76 34 | 51 | 74 47 58.6 Apress ct) 185 27 | 49. 53 | 58 OR a) ec Aare INOW ees: 62. 19 | 39.76 | 50 Sie | 4330) Maw see gi 52 | 62.41 | 65 54 58. 82 Dec...... 45 6 | 28 85 | 36 32.5 | 33. 22 June ... 90 60 | 73.23 | 75 62 68.7 On March 12 a field of ice gorged at the point where the west intake pipe enters the lake and carried away 20 feet of the 10-inch suction pipe. On May 30 the storehouse of the Station and its contents were burned. Spontaneous combustion is supposed to have been the cause of the fire. The loss amounted to about $438. Experiments have been conducted for a number of years with the purpose of designing a jar better adapted for the white-fish and pike-perch work than the McDonald jar. One designed by the superintendent and manufactured by Dortlinger & Sons, of White Mills, Pa., was used this season along with the old jars, and from the results attained it is believed it will be an improvement over the old form. It is of glass, 154 inches high and 7 inches in diameter, with a glass spout, thus eliminating the old metal spout, which had to be attached to White-fish hatching jar designed the jar by rubber gaskets, PUG, ou by J. J. Stranahan. cement. The bottom is 5inches in diam. eter and rests directly on the shelf, obvi- ating the necessity for glass legs, which are apt to break. It works well with 5 quarts of eggs, using less water than the McDonald jar, and by filling the jar to within an inch of the top it acts automatically, all fungused eggs being carried over into the receivin g-trough by the cur- rent of water. They are prevented from entering the lower row of jars by wire-cloth pockets inserted in the outlet of the discharge trough. The water enters the jar through a steel tube with a trumpet-shaped LXXVI REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. bottom, the internal diameter of which is greater than the external diameter of the rubber tube which attaches it to the supply tank. The advantage of this arrangement is that it permits the escape of the air upward. Experiments were carried on in order to determine definitely the most effective means of preventing the adhesion of eggs while being fer- tilized.- It was learned that adhesion may be absolutely prevented by applying just enough water to filland slightly cover the egg mass, then adding (every 10 minutes for the first hour and every 20 minutes for the second) additional water to cover the eggs, stirring gently each time. This operation requires two or three hours’ time, but it is strongly recommended where eggs are taken in small quantities. A number of jars manipulated in this way hatched over 85 per cent, the best per- centage during the season. The use of swamp muck was continued, and after careful experiment- ing it was decided that it is better to use the muck in the pan after fertilization takes place than to introduce it in the kegs in which the eggs are poured after being fertilized. The eggs should be allowed to stand in the milt and sufficient water to cover them for about 10 minutes, when a tablespoonful of the muck mixture, about the consistency of cream, should be added. This gives the egg mass a dark-gray color. Water should then be added until the pan is nearly full, the mass being stirred gently and then allowed to stand a half hour. The important point in preventing adhesion is to let the eggs stand until the particles of muck have settled, then pour off the comparatively clear water, add- ing a fresh supply and gently agitating the eggs. Most of the muck particles will have settled at the end of a minute, the water becoming clear. The preparation of the swamp-muck solution is simple, but should be carefully conducted. The plan pursued at Put-in Bay is as follows: The apparatus consists of two tubs and a screen about 20 by 30 inches, made of fine brass wire cloth—about 40 strands to the inch. After selecting a suitable location a depression is dug in the muck, which quickly fills with water. The muck is dissolved in this by constant beating and stirring, care being exercised not to get the mixture too © thick, as in that event the sand will not settle. This is then poured through the sereen into the tubs. When the water has partially cleared in the tubs it is poured off, leaying a few quarts of the muck of the consistency of thick cream in the bottom. The tubs are again filled with water, thoroughly agitated, and allowed to stand a few seconds so that the sand may settle. The water containing the solu- tion is then poured in kegs or cans, where it remains for an hour or more, when the water is drained off, leaving the muck in the bottom. It should be free from sand, which interferes with the working of the eggs in the jars. The muck must now be thoroughly scalded in crder to prevent the development of infusoria, which at times are apt to cause much trouble. The preparation may be dried in any desired form and held ready for use. REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. LXXVII . NORTHVILLE STATION, MICHIGAN (FRANK N. CLARK, SUPERINTENDENT). During the summer the station force was occupied in painting the buildings, improving the lawns, and getting the hatching and collect- ing apparatus ready for the fall work. In August the superintendent, accompanied by Mr. H. H. Marks, who was employed to act as field foreman during the absence of Mr. S. W. Downing on the Pacifie coast, visited the important fishing centers on Lakes Huron, Michigan, and Superior, to arrange for the collection of lake-trout eggs. As results on Lake Superior the previous year had been poor, arrangements were made for operating there only in the vicinity of Sault Ste. Marie. Particular attention was paid to the tishing-grounds on Georgian Bay and the upper end of Lake Michigan, including Beaver Island, and spawn-takers were stationed at Pilot Harbor, Cockburn Island, Meldrum Bay, Burnt, Green, and Dueck islands. The first eggs were collected on October 15, but the fish were driven out into deep water about this time by a heavy storm, and unprecedentedly bad weather prevailed to the close of the fishing season, preventing the fishermen from lifting their nets oftener than once or twice a week (most of the fish being then either spent or dead), and also causing considerable loss on the fishing tugs. The spawn-takers were shifted from field to field, as weather conditions demanded,-and every effort was made to fill the hatchery before November 3, the commencement of the close season. On October 20 three cases of eggs were received from Lake Superior, but the temperature at the time of shipment was so high that they came through in poor condition. The operations resulted in the delivery of 3,978,000 eggs at Northville, the last shipment arriving November 7. On the first of the month the indications were that the trout had just commenced to spawn in large numbers, and if operations could have been continued for ten or twelve days, there is little doubt that large collections could have been made, particularly at Beaver Island. The eggs were placed in troughs at the station and commenced hatch- ing December 4. The distribution of the fry was made from January 19 to March 14, 2,800,000 being deposited on spawning-grounds in lakes Huron and Michigan, and 60,000 furnished for inland lakes in Michigan and Indiana. The remaining 200,000 were put in troughs, to be held until fall. At the close of the year there were estimated to be about 130,000 on hand. These were about 3 inches long and were doing well. The fingerlings on hand at the beginning of the year (hatched in Jan- uary, 1898) were held through,the summer and planted during August and September without loss in Lakes Superior, Michigan, and Huron. The passage of an act, known as the Milliken bill, by the Michigan legislature, authorizing the United States Fish Commission to fish in any of the waters of the State at any season of the year for the purpose of gathering spawn from the fish so caught, with the provision that such work be under the supervision and control of the State game and LXXVIII REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. fish warden and that 75 per cent of the fry resulting from spawn so taken be planted in the waters of Michigan, will allow the Commission in future to continue work during the closed season, and will undoubt- edly permit the collection of as many lake-trout eggs as may be needed to fill the hatcheries of the Commission. The brook-trout brood-fish at the station yielded 97,600 eggs between October 18 and December 13. As it is important that the supply of this fish be kept up in the various streams of Michigan, 638,000 eggs were purchased from a private hatchery at South Wareham, Mass., and 96,000 eggs from wild fish were transferred from the St. Johnsbury station. The eggs from Vermont were excellent, and commenced hatch- ing December 10 and finished December 22, producing 94,114 strong, New hatchery, Northville Station, 1899. active fry. Of these, 92,994 remained in the rearing-troughs February 8. Harly in April these fry were observed to be peculiarly affected. They refused to take food, seemed to grow constantly weaker, and each of the affected ones developed a small red spot. By May 1 they commenced dying in large numbers, and before the disease could be checked and the fish distributed nearly 32,000 had died. The eggs purchased from Massachusetts produced 618,000 fry, which were held for several months and then distributed, making the total distribution of brook-trout fingerlings 669,000. A small number were retained for the fall distribution, and on June 30 they numbered 31,493. During November the trout carried over from the previous year were attacked by an epidemic, and very heavy losses ensued. Mr, M,C, REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. LXXIX Marsh was detailed from November 14 to 27 to investigate the disease, and on his return to Washington, Dr. C. M. Blackford was sent to continue the investigation, remaining in Northville from December 5 to January 14. The affection was apparently traced to bacteria, supposed to have been caused by the rotting timbers of which the ponds were constructed. From experiments conducted at the station it would appear that even where an epidemic of this character prevails, if the fish can be transferred to open waters and allowed to subsist on natural food the mortality will at once cease. On June 9, 5,000 brook-trout fry, which had been fed for several months in the rearing-troughs and were from 24 to 3 inches long, were placed in the spring pond, where they received only the natural food contained in the spring water. After remaining there for some time they began to assume a different color from those fed on liver, their tails and fins becoming very brilliant and presenting a beautiful appearance. Not over half a dozen dead ones were taken from the spring from the time they were introduced to September 30, yet when counted on that date there were only 3,400, the loss being attributed to kingfishers and destructive animals. The Loch Leven brood trout were quite old and yielded only 14,500 eggs, all of which were shipped to Prof. William A. Loey, of the North- western University, Evanston, Ill., and to the Connecticut Fish and Game Commission. On June 30 there were 107 Loch Leven trout of the hatch of 1895, 1,464 of 1897, and 2,308 of 1898. The fish of 1897 will probably yield a considerable number of eggs during the coming fall. Of the steelhead trout on hand at the beginning of the year, 2,500 were planted in September in streams along the line of the Flint and Pere Marquette Railroad. At the close of the year there remained on hand 607 of the hatch of 1897 and 3,549 of the hatch of 1898. Eee orsec SADR CoScne BEG ORR osoS 190 6, 370 14, 700 VAD OWabLOtlbs ao ccee cas apciasis wactero pebthe iS Sia seen las ae sacet 20: 000 *|3 2-5 2esiao=|s032 505 a0 he eee (Gmaylin perce ese: eee. coca aaah acaqee aan cemeeac cea Peeeeceee | pes emma see aenueee 590, 000 amanereel 780 from Tenet station. Report U. S. F. C. 1899. (To face page XCIl.) PLate XIX. ° persed hid S) J seta, enc” a SSOODDPBD YD ny > pNRPEMNDD @ O N m = > a Wn = > = ie) = = (2) Zz 4 > Zz > o aie (2) 3 ee 1?) wn 4 > @ is m > Zz =) Zz m = = > 9) ie) ra wn ze m = REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. XCIII CLACKAMAS STATION, OREGON (W. F. HUBBARD, SUPERINTENDENT). Owing to the difficulties experienced in past years in constructing a rack across the Clackamas strong enough to withstand the freshets that occur every fall, and as arrangements had already been made to collect eggs on the upper river, the Salmon River, and the Little White Salmon, it was decided not to attempt collections on the lower river in the vicinity of the station, but to use the hatchery for hatching and rearing fry from eggs transferred from the substations mentioned. As the season advanced, however, it became apparent that collections at these points would be light, and 704,000 eyed eggs were purchased from local fishermen. The transfers from other stations were as follows: 4,926,000 from the Little White Salmon, shipped between October 26 and November 8; 16,200 from the Salmon River and 2,000,000 from Battle Creek, received January 6; making a total of 7,646,200 salmon eges handled at Clackamas. It became necessary during the winter to erect rearing-troughs out-of-doors to care for the fry. With the view to increasing the fry-holding capacity of the hatchery a number of experiments were made, and it was found that twice as many eggs could be cared for by suspending baskets of fine-mesh wire cloth mn the troughs midway between top and bottom, thus permitting the carrying of two sets of fry in each trough, the usual number on the bottom, and the same number in the basket. These experiments were not made until the season was well advanced, but they demon- strated clearly that the baskets could be used in this way with excel- lent results, though the water supply was unusually bad, due to the washing down of mud by the heavy rain storms during the winter. The fry were planted from time to time during the winter and spring in the Clackamas River, the last deposit being made on May 11. The total number planted was 7 489,206, showing a loss of only 150,974 on the eggs received. Early in March J. W. Berrian, J. N. Wisner, and E. C. Greenman were sent to the falls of the Willamette River, near Oregon City, to collect eggs of the steelhead. A tent was erected for the accommodation of the men, and water was obtained from a steamboat basin near by for supplying the hatching-troughs, erected in the open air near the tent. A party of fishermen operating a fish-wheel in the vicinity agreed to turn over all the fish captured by them, and it was arranged so that the fish caught in the wheel would slide through a trough into a live- box anchored in the water. From this box they were transferred to larger boxes, where they were held until ripe. The live-boxes were 8 feet square and 6 feet deep, constructed with adjustable bottoms. The first fish caught by the wheel was on April 9, and up to May 2 only 61 females and 22 males were obtained from that source. As indications did not point to any increase in the catch, steps were taken to obtain additional supplies of fish from other fishermen who were operating XCIV REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. dip nets on an island under the falls. From this source 209 were secured—153 females and 56 males. The fish from the island, taken in dip nets, were in much better condition than those from the wheel. A few were also secured from gill nets, but they soon died from injuries. The loss on the fish held in live-boxes was considerable, though every possible effort was made to keep them alive until ripe. Eggs were obtained from 160 females, the first being taken on April 28 and the last on May 24. The total collection amounted to 393,000, of which only 167,000 developed to the eyed stage. These were shipped as follows: 93,000 to Duluth, 15,000 to Bozeman, 21,000 to the Connec- ticut Fish Commission, and 30,000 to Northville. The remaining 8,000 were hatched and transferred tod Clackamas, where they were liberated in Clear Creek. In addition to these, 3,501 steelhead eggs were received from Salmon River, which produced 625 fry. These were planted with the other lot. UPPER CLACKAMAS STATION, OREGON. Early in the spring arrangements were made to have a rack across the Clackamas and one across Oak Grove built by contract. They were finished by the last of May, so as to prevent any salmon passing above the station. On July 1 men were employed to put the apparatus in order for the season’s work. Operations were conducted on sub- stantially the same lines as in previous years, except that a water wheel was made and placed in the river to furnish water to some of the temporary hatching-troughs on the river bank. This wheel was built upon a raft anchored at the head of a riffle, and was so arranged that the water in the river would revolve the wheel. Buckets fastened to the rim of the wheel raised the water and emptied it into a flume, from which it was conveyed to the hatching-troughs. The regular water supply to the hatchery failed early in the season on account of dry weather, but as the wheel furnished an ample supply for the troughs, no inconvenience resulted. The first eggs were collected July 19 and the last on August 29. During this period 675 females were stripped, yielding 3,421,000 eggs, from which 2,930,000 fry were hatched and planted in October, November, and December in the headwaters of the Clackamas River. The station was closed in December, and put in charge of a custo- dian, and on April 1 it was turned over to the State Fish Commission. SALMON RIVER STATION, OREGON. Arrangements were made in the spring with Thomas Brown to furnish the Commission all the salmon eggs collected by him on this river at the rate of 40 cents per 1,000, eyed. The rack was built early in June, before any salmon ascended the stream, and in the first part of the summer the prospects for a good season’s work seemed bright, as many Report U.S. F. C. 1899. (To face page XCIV ) PLATE XX. SALMON-PENS AND RETAINING-RACKS AT LITTLE WHITE SALMON STATION CARRYING EGGS FROM SPAWNING-GROUNDS TO HATCHERY, AT LITTLE WHITE SALMON STATION Report U. S. F. C. 1899. (To face page XCIV.) PLATE XX\. TAKING SALMON EGGS AT LITTLE WHITE SALMON STATION. STRIPPING LARGE SALMON REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. XCV salmon were observed in the pools below the rack. Before they were ready to spawn, however, many of them were killed aid others injured by explosives used by people in the vicinity, so that very few eggs were secured. The spawning season commenced late in July and lasted until Sep- tember 1, the total collections amounting to 745,200 eyed eggs. Of these, 27, 000 were shipped to Portland, to the late Hon. H. D. McGuire, where they were hatched at the Industrial Exposition, forming a very interesting exhibit; 16,000 of the last eggs taken were sent to Clacka- mas, and the balance were hatched, the fry resulting from them (650,355) being liberated in the Salmon River during the fall months. After the last of them had been disposed of, the station was closed until March 1, when an attempt was made to collect steelhead eggs. A rack was finished on March 14, but was destroyed by high water on April 11. It was rebuilt, but too late to secure any eggs. The operations resulted in the collection of 22,000, only 3,500 of them surviving to the eyed stage. These were transferred to Clackamas on May /4. The State Fish Commission took charge of this station on June 15. LitTtLE WHITE SALMON STATION, WASHINGTON. This station was opened July 15, with S. W. Downing in charge, assisted by J. W. Berrian and J. N. Wisner. As more eggs had been taken the previous season than could be handled in the hatchery, work was at once commenced on an additional hatchery, which was practi- eally completed at the opening of the spawning season. This building is a frame structure 100 feet long by 40 feet wide, and is equipped with 80 troughs 14 feet wide by 16 feet long. The mess and bunk houses were also enlarged and an office building erected. The rack across the river was completed on August 8, but no salmon were observed near it until September 7, though they had been seen jumping in the lake at the mouth of the river some time before that. Fishing commenced September 11, and was carried on daily until October 3, resulting in the collection of 7,176,000 eggs. The run of fish was unusually light, and only about one-fourth as many eggs were secured as had been anticipated, though all the fish that entered the river were captured, the seine being hauled night and day. In accordance with the usual custom, all females were killed before being stripped. Of the eggs collected 4,926,000 were sent to Clacka- mas station. From the balance 1,791,000 fry were hatched and liber- ated in the Little White Salmon River, the plants being made between December 8 and 13. As soon as all of them had been disposed of, the station was closed and left in charge of a laborer, who was employed during the winter in completing the wagon road commenced the pre- vious year and in doing other necessary work around the hatchery. - This station is fully equipped for handling 25,000,000 to 30,000,000 eggs per season, and can be worked on a very economical basis. XCcVI REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. BAIRD STATION, CALIFORNIA (G. H. LAMBSON, SUPERINTENDENT). Early in the summer the rack was put in place across the river to stop the ascent of the salmon. It had been observed for several years that many unripe fish were driven from the spawning-pools below the rack, backed down the river, and lost, and to guard against this a retaining-rack was constructed early in July about 100 yards below the pool. This rack is 190 feet long and is built on six piers placed 28 feet apart. The piers were made by bolting timbers together in the form of a triangle, the long angle upstream, and filling in the spaces with stone. There are five traps in the rack which permit the fish to pass upstream, but will not allow them to return. The weirs, whim, seine reel, boats, and other apparatus were placed in order early in the sum- mer and when the spawning season opened on August 15 everything was in readiness for a good season’s work. The regular summer fishing commenced August 15, three ripe females being taken on that date, and closed September 17, with a collection of 13,445,900 eggs. Of these 1,467,000 were lost in incubation, and 11,340,000 were shipped, 100,000 being sent to Japan, 25,000 to France, 25,000 to New Zealand, 35,000 to the Trans- Mississippi and International Exposition at Omaha, and the remainder to the California hatcheries at Sisson and Hel River. The fall run commenced November 5 and closed December 27. Dur- ing this time 3,122,700 eggs were collected, making a total for the two runs of 16,568,600. Of the eggs retained at the station 3,263,560 were hatched and planted in the MeCloud River, with a loss of only 112,610 fry during the sac stage. The take was larger than ever before and it became necessary to erect « number of troughs outside the hatchery to care for the surplus. These troughs were made of green lumber and proved very unsatisfactory, causing the loss of the surplus fry. The baskets were also overcrowded, as it was necessary to place 40,000 in each, and this probably increased the loss during incubation. The methods were practically the same as heretofore. The eggs were stripped in a pan moistened with water, the milt being added at the same time and the mass gently stirred with the hand or.a feather until thoroughly mixed. About half a cup of water was then added to the mass. This process was repeated with four or five other pans, when they wereall poured into a bucket holding about 50,000 eggs and fresh water added from time to time until they could be taken to the hatchery. The buckets containing eggs are handled very carefully, and on arrival at the hatchery the eggs are measured into baskets with dippers holding an average of 1,810 each, After being placed in the baskets they are picked over every other day and all dead and white ones removed until the fifth day, when they are covered and left undisturbed until the embryos are sufficiently developed to permit handling. At an average temperature of 50° they will reach this stage in about fifteen days, but great care should be exercised in handling Report U. S. F. C. 1899. (To face page XCVI.) PLATE XXII. fe na Fig. 10. Fig. 11. DEVELOPMENT OF SALMON EGGS FROM TWO DAYS OLD TO THIRTY DAYS AT 54° F. Fig. 1. Appearance of egg two days after fertilization, and while it can be handled. Fig. 2. Egg at four days, when it can be picked over but must be handled with extreme care. Fig. 3. Egg at six days, when it should not be touched. Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. Egg on the seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth days, when it is very tender and can not stand handling. Fig. 9. Egg at eleven days, when it can-be handled but with extreme care. Figs. 10, 11, and 12. Egg at fourteen, twenty, and thirty days, when very hardy. After the loop, shown in figs. 6, 7, and 8, has closed and all trace of it disappeared, as in fig. 9, the egg can be picked over, and from that time on it grows constantly more hardy and can be shipped. (Drawings by Leroy Ledgerwood.) REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. XCVII them the first two or three times. When the troughs are first uncov- ered the eggs are found buried in the mud and sediment to the depth of 4 inch or more, but this is easily removed by raising the basket slightly and settling it back in the trough. A little fungus also devel- ops, but the loss from this cause is slight, amounting this season to less than 200,000 on 16,000,000 eggs. As soon as the eye-spots appear the eggs are packed in the Annin shipping-case and sent to the California hatchery. As the temperature of the water at Baird varies constantly, observa- tions of the eggs at different stages were made, as a result of which the employees of the station are now able to determine from the appear. ance of the eggs, after knowing the mean temperature of the water, not ouly the age of the eggs, but their fitness for shipment. With a mean temperature of 54° the egg enters the critical stage at the end of the fourth day, fig.2. At the sixth day they are very tender and remain so for several days. On the fourteenth day (fig. 10) they are hardy and can be picked without danger. At 54° they can, with care, be picked over on the fourth day, but from that time to the end of the eleventh or twelfth day they should be left undisturbed. This information is important where there are many millions of eggs to be cared for, as it saves the necessity of keeping an exact record of the length of time the various lots have been under cover, and does away with the old custom of washing a basket for the purpose of determining whether or not they will stand handling, this method destroying many eggs in experimental washing. The figures show the development of the egg at 54°, but the same would be true at any temperature except that with colder water more time is required for the egg to reach the various stages. Owing to the crowded condition of the hatchery it became necessary to plant some of the eggs from the fall ruu before the sac was nearly absorbed, and it is feared that quite a large proportion of these were destroyed, as several trout captured were full of young salmon. The majority of the fry, though, were planted at the proper age, and it is believed that comparatively few of these were eaten by trout, judging from an examination of the stomachs of those caught. In a pond 50 feet long, 4 feet wide, and 6 inches deep near the edge of the river, and fed by the overflow from the hatchery, 20,000 young salmon were placed. They remained here for nearly a month and were in fine condition when liberated. The results secured this year were not due so much to the large run of salmon as to the fact that all fish entering the rack were held there by the retaining-rack. Many more eggs could have been taken, as the crew fished only four hours each day, but as the hatchery was over- crowded it was not deemed advisable. After the salmon were stripped they were killed and given to the Indians, who came from far and near for them. The flesh is dried in the sun, and this forms their main food supply during the winter months. F C 99——vi1 XCVIII REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Early in the spring, immediately after the fry had been planted, the old hatchery was torn down, and by April 15 everything had been cleared away and the grading of the site for the new hatchery com- menced. This building, which was completed on June 29, is a frame structure 120 by 40 feet, with side walls 12 feet high; it has 36 windows on the sides and ends and 12 skylights in theroof. The sides and ends are sheathed with rustic lumber and the floor is of 14 by 6 inch yellow pine laid half an inch apart. The studding and rafters are of spruce. The building is covered with redwood shingles and is equipped with sufficient troughs to care for 20,000,000 eggs. A new centrifugal pump was purchased and the water-wheel rebuilt to insure an abundant supply for the new hatchery. Contracts were also entered into for the erection of a steam plant, which will furnish several hundred gallons of water per minute, in the event of an accident to the wheel. At the close of the year the rack was again placed across the riyer. It was noticed that the run of salmon which usually makes its appear- ance in the McCloud River about the last of March did not appear this season. In the pool below the rack on June JO, where there are usually several thousand fish, only afew were found. This scarcity was attrib- uted to the discharge of refuse from the smelters at Keswick, and as thousands of dying fish were observed, the matter was investigated by the California Fish Commission, who reported that the mortality was not caused by the discharge of silt from the smelters, but from poison in a spring near Keswick. The following shows the number of fish and eggs handled during the Summer run: : | | | Fish Eggs | ¥ges los Fish Eges og Date, spawned.| taken. | Eee tonte| BS spawned. taken. | Eggs lost. = ys 212" Sears = — ||| ae = 16 | 62, 400 11, 603 138 617, 100 | 48, 225 21 96, 390 | 7, 589 113; 511, 800 | 75, 498 29| 144, 635 7, 674 233 | 1, 082, 300 113, 150 16 | 80, 345 5, 932 | 144 | 684, 500 | 352, 700 51 | 248, 205 9, 853 148703, 900 | 394, 500 24 176, 785 | 14, 416 111 | 495, 000 | 2, 700 55 | 250, 000 3, 630 || 97 | 435, 200 | 32, 675 86 418, 540 26, 213 || 103 | 443, 500 46, 050 72 | 353, 700 11, 680 | 77 | 348, 200 20, 375 83 | 401, 800 18, 270 38 | 156, 500 | 15, 880 76 386, 700 18, 450 || 64 | 273, 100 19, 645 73 361, 400 10, 375 || 70 | 296, 300 19, 825 162 783, 300 36, 480 | 21 86, 200 | 7,917 131 616, 100 25, 650 | 30 118, 500 | 9, 700 157 708, 500 27, 170 | 19 72, 100 | 2, 350 141 694, 100 23, 800 | eae 146 724, 000 19, 625 | 2,888 | 13,445,900 | 1, 467, 150 133 614, 800 837, 550 | | | | | BATTLE CRE¥K STATION, CALIFORNIA (G. H. LAMBSON, SUPERINTENDENT). The station was opened September 10, and steps were at once taken to repair the racks and weirs and to equip the hatchery for the recep- tion of eggs. By the middle of October the main rack across the creek and the two retaining-racks at the mouth had been completed. The main rack, which is 273 feet long, was built in 1897, at an expense of REFORL OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. XCIX $1,650, and has proved very satisfactory, having withstood the freshets of the past season without damage. This rack was completed first, in order to prevent the salmon from ascending the creek beyond the hatchery. The retaining-racks at the mouth of the creek were then rebuilt, to keep the salmon that had entered from returning to the river. On October 22 the first haul of the seine was made, and 29 ripe females were secured. Kgg collections commenced on the 26th, the 169 females stripped on that date yielding 990,000 eggs. Fishing continued uninterruptedly from this time till December 9, when the crew was discharged and the station practically closed. During this period 484 seine-hauls were made and 3,938 females captured aud placed in the pens. Of these, 3,876 yielded 19,429,000 eggs, of which 1,059,000 were lost in incuba- tion, and 18,369,000 were eyed and shipped to other stations, the Calli- fornia Commission receiving 13,687,500, The last shipment was made on January 14, the day the station was closed. The following table shows the daily catch of fish, eggs taken, eggs lost, and water temperature during the season: . Water tem- Fe Fe Water tem- E Jor reg | peratures. . Dreris lees eT es. Date. | males | ges | Eggs en eee __|| Date. | males iees Hees , aerial caught i 6 a.m. 6 p.m. | jeauEns 6a.m. 6 p.m. | 1898 | oF, | °F. || 1898. OUNE() 77 OUR. Oct. 22 DO Etre Sees Pll ease ete + 55 Dime bec oelky osaitecer as. 21,000| 46 48 23 Oalaeae eesti Ares eee | 56 58 | 6} 38] 286,000] 29,000) 45 47 24 BY eee a ee eae | 52 55. || (bly a I ee eee 30,000) 44 46 25 Pd Seeman sho LRP ES Hh it 55 | 8 21 | 146,000) 30,000) 44 45 26 Si e990N C00! ate cee | 52 56 9 | 6 64,000 | 30,000) 44 46 27 46 | 234, 000 2,000 | 51 55° || ON RRM aE. 1h Re 40,000} 41 44 28 Oe O30" 500) (ess ee. 52 a || iN] Coe oe Je eee 40,000} 41 43 29 10’ 2620000) [285 22k: 52 55 |i 1D eadasile 23e0 ee. 40,000! 40 44 30 G0) | 2705000) eee sas 53 56 || TSolereee teed :| SO OO0 Ae 45 31 82 | 354, 000 2,000 | 54 56 | Tae |e eee eee wes 30,000} 45 46 Noy. 1 96 | 342,000 |....-.. .-| 50 53 Gi ae See ee ee | 30,000} 44 47 2 163) |) 366) O00)\\eee cece. 49 | 54 iM bend 55 OEE sou eee ee.F 44 46 3 126| 818, 000 2,000 | 51 53 70 Seen (eee See el eee 45 48 4 Hoa |G LGHOUON| S25 ae o- (aol meas ill 2 ee al | tie ke Yay ee ae LS Nee Yi 49 5 99 | 658, 000 25000.) 52 | 55 TOihebecss| ceeereee | 30,000} 48 49 6 103 | 482, 000 BrO00)) 52) | tae alter tee ee eee 30,000} 48 48 7 129 | 598, 500 3,000); 47 | 52 DIhig || Reape al te tae | 30,000} 45 46 8 133 | 682, 000 3,000} 47 | 49 De | eet cael mete eae | 20,000) 42 46 9 97 | 496, 000 8,000} 45 | 49 - PNG | Same ey eer ers 28,000] 42 45 10 146 | 468, 000 8,000! 45 | 50 Ds eee NRE LS aa 42 45 11 70 | 626,000] 12,000) 47 | 49 ity Pea ssc 1Ie 5 8 8 Rae sy (eae 42 45 12 105 | 542,000 | 12,000| 46 | 50 TG tears ieee es ses ee 45 47 13 135 | 464,000 | 12,000' 46 | 51 || Phil Panis «Ba SUR Sas oP 8 Geen ee a ees ae 8 44 47 14 148 | 812,000] 14,000; 47 | 51 | DOs | eneeee ale ee es 30,000} 46 48 15 118 | 732,000] 15,000} 48 | 512 | PM ooh oe) esa ane eee! Hasceo Sac 47 48 16} 200} 958,000} 12,000; 48 | 50 | STIG (2 Sethe | pee | ME see ees 43 45 17 155 | 920,000} 10,000| 52 | 53 || Bit [Se ke PEED eeu 41 43 18 175 | 862,000} 10,000} 49 53 I 1899. | 19 116| 584,000} 15,000| 51 Dome dans. Lelee Sse lero ee tease 41 43 20 141 | 562,000] 20,000] 48 49 py OE ne Pee fees Sea 40 42 21 87 | 460,000 | 21,000| 46 47 || £35) [OS a Paes alee eerie 42 44 22 63 | 380,000 | 23,000 | 47 48 || YG OR Res Sate See 44,000} 40 44 23 {| 51] 284,000} 25,000} 45 | 48 || Bi | eee Be ee [Bases 42 14 25 72 | 162,000 | 26,000) 43 | 47 |i (I Ree ek Siok Sf era 43 43 26 53 | 298,000} 30,000} 43 49 || Telemann hanes tees et See oe 43 45 27 60 | 258,000} 36,000} 45 47 || Shes sees PO ee een nema rete 43 44 28 60 | 420,200} 22,900; 49 | 50 ol ik ee a kok al Sees 45 47 29 69 | 228,000} 32,000} 51 | 53 aKa See eee a Oo ears ea 43 45 30 74 | 258,000} 30,000) 50 | 51 DE Se ae ee hh a Rec al I ee Ala 43 Dec. 1 70 | 374,000} 30,000) 48 | 50 Tipe (oe oe |-s-2----~- 10,500} 43 | 45 2 67 | 304,000 | 24,000| 46 | 48 ee 3 75 | 374,000} 22,000] 45 48 | 8,938 19,429,000 1,059,000 4 PIAL OO ORES ore wre'a « 46 49 | | Cc REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. The work on the whole was disappointing. No rain fell during the season and but few salmon entered the creek, as the low water in the Sacramento River permitted spawning in the main stream at points which would not ordinarily be suitable. This is likely to be repeated every dry season. Reports from 30 miles down the river showed that salmon were spawning in many localities where they had never been seen before, and that the number entering all the creeks was small. The methods employed in stripping and fertilizing the eggs were the same as heretofore. The force consisted of ten men, three of whom stripped the females, two the males, one looked out for the pans in which the eggs were taken and added water to the milt; two men were employed steadily in dipping females out of the pen and one the males. As heretofore, the eggs were taken in pans containing about half a pint of water each, instead of by the dry method, as at most of the other stations of the Commission. The milt and eggs were taken at the same time and stirred constantly to insure immediate fertilization. When thoroughly mixed the pan was filled with fresh water, placed on a shelf, and allowed to remain until seven or eight other pans had been simi- larly treated, after which they were all poured into a transportation can and sent to the hatchery, fresh water being added frequently to wash off the milt. If the eggs were still adhesive on arrival at the hatchery, fresh water was added until they separated, when they were distributed in baskets, 40,000 to each. As soon as the fish spawned they were thrown in a pen and afterwards turned over to people who came from far and near to lay in supplies for the winter. At the beginning of the season threats were made that the rack would be blown up, hence an armed guard was placed on watch for a few nights, but no trouble was experienced. These threats were made by people living above the station on the creek, who wanted the salmon to ascend. Many carp were caught while hauling the seine and were turned over to the Chinese population, who prefer them to salmon or trout. During the season a new stable was built, 264 feet loug by 11 feet wide and 84 feet high, with slanting shake roof and sheds 164 feet long and 11 feet wide at both ends for wagons. As considerable trouble was experienced with the water supply, from hogs and cattle, it became necessary to fence the ditch on both sides with barbed wire, the top and second strands being covered with board railings to prevent stock from being injured. Report U. S. F. C. 1899. (To face page PLATE XXIII ° Supts. ™ Dwelling zr k & Hj} z t x 3 PN a Se ih ~ NoTtTs / + »onds, Nos. ito 24 \ ” » AtoH re as - | wScale = Pier 200 300 ———ae cee 6 CERES © EES SS 6 RS eS Rapin US FETED. Tatra HE) Nove Rearing Ponds, Non ito 24 Spawning) s Ato December 1899 NASHUA STATION, NEV! HAMPSHIRE. -_ ee ites ’ ' os Dien Sit Pelettiamaitallh | WN iain Day | , ee, Sk ee” ee : oe) nl f —— . pa 1 Pt a 7 i / | _ - » - - = ; : = as a <= < 7 * ° ~ — ’ -_ c / ; - f ! : / fo) : > _ 7 a = ‘ r a : 7 i = i ; hc. ; \ ~ £3, : ] hel p= \ _ : : ; . = fe = Sl © Nel ll ps ra mv etn ltl IN Seg DAI AR ae * = ays j Y = © { i, 7, < — a 4 . Hf} : > | a = \, -/ 7 \ \ t - r | | — } aig . i Oe | ; a. > 5 ie rt} x F 3 1 5 | , . : 4 Report U. S. F. C..1899. (To face pag} PLATE XXIV. a i\ Bs, But 7 Report U.S. F.C. 1899. (To face page Cy . : Rearing Ponds: 0 a s.Now 1) Spawning Pair ok oe D December 1899 rh ie B= =a Hhtche Ha eo) et: F ee } PS rar oe 3 ; b 2 Cass l re ERWIN STATION, TENNESSEE, ( ra ey r R a bl ye hy, 7 f er caltyt) acest 3.4.2.0 regen | ae ats ; ( r . iv ait , be hal } n 5 a) Y a Te. ih, ba a ow vs ; ; ; bag.) - Pa) Ios £ «ov wbaod portman — é ; tes AE an yi | EER: oth ° ats . 7 y i rf ey y ‘ Report U. S, F. C, 1899, (To face page PLATE XXV. Nots c |, Nos 1to 30 for Trout NY ” A to K ” , : | Zused for Bass c nites -_Z4nber 1899 Scale \ —— 100 200 FEET Water Tank | 2 EA \ | \ Supt'’s \ Dwelling \ lock Cliff i Lower Spring MAG. NORTH Rens aR ee RY — to | ) Norn Ponds.Nox xan for Trout Ls “ae ” ” om Vto Z used for Bass culture December 1699 AG" NOM ny MANCHESTER STATION, IOWA. ‘ ‘ a } be 4 ae fae Report U. S. F. C, 1899, (To face PLATE XXVI, HutcuHins’ Lot COLO ors a a ore All the Ponds used for Bass culture December 1899 Seale vac Report U. S. F.C. 1899. (To face page C.) PLaTe XXVII. Tos.ito 12 ee oe . ao a PLATE XXVII. Roper U.S. F.C. 1879. (To face page ©.) cRBee st pce Pon Hoe tto 42 caring » 13to 2 scenes Deaenber 499 eS Vacs ES w\ ai a a aN e S j ya ae : aa a in ae % SPEARFISH STATION, SOUTH DAKOTA. a oe ———_ es \ 4 « ij 1] : he " Report U. S. F. C. 1899. (To face page C.) Plate XXVIII Warm Spring DTE ds-Nos.4 te 24 a 5 - REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. CI Details of distribution. A ont Fry and | Adults and Species and disposition. Eggs fin gett gs. yearlings. Shad: Connecticut State Fish Commission, Joshuatown, Conn........)..-.--.-.--- Os 7001000 Beem eerea ser Blaokbird Greek, -Middletowm; Wels. -2- enc = Seas cece ow asec s|enanesiten aks TPL NO Meee Sascee Mount elessani Gl os. os sc-2 gasses neacenncciner sce tanec. S00 S000 nena eerenee Appoquirimink Creek, Middletown, Deli... ..-- 052 5-225 0222s |oencneeecces 1203000 Ree ene Mountveleasant, Del's 2-).s.cscos ese cor lee sece en cee 120 000"| S225 eee SVE ay C Nee OMY INA: WOl ecm ege acces -> ccna sce i (eee EI 540 0003/2 ene e eee Hepsi) Creeks CheswOlds Dele c cases = ia= << mnnes seen senic ses eae cence eee B40 7 000) Rennes UOT OLE Ka OVOL Gls. latte ciestoceetcte an = 5 =arataee sat aenie nan csl omens cieaeeimies 8405000) \P eee ee Mirrdonknleneek HOMOn sls sacces on =... ac cclsm cian cjc nares sleacceeeceeee 1140" 0008 |aeeeeee ee Wiis pion Greek NUON d ale lean ns eee minis asain ont eins [ers cejsimictes sine OO OUON Be eterno TAA EAMG OMS DOTO; Weleec. sae sseeekwe = -oe ens cesem ss mccineclocacececeacr 2850 s000))| Ese SWiyOminen pele sen ane ne aaa mee seme eemsice nec a ai| na aceeeieenie 360; 000) 522s eee Brandywine: Creeks Walminoton Dele - --c—-.c-- meee ncece swe s|ssceeesceeee 1552702000: |beneeeeneeee ROLOMaCHUNMecrDGdiy RIS hela KOS Ws O recttes =1=/\- Je aeeeeseese «eames meses esis wematinjerieces 3, 000, COU @annoucheer iver) GROvVGlANGs Gale. 4, 462, 000 |.........-.. WoecokeomereemrAccokedk Creek Md... o2..0.-cocessase oc cells acceiareeccme A VUG000)|2 = 2 = om meee Piscataway Creel, Piscataway Creek, Md... .-.2:2----2---<--2-|sceeseccce-- 1; 189)000" cee seenaeeee BrOLOC ONES kISTOAGTONEOK NtC -52 55 cotsais. «soo ce seme mee econ |aemc mene cee 453: 000) |e. ccc seems Chesapeake Bay, Havre de Grace, Md ......-...---------------- 10, 930, 000 | 53, 481,000 |............ Spesmuisp Narrows Mdee cs. oe meeeee eee me seein ceil RS O0ONO00) eee Ben COMBO, IM Cisse < oe c oro ne nee eee mraternioe li Secreto rcieie 1, 250) 000) tap oe eee PA UUEXGH TBR Er PATE WLC) teeta sce feo a1c'e, = As eee aaerisnioce eee mee see 450;'000!|/52- 5eoseeec PALA DSCOMVer he laye Maryland. fac. 5 <- -.--scscemine aeeeasiselse eee see = 450;'000) |'o25)es see mars Boshehiver SUShyRLVel SbablOM MGs: «<< ..ccclen ae eitaceicelicemeel pes cactc scm ft 2008000 sc caeeoeeee Susquehanna River, Garrett Island, Md. ..:-...-..2.s-2--ccece-|es-5--cc0-e- 4503000) beaseene sess Port Deposit Ma: oe... J .cecseesaccte= snleasenemesmien 200000) pee ae eee Gunpowder River, Gunpowder Station, Md .....-.--......-----]--------.<-- 9505000) )|-2 seme WarcomMiICco River, Salisbury; Midis <2 sas. -2c0 22 - Meee cannes nescrm|p-escs cence 900,000) \2- ee sce ockanogcreek, Queen Anne; Midis as «-.s2sss-cecesnee acess aes) eeulewiseecine ep URC oe So a5 cre Whestor iver, © DEStOLtOwm eM Gece ya..< oa-. -co Seimei oeierellleee eee ciae SOU 000) teens eee eees MIs Vain Siruveny EIS ROP eM mais «si ic\co00.- tome eeeaeimnacnas| cece scaare- SOON 0CON|S2eeee—eaaee NDC reek: below: Perry valle; MG) oo n2 2 oc. - oe scene tele cee eiins|Soentiece ccles LTD hO00Nl Sse. 2eeeseee SVyanikincorRivery VWiaren ait, VASSi om. - .a20 one ccoeneenancneeea| teen ecne cen 450) 000))|Soeeeaaeeerts Northehiversranover tylassiccces«ansscce = occas nee ee eee nemo meeeem. 420000) |Pa22-e eee Delaware River, Gloucester, N.J--.-.----- .------cecceesccncss 252007000) || 20008000) |Pa2seaeeeee IBIMIMESPOLts Neds fay. cerc.2 «ina le eeteebre sa cise | Semel oem 4957000) |b 525 "eee MAMORU VALLGUNG dine cite coe. ac cee een ooo ee lCaeee eres 95461 0003 eoece ate IW ih tere Pols ad oes Ce ee RSs ye orc Sealbee 2k 2: 968; 0005 haa jo2 sees RomsPivery south uaAke woods Ned -<..22.25.ieaeneseeees cme woe senmenece 10005 000K eee serener= MEtedeconkehuver wu alcewOOds Nee) on. on she eee ee eee as | meee eeneens TOOOSO00N|Saeeeeceetoe MMEHAS Han RlVer, harminged ale: Ned! =. 2-2 coe aeecee ee eneess| once mcreeeon 1000; 000) pena cece SHU Mara CONES P ES SHUT ee eS ieee ee pe mS Ee eel 52D SO00E baer ere ee EMS OnP RL VOr CAbR KUN SN iW aso. o ker cece cine soc sepa aoa! Bente cneme LE 4700005 Sea aeeeacte AUbeManriei sound Ol eAvOGa, Nis cs55-. 5 0s2s-e Meen ee coe mh ooaee nessa ne 813000008 tase aeecraac offfE.denton NEC 2.2 ec ose eee oe eee ea eeeeectoe eens 903.000) lee eeececss HGenbonrelanpory Had CHUGH Nis Chee eee ere snc cene eee ened | pmceen eee Sh GD2 000) |e eeoeneeeere Perquimans: Riverveortords Ne 8-2 2-22-s.2es. sceemee eee aeelbeneencceeme 450s 000) eeenseereae INGISCTRIVEE C.OlUSDOTOtN ES Ones otincne con cee see eee ee eee eon 6845 285:4|)- ca seeteseee HAUS CAA NTA Nin Ole. Deane anna... San ee eee ce | nb gna ee ty El edeeeeeacbec pias rN OL MT DOLOsEN Cgeenee ee seme tales coe = oct roe eine | ewan reece O84 285s ope case Northeast Branch of Cape Fear River, Wallace, N.C .......-..|..-..--.---- 68h 285i fos. Soe eee Rembroke Creeks wd OlLOnmNaG reese caches sce DOC Oe eee eee oeceictne 3075,000. |Get sn- cece ee Pennsylvania State Fish Commission, Bristol, Pa.............. 93265) 000H|hoemienistraloe seer SUSE han aPrivor ybesHnd diysseassscns oo s/c meeemetere aecee| lesan omeeae 70503000) Semaceeenee- Coltimbia ne ate score a. once eee eee |i semana 65750 ;000nee=se Pacer Peach bo thom Paes ecicce cece eee cic eee By IROOM Se seeonose ac Mic CaillatWerrys earns ste e nameemer etn cos ses ae eee ee BBO Aecesoceac= Mela warevRiver, Lackawaxen baiwoss css cleo een eee een ec ocnlee ses desece A5OKO00) [pee eaeeeeeee Delaware WiateriGap Paves. ene seasacece reese cecsae 2504000) peeeeeeeeeee ECCEDOCHREVer ECON GOs Ss Cane eet eee eco eee Satya |e) Re BCE BE eae Geoaases SPUD LONGER OL. ee ee ae Se Ee eee hho a | 304s Soon sa neciaeere ere Semieoanal eNMonkisiCOnner SaCas senate <2 see ene oe meee. on ae 3947883) ee Sanies tear MISTOP RI Ver ee OTMMOU RSs Cre cree ee eens ae eR eT ee eae BOAT 833) eee ee cre etas Combahee River, Yemassee, S. C........--.- SAAS cob cS SEO Ree Bee] SRE ecneee Bi SBS) lee geeeercnac NERINCIMOTIMME VON IS WiLOL Kee Vides ore eae ce eee ee eT at ae LOANED) |eSeoeceennos RaGoMmacCE imersNTOuN VeINON Values conse. cssceecte cee. -cneeclscceecfennce S58 0008 beeeeee eae OCECO Ana VAOCCOGUan Via. 28a. soneee choo eee mors coe s socllgos soe emaneh Ay OW) |eecceecooc ce Little ene Creak#ihelowsAloxandnriaeViasscctece oon a oceusnes|Geeenescesee 196251000) Beets eae WORMEIOrce ke Worn Oreck Viale = 0. (eames a ooc iho sc eden cal oeeece eon 35106) 000 |peeeeeeeeeee Eobiokt@nee kPonickt CreekioWac os 500. ene sc -cu eel oc au capeacl Wheaccasseroe Dh UO |Qagabonacnne (CheRGNy Tela SEIN WG seein ae eR Ra aie erase (Scanian Rs BYE ON Iseocdecdecne TOGO ccc cncadde cd SCS ERE See ee eee ee ee eee | 24,296,000 208,311,740 | 3, 000, 000 NOTE. not included in the above tabulation. —2,700,000 fry were transferred from Central Station to the Fish Lakes rearing-ponds, and are Tunks Pond. Sullivan. Me CII REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. e Details of distribution—Continued. Species and disposition. Eggs. Hest reh en Quinnat salmon; California Fish Commission, Sisson, Cal ............-.-.--.-..-. | 1358500005 Serie sattets | eee eet Eel River Hatchery -........-...-- AE PACU Se ccmeerac sooeacecss a Bear Valley Hatchery ....-.-...-. (UR GHWD | eee cerns) SaoseSenecs McCloud River, Baird, Cal ..-.. oh ote ect oo 6 Le ee se a2 853,200) ae 27os Or Rae aera SEMI OM BEVERY Set INN OM OL OL erate ae oars an | cinta 650/300) 522 jacana ClackamasiRiver, Garheld (Oreg. oa. cea soe no) eee Seals aout fees 2,930,000) |2e-=peeeee ee ‘ Stone OTE eo eae woe eee. 4. 008596 ae cmceeee ee and Clear Creek, Stone, Oreg 3,493, 870" |e case. ceeee Oregon Fish Commission, Mapleton, Oreg ...-..--..--..--.---- | 2,002; 000) | 253-25 see anemones WakeeMorey Wairlee,. Viliis- cates eee ene cnet eee ene = [erect cceeee lemeysinae earls 147 Musearoray Creek. Mees boro. Vee occa aca. <2 ee eee ane OBcasoScceel tase ostecess 12 Matew Runt Wytheville Wiaew------cceccse 0 082 -e eee Sener | ale ears fda Neral ran oes Seyi 1, 230 Little White Salmon River, Chenowith, Wash...........-...-- nm eins eisinnin | 1 OLSOBG. | oases Washington Fish Commission, Tacoma..--..-.-.-.---.--.------| DUO O00! |: ote eos 5] eeee eRe Japanese Government, Niigata Ken, Japan---.-.-...-..-.---.-.-. 1001000) | -2,cc ac ae Sell naan eee aL AMA On Sha OONIS SH raANCOs saeco cleo 52-5, cee namniee 25IOOON |S saaecmes TPA VAOI. NGwe Zealand. csmasace cinco sass 33s ccmer creer oes 20000: | sce mechce onl seems cee RO tales aseet eas eet ebee Pees eto ete 5s oeeeaee cioeeeees | 27, 630, 000 | 16, 144, 352 | 1, 389 Atlantic salmon: Connecticut Fish Commission, Windsor Locks, Conn....--.--- 200; OOO) csiecceerne | eerie Misamoosook Lake vOrland, (MGte2-cene esa cece 2 oc csee eso eae acta en aie cee |e soer emote 76, 465 Roddy. Bond Onlandiand (Suriyy MG ts ceeenee sic cece = eee ee ere ee | eee 134, 900 Williams Pond, bucksport; Mo i252. .c325<25 Soe hcepaesen s secullsatekcaeeee |saaakeeeione 12, 000 oneiPond” Bucksport; Me 2225-4 acc. -nleneces-ncicece rs sceaee| semeeanasaisa| Meeanen sees 6, 922 Hancocksbond bucksport Miby. feos. manecisnceccee cee eeeee e) | cena aee a aeeeee eee oenee 2, 000 sbrewer Pond tributary, (bucksport, Me-- 2-22 o2-cme ine ces seine} eas eee asenalae seep eneces 8, 920 Penopscot River, PassadumkesoMo. =: shee ce sccclases senate se ee eae 140, 000 85, 000 Motta wamkeag SMe .2- 13) S055 sea eh a sees ee oe seers 155, 000 65, 610 uincolniCenters Mero cess se. -- eee eee eee eee seheiecs Beet 2 1508000) | ean eeenmioe EeanrigeondZOrlsdng MMe ste ce meee eer as te ne sooe een teratermyaia tee aie ME Seana SeecS= 440 Youghiogheny River, Swanton, Md........-...-.---.--.---.--- retoeeactnss “Seep \|eoonorasococ New Hampshire Fish Commission, Laconia, N. H..-..--.-..-. ZOONO00 S| ee ees se | ese eeetereta Pennsylvania Fish Commission, Allentown, Pa.--..--..------- 250;-000 | cs--2s-c.95| Seee-= eee uscarorwereek. WeospUuros Viaot cee. cices ecee cc nceenoaasences [erect aoe ce sates oe eee 95 Teta ie, Ahead eh Seeger cea ARO oC RR ba an | 650,000 | 449, 225 392, 352 Landlocked salmon : California; Hish Commission, sisson, Cal- 232 52--2os5-22.ccoe ce 20.000) 2 cease el eee eee Connecticut Fish Commission, Windsor Locks, Conn ..-..-...-- | 250000 Peete secs 2, 000 Hayadensuake; Skowhegan Me <5). ccc eeecee se eats ce cesans cae = eens aoe eleeeeee ees 1, 500 Make Georrenunorn dike Mes-ecces coe n lee eee a pe ao ma ee seer \paceema see eellneamete tems 5, 000 Ran celeyaluakesw Upon (Mors 2255. esses sees cocoate oe eee al ee eee aes Eee 2, 000 Holprogieishhond weHOlden, Wee: .oe5 22 eee eae eee eee eee ee nisee he Paeeeee eee eee ee eee eee 3,500 DumecondywOanre basset Mess. 5 e00 oe eo etree aoe ero. een eee alban ee sersne 1, 50u EchompsonsPeeona. Oxford els 2 -smc- eons secs wer ape eee | ee cere ees Ree eee meee 4,000 Peas ond SGAnLaD ASSO bb Ove oa Ree eee ere cake ree ea ee ae | te eres ll ecm ea eae 1, 500 Mooseebond sranuiam cd wlomes Sexe oe eo aS 8 re ee ee ee ee oll eee oe 2, 000 Hones ond SlpVenmorewWiGscscces =o ocise atc ccico cise = See eee ee eee eer ieee eee 1, 500 Kendall Pond lalivermonrenviGe es oo h- 2 e ss = 2 ceceennea eto Newsies Sates sallleeeyec eet 3, 000 longs eh Onde worth iMG esse seesemeee oso ceeeme emcees jonsdenicsooca|ecaeeesosea5 2, 000 Womnel ssePondshraniolimMioses sear = eee eee eee oie hones ore oll eee 4,000 Hakewmaranocook, Winthrop; M@™s-one-cces lee cee ne esos + oo] saae'aaiet sneer een 4, 000 Round:Pound: Shirley. Me. soc. 2 - seats sees ses oe esee estciesn cles semis cece eee teeters 3, 000 Duattons Pond eels worth seals: Mes. =o: ses cn esn ose atene ates «| ame maietaee eel eer eect 2, 000 North Pond Warmington; Me. 5222.20 sce se-cs 2 eeeieee essen apmserasado|-esaee sasc5. 2, 000 Halt MilesPond (Great Pond. ses 2s. cc sae oo ee ee ee eee ee cick eee ee eee 4,775 Cobbosscecontee Bond: Wy anthrop. Mens) 4--2 see come eeses one -laoe can eo ee ear enene eee 9, 500 An ator lake Great Ponds Mess: oo cee see oe ceseee e neie ce ce ee Seen en ee ee 5, 000 Lake Anasagunticook, Canton, Me..-....--- nsec lle once eee nee Eee 2, 000 Bemis" rook Bemis Me wesc as gaan eee een ws eee eee eens not sa ee nee eee 1, 000 Cupsuptic/ Brook Bemis Me) 2 ae bot sa. 2 Se lela aiee nase. os lens cee eee ose Gee ees 1, 000 Kine and: Bartlettsbakes; Dead! diver, Me. 2. .2s22eee sess cc sc as sere ee One 2, 000 Branch Pond Dedham: Me sso she b 2... ols. as caste eee meek Soc) ce cumece fais eee eereee ers 51, 000 Greensiake Otis: Meus. 825 5 bene often ace aac woeoe meee oa eae le a a ee eee 176, 657 HMeariee ond Orland. MG ce aoe sees ee aetna Oo toc es oe ee ee eee 4, 606 ROAR EOnd Greenville MG.ce-onte ce sat tees eee eee omen eee eso ite <8 eee 2, 000 Grand Lake Stream, Washington County, Me.......--..--..--- | aercies oe 141, 875 33,000 Grandavake Washington County; Me. = 222)5-22- -see se sen eee eee eee ee Seene eee 81,171 Sepecsuakevhoxcrort, Me: 2220. eke se ee ee ee (ee ieee woeel eee ore = a5 2, 000 Lonovwbondwearrtlanrbor Me... cs scas once cds ils. mee cee ee | ee miga ee ree es 1, 500 Cansaniuakeshockiland: Mes. 2. 5.55222 eas a ee ee pice areas 2, 500 Chins baker Waterville ie 26. os sto casaes coe oe concer ems eet ches alae Sie bere eae ied 1, 000 oddysRondiOrland Messe $2Ge os .o2 5 cance 2 oxi Qa Eee ae eee 17, 794 SILER eNO eee ae oasis aon ano 5 ees Soe AE Gear eben see ate 679 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Details of distribution—Continued. CIIl ° * : ae Es Fry and | Adults and Species and disposition. Eggs. fingerlings.| yearlings. Landlocked salmon—Continued. Phillips Wake, Gakehouse, Me -- 2-5-5... --- 2... ss -ce.ncocacsm-= Maine Fish Commission, Enfield, Me.... ...................--- Parmachene “lub, Camp Caribou, Me ...-....................-. Padankslond. brookiells Mass\=2-2-\...\.-2 2. == See ce noale soles oe omeniake \WOrcestor, Miassi2- 22222. o.oo en dee aslcnn een enee William Lawrence, Worcester, Mass ..........-----.--. ronal Wes W. H. Drew, Plymouth, Mass.............- 2 ee er ne ee Massachusetts Fish Commission, Sutton, Mass....-.......-----) Girystriemake pbintield Ne tHian = eas sase. 6st. eek ucte 22852 200|e oss dant eee PE AILOMME ONG MGnL NUON ON tees mame ets oat tetnce cate scccce Vafcmisemenise aos Make winnepesawseeeaconian Neti inssnm sn soe aslcm eva sa oa| ena cmee ne Penacook and’ Webster Lakes, Concord, N. Hi ....-.....--....--|------.-----| ReMeBiee lowe enane hvala, Nees aah sel See ae ae Prmniene Iba kGg Tinga ee yds eae 6 oh RE oe ee Rene cl seem tse! (se. SS sOrnccic Paneer Tes), Je ORES NT GM IN Ee RE Re am am empcnnels) ese seems OOS eer re (Qeiivriah DRS, JED RSET IN RD Oe oe eG Se eee OOS Aero ty Rae More bea TORTI op Gy Sis InGyErsy TORING 0S Be Se Renee pene epee nen Sees eepecioa| Beemer ee Adirondack League Claob Lake, Fulton Chain, N.Y ..........-.!.-----------|------------ ake Georre, Caldwell, N. ¥ ---.-.--3-------- 202 n 2 - nane n=. | one == =n =| -- n= =~ == Make Champlain, toertirHenry, No M22... 2... 222. ce -- noe noe SeSeSSeTsees R. ©. Alexander, Old Forge, ¥. Pet ey oo a eee PANE CAlOGONIa. Nt Neo saaosc2---~22socensedacnenneeese Rhode Island Fish Commission, Carolina, Rh. L........--...----- James Sharpe, Salt Lake City, Utah..---..------...-...--.------ fo neianleaicen Greens bGnroy WV Useeetes eset) ose e ce once tee nates senrenee| een P UNTO COCANG ON: Vitiens anette cel ol <|-\n\'n'ol oe eeiaiigtcteio cise /'e@=incle's= = = SHG is Wiss Sho OER SER ERAS - Soi goo ona omemaeer ce Willoughby Lake, Westmore, Vt ...--..-.-..------------.-----|------------ ISP HIG? WittiS5 55 on Rob ep BOREL OOO Cob Sco ic Obe eames Smeets Vermont Fish Commission, Roxbury, Vt Clyde River, Newport, Vt...---.-.---- Se! a ot aR eh eee eee BES Muscarora Creek, Leesburg, Va <---..------ s.0. 225. -- ence enn-|---- 20 -=- == Bot Seas See is ee eee Se ho nla tao :2 .52225-5--222-2c22s-ss-225-]-2- 62" -22ee"|-- ===" 22 - = | 1,875 IN@@IE (CHaGle, Tit Gd eo ae Sone ee Seen See Ae eeeig merece oor | 1, 400 iwoavale| Oreck Hattiold) Atk. 2.2252 -.2.5:--2seacenaseeeoee == loeascoRmnocd| apesbemsnead | 1, 400 Rae Mere raciElath eld eArke- 0-62 -e nope a aossc Sane eneeeeeeace ol |eeeccescecelarecsseee ane | 1, 400 Pare OTeS AO hverA TIC esas nae nasal toe oa: hem eben tenssneds |seosees ssssaltateseeeceas 1, 400 Barron\@reek, Janssen, Ark. 22222) 12.222. 22222212222 ssasceesese|ces-e>eee-c|se---2==--" 1, 400 Relinpatorks reel swWickes, Ark.2.<-...2-+--scceshe-ssosdesss|ssee < Epacin Cadiz, Dida) OW bis eeseeeceE seee sec C TREE BE: SaRSAcpEeae) PSAReB= saree HScopESseaee 15, 000 Fryingpan River, Norrie, Colo ... fal | Aan sited Re et | gE ee 1, 500 Cloheseysiaker Granite, Col0-...<5.----:---sc as een n ee eeeeaine eens =a. Fryingpan River, ‘homasville, Colo....-.------.------.-------- Ruedi;|Colovse-2 aes sh sees ke eeeeerenesee =< Southey Lake, Montevista, Colo...-....:...-..-.--2---..------- Lime Creek, Eagle and Pitkin counties, Colo-..--......--------- South Fork of Platte River, Park County, Colo.......--.--...-..|.-.---.----- Fryingpan River, Eagle and Pitkin counties, Colo.......-.-.-..|.----.------ North Fork of Fryingpan River, Pitkin County, Colo.......-..)....-..----- Spr Sluake, Monteviste, | COlOms-me amine -- r= eae eeee es eee =e leer e eee iake| Creeks mear -Lwanduakes*@oloitcs:-- 222+ aaeeseree soceeeee i Upper Brush Creek, Eagle, Colo_...-...----..----- Ge sneh ates appro see SSAC Fagle River and tributaries, Wolcott, Colo ..-.....-..---------- Lh see ee North Fork of South Platte River: ; IEMs sage onb ode caoace nc ecpoonee dese mcoro] Oo onccaceHeneesedlseeascpeasce Sta DLOUleeeecemascioe eters e tee eames So ame ee eters mee eels TET TG E Sede eit bern ans Saree See a aerate orc ain nee a lahocerannes ake Oreskenear Wend ville ssa cic se cane osiccaecamen cases ceen ate saan secre Upper Evergreen Lake, near Leadville-.-......---..---.-------|.----------- ake Devereux Aspen) Colo. - faces 502 os. he eee ees se see element ose Silver Creek, SHirley,|COl0 sees enn ean Soe ate aa Ss Re neeeniseacte West Marshall'@resk: Ghester; Colo) 2-2 522555: Sehnert aes ee eee MomichekiyOr MlOunGs (COLON essa nae: Wena Seen ene cee ane ceeieien eaten | GunnisonsColosssc2cc25 +5 soon et ees set noe ee ache asenee Gani awis te OOOO Whee Soe cpneoe seco a opaperess sadn obese seen jopesiececors Platte River Alma, Coloscsees 2s 25es8 nse ose es eeensc chee eetces | Sescceemce ss | Woendomehish Ponds: Salidas Oolosasescesscs ce ene ose tee ee sent teeee sees Mountain lake. Monteyists, Colojs.-c-sne-=sscocseoeescees eas -” VAN tote inalkce Menore: Ouray, Cologss.s2e-sc shale ne cee teaser eee oe Re ese aes Ae HelliGate Creek Pitkin County, 'Colo-.5--2-2--555--=-< --e=s=-=e ees ae | Last Chance Creek, Pitkin County, Colo Savage Lakes, Pitkin County, Colo .....-......-.---..-.-- Hrancisco'Creek Lake, Del Norte; \Colo::.---<-- 222-6 se-s20-5-s)eneseeecseee Tittle:Brothers Lake, Woleott, Colo...2----------22-s-t-s--2s5- | ae see ee Tohnson bari uake @imarron. Colo. .2. 52-2 -4-s5 sees sence eee eee eee ta See Grand yaewbake, slaghts) COlOs-2- == 2. osae ences Saracen = lanamonene es lake san iCristobal, hake City, Colo< 2-2-2 =... s2f<2 5.522 .-eec|eccmneatee—- Blueikiverybreekenridge\Coloys..- 2-22 -cns 2. eter a ecems es ssce lees see eaeoe Range and Boulder lakes, Blackhawk, Colo. ......--..--..------]..---------- Graipi@realk sta brook | COlOmaasseee=- heer Cea eceere ne =eee er Hee |-eeeea ace Wlattouniver Grants Oolotdcesis22- hoe ms «ces eeeeek setae eee ea tcse me accn a. Geneva Creek, Grant, Colo.-..--.------ ---- : Crystal River, Carbondale, Colo Naylorilaker Geonrcetown, COlOs ms .- sae me - a eee eee eee ee ee | North Fork of South Platte River, Slaghts, Colo 5 South Arkansas River, Buenavista, Colo. -..-...---.------=----- Goto secensee Big and Little Cimarron rivers, Cimarron, Colo -....--.-------- la eee ae | Cache la Poudre River, Fort Collins, Colo. ......--..--.-------.- pe Saher | Spring WakesuCimarron, COlO .-.<22522-es -2sse2 ease sonnet eee ee nici Big Thompson River, Loveland, Colo...........--.--------.-..- fe 28 Sena eee MeeriOneeks Gli OOlO seas ae cess ae ce swe aoe ee ee eee seo ia een omens North Fork of South PlattesRiver, Buttalo, Colo -: 2225. --2--22-!2- 222-2226. Buttalo( Greeks ButtalosColoss2ss- 0-02 ee a56 5k cess bees jeees tess eeeeceeoneee Buckhorn) Creek: oveland;. Calo.2:... 2252522. eeeeeneseeet~~ = -2 soho sees Coals Creeks sachs, GOlOmerarerr eee ee ae) eee eee erecaticoiae iPame Creek, slaphts; ColOte.- 2352s sane = oro se eel oie ae a pence Noni ke Platte River, Plorrissant, Colo--- .--=---ssesecer.--2---=-- ete eee Wercyseconds mea Weadvaille, COlOes snr. nas 5 -eeeeeee oe eae ee ee eet Lake Pittman, near Leadville, Colo..-....-.--..------- po eewe se 2 Vos te ne eee ee ScuthiPlattomiver: DeansburyaColoes.c--.2<-.222---e- eee eee = (ee eee South Fork of Chicago Creek, Idaho Springs, Colo-..-----.----- [io ttoeeceeae | Wear Oreekse Barley AC olaena ssa sean ae: = ee ai ne ence ee oe eee Soda OrceksmMdaho springs, (\Coloe cesses === saan er aaa eerneeea Secret es Chicarodiakes idaho sprints) Colom. =9) sense e seen e earner eee East Fork of Chicago Creek, Idaho Springs, Colo...-.-...-.--.|------------ South Plate diver MlOLrrissamt, COlOS==2 5. -26 =a eens ane = eee ataetile HWallbhiver kdahorspringaOoloie---ss. = -=52--eeReneeaeen eens eas aceon Mountain Lakes Buenavista ©oloc--acse-co >> eee eeeeeesne == - = po ogascceee ot MinO@recie Pine! Grove, Colo-cesc2 aoc sae eno Se res ae = = |-e = one eee | North Fork of South Arkansas River, Salida, Colo--.-.......-).---.------- ! Trout and Wigwam creeks, South Platte, Colo ....--.....-.----|.-.----.---- White Earth Creek, Lake City, Colo .........-..---------e---+ | ay Grandulualkestim pire, Colo-.2- 22 2c 585 se. 555 eee a alam ei | ic doe aoe South’ Clear’ Creek, Georgetown: Colo)...52 .G2seee--- -- === 22 (eee eee ' Snake and wallow ‘creeks, Dillon, 'Colo .-<-.-.seeses==-~==--925)|--sseeeeeeee North Horksluake- Salida: Coloz-)-2:.5 52555 ¢ Soe ene te. a aleeeeeeeeeaae North Fork of South Platte River, South Platte, Colo... ......|...----.----- Cottonwoodi@reek,-Buenavista, Colo) :52.....<.caeemeue See . s-s<--<<2-cceesceesaseee eee ee win Red Butte Creek, near Salt Lake City, Utah PAUL Gea ESLER bet ee wee een ea ce = eee eee ee eee we Geko oe TV. M. Lyman, jr., Salt Lake City, Utah J. H. Tuck, Salt Lake City, Utah SPAM OM SLOOk. ub and, Mbscectiec cccmm acetone os ses cctrcs cece see eliass oouacmas Bigfish Pond, Sutton, Vt...--- REARS Se ee nee eee oe. He fee hey aah Wannisnpaken Greens UOrgy WV lias-sssche= nace s ss pssc cee deste et lasuesee ceoce Mount Tabor Brook, Danby, Vt WrellstinvOrsmyiellaeniver: WV bessacc. 2 Scacssacs o ccecneence eee ce Pico Pond and Brooks, Rutland, Vt HoOlanGuronu peOllands Vbfos saceesccn ees ac t= scosetectene eee Frog Pond and Brooks, St. Johnsbury, Vt Caledonia Trout Club Pond, St. Johnsbury, Vt Mud Pond and Brook, Randolph, Vt Tributaries of Deerfield River, Wilmington, Vt Kendall Brook, Bondville, Vt e EP NCHEM MSN erOny Vibes se ccns cee eniss cc oe ence Sees eee eee Tributaries of Sleeper River, St. Johnsbury, Vt Fairbanks Pond, St. Johnsbury, Vt Pane Ons CrobtonluiV thet esac case seiees aes. ces cee eee eencae Vermont State Fish Commission, Colebrook, N. H BPRS Nuinewle COSDULM NV Bae. soa. aoe at ee ae ccc eee eee ene. MEN brooks Valkcima,, Wasiise o22-eeon-s. ce ane ceeesecees Rocki@noekeWwanOnds Wash. o2452. sees oss s 2. lscenecoeceecens | Clear Lake, New Whatcom, Wasli 338, 000 Fry and fingerlings. 10, 000 10, 000 Adults and yearlings. 2, 354, 200 388, 583 SS SSE CX Details of distribution—Continued. Species and disposition. Black-spotted trout : Rainbow Lake, Gunnison, Colo Eagle River and tributaries, Wolcott, Colo Mountain streams in the vicinity of Central Vity, Colo North Fork of South Platte River: Buttalo; Colom a= sect cree ata = amie le em lalla nl lee loll l lm Heese Park Siding, Colo Dawson, Colo Dome Rock, Colo Tennessee Creek, near Leadville, Colo Tomiche River, Mounds, Colo Gunnison, Colo Denver & Rio Grande R. R. Co. Lake, Granite, Colo Henry Lake, Idaho Applicants in Idaho Rocky Pond, Otis, Me Sage Creek, Chester, Mont Smith River and tributaries, Dorsey, Mont Sixteen-Mile Creek, Dorsey, Mont Prairie Grove Lake, Toston; Mont .-.--------<----=.---<-2s----« Lake Agnes. Brown Station, Mont Cherry Creek, Bozeman, Mont Crandall Creek, Bozeman, Mont Cowan Reservoir, Box Elder, Mont Big Elk and Lebo creeks, Leadboro, Mort Deep Creek, Townsend, Mont Spring Branch, Livingston, Monte----.- 2-22-26 -5---= == 5--o-=- Catlin Reservoir, Dorsey, Mont Applicants in Montana Vancent bonds, Anaconda, Montes. -2--5-2 sic olsen J. H. Sharp, Fish and Game Warden, Salt Lake City, Utah Clear Lake, New Whatcom, Wash State Fish Commission, Laramie, Wyoming S. Jaffe, Osnabruck, Germany Motaliienncs ocr asa cece ree ace aeinaele cists Semone eames Societe Lake trout: California Fish Commission, Sisson, Cal KORO p PiU OiMaArroOn OGlOy aaaciislsaae nes seeeeeiseer eo a Connecticut Fish Commission, Windsor Locks, Conn Partridge Lake, South Bend, Ind Spirit Lake, Spirit Lake, Iowa...-...--...------ Apeeseons sqecsee ake Okoboji Spirit ake wlowal =e cmem annem see ae Lost Island Lake, Ruthven, Iowa SilversWake uakeibark, LOW ase. jserccenesee pices sem settaaeiae Maquoketa River, Manchester, Iowa .....--...--.--.---------- Donnell Pond, Franklin, Me Lake Tompson, Oxford, Me Sand Pond, Farmington, Me Branch Pond, Dedham, Me Rocky Pond, Dedham, Me Phillips Lake, Dedham, Me Holbrooksond soldenwNlonss see se saan seem eae eames Little Fitz Pond, Holden, Me Tunk Pond, Sullivan, Me (Greer JOG Gy Ohnishi) ocosbdesse shoe eaeeecoSneopSmesHopeaSaaee Patten Pond: Hlisworth; Me ---ceqarssc oc n ese aee cee eee cess State Fish Commission, Enfield, Me...-.-.......-....-..--.---- TAKEVBTOW NS Wallon, WEG) S.cacmeoseeer ince scale -clecieencae Garrot Pond Hyannis, Mass Round Lake, Cedar Bank, Mich cake tinron, Alpena, Mich) <- sce. - seme cena eeeee nae ene se nel Cheboygan, Mich Kast Tawas, Mich:-22) .ssccews csc ceetscnccaseccces Lake Superior, Grand Marais, Mich Lake Michigan, Manistique, Mich @harlevorxr Miche s. occas ccrceece rece eceree Crooked Lake, Clare County, Mich .-...-..-.------.------------ Straits of Mackinac, Mackinaw City, Mich Ste. Marie River, Sault Ste. Marie, Mich Round Lake, Hanover, Mich RawsonLake, Schooleratt, Mich akei Superior, Ontonazon: Mich. 220 2-cscncssesseesssseeseseee= Lone Point, Isle Royale fe... 2s s=--eeeeeeeeeee Wright Island, Isle Royale ------5-----2---s-==- Washington Harbor, Isle Royale Tobin Harbor, Isle Royale Rock Harbor slsle Royale: ---5---sses-eeee see : @od Harbor), Michi: s-s..<<.. ac neeee eee ees Fish Island, Mich Houghton, Mich Eggs. REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Fry and fingerlings. 114, 711 Adults and yearlings. 1, 000 10, 000 15, 000 6, 000 3. 000 3, 000 1, 050, 000 350, 000 350, 000 700, 000 350, 000 20, 000 20, 000 620, 000 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Details oy distribution—Continued. CxI Species and disposition. Eggs. Fry and |Adults and fingerlings. yearlings. Lake trout—Continued. Lake Superior, Grand Portage, Minn Chicago Bay, Minn Grand Marais, Minn Poplar River, Minn French River, Minn Two Harbors, Minn Beaver Bay, Minn 2 SONU SETI oes Ai SS ey Saree a a oe ere ae Otsego Lake, Cooperstown, N. Y Lake Ontario, Cape Vincent, N. Y Lake Ontario, off Grenadier Island, N. Y Adirondack League Club, Fulton Chain, N. Y Spring Lake, Minot, N. Dak Devils Lake, Devils Lake, N. Dak Big Stone Lake, Wilmot, 8. Dak.--.- Lake IXampeska, Watertown, S. Dak Crystal Lake, Barton, Vt Vermont State Fish Commission, Roxbury, Vt Lake Michigan, Sheboygan, Wis .---...-.-----.---.-......------ Lake Superior, Bayfield, Wis Sand Island, Wis Bark Point, Wis Port Arthur, Ontario, Canada Scotch sea trout: Heart Pond, Orland, Me Alamoosook Lake, Orland, Me Tuscarora Creek, Leesburg, Va Golden trout: Phillips Lake, Dedham, Me Green Lake, Otis, Me Grayling : BE loP Mere WV OLCOLE | OOO lane's ce =\-siomina\enineicie snic's - se sicigeeieee ee Rio Grande Liver, Wagonwheel Gap, Colo Platte River, Grant, Colo Fryingpan River, Norrie, Colo Sprin B Branch, Manchester, Iowa Bear Creek, Edgewood, Iowa Spring Creek, Forestville, lowa AuSable River, Grayling, Mich Pere Marquette River, Baldwin, Mich Bridger Creek, Bozeman, Mont Elk Creek, Red Rock, Mont Heo Mn COdeOCKy MONG ao accs lee oa.s oPacmiacinrsscasimeemecseecee | Picnic Springs Creek, Red Rock, Mont Hidden Lake, Red Rock, Mont State-wish Commission, Carolina, R. I .....-..-:-.../.2.-.------ State Fish Commission, Laramie, Wyo PRN eer se eee ts as abicacasetin ace ce cen scan a ashen eaoenc White-fish: acer riey WEOTIOG MICH is ie/araisieia'e a's mree(nc sic oem a/e' alone Seoee a ceies hake Michigan, Beaver Island, Mich .......-......--.--+.------ acne rvollw ay, .MuGhis 7-5 2024 -, 2s eaee Crooked Lake, Emmet County, Mich .-....-..---------------- 2 ae 1000; 000) Se sseeeeeeee Pickerel Wake, Mmmet'County, Mich... =~ === ae cer emer =| scien 000 000s nee -eemeeeee Round wake, Emmet County, Mache. oon eae mn lea el ai rl 500; 000)|S22eeseeees Pencil iake, Antrim Conn bys WG Nise eee ano ae i e DOONOO08 (eee eeeeerens Gost lake Antrim: Couminy, MOC R. fee. e. -e eee peer eH es |e eee 500:/000) |S-ees=eeeeee Sandeliake pAqirimiG oun iy, VulCM enn en saee ms e=seen a= > eee = ees cee aaa 5000008) Sass 5eeeeee Stoneledge Lake, Wexford County, Mich ..-----.-----.-..---.|.----------- 14000;000))|5 32S eee ee Susquehanna River, Hast Windsor, NeW - 22-32-32 --- ee em e|> oe eee 1 /000;1000))|S2eee seer iRAQUeLLeRVer pEossd am Ne Vices eeenehe seers arene emGce= = 1 000/000) 235-2-5seee— Hake Qniario; Wal SONS) Bay, Noes mc ae 2 cl=wia annie imei 2;,000;000) ieee ceeeeeer St. Lawrence River, Cape Vincent, N. Y 3;000: 000M) 2 c=) see Lake Erie, Rattlesnake Island Reef, Put-in Bay, Ohio Peach Point Reef, Put-in Bay, Ohio Ballast Island Reef, Put-in Bay, Ohio North Bass Island Reef, Put-in Bay, Ohio Green Island Reef, Put-in Bay, Ohio Webhrles Point Reef, Put-in Bay, Ohio Port Clinton, Ohio Toledo, Ohio Sngar Island Reef, Put-in Bay, Ohio Honey Point Reef, Put-in Bay, Ohio Starve Island Reef, Put-in Bay, Ohio Put-in Bay, East Side Island, Ohio Kelly Island, Ohio Joes Pond, West Danville, Vt Silver Lake, Barnard, Vt Siseene! River, Orleans County, Vt Lamoille River, Cambridge, Vt Yellow perch: Potomac River, Bathing Beach, D. C Cat-fish: Chicago, Burlington and Quincy R. R. Pond, Galesburg, Il Gages Lake, Grays Lake, Il 32, 840, 000 15, 000, 000 23, 160, 000 13, 800, 000 13, 800, 000 12, 000, 000 13, 800, 000 1, 000, 000 14, 400, 000 13, 200, 000 13, 200, 000 11, 040, 000 1, 600, 000 200, 000 50, 000 1, 000, 000 1, 050,000 |......-. 232, 840, 000 30, 000 F C 99——vill REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. CXIII Details of distribution—C ontinued. Adults Adults Species and disposition. and year- Species and disposition. and year- lings. | lings. Black bass: ' | Black bass—Continued. Ewings Millpond, Gadsden, Ala -----. 100 Willards Pond, Harristown, fl-.-.----- 3, 500 Spring Creek, Calera, Ala.........-.- 100 Bement Pond, Bement, Ill ---....----- 1, 500 Black Creek, Gadsden, Ala .....-.-.-. 100 Gage Lake, Grayslake, Ill ...-.....-.. 1, 135 Cahaba River, Birmingham, Ala... --. 200 Chicago, Burlington & Quincyh. Rh. | Mulberry Creek, Bangor, Ala.-.-..-.-. | 100 Fonds) Galesbura Tle ss. see 75 Oxford Lake, Oxford, Ala....-.-..... 100 Highland Park Lake, Galesburg, I11-- 570 Mill Pond, Benton, Ala.....-...-.... 75 Applicants.in Hlinois.......-.-.----22 200 Blackwater Creek, Jasper, Ala ..--.. 150 Lake James, Angola, Ind....... .....| 500 East Lake, Birmingham, Ala -.-....-. 100 Elkhart River, Wawasee, Ind .....--.| 500 Sandy Creek, Waverley, Ala.......-. 175 Spring Lake, Covington, Ind .-..-....- 515 Buck Creek Millpond, Dadeville, Ala. - 250 Sylvan Lake, Rome City, Ind.....-.... 300 Hoster Creek, Columbia, Ala ---..-.. 75 Spring Lake, Indianapolis, Ind ..-.--- 200 Pond and Stream, Oneonta, Ala-.----. 109 Laughery Creek, Batesville, Ind..-..-. 200 Barren Fork of Flint River, Keys | Sweeney Lake, New Albany, Ind..... 75 GIES 7B ees Sect oer eee 200 Sogna Lake, Rolling Prairie, Ind ---.. | 300 Mill Creek Pond, Piedmont, Ala..---. 50 Wabash and Eel rivers, Logansport, Spring Lake, Pike Road, Ala.....--. 200 HUG Beacheatecccocuma sons a5 osenadse 200 Sandy Creek, Gold Hill, Ala ......--. 175 Kane Lake, Rome City, Ind ..... 100 Green Lake, Demopolis, Ala .......-- 150 Spring Lake, Fort Wayne, Ind -...-. 75 Mill Creek, Thomasville, Ala.....-.-. 100 Tippecanoe River, Latayette, Ind ---.. 200 Applicants in Alabama ...-.....-...-- 1, 230 Twin Lakes, Plymouth, Ind.....-..-.. 300 Oak Creek, Jerome, Ariz.......-.---. 150 Cedar Pond, Auburn Junction, Ind -. 150 Big Lake, Big Lake, Ark .........-.. 240 Big Indian Creek, Mott, Ind.--..----. 100 Spring Lake, Sulphur Springs, Ark -. 100 Wildcat Creek, Windfall, Ind ---.---. 75 Dawdy Lake, Benton, Ark..-....-..-- 240 Lake Maxinkuckee, Culver, Ind...--- 800 Clear Springs, Antoine, Ark.-.......-. 100 Sugar Creek, Crawfordsville, Ini. ---- 150 Spirit Lake, Garland City, Ark-....--. 240 White River, Noblesville, Ind-.--...-.-. 150 Applicants in Arkansas.............- 710 Applicants in Indiana.......-..--.---- 1, 625 Rocky Mountain Lake, Denver, Colo -| 300 Long Lake, Porteau, Ind. T. -.-....-- 135 Lake Wauconda, Larkspur, Colo ..-... 100 Spring Lake, Durant, Ind. '!’......-.-. 125 Lone Tree Lake, Greeley, Colo .....-. 100 Applicants in Indian Territory -.--.- 325 Browns Lake, Sterling, Colo -..-..--. 50 Spitznoggle Lake, Wapello, lowa- --. 500 Reservoir, Higganum, Conn..-. -- -- 200 West Okoboji Lake, Okoboji, Lowa -- - 500 Paper Mill Pond, Seymour, Conn. --.- 200 Wilson Lake, Harlan, Iowa.---.-..--.- 100 D.C. Riggs Pond, Seymour, Conn..-.. 100 Middle River, Winterset, Lowa ------- 800 Washburns Pond, Seymour, Conn --.. 200 Spring Ponds, Winterset, Iowa. ------ 400 Sawmill Pond, Seymour, Conn...----. | 100 Little Cedar River, Osage, Iowa ------ | 190 Applicants in Connecticut ..-...-.-.- 150 Upper Iowa River, Chester, Iowa - --.| 275 Wyoming Lake, Wyoming, Del..----- 100 LimeSprings, lowa 275 White Clay Creek, Newark, Del. --.--| 200 Clear Lake, Clear Lake, Iowa..---.---. 500 E.G. Shortlidge, Wilmington, Del - --. 300 Big Cedar River, Orchard, Iowa.....- 190 Lake Denman, Atlanta, Ga........... 55 Des Moines River, Estherville, lowa - 500 East Lake, Atlanta, Ga ............-- 100 Pool of Siloam, Massena, Iowa .--.-.. 238 Lake Clarameer, Atlanta, Ga.......-. 55 East Okoboji Lake, Okoboji, Iowa.--. 500 Spring Lake, Tunnel Hill, Ga .-.-..--. 275 Little Cedar River, Staceyville, lowa-. 190 Ocklawilla Lake, Newnan, Ga.-.--.--. 55 Iowa River, Iowa City, Iowa ......--. 500 Spring Lake, Stinson, Ga...........-. | 55 Cedar River, Cedar Rapids, Iowa...-. 4, 000 Brier Creek, Waynesboro, Ga.--....--- 100 Applicants in Iowa -..-...---.------- | * 1, 062 Middle Oconee River, Athens, Ga ._-.| 100 Walnut River, Winfield, Kans-.....-..- | 100 Wildwood Lake, Columbus, Ga-..-.-- 55 Crescent Lake, Valley Falls, Kans -..| 50 Lake Fairoaks, Atlanta, Ga.-.-.....--- 85 Spring Pond, Hutchinson, Kans...-.. 200 Lake Killarney, Augusta, Ga......--. 100 Eureka Lake, Manhattan, Kans ...-.. 100 Millpond, Cuthbert, Ga-----..-------- 55 Deep Creek, Manhattan, Kans..-----. 100 Little Cedar Millpond, Rome, Ga-..--. 100 Lakeside Lake, Olathe, Kans -.-..---- 100 Sealys Pond, Cuthbert, Ga ...-...-..-- 55 Tuttle Creek, Manhattan, Kans -.--.-- 100 Muckalee Creek, Americus, Ga-.-.-. : 100 Applicants in Kansas.-.---......--.-- 961 Mobley Lake, Rome, Ga..........-... 55 Cumberland R., Cumberland Fails, Ky 200 Mill Pond, Graves Station, Ga......-. 100 Lake Isham; View, Key) -------+2.-52- 75 Flint River, Albany, Ga...........--- 196 Plum Bottom Lake, Pembroke, Ky .-. 50 Beaver Creek, Zenith, Ga-......-...--. 100 Alexander Creek, Chamelion Springs, Tallapoosa River, Carrollton, Ga ..-..- 100 Key ieitotel ls sivrsiwt eee eee ae eee 75 Nail Creek Millpond, Baldwin, Ga.-.-. 100 East Fork Little River, Hopkinsville, Butlers Millpond, Cuthbert, Ga --.--. | 55 Ge eCe oneeen panera boehesueeeBora 100 Cemetery Ponds, Macon, Ga.-...-..---- 110 Spring Lake, Lexington, Ky .-.-..--.- 75 Maddox Millpond, DaltonyGais eo 55 Kinnikinnick River, Vanceburg, Ky... 200 St. Elmo Lake, Columbus, Ga......--. 55 Paradise Lake, Paducah, Ky -....----- 50 Clemmons Millpond, Summerville, Ga. 55 Walnut Flat Ice Pond, Stanford, Ky 75 Shropshire Millpond, Summerville, Ga 100 Eden Hill Pond, Paducah, Ky.------- 50 Pearl Springs Lake, Newnan, Ga....- 55 East Side Lake, St. Charles, Ky .----- 100 Lake Ormwood, Atlanta, Ga.......... 55 Applicants in Kentucky .-.---.------ 2,015 Spring Lake, Stone Mountain, Ga .... 100 Deer Creek, Gilbert, La ....--.-----.- 125 Applicants in Georgia.............--. 2, 620 Grand Cote Lake, Cypremont, La .... 200 Reservoir, Orchard, Idaho .-.--..----- 150 Spring Lake, Cypremont, La-...-..--- 200 Applicantsin Idaho..........-..----- 414 lamers Ware oeesehee ane 118 Shermans Ponds, Ringwood, III --.--.- 300 Sodus iaeeseeee ce. a. 120 Channel Lake, Antioch, Ill.....--...- 500 Tangipahoa River, Ponchatoula, La - - 325 Lake Purington, Galesburg, Ill-..-.--- 200 Inland Lake, Jeanerette, La.-----.--- 200 Spring Lake, Washington, Ill.....--.. 100 Greenwood Lake, Shreveport, La..--- 1, 000 CXIV Details of distribution—Continued. REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Adults Adults Species and disposition. and year- |) Species and disposition. and year lings. || lings. - Black bass—Continued. Black bass—Continued. Applicants in Louisiana ..........--- 1, 954 Little Alamance Creek, Burlington, Georges Run, Hampstead, Md...-...-. 200 INS OC sucee Se ee ciel cee ce eee ene 100 Patuxent River, Laurel, Md........-. 200 Buttermilk Creek, Burlington, N.C -- 100 Potomac River, Woodmont, Md ...... 1, 200 Big Falls Pond, Burlington, N.C..--. 100 Youghiogheny River, Swanton, Mc .. 1, 000 Glencoe Pond, Burlington, N.C .-.---- 100 State Fish Commission, Druid Hill dJackotts Creek, Spray, N.C ..-.--..--- 75 (ara eee ne eels fetes ete = odes 10 Cotton Millpond, Kings Mountain, Applicants in Maryland .-..-...-..-- 100 i CRASSA eee oben eee smnonoceseons 75 Horn Pond, Woburn, Mass.-.-..-.---.- 150 Elkin Creek, Elkin, N.C .---...-.---- 75 Connecticut River, Holyoke, Mass ... 200 Reems Creek, Alexander, N.C -...--- 1a) Willows Pond, Bristol, Mass-...---.--- 50 Long Swamp, Fayetteville, N.C.-..-. 75 Lawrence Pond, West Barnstable, Ewens Creek, Pine Hall, N.C..--..--. 75 IMSS essa. cecen esate emacs sclscewcs 700 Fairfield Lake, Sapphire, N. C.--..-.--. 75 Spring Pond, Shelburne, Mass. .-..--. 150 Peachtree Creek, Raleigh. N.C ..----- 75 Lake Huron, Alpena, Mich..-...--.--- 350 Cape Fear River, Fayetteville, N.C -- 150 Rushlake pkunde Mich =: 222. .---see- 200 Beaver Lake, Fayetteville, N.C ...--- 150 Round Lake, Hanover, Mich........- 350 Ledge of Rocks Creek, Stem, N.C-...-. 50 Murray Lake, Ypsilanti, Mich......-. 200 Applicants in North Carolina. .--.--.. 925 Cheboygan River, Cheboygan, Mich.-. 200 Scioto and Brush creeks, McCullogh Twin Lakes, Grayling, Mich ......--. 200 Station Ohio 2-2-2 -2 see eee 400 Pleasant Lake, Leslie, Mich .......--. 200 Walhonding River, Warsaw, Ohio- - -- 300 Strawberry Lake, Evart, Mich. -...--. 200 Rogers Lake, Chesterville, Ohio ..---. 200 Asylum Lake, Kalamazoo, Mich..-.--- 300 Little Miami River, Milford, Ohio----| , 300 Lake Minnewaska, Glenwood, Minn.. 500 Tuscarawas River, Zoar, Ohio...----- 200 Split Rock River, Jasper, Minn....-.-. 300 Scioto River, Delaware, Ohio .--.----- 600 Meeler Lake, Aberdeen, Miss...-...--. 100 Prospect, Ohio .---..--- 200 Horseshoe Lake, Aberdeen, Miss ...-. 300 Huron River, Shelby Junction, Ohio - 200 College Pond, Agricultural College, Lake Eli, Oakley, Ohio ...-....--..--- 100 IMISS- fem ae ancice sisic Sweece asecice Sa 100 White Water River, Simonsons, Ohio-; 500 Marshal Lake, Columbus, Miss - ------ 300 Springfield Lake, Akron, Ohio-.----- 300 Dead River, Aberdeen, Miss..--.-.--- 300 Odells Lake, Lakeville, Ohio .......-- | 200 Mill Pond, Newton, Miss .-.-........-- 300 West Fork of Mill Creek, Wyoming, | Lake City Waterworks Pond, Merid- | Ohio: e2cc ssn cceseees See eee 200 han PMUSS (o- no. ~ ce cise asus eeeees 300 Millpond, Sardinia, Ohio--.---.---.----- 75 Swan Lake, Shuqualak, Miss .--...--- 200 Applicants in Ohio) 222 --eess52.2 2-5 == | 1,850 Spring Lake, Macon, Miss .-.-....-.----- | 300 Cheadle Creek, Guthrie, Okla .....-.. | 150 Millpond, Shuqualak, Miss .-...--.-.-- 100 Little Lakes, Manchester, Okla ------ 75 Park Lake, Tupelo, Miss .---.- aceerers 300 Crystal Springs, Pond Creek, Okla -' 50 Applicants in Mississippi--.---.-.----- 1, 870 Applicants in Oklahoma Territory — | 925 Big and Little Piney Creeks, Rolla, Mo- 200 Susquehanna River, Selin Grove, Pa-., 50 Park Lake, Carrollton, Mo....---..--. 100 Susquehanna River, Susquehanna, Pa} 75 Spring Lake, Labelle, Mo......_...-.- 200 Spring Lake, Roaring Springs, Pa---- 50 Cut-off Lake, Brunswick, Mo......--. 200 Wyoming Creek, Reading, Pa -.-.---- 50 Spring City Lake, Joplin, Mo-..-.-..---. 200 Cartright Lake, East Stroudsburg, Pa} 60 Herrells Spring Branch, Neosho, Mo - 5, 000 Conococheague Cr., Greencastle, Pa - “am 100 Applicants in Missouri --.-.......--. 959 Tahooka Lake, Preston Park, Pa--.--- 100 Lodge Pole Creek Lake, Sidney, Nebr. 200 Codorus Creek, Emigsville, Pa..-.-.--. | 60 Spring Lake, Rushville, Nebr-.-.-.-.---. 50 Big Conewago Creek, Emigsville, Pa-| 65 Applicants in Nebraska...-.......--- 100 Conedogwinit Creek, Carlisle, Pa ---. 100 Franklin Lake, Crystal Lake, N. J----. 150 Beech Lake, Honesdale, Pa .-.-..----- | 100 Stafford Lake, Manahawken, N.J ---. 150 Park Creek Lake, Penllyn, Pa ..-....- 67 Kcho Lake, Echo Lake, N.J ....-.-.----! 150 Juniata River, Altoona, Pa .....----- 50 Green Run, Newfoundland, N.J -.--.- 200 tee) Pond) Penllyn) Pasaes- sees 33 Oakford Lake, New Egypt, N.J .---.-- 100 Shawanese Lake, Outlet Station, Pa - 50 Quick Pond, Swartzwood, N.J-...---- 150 Roaring River, Altoona, Pa.....----- 50 Silver Lake, Burlington, N.J-.---.-.--.- 150 Schuylkill River, Birdsboro, Pa- ----- = nD. Lake Pohatcong, Tuckerton, N.J-.--- 150 Clarion River, Ridgway, Pa..--..----- 50 Woods Upper Millpond, Quinton, N. J 300 City Reservoir, Washington, Pa - --.- 25 Deal Lake, Asbury Park, N.J..-..--. 200 Oaktford Lake, Jeannette, Pa..--..--- 25 Lake Carasaljo, Lakewood, N.J.--.-.-- | 200 Conestoga Creek, Lancaster, Pa... -- 100 Silver Lake, Lucaston, N.J ..-...----- 150 West Branch of Brandywine Creek, Applicants in New Jersey ..-.-.-.----- 200 Modena, Pa a-ctecseectancheeeeeeoer 50 Spring Lake, Watrous, N. Mex ...---- 150 Saylor’s Lake, Bethlehem, Pa---...--. 50 Kroewing Lake, Las Vegas, N. Mex..| 100 Lake Grinnell, Bethlehem, Pa....-.--. 50 Applicants in New Mexico........--- 350 Mountain Lake, Troy, Pa.-.-.....----. 75 Reservoir, West Point, N. Y........-- 150 Schuylkill River, Norristown, Pa ---- 50 Swago Lake, Callicoon, N. Y.--.------ 200 Allegheny River, Thompson, Pa ..--. 75 Bolton Pond, Caldwell, N. Y........-- 130 Susquehanna River, Halls, Pa. ---.--- 125 Potague Lake, Ramapo, N. Y...-....- 200 French Creek, St. Peter, Pa ...-..----- 50 Newcomes Lake, Valley Falls, N.Y -- 100 Susquehanna River, Mehoopany, Pa- - 50 Applicants in New York............. 600 Indian Creek, Macungie, Pa.-.------- 55 Mallets Pond, Fayetteville, N.C ..-.-. | 75 Water Co. Reservoir, Altoona, Pa..-.| © 50 Cross Creek, Fayetteville, N.C....-.. 450 Forest Lake, East Stroudsburg, Pa ..| 60 Lake Henry, Gates, N.C ......-...... 100 Penryn Lake, Penryn, Pa.-.---...... 25 Haw River Millpond, Burlington, N.C 150 Simms Lake, Masthope, Pa-..-......-.. 200 Dan and Mayorivers, Reidsville, N.C- 150 Weighters Lake, Thompson, Pa . -.- 200 Rockfish Creek, Fayetteville, N.C.... 75 Applicants in Pennsylvania --.-.--.-- | 200 Stony Creek, Burlington, N,C........ 100 State Fish Comm., Westerly, R.I.-.-.- 500 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Details of distribution—Continued. Species and disposition. - | Adults } and year | lings. Black bass—Continued. Crowders Creek, Clay Hill, S$. C Spring Lake, Waterloo, S. C Congaree Creek, Congaree, 8S. C Hard Labor Creek, Greenwood, S. C.- Seneca River, Anderson, 8. C......--- Owens Millpond, Bennettsville, 8. C-- Headwaters Saluda River, Laurens, Artesian Lake, Chamberlain, 8. Dak. Big Sioux River, Baltic, S. Dak Flandreau, 8. Dak. - Canton, S. Dak Spring Lake, Ardmore, S. Dak Lake Hendriks, White, 8. Dak Spirit Lake, Desmet, S$. Dak Lake Henry, Desmet, 8. Dak Lake Poinset, Estelline, S. Dak Artesian Lake, Hitchcock, 8. Dak ---. Lake Andes, Armour, 8. Dak Lakes Madison and Herman, Madi- Lake Andes, Greenwood, 8. Dak Reservoir, Hitchcock, 8S. Dak-..-..-..-.- | Lake Kampeska, Watertown, 8. Dak -| Punished Womans Lake, South | PVTOUGu SoD AKi= o aic'smisicis/sjesec 6 =Sea mn Round Lake, South Shore, 8. Dak ---- Reservoir, Fulton, 8. Dak James River, Mitchell, S. Dak.-.....-. Spring Lake, Bonilla, S. Dak Lake Artesian, Newark, 8. Dak Spring Lake, Springfield, S. Dak Lake Campbell, Brookings, 8. D .-.. Swan Lake, Hurley, S. D-.---.------- Applicants ir South Dakota..------. Big Creek, Del Rio, Tenn...-....---- Doe River, Elizabethton, Tenn Pistol Creek, Maryville, Tenn-..---- Caney Fork River, Wailing, Tenn... Sulphur Fork Creek, Cedar Hill, Tenn North Chickamauga Creek, Chatta- | nooga, Tenn South Chickamauga Creek, Chatta- | nooga, Tenn Lookout Greek, Chattanooga, Tenn-.- Yellow Creek, Rockwood, Tenn...--- Hickory and Barren creeks, Viola, AGN ie See eee bekiain Sees Spraeslaics Little River, Maryville, Tenn. -.-....-.-. Holston River, Slide, Tenn Camp Creek, Greenville, Tenn Little Pigeon River, Knoxville, Tenn. Hickory Creek, McMinnville, Tenn-. Charles Creek, Yeager, Tenn....---- West Fork of Forked Deer River, PaeAONE LONTe:s =o 2 ees ate cs cm ec Tennessee River, Perryville, Tenn -. Little Sequachee River, Sequachee, OE. 33-2 PBB SSE eae eee Applicants in Tennessee..-...--.---- Woodlake, Marshall, Tex...---...--- Dairy Lake, Cisco, Tex---.......-.-- Spring Lake, Cisco, Tex. <.......-.. Waterworks Lake, Lufkin, Tex-.... Lytle Lake, Abilene, Tex......-..- a Lake Blanche, Austin, Tex.-.....-.- Medina River, Lacoste, Tex -..-..--. Spring Lake, Dallas, Tex.........--- Gatesvile, Tex. oo... Evans Lake, Odessa, Tex.......-.--- Cyball’s Creek, Bourne, Tex......--. Sabinas Creek, Bourne, Tex CXV = Adults Species and disposition. and year- lings. | Black bass—Continued. Willhern’s Lake, Llano, Tex .-.-..--. 400 Bold Springs, West, Tex ....---..--.- 165 Penitentiary reservoir, Rusk, Tex.. 100 Leon and Salt Creeks, Marathon, Tex - 200 Guadalupe River, Guahl, Tex -.-.--- 650 Kerryville, Tex... 2, 753 Comfort, Tex ----. | 67 Willard’s Lake, Corrigan, Tex ------ 150 Pecan Creek, San Angelo, Tex..--... 600 Little Brazos River, Hearne, Texcoa, 100 Myers Pond, San Angelo, Tex .--...--. 150 Spring Creek, San Angeio, Tex...--..- 300 Millpond, Southmayde, Tex .......--. 30 Old Brazos River, Hearne, Tex -.----- 100 Guadalupe River, Cuero, Tex..--...-. 5, 100 Waring. Tex......- 133 Lipan Creek, San Angelo, Tex.-.-...-.-- 300 Mill Pond, Gainesville, Tex. .--....--. 30 Mill Pond, Ben Arnold, Tex .--....--. | 100 Las Almos Lake, Taylor, Tex...-..-- 100 Little Rocky Creek, Shiner, Tex.-..--- 100 Santa Rosa Lake, Monahans, Tex ---.| 100 Salado River, San Antonio, Tex ------ 300 Ackerman Lake, Cameron, Tex-.----- 10 Paton Lake, Round Rock, Tex.-....--. 50 Flag Lake, Thornton, Tex .........--- | 50 Millpond Point. LOxs2 .2 on ae =n 30 Water Valley Lake, San Angelo, Tex .| 250 North Concho River, San Angelo, Tex.| 400 Asylum Pond, Terrell, Tex .-----.---- 50 Burnette Lake, Wichita Falls, Tex 100 Cold Creek, San Angelo, Tex ..--.---. 300 South Concho River, San Angelo, Tex - 800 M., K."& T. R. R. Lake, Leonard, Tex - 200 Large Lake, Denison, Tex .-.---...----- 150 MIaAWORRivers; Wilgsn0; LOssoe-= --o5 one 500 Washita River, Canadian, Tex -...--- 450 Spring Lakes, Canadian, Tex----.-.--. 450 Sweetwater Creek, Miami, Tex -.-..--- 200 Davis Lake, West, Tex ---.-----.----- 15 Lake McDonald, Austin, Tex-...-...--- 2, 500 Brazos River, near Waco, Tex.--.-.--. 2.1125 North Bosque River, Waco, Tex.----- 100 Navasota River, Groesbeck, Tex -.-.-. 100 iinnis’ Lake, Hnnis, (Lex 5-2 = 5--e-----6 50 Lake Eloise, Waco, Tex ..-..--..----- 350 North Creek Lakes, Canadian, Tex...) 100 La Mota Springs, Marfa, Tex ....-.-.-. 150 Spring Creek, Miami, Tex ....-...-.-- 200 McClellan Creek, Miami, Tex..-..-.--. 100 Coneyboy Creek, Miami, Tex ..--.---. 100 Lake Thorn, Long View, Tex..-.--.--- 300 Cuero Creek, Cuero, Tex..-------.---- 200 Kuykendall Creek, Taylor, Tex -.----) 100 Fairland Lake, Brownwood, Tex -..-. 300 Spring Lake, Loraine, Tex..-..--.---- 300 Lake Park lake Lyler, Tex-------=-- 200 Horseshoe Lake, Cuero, Tex..-.------ 100 Mason Lake, Kemp, Tex ------------- 100 Lake Gibbons, Paris, Tex ..-.-------- 200 Oak Wake Waco. Lex s225-225-- 35-5 100 Spring Lake, Tyler, Tex.-...--.------ 300 arcado Creek, Victoria. Tex ----.-.--- 200 Lost Creek, Jacksboro, Tex. .---.----- 200 Groesbeck Creek, Quanah, Tex-.----- 300 Bear Creek, Vernon, Tex ..--..------- 200 Casino Creek, Tascosa, Tex--.--.------ 300 Ranch Creek, Tascosa, Tex..--------- 300 Piscaqua Creek, Tascosa, Tex .-.----- 300 Spring Lake, Sherman, Tex ---.-.----- 200 Paluxy River, Bluffdale, Tex.....---. 1, 000 Clear Fork Brazos River, Cisco, Tex.. 400 Clear Fork Brazos R., Jacksboro, Tex. 600 Elm Fork Brazos R., Jacksboro, Tex- 200 Elm Creek, Seymour, Tex ....-------- 342 Millers Creek, Seymour, Tex --------- 341 Spring Creek, Seymour, Tex....------ 114 Spring Lake, Corsicana, Tex ..-..----- 100 TNANOs OX eicc ela eto aime 300 CXVI REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Details of distribution—Continued. : Adults Adults Species and disposition. and year- || Species and disposition. and year- lings. || lings. Black bass—Continued. Black bass—Continued. Colorado River, Smithville, Tex..----. 5,000 || Shenandoah River, Rippon, W. Va..--- 300 Hills Lake, Longview, Tex. ---.------- 1, 000 Shenandoah R., Charlestown, W. Va. 150 Leon River, Gatesville, Tex ---.----..- 1, 000 Spoon rier River, Caldwell, W. Va 375 San Saba River, San Saba, Tex ----.-- 1, 000 g Grave River, Moundsville, W. Va.| 500 Sabine River, Mineola, Tex .-.-..--.-- 600 |, Beetiott Lake, Parkersburg, W. Va.. 500 Brazos River, San Felipe, Tex. -.-..----. 5, 000 Spring Lake, Terra Alta, W. Va..-.--- 500 Colorado River, Colorado, Tex.--.---- 2, 300 Wheeling River, Elm Grove, W. Va-.| 250 Tatan Lake, Tatan; Tex -..-----7-=---- 1, 000 Applicants in West Virginia. --.----- 550 Sulphur Draw Lake, BigSprings,Tex.| 1, 000 Lake Winnebago, Oshkosh, Wis. ----- ' 85 San Antonio River, San Antonio, Tex. 500 South Park Lake, Sheridan, Wyo...-- 40 Frio River, near Dilley, Tex.--..--.-- 2, 000 Artificial Lake, Orin Junction, Wyo-.| 50 Nueces River, Cotulla, Tex-....-:..-. 2,500 || Applicants in Wyoming...........--- 35 Little River, near Temple, Tex-..-.---- 2,500 || — Bosque River, near wWiaco; Dex 22-22. - 3,000 || Totalt...s=5 42 jecseece see ee eee 208, 938 Pecan Creek, Brownwood, (Rext eens | 700 || == Trinity River, near Palestine, Tex ...| 4,600 Small-mouth black bass: Fort Worth, Tex...... {| 1,500 || Maquoketa River, Manchester, Iowa. 26 MallagAlex Wa. — 2. ee 1,500 | State Fish Commission, Druid Hill Medina River, Medina, Tex ..--- a reeel A1d00) Park: Mids ss s2a2 scot ase eee 10 A OUCE US bees CI ER eee coseneeeae 17,660 || Shenandoah R., Charlestown, W. Va 150 Green River, Green River, Utah...--. 100 || — Newton Pond, Wilmington, Vt .---.-- | 200 || Totaleere sss eRease cae eee 186 Salem Pond, Newport, Vt-..-.--------- | 100 || ———— Sabin Pond, Plainfield, Vt.-----...... 100 || Crappie: Black Creek, Sheldon, Vt we 100 D.C. Riggs’s pond, Seymour, Conn -.. 100 Castle Creek, Arrington, Va......--.- 100 Wyoming Lake, Wyoming, Del -.----- 100 Grassey Creek. Clarksville, Va -..---- 100 E. G. Shor tlidge, Wilmington, Del. 200 James River, Lynchburg, Veen rs 200 Brier Creek, Waynesboro, (Gans 100 Milipond, Houston, WWieetemean eee 400 | Middle Oconee River, Athens, Ga 300 Three Otters Lake, Bedford City, Va - 225 || Millpond, Cuthbert, Ga sere : 100 Bannister R., FranklinJdunction, Va-.- 100 | Little Cedar Millpond, Rome, Gi 100 Rappahannock River, Remington, Va- 200 || Sealys Pond, Cathbert, Ga .-...-...-. 200 Goose Creek, Delaplain, Va-.-.-----..--- | 200 || Swamp Creek, Jasper, Gaisezieteee es 400 Falling River, Lynchburg, Va...-.---- 200 || Millpond, Graves Station, Ga..... “pace) 100 Tye Riv er, Tye River Station, Vinee 200 Blint/ River; Albany, Ga 2-23-22. 200 Cedar Creek, Oranda, Va.....-.-.----- | 200 Beaver Creek, Zenith, Ga .-.-.-.----- We eases KTS) Robinson River, Rapidan, Va-..-=.--- 200 Tallapoosa River, Carrollton, Ga ---.- ) 100 North Anna River, Mineral City, Va -) 200 Butler's Millpond, Cuthbert, Ga-.--. 50 Roanoke River, Salem, Va .----------- 200 Muckalee Creek, Americus, Ga.-..---- 100 Rapidan River, Orange, Va --.----.----- 200 || Applicants in Georgia .-.-------..... 97 Jackson’s River, Hot. Springs, aVials er | 1¢c0 || Gage Lake, Grayslake, Ill...-........ 1, 600 Lake Kilby, Suffolk, Vines ee See nea 150 Highland Park Lake, Galesburg, Ill... 800 Cedar Creek, Cedar Creek, Va.. ...--- 300 || Iroquois Pond, Charlestown, Ind..... | 150 Cowpasture River, Millboro, Va .-.--.- 300 | Sylvan Lake, Rome City, et eee ee 300 Cherry Lake, Hardware, Va .--------- 100 | Sugar Creek, Crawfor dsv ille, Ind - 200 Craig’s Creek, Newcastle, Wiattet at tee. 200 Big Indian Greek, Moth imdensseassee 300 Mill ‘Creek, Whittles, Wigs fee cere eee 100 Lake Maxinkuckee, Culver, Ind.....- | 500 Flat Creek, Lawyers, Va..---- 100 | White River, Noblesville, Ind..-..--- 300 Banister River, ouston, Va. | 200 Applicants in Indiana ..........-.--- 100 Ice Pond, Haymarket, Va--...--------- | 100 || Torg Lake, Louisville, Ky ---.---.--- 100 Appomattox River, Petersburg, Va---| 200 Kinnikinnick River, Vancebur g, Ky - 300 Jones Millpond, Blackstone, Va --..--. 300 || Paradise Lake, Paducah, Mey. aa| aE = eee Pounds. Val. | Pounds.| Val. | Pounds.| Val. | Pounds.) Val. | Pounds.! Val. Barracuda....---- ; ie eee PES Fee 21,959) $769) 24,200) $887 35, 200 $1, 056 16, 582. $532 Cat-fish......... -| 3,765) $188) 6,452; 280) 95, 490) 241) 7,240, 354) 9, 433) 2883 Carp and chubs. -.-.... | 29,288} 205) 44,397/ 333) 46,000) 3875) 46,758) 468 2, 200 17 CiltisS-COd.s.2>----.-- | 5, 866} 235] 5, 145 180 6, 820 240 5, 000 150 6,574) 164 MlOUNGOrS «<=. -=---- | 173, 600) 2,315) 162, 400) 2,436) 185,000) 2,775) 175,000) 2,625) 206,931) 4; 139 AIT Ube occ. ace so - == .cc 35, 346) 1,274! 56, 400] 1,316 68, 400) 2, 400 20,400; 408 40,088 802 PECIN OD -f oe oc Ss. 52 375, 500) 4,224) 325,500] 4,883) 205,000) 3,075) 10,000) 150)......... eee Le es 7 Res) pane st Ma He eS a FR ee Ree 6,726, 135 Wiselcerel i a-c25% 2-2 --: See SSS 6] Bee eae eee eee ere scree \eoesae eelbscaed 1, 804) 63 L317). 35 }OR Bee eee 10, 801 194) 7,418) 212) 6, 200} 186; 9,624 264) 13,222) 264 BpCk-ASH..-:...-..--. 32, 373| 906] 53,133 1,275| 90,000] 1,984 82,460| 1,649} 43, 508) 1, 523 Salmon, fresh .-.--...-. 312, 881) 9,529) 78,348 5,641) 85,000) 6,211) 332,072) 9,962) 513, 631/12, 841 nd [PEC RASS ae ees eee ey Cees 143) Dieses oneal eos sve etopelesscss 2, 528 51 Dee eyse = 2 Sia Solas 5 15,696] 314] 48,745) 548| 62,780] 1,255) 115,175) 2, 151 65, 343 980 Re Lue eicimp cin... <----- 1, 652 16, 9, 920 99} 19,090 190” 201, 725 1, 723 CouksalteditromeAlaskawesyelss) seen es al eeaeene fe ze Rete, ay eas Be ee Niet et | 1,984,600] 66, 058 CHultits-cOgene ote - ss scenascee 12, 000 240) 8, 185, 245) 12, 641 252 103, 806 2,475 ound erstssseee stesso eee | 342,000) 6,840, 324,000, 8,100) 301,000) 7,525 3, 096, 557 58, 063 PPalibnteesees otc ose Soak es 42,765) 1,069 60,883 1, 626 32, 255 967, 528, 092 14, 405 IMOrtinig gee eee eee se 5, 356 160} 238, 717 474) 139,169) 2,435 1,084,242} ~* 15, 401 King-fish: 25... 2-2/8 -----=-2- 6, 236 93) 1, 545 30 2, 952 42 66, 486 1, 361 Mackerelise eecc socboctoecee: 624 DISS Sac cteeral eect eee eee te crete] 68, 919 1,321 Perches sstees. fase ee eases st 4,724 118 6, 104 183 8, 208 205 106, 544 2, 607 Rockstish! ease seen sees 63, 186} 1,579 51,971; 1,559 29, 861 907 614, 147 16, 668 Salmon freshis cme. ces soa s- 76, 722) 1,150} 288,507} 9,540) 302,233) 12,188 2,988,197} 101, 335 DAMON Habe Crates aoe me eral ateera os nieretall ayers oretee| sieie mae ise atmsaaye = (a es miereteteetel eteiesrorte 4,709, 200) 164, 822 Sa MOnYSIMO KOU ence ae ssccel|teselclae.c elects eccmcse eel n-ne s/s ecm pees 45, 600 6, 922 Salim omicanned chs Seer os eee ns ware soe on | Dem cet eal dine e erorel he cesitaenl eee eecl Renee ose 4, 976, 787 DERIDASH eS cee oc Sasceaeceeons 165,572) 2,483) 15,907 397 1,318 39, 720, 042 14, 003 Shadestsst teocee cece emcceuce 9, 656 386} 38, 861 777\ 52,484 918, 435, 718 7, 841 Smoelisemece- ees isasietens sanz 74, 388) 2,975 33,598) 2,182 9, 660 676, 373, 521 14, 741 Simipedibass!c..2-os22 sce eee 39,885} 1,595) 56,069} 2,242) 18, 482 878, 421, 663 19, 707 Suuredonweeescoscseasooee ee 17, 606 704 19, 466 888) 16, 195 809] 125, 324 6, 296 MOmMCOGhs sees: vossehaceecees 6, 987 139 8, 880 266] 10,000 350 100, 297 2.961 SPrOubesssns >< 2<< 3, 381 113, 837, 000 |296, 294 | 45,000 | 1,050 |1, 433,100 |20, 584 |21, 381, 000 |370, 856 | et a a a | Granda total ...... 3,491 /14, 882, 500 [317,079 | 70,000 | 1,550 |1, 754, 100 )24, 141 |21, 769, 300 |378, 944 | Hake, fresh. Pollock, fresh. Halibut, fresh. Halibut, salted. Fishing-grounds. _ Pounds. | Value.| Pounds. | Value. | Pounds. | Value.| Pounds. | Value. East of 66° W. long.: | La Have Bank....... 208, 000 | $1, 703 18, 500 $130 187,900 $14, 192 Western Bank....... 120, 000 94] 7, 000 93 267, 700 | 22,917 (UR Ep ee rr Me ara |loh. Atteneea 5 crate oe ee 5, 000 600 Grand Bank! 222... . Re era ees ane | Ra Sica awe ae sete sl cic Parte |aeeacmostewnllcauereos Cape Shore .........- 97, 000 877 14, 300 112 45, 800 4,714 inc 425,000 | 3,521 | 34,800| 335 506,400 | 42, 423 CLIV REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Quantities and values of certain fishery products landed at Boston by American jishing vessels during 1898S—Continued. Hake, fresh. Pollock, fresh. Halibut, fresh. Halibut, salted. Fishing-grounds. Pounds. | Value.} Pounds. | Value.| Pounds. | Value.| Pounds. | Value. West of 66° W. long.: Browns Bank........ 58, 000 $672 10, 000 $142 54, 200 Georges Bank ..-.--...- 758, 600 9, 296 40, 300 490 115, 075 Cashes Bank ....-.-.. 78, 000 835 2, 800 26 1, 800 Clank Bank. |<< )-\-..--1= 29, 000 315 1, 000 15 200 Tillies Bank ....----- 2, 000 WON | Reso ae crete cfs Gceceeln= ss eevee Middle Bank ..-..... 490, 730 4,490 68, 400 889 800 Jeffreys Ledge.-..-.-- 611, 700 5, 508 106, 409 1,115 3, 900 South Channel....--- 2,749, 000 | 23, 592 197, 400 1, 682 71, 810 Nantucket Shoals -.. 18, 700 167 47, 400 290 700 Off Highiand Light..} 189,400°) 1, 560 13, 700 210 1, 400 OfiGhathamessec--ce 2038, 900 1, 454 29, 000 354 1, 300 Off Race Point..----- 400 6 |.----------|--------|----------- Block Island .....--- 66, 300 483 |..------+--|--------|---=-2-2--- Shore, general .....-.. 1,701,700 | 18,626 | 86¢,900 | 6,107 | 11, 000 TOTAL: seeeaee eee 6, 957, 430 | 67,014 | 1,377, 300 | 11,320 | 2GO2R1L S552, LON | ete eee | eee nee Grand total...... 7, 382, 430 | 70,5385 | 1,412,100 | 11, 655 768, 585 | 65, 133 250, 000 | $7, 650 x : ball : Mackerel, fresh. | Mackerel, salted. Miscellaneous, Miscellaneous, ree fresh. salted. Fishing-grounds. Sas Pounds. | Value.| Pounds. | Value.| Pounds. | Value. | Pounds. | Value. East of 66° W. long.: La Have Bank 7, 350 $295 21, 000 $400 Western Bank 4, 000 100) |e eee eee Of Newfoundland: ..|s22-c5e5| snes sero lee eee ee 3, 775, 000 | 64, 389 400, 000 5, 800 (OPIS 5 Sopnesdds| Senepesoaedlconoease 86, 200 | $4, 586 |.-....---.-|-- --eee- 5, 000 100 MGW soap sseccee||boooseewaos| once ase 86,200 | 4,586 | 3,786,350 | 64,784 | 426, 000 6, 300 West of 66° W. long.: i :y ; i : Georges Bank ..--.-- 26, 900 | $2, 904 130, 800 4, 286 618, 200 | 26, 560 23, 000 460 WGI spill tes F855 Boas sen ec Kesaesma ene sooadhs looscmeae 500 10 occ -ceeh eee Ae WET EDs noaso5) baodsceh soa) boessoce||SesoacSerorilosccdoce 400 23 levoueaeeces| aeeee eee South Channel......- 2,100 128 30, 000 1,275 46, 200 3; 020. ||,cich Senos Cees Blockslslandes = Secs |e mrss eee ers srercie eel lees isis erate S Seisierers 2, 800 242). || Seeecaesee lence Shore, general ....--- 410, 755 | 23, 248 i 167, 900 8,188 630, 450 18, 894 2; 000° 45 Motalisee- seco 439,755 | 26,280 | 328, 700 | 18,749 | 1,298,550 | 48, 749 25,000 | 505 Grand total...-.- 439, 755 | 26,280 | 414,900 | 18,335 | 5,084,900 113,533 | 451,000 | 6, 805 Total fresh. Total salted. Grand total. Fishing-grounds. Pounds. Value. Pounds. Value. Pounds. Value. East of 66° W. longitude: GaP SVevB Anke see siesee = eesia= =.= 992, 250 $27, 507 21, 000 $400 1, 018, 250 $27, 907 Western Bank: 2.2 o222.-ccc = 918, 000 32, 246 25, 000 500 943, 000 32,746 - Quereau Bank .........----.... 40, 000 UEC" Geese aesmesne|lncoccocses 40, 000 1, 650 Grand’ Bamike cere se sees ae aoe esas tat = eel is crore rete 250, 000 7, 650 250, 000 7, 650 Off Newfoundland ........-.--- 3, 775, 000 64, 389 400, 000 5,800 | 4,175,000 70, 189 Cape Shore... 0. sseccessee% Jc 782, 100 17, 751 91, 200 4, 686 873,300 |- 22. 437 Totali-ce- hacen smcsiacacces 6, 507, 350 1438, 543 787, 200 19,036 | 7, 294, 550 162, 579 West of 66° W. longitude: 3 : ioe IBTO WSU BAN Kee ser er cree teres 1, 185, 200 DAL Te Alice eiseiajnidiaveces|sisisae sees 1, 185, 200 22,172 Georges Banks =. 2.2 cee s--e 0. 8, 039, 275 146, 212 198, 800 5,796 | 8, 238, 075 152, 008 Cashes Bank: 2... c/s - =... 22. 259, 717 2, 633 OTO ZO (PNSbe14 2b) Vea es ee ee PANO Tee cic -=i0 474,170 4, 213 58, 550 3874, 601,199 LE PS ee eee [ee ce ae Pieces -l2 1, 045, 234 8, 619 556, 428 | 3, 432 BODMISS |SeSINOdDY a a2 - sence ee Beton eee UNO W eee 2 1,913,437 | 14,383 208,712! 1,372 577, 952! 22, 893 7, 000 245 UL yee see. 1,929, 894 | 10, 452 104, 622 541 | 1,147,138 | 49, 106 48, 630 1, 755 Atupustieees s.< =. < 748, 394 3, 765 32, 869 182 944,528 | 47, 741 8, 465 286 September ....... 1,173, 197 7,799 80, 581 485 766, 548 35, 037 | 1, 652, 000 52, 940 October=223s. 5. 5. 1, 223, 638 8, 974 892,151 | 5,348 392,156 | 31, 220 4, 500 146 November ........ 665, 286 4,708 | 1,044,019 | 5,895 359, 831 | 30, 619 26, 570 963 December ....... - 153, 976 3,171 33, 838 383 LASHIGOY ss tO eee st = Soollscceels » Total......... 10, 137,943 | 74,211 | 3, 072,189 | 18,528 | 7,612,431 | 449, 264 | 1,747,165 | 56,335 Grand total... ./"77, 520,373 | 144,746 | 4,484,239 | 30,183 | 8,381,016 | 514,397 | 1,997,165 | 63,985 CLVIII REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Statement by months of quantities and values of certain fishery products landed at Boston and Gloucester—Continued. | Mackerel, fresh. | Mackerel, salted. Other fish, fresh.* | Other fish, salted. Months. a : | Pounds. | Value.| Pounds. | Value. | Pounds. | Value. | Pounds. | Value. Boston: | DANMUAPY Sosa a ol dense sos | ceeoet (bee sactoesta|seasee see 15 :685;:000')| $29 %475" ses. Se lees eee ISG ORDA ae Sep ooe:s baeersnod moaTenes| Se doccmccs 45lseooo- car 2502010008 .33; U4 ao tenes |e Manele tee oor cet cine vccakice nogcenselleeeeee cs toa lsceeckeeae 121, 000 P8200. 2 cote ees Egy nll paseenanbese ahoognEse llsacece se lescaboososar Hes soon Sse t5s5s5oeslessssedee 8, 000 $160 Marcpsscteaeet =. te BOON ASCO SESS. ut SANT ee eee (btm Bees | 91, 000 430 Afivhi 2 \= See enemoooses 238, 187 | 12,500 209, 000 | $10, 404 21, 750 503). Nase ates eeeee see Silky cheoseeseesco 92,081 | 8, 024 166, 000 5, 776 | 438,050 | 15, 971 201, 000 2, 900 August-.--------- 20, 067 1, 482 31, 600 1, 672 | 353, 700 15,638) \esicc ce ee eel eee September. ---.---- 53, 050 3, 758 500 60 | 148 (C000 Mi T2ea78y | alee s cee eee October.-.---.---- 18, 620 226 3, 600 KOS) |) SASSeS508s 2.070512 sae see eee November .-.-..... 17, 250 230 4, 200 315 207, 850 2, 569 1, 000 15 ID ECE UO? soceroncl soagadeenas sHSssose|seoceoeensce osoberere acedaceccSu|sonseorue 220, 0c0 3, 300 Motalemeceee | 439, 755 | 26, 280 414, 900 18,335 5,084,900 | 113, 583 451,000 | 6, 805 Gloucester : | | | | | | NSIT ya eee eee ose ee es eee ce ae | ate ase ys 994,500; 9,441) 761,625 | 10,150 Webruarycs-- 2. .-: SS 2 eR ee as ee sem aeeee ae [Sees date | 510,750 | 10, 227 150M 210 March aseteresssslosccseec cc conse cte|L sce care cose aera 337, 625 3,763 | 324,000) 4,320 WUNO sees nee oa 18653205) 12460) ST O7610005| bay 2820| eee ee eee. hee | oe ie oe eee Jib neecorsosneoe | 189,000 | 11,310 496,000 | 25,118 GU 582. | 0280 so ase cece eet August. 22 22..2- 57,420 | 4, 420 40, 200 | 2, 621 | STAG) (OSs 1374 | seme cee eee September. -...-.. 1, 260 | 88 48,800 | 4,631 | 9, 000 | 720 52, 000 813 Mctoboreseamose asic at aoe wise loosens S6nO00N | eOsb hI) \onrence met | amen 98,600 | 1,944 INOWeM DEMS oo )eis=\2}o= 2st ae else osc 57,800 | 6,589 300, 000 8, 700 | 1,910,000} 31,025 Mecempber eres --5|'--sasao eS |-------- 1, 800 | 225 240, 000 8,400 | 1,022,600 |} 15, 964 Totaleo sos eee 434, 000 | 27, 064 1, 806, 800 | 102, 017 2,500,525 | 45,618 | 4,184,575 | 64, 426 Grand total - - -| 873, 755 | 53,344 2, 221, 700 ; 120, 352 7, 585, 425 | 159,151 | 4, 635, 575 71, 231 Total, fresh. Total, salted. Grand total. Months. ee hl EEE Pounds. Value. Pounds. Value. Pounds. Value. Boston: | January .--------- 4, 050, 625 $70; Si2i| Gerace tee | Sem eee omeee 4, 050, 625 $70, 372 Hebruary =.--4---- 5, 870, 630 JOB GaSe coe tenes eee ee 5, 870, 630 105, 614 WESTON so eeeaneros 6, 723, 200 NOON SEO eS ca econen sen tecce aon se 6, 723, 200 100, 842 VAtprili seen ages 3, 496, 900 74, 874 | 8, 000 | $160 3, 504, 900 75, 034 Mia et Seerdeiees. 8, 814, 350 60, 173 | 21, 000 430 3, 835, 350 60, 603 fei becssoposberes 8, 671, 187 81, 789 | 209, 000 | 10, 404 3, 880, 187 92, 193 ealiyasess senessseos 4, 665, 381 87, 618 | 367, 000 8, 676 5, 032, 381 96, 294 PANOTIS Unter icin = = ne 4, 935, 447 89, 463 56, 600 22 4, 992, 047 91, 635 September .-..--.. 4, 493, 510 100, 827 | 250, 500 | 7,710 4, 744, 010 108, 537 October=-----. <--% 5, 612, 170 98, 227 | 3, 600 | 108 5, 615, 770 98, 335 November -------- 4, 334, 300 74, 965 5, 200 | 330 4, 339, 500 75, 295 December..-.-.----. 1, 825, 970 62, 536 265, 000 4, 350 2, 090, 970 66, 886 Motel) Pees so. c5 53, 493, 670 1, 007, 300 1, 185, 900 34, 340 54, 679, 570 1, 041, 640 Gloucester : January 5, 983, 746 112, 965 1, 059, 725 19, 911 6, 993, 471 132, 876 February ...----.- 4, 914, 656 113, 541 505, 870 | 16, 160 5, 420, 526 - 129, 701 March 25sec c2eccs 7,910, 908 130, 696 1, 590, 975 45, 800 9, 501, 883 176, 496 IN se escessccas 4, 565, 277 87, 546 476, 329 14, 653 5, 041, 606 102, 199 ING hice odaeneencase 4,111,618 69, 419 1, 323, 669 40, 051 5, 435, 287 109, 470 PMNES=sse-s5sscecc 4, 652,172 73, 220 3, 812, 712 127, 229 8, 464, 884 200, 449 Asin) hy Saeees ASssa0 ae 4, 965, 599 88, 989 6, 944, 880 157, 992 11, 910, 479 246, 981 AU PUSE a5 = cnt aae- (Eee eaeer iBInetish!eseseele | 11,146, 424 | 391,027 | 5,164,173 | 148,257] 12, 800 BOT |Sdanc cece ele semene Roni fone eee oe 42, 823 2, 103 358, 700 Pk ial tee gee bee peaeee ae (Seem bender Pee ccs 5. Butter-fish.....---- 728,616 | 26, 125 217, 057 BROT alesecesens cls aeoces - (poor aeenes | Saeeeeens arn eeeeseeriaces as 205, 560 8, 318 785, 409 39, 370 114, 950 6, 695 111, 300 5, 192 Catatishsas..2 2222 90, 090 5, 656 221, 985 11, 114 120, 096 6, 985 68, 290 3, 847 God. s3s25-)-222--54- 2, 116, 316 69, 879 3, 481, 890 LE DOSE ease tars el feet = | sietefevearatayate | eee @roakersioscscesaes| soa ceeeee ent ence es 280, 800 5: O21 Saree oe nHle eee 297,600 | 2,554 1D) Se eee 420, 730 29, 226 749, 405 35, 862 51, 794 4,273 128, 810 6, 352 WMlounders 2. --2 =<: 1, 108, 057 35, 174 1, 225, 725 29, 018 31, 545 792 2, 000 85 iaddock ye. o- =o-m-2 153, 320 4,904 167, 375 BAGO) see tettets ci eteiele oeters FEccene 2 Jacl Sasdl5a0 Higtkemccecc- ccc as 24,300 608 69, 735 Unaphi\leceqeshcos sop5ec sono cnose alles) 55- Kangefish -2-20-5.-- 10, 440 872 43, 027 3.766 S55. oe obs| sat bee ee ee eee se aa Mackerel .....---.. 140, 812 6, 978 24, 300 TsG28) [oie x ajejaretate j= ajereyererse ail Siete dee eel ees Menhaden .....-... CONGO 7120) 172697) || SO" 552" D5 tli Me TONOE. [emcee nema) ses mer ae nae mee en Ree WANED RSs Se? (sso | SeeSR ee Seera ees ae aere 22, 075 DS Mh ee te aero ee emesis 37, 700 844 Porch: sate hese 65, 590 3, 365 GODST7a| he Gk o21t eee eee ene 399,300 | 19, 128 Wii Oe seer ese = sisiice Sac ceaisere|iwooe eo aiere pate 2,770 UG PN e530 5 23 5 2Ga5ec 41, 250 2, 027 IROMUPANO wee tstesee sel = acne eee meee cane 40 es bhe6 555) Peeereoc| assess ces Seslsoo- Scupiyaesesc oe cesicce 746, 373 16, 911 757, 450 13, 816 29, 150 W199|\75425 25 33 |besaeeee Sea Dass oa. sce cae 304, 441 16, 245 2,131, 480 74, 281 900, 000 | 36, 000 1, 900 95 Shadeeos Peart isos: 1, 884, 228 62,953 | 13, 000, 783 342, 931 |2, 007, 325 | 63, 587 |1, 620,364 | 47,962 Sheepshead .....--. 4, 900 252 49, 835 Choi T | eS spoooseloadererd saseseecacsecccna- Snappers, red .-.---- 92, 000 B OBOE | nase Pera Pe ee acc halos seliaaeee|osiadesce|> oop ee hehe teeeeeee Spanish mackerel. -| 11, 360 1, 825 108, 030 I lybeE) | sao-scosag||Saosearc|sasteasoadbosceeco S/O UR) S3-4rcc G06 S064 Maso cose) Este seems 20, 700 8251) - cpretrs aaterel| =iininlere ais |e eee ste el oa Squeteague........ 2, 561, 527 69, 474 8, 679, 132 1803989) | nce ee peepsl|'-(ieteiee 1, 440, 880 25, 149 Striped bass --.----- 116, 465 14,177 287, 189 31, 978 9, 556 991 128, 770 12, 033 Sturgeon .-.-.---.. 427, 547 26, 248 8138, 449 26, 464 9,945 260 467, 250 9, 014 SHCKersi cehee cn =: 16, 050 635 142, 130 6, 720 25, 250 1, 244 25, 200 1, 543 Marhopes sents. 49, 181 1, 534 289, 400 5 Dlg seats naar [eee bey: 4, 800 240 Othéerish 222954254 1, 200, 200 3, 638 125, 841 2, 626 1, 952 173?).5242522 2.) eeeeeeee Wantatiee ys /at 2 < al poseke caceen||. ae aeons 200, 155 Cy AGP BreP Saeed Sapopaec 69, 479 25, 736 Grabstessere 413, 180 5, 975 705, S0TM> 40HOGG ice. seen a. |saaee es 168,800 | 5,389 SRSIICVADS ois snl ne ee eal lan aeses 1, 124, 800 ANAQD 4\\52 cin 2 eee loain eco 675, 000 2, 025 WEG PSTOIS San. cece ss 381, 020 31, 458 99, 230 BNO || are settee aerate 5, 095 459 Clams. . ee—- | 310 | 35 70, 135 5,515 70, 485 5, 560 SQ Doconbededededanbeee peceee tance atsoecaseeecss 4, 000 | 120 1, 536, 973 31, 566 Sea Bassi cece inic= ss cin 16, 290 690 1, 765 40 3, 405, 786 IT VapL Shadeaeeacsarce se cccce. 5, 799, 563 159, 365 11, 513, 994 303, 950 35, 826, 257 980, 748 Sheepshead....-....-.- 200 12 28, 818 1, 894 83, 753 10, 723 SENT OEE Lod oat cbioce Reese San snes Geese ates BE asareeeases ScaaBSSeseisc 92, 000 3, 68u Spanish mackerel. -...- 9, 762 833 503, 106 39,911 632, 258 54, 108 SPOUSE eeeeee eee eae enn = 2, 928 139 1, 079, 492 26, 467 1, 103, 120 27, 288 Squeteague.---.-...... 597, 179 14, 792 6, 474, 946 88, 901 19, 753, 664 379, 305 Striped bass -.--...-.-.. 955, 247 70, 045 544, 237 32, 429 2, 021, 564 161, 653 Sourgeonyes-ssc--s3- =" 145, 569 5, 008 631, 619 16, 563 2, 495, 379 83, 557 DUCKOrA eaeeemae aie 83, 030 1, 801 51, 250 1, 762 352, 910 13, 705 SPaALt0 Peeeeeeee eee = slese ose ees 5 ccltoe sor access |aceccaccence ss Sasemec secu 343, 381 7, 287 Otherfish. 22 2en.2----- 51, 752 641 494, 020 9, 050 1, 873, 765 16, 128 Caviar aaa y a : if IN. OCR. Bs ON THE FOREIGN FISHERY TRADE AND LOCAL FISHERIES OF FORO: RICO: Bye We Ao WHE © OX, AGENT OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 4 Eras PLATE 1. (To face page 3.) Report U.S. F. C. 1899 (O9I4 OLYOd ‘ZENOVAVW LY NSWYSHSI4 4O SSWOH ONY S1VO8 HSI4 NOTES ON THE FOREIGN FISHERY TRADE AND LOCAL FISH- ERIES OF PORTO RICO, By W. A. WILCOx, Agent af the United States Fish Commission. INTRODUCTION. The writer was detailed to accompany an expedition on the United States Fish Commission steamer Fish Hawk to Porto Rico for the purpose of investigating the condition of the commercial fisheries. Inquiries were made respecting the quantity and value of fishery pro- ducts imported, their source and character, together with the methods of handling them and the expenses connected therewith. The local fisheries of Porto Rico and its outlying islands were also investigated. The steamer arrived at San Juan on January 2, 1899. The work was at once commenced at that port, after which the several places of importance in connection with the investigations around the island were visited. Of the large number of small streams, only a few could be visited, from lack of time. None of them have extensive fisheries, but many supply a local demand for fresh fish. There are very few good harbors in Porto Rico, and in all except San Juan vessels landing or loading cargoes are obliged to use lighters, thus adding considerably to the expenses. The statistics relating to the imports here presented were copied from the original records at the custom-houses. Those concerning the local fisheries were obtained through personal interviews with fisher- men and other persons interested in the subject. The records of the custom-houses were found complete for a series of years and gave the statistics of imported fishery products. Unfortunately the records of local fisheries had at nearly every port been destroyed or taken away. The metric system of weights and measures is used in Porto Rico. At the custom-houses weights are shown in kilograms. In this report they are also given in pounds. The work of the expedition was advanced by assistance furnished by Brig. Gen. F. D. Grant, commanding the district of San Juan, Capt. James A. Buchanan, collector for Porto Rico, and other Government and Porto Rican officials, and De Ford & Co., bankers and fiscal agents of the United States at San Juan. Information was freely given by the leading importers, fishermen, and persons interested in the fisheries, to whom acknowledgments are hereby made. 4 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. USE OF FISHERY PRODUCTS IN PORTO RICO. Porto Rico is reported to have between 800,000 and 1,000,000 inhab- itants. That fishery products form an important portion of the food supply of the island is shown by the importation, in 1897, of about 34,156,000 pounds of dried, pickled, canned, and other fish valued at $2,123,931. The total imports for the year furnished for each inhabi- tant an average of from 30 to 40 pounds of fish. The value of imported fishery products, with the duty paid on the same during the five years named, was as follows: Year. Value. Duty. SUR oe Soe poscecnodossour $1, 325, 073. 52 $87, 677. 16 Thee ae creed oscederobone 1, 649, 601. 42 94, 834. 50 Ie Resor oseecogockasaceecs 1, 987, 676. 56 122, 087. 99 ICN < Sno woscosssopesSoass 1, 815, 010. 89 117, 497. 21 TE Wiasnnapocotccsoosenog ne 2, 123, 931, 46 139, 661. 35 With the exception of occasional small shipments, principally of canned fish, to grocers, this large amount of imported fish is handled by a comparatively small number of commission merchants, whose principal business is in sugar and coffee. In some cases the merchants own and work plantations, and all of them make large advances on crops which they dispose of by direct sales or as forwarding agents, thus providing return cargoes to vessels arriving with fish. A number of firms have branch houses at the three leading ports of Ponce, San Juan, and Mayaguez, where they have long been established. The old leading firms have a high rating for integrity and financial standing. The manner of receiving and handling fish is similar at all ports, with some variations due to port charges, different climatic conditions, ete. Dry and pickled fish are received more or less regularly throughout the year, mostly from Halifax and Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. A few cargoes arrive from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, and occasionally a cargo comes from St. Johns, Newfoundland. The total receipts of dry and pickled fish in 1897 amounted to 33,449,422 pounds, being from the following localities: A Pounds. North American British Possessions........-.----------- 28, 048, 735 WnrtedsStatese <: =... tee seciciachr sme Sache eioceis HS asemines 4, 909, 141 Alliother Sectlons 2.52252 sae Seece eee eee sian ee Ae eae 491, 546 This amount approximated 85 per cent of dry fish and 15 per cent of pickled fish, the proportions of dry fish by species being 90 per cent cod, 7 per cent haddock, and 3 per cent hake. As received, the propor- tion of a cargo of 2,000 quintals would be about as follows: 425 tierces, 100 to 150 drums, 100 boxes, 100 half-boxes. Tierces contain 450 pounds net, drums 125 to 140 pounds, boxes 100 pounds, half-boxes 50 pounds. The climate of Porto Rico, with its months of warm, damp weather and much rain, is very trying on dry fish. If not properly cured they will soon turn red or become soft and otherwise unmarketable. Fish from the United States would probably have to be cured harder than FISHERIES OF PORTO RICO. 5 is customary for home or northern demand. They should be well but not too heavily salted, and well dried. Small-sized cod that will pack in tierces and drums without bending are preferred to large fish, except for the small amount packed in boxes, these being for the local city trade, in which large fish are desirable. In past years consumers of dry and pickled fish in Porto Rico have apparently been more concerned as to prices than quality, much inferior fish being consequently sent to this island. Natives often buy fish, if of low price, that would not be used in the United States. Occasionally fish are condemned and destroyed by the city officials. The present indications point to a demand for a better quality of goods. December, January, February, and March are the best months for keeping fish in good condition in Porto Rico. The largest demand is in January, February, March, and April. Pickled fish arenot much used. Split herring are preferred to round, on account of keeping better, and bring $1 a barrel more. Alewives are not desired and are seldom received. Mackerel are too high-priced to have an extensive sale, the few re- ceived being usually of small size, on account of being the cheapest. Smoked herring receipts are light, and comprise both “scaled” and “lengthwise” fish. The total value of canned fish imported in 1897 was only $151,408. High prices and duties may account for this small amount, which con- sisted chiefly of sardines from Spain, receipts from that country having been free of duty, except when shipped under a foreign flag, which was seldom. If canned fish could be furnished at a low price, their sale would no doubt largely increase as their good qualities became more fully understood. Boneless fish are almost unknown. ‘Their introduction would be slow at first, and only small initial shipments would be advised. CUSTOM-HOUSES AND IMPORT DUTIES. Under Spanish rule custom-houses were of first and second grades, the former permitting both imports and exports, the latter being limited to exports. Fishery products were considered in three classes, as follows: Salt cod and stockfish; also fish fresh, salted, smoked, or marinated, including weight of salt and brine. Fish and shellfish in oil, or preserved in any way in tins, including the weight of immediate receptacles, Oysters of all kinds, and shellfish, fresh or dried. Duties were assessed as to weights, regardless of values, being at so much per 100 kilograms of each of the three classes. Entries did not Specify species, simply showing imports as consisting of so many pack- _ ages of so many kilograms of the various classes. Since the change in government a number of former custom-houses have been abolished. Those now open continue the old method of 6 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. classification and assessment, with some changes in rates of duty, and all conduct an export and import business. The central office is at San Juan. Offices now open are located as follows: San Juan, Mayaguez, Ponce, Humacao, Aguadilla, Arroyo, Arecibo, Guanica. Custom-houses at the following places have recently been discontin- ued, and were all of the second class except the last: Fajardo, Naguabo, Cabo Rojo, Salinas, Guayanilla, Isabel Segunda (Vieques Island). On January 20, 1899, the President, through the War Department, promulgated an order relating to the ‘‘ Customs tariff and regulations for Porto Rico.” This order, which went into effect February 1, made some changes in duties and regulations. Extracts are given as follows: Trade between ports of the United States and all ports or places in Porto Rico, and trade between ports or places in Porto Rico, shall be carried on in registered vessels of the United States and in no others. Any merchandise transported in violation of this regulation shall be subject to forfeiture. For every passenger transported and landed in violation of this regulation the transporting vessel shall be subject to a penalty of $200. This regulation shall not be construed to forbid the sailing of other than regis- tered vessels of the United States with cargo and passengers between the United States and ports or places in Porto Rico, or between ports or places in Porto Rico, provided that none are landed, but are destined for some foreign port or place. This regulation shall not be construed to authorize any lower customs charges on the cargoes of American vessels entering from the United States than are paid on the cargoes of foreign vessels entering from foreign ports. Every vessel shall, on arrival, be placed under customs control until duly discharged. Within 24 hours after the arrival of any vessel the master must, under a penalty for failure of $1 per ton registry measurement, produce to the proper officer a mani- fest of her cargo, with the marks, numbers, and description of the packages and the names of the respective consignees, which manifest, if the vessel be from a port in the United States, shall be certified by the collector of the port of sailing. No vessel shall be allowed to clear for another port until all her cargo shall be landed or accounted for. All goods not duly entered for payment of duty within 10 days after their arrival in port shall be landed and stored, the expense thereof to be charged against the goods. Prior to the departure of any vessel from any of the ports herein designated the master shall deposit with the proper officer a manifest of the outward cargo of such vessel, specifying the marks and numbers of packages, a description of their con- tents, with names of shippers and consignees, with a statement of the value of each separate lot; also names of passengers and their destination. A clearance will then be granted to the vessel. Vessels engaged in trade between the United States and Porto Rico are exempt from tonnage dues. Duties from and after February 1, 1899, on fishery products are as follows per 100 kilograms :* Salt cod and stockfish...... NabbA dob HObaHOUdObOn Gaccad daddies $0. 50 Herring, pickled, smoked, salted, or marinated Bop epormerdcene . 50 Mackerel, pickled, smoked, salted, OnmManrmnatede sees eeeeeee ee OO Salmon, canned, smoked, salted, or marinated .......--..----. 5. 00 Oysters of all kinds, and shelltish, dried ‘or fresh’.o2 =~ 23. 42-- ' .50 *1 itis ao) 2 dana saat FISHERIES OF PORTO RICO. a A tare of 10 per cent is allowed from the gross weight of salt codfish in cases or barrels, and of 2 per cent when in sacks. MONEY RECEIVABLE FOR CUSTOMS DUES. All customs dues in the island of Porto Rico shall be paid in United States money, or in foreign gold coin, such as the Spanish alphonsinos (centen) and the French louis, which will be accepted in payment of such customs dues at the following rates: Al phonsinosi(25-peseta plece)) 2. ss2es--c-5 es necieee es meese= $4. 82 Wouts(20-frane piece}. 22 635 =-ie nis emi Paes see Seas cee B-E Re 3. 86 It is further ordered that on and after February 1, 1899, and until further pro- vided, the following Porto Rican or Spanish silver coins now in circulation in the island of Porto Rico shall be received for customs dues at the following fixed rates in United States money: ithe peso) (a; spanishydollar) ¢ tesssee asst seceiseseeyaereise sel eer $0. 60 MNHO!MOdI ONPESOx2 j=1he 2 eeiaise a aseles Sewiae s eciceelees Seciaerscitencaier . 30 Mheipesetaten sss. Sosa csctasene sa seea de mctmten ltteer Mente -12 WMhomealee sees 22 oo ee Ba bes ea saek do sce scale anes tess . 06 i epMed Ope al sea cio siciccto ms aya ieicicnacisis sinieiooe ste miiaisieieieie/toe 03 It is further ordered and directed that out of the Porto Rican coins so received a convenient supply shall be retained and carried for exchange for United States money at the rate hereinbefore enumerated, namely, 60 cents United States money for one Porto Rican silver peso. IMPORTED FISHERY PRODUCTS CONSIDERED BY PORTS. PONCE. This city is located in the central part of the south coast. Its population is about 30,000, of which 3,000 to 4,000 are at the landing or playa, the city proper being 2 miles inland. The harbor is spacious, but much exposed; it has a good depth of water, except near the Shore, necessitating the lighterage of cargoes. At the landing are located the custom-house and other offices of the government, and the principal commission and wholesale firms. In the matter of fish imports, Ponce is by far the most important place in Porto Rico. The receipts for 1897 are said to be a fair average of the imports of late years, and amounted in value to $1,016,447 on dry and pickled fish and $14,406 on canned fish. The bulk of fish imported has for many years been handled by three commission firms. The value of the dry and pickled fish received in 1897 from different countries was as follows: British North American Possessions .............----- $771, 303. 52 (Wimttedes tateseas sae caseeice ees oat mans Soe cinemas 234, 972. 50 MISO UHOIS ee syse casi ne ao atew cco o ee LOS a IER ABE LOWS WO balers ser tose cen bate tien aky eep Rescate 1, 016, 447. 19 Imported dry fish consists principally of codfish. Hake and haddock are said to stand the climate better than cod, but only a small amount can be disposed of. Poor codfish is preferred to hake and haddock of much better condition and lower price. Of pickled fish, a few herring are used, but seldom any alewives. Split herring bring $1 a barrel more than round. Smoked herring are only used to a limited extent, “lengthwise” being preferred. 8 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Canned fish are but little used, the small amount imported in 1897 from different countries being valued as follows: nS amd |; cscical sels cicw sists o's 'el cies alnerrcletsele Mecltaree Cetae eee eee $8, 215 Palas see he ae ec seis Salsa sistas ceiccok sec eerie eee aoe 5, 808 Wmirted States ih ec Ae) a Pe Re ee eae ELL Be 166 PAN GO 1. se eo Paes eke Hats Srna tae ete Gee Smare peeminn oat eee e 184 DG ALY; Pee ogecis bis'el sawiblewe ate stele ay Seteictey eee ee eieteeiein cia ete aroetas eee 33 RODS. Ut pane Gye teehee CRE nee et es ee 14, 406 Imported fish are usually distributed to the interior in original pack- ages, but when goods are to go over bad roads the packages are opened by the purchaser and the contents packed in bags, which are carried by pack animals. The marketing of crops has some connection with the fish trade in the securing of return cargoes by vessels arriving with cargoes of fish. Coffee crops are moved from the last of October up to June; sugar crops from the last of January until the end of May. In 1899 the sugar crop began to move the first part of January, somewhat earlier than usual. Return cargoes can usually be had from the first of February up to the end of April. Freight rates by sail from Ponce to points north of Cape Hatteras are subject to some variation. February 1, 1899, they were as follows: On molasses, $2 to $2.124 a hogshead on a gauge of 110 gallons; sugar in bags, 16 to 17 cents per 100 pounds; sugar in hogsheads, 18 to 20 cents per 100 pounds net weight. The various expenses connected with handling a cargo of fish are here given in detail: Shed charges, $1.75 per 1,000 kilograms. Dredging dtes, 50 cents per 1,000 kilos. Lighterage, 25 cents a tierce; small packages in proportion. Receiving, weighing, cooperage, and watching, 20 cents a tierce; small packages in proportion. Cartage, storage, and delivery, 20 cents a tierce. Discount on six months’ time, 7} per cent. Commission and guaranty, 5 per cent. Custom dues (elsewhere noted). In past years sales have, as a rule, been on six months’ time, account sales with 74 per cent discount being promptly made as soon as cargoes were disposed of. The state of the market was cabled to shippers, and, if not satisfactory to them, cargoes were stored and held for better prices unless their condition called for immediate sale. Sales are made on a basis of Spanish money, and so long as this continues no bankers’ commission is charged on remittances. Boneless fish here, as elsewhere, remain to be introduced. Small shipments are advised until this product becomes known and a demand is created. Small shipments of canned fish by United States packers are also advised. Dealers believe that canned fish of good quality, if prices were not too high, would meet with a favorable reception and supplant the European importations. In canned salmon, the pale or light-colored lower grades of good quality would not be discriminated against on account of color. FISHERIES OF PORTO RICO. 9 Large shipments of any fish products that the trade is not familiar with would not at present be recommended, but articles of good quality, packed to stand the climate, will find a market when they become known. State of trade February 1, 1899.—As might be expected, under a change of government and unsettled financial conditions, the amount of business during the past few months has been light as compared with the same seasons of past years. The values mentioned are on a basis of Porto Rican or Spanish money, which often fluctuates. On February 1, 1899, $100 United States money was equal to 166 pesos, or Spanish silver dollars. Sales continue to be made on a basis of six months’ time and discount of 7$ per cent. An improvement has been noticed, and encouragement is felt for the future. Each of the past three months shows increased imports. The following account of the receipts of fish has been furnished by Messrs. Fritz Lundt & Co., of Ponce: November, 1898: The only arrival since the beginning of this month was the steamer Arkadia, which brought to this market 399 tierces of codfish, 16 drums of codfish, 45 tierces of haddock, 4 tierces of pollock. The demand has been very strong and prices in all markets of the island have improved. Codfish of good quality $9.50 and haddock $8 per 100 pounds. December arrivals with fish: The schooners Morales, Gladys B. Smith, Bravo, and Arctic, from Lunenburg, Nova Scotia; schooner Glad Tidings, from St. Johns, New- foundland; steamer JVinifred, from New York. The total receipts for the month were 2,369 tierces of codfish, 230 drums of codfish, 218 cases of codfish, 622 half-cases of codfish, 154 tierces of haddock, 276 barrels of herring. With unsold stocks of previous arrivals, the prices declined as follows: Superior codfish, $7.25 to $7.50 per 100 pounds. January, 1899: Arrivals during the month were schooners Fauna and Narka, brig Scepter, and brigantine W. HL. Stowe, from Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. These four vessels brought 1,764 tierces of codfish, 305 drnms of codfish, 277 cases of codfish, 546 half-cases of codfish, 166 tierces of haddock, 50 drums of haddock, 308 barrels of herring, 300 boxes of smoked herring. February 1 the stocks on hand were small and the market firm at the following quotations: Codfish, $8.50 per 100 pounds; hake, $5 to $6 per 100 pounds; haddock, $7 to $7.50 per 100 pounds; pollock, $5 to $6 per 100 pounds; herring, smoked, 25 cents per box; sardines, 70 to 90 cents per dozen +-pound cans, in oil or mustard. These notes on arrivals, receipts, and state of the market for four months show that a healthy condition and favorable prospects for the future have quickly followed a suspended business and state of war with change of government. SAN JUAN. San Juan, the capital city of the island, is at present of considerable commercial importance. It is on the north side of the island, where there is much rough weather at certain seasons. It has a fine harbor, at the entrance to which is a light-house, 170 feet above the sea. The channel into the harbor is narrow and must be approached cautiously. During severe northerly winds sailing vessels are at times delayed in entering or leaving the port. The city is credited with over 30,000 inhabitants. Its imports of fishery products are large, being exceeded by only one port. 10 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. The receipts of dry and pickled fish in 1897 were as follows: From— Kilograms. Pounds. Value. SSMS HP NOR Ua eATN OTIC Aleta eee eteatate m= stale = alltel ele 3, 380, 410 7, 452, 524 $439, 453 mite d States eee oc ciosisccecisisce ceca wenseneiemmecaleceseeacteme 268, 729 592, 446 34, 935 OGRErISGUTCOB EY cece = ceblenisse ode nec esc telitanieiaciiceseeeeieee ite 147, 901 326, 065 19, 227 Mogaldee £58. (PST eS, ae ORS. SOE Ee 3, 797, 040 8, 371, 035 493, 615 The style of packages and proportion of each species are similar to those of other ports. Canned fish amounted in value to $112,091, of which only $806 worth came from the United States. This formed the bulk of canned-fish imports of the island in 1897, which amounted to $151,409 in value. Boneless fish are occasionally received in small amounts by retail grocers. Small introductory shipments only are suggested by the receivers. The climate and season are important considerations in the shipping of dry fish. In general, the wet months are May, June, July, October, and November; the dry months, December, January, February, March, April, August, and September. There are more rainfalls and the weather is more changeable on the north side of the island. At San Juan, during December and the first part of January, 1898-99, which are reckoned as dry months, the rainfall was exceptional, coming in frequent and short, heavy showers during the day and night. The sugar crop is marketed from January to August or September. During this time return cargoes can generally be secured, and to a con- siderable extent through the remaining months of the year. The coffee crop has chiefly been sent to Europe and Cuba between November and March. Fish arriving by sail are reported as usually being in better condition than when shipped by steamer. Quick-sailing vessels of from 125 to 150 tons are best adapted for this business, and vessels of this character can discharge at the landing. Consignments are opened and sampled when received, and values that can be ascertained at San Juan or other ports are cabled to the shippers. On receipt of replies, goods are sold or stored, as advised. The markets are fluctuating and subject to considerable. variation, according to stocks on hand or known to be en route. Allimportant receipts of fishery products have been handled by a few commission houses, in connection with sugar, coffee, and other goods. Often from two-thirds to three-fourths of the invoice value is advanced on shipments, for which one-half per cent bankers’ commission is charged. Other charges are: Wharf allowance, 4 per cent on gross value of invoice; weighing charges, 124 cents a tierce; cartage, 64 cents a tierce. Discount on 6 months’ time, 6 per cent; commission, including a guaranty, 5 per cent. Customs duties as elsewhere noted. FISHERIES OF PORTO RICO. 11 Freight rates from San Juan to ports north of Hatteras have during the past years averaged as follows: On molasses, $2.25 per hogshead, gross gauge; sugar in bags of 250 pounds, 15 cents per 100 pounds. Vessel property is not in demand at this or other ports. In the past the few sailing vessels of the island were of small size and were only used in the freight and passenger business near home. Recently small- sized steamers have largely taken this business, and at present there are more Sailing vessels than are needed. MAYAGUEZ. This city, with some 15,000 inhabitants, ranks third in population and also in its fishery imports and its general business. It is near the center of the western end of the island, and resembles Ponce in being located a short distance inland, having its custom-house and its large fish, coffee, sugar, and other interests at the landing. The city is well laid out and handsome and has the only street-car line on the island, between the city andlanding. The harbor is much exposed, with good depth of water except near the shore, necessitating the lighterage of cargoes. The climatic conditions vary somewhat from those of the north side of the island. The usual wet months are May, June, July, August, September, October, and November. During December northerly winds prevail, accompanied by frequent showers. Months that are reported free from any rain are January, February, March, and April. August and September, mentioned among the wet months, are some- times free from rain a part of the time, Shipments of dry fish by sailing vessel can be best made during the winter months, while in summer shipments can be made more quickly by steamer. The best months for meeting with a good demand are January, February, March,and April. Shipments by the New York and Porto Rico Steamship Line can be made three times a month. These Steamers do a freight and passenger business, making regular calls at Mayaguez, San Juan, and Ponce, and if there is sufficient inducement landings are made at Arecibo, Aguadilla, and Arroyo. For a long time Mayaguez has been a receiving and distributing port for a large amount of imported fishery products. The receipts of dry and pickled fish in 1897 were as follows: From— Kilograms. Pounds. Value. British North American Possessions. .....--..-.----------- 2, 235, 907 4, 929, 328 $290, 587. 91 United LAS Pe eet sire soc ete nicteranicinic blac ias cwinclsmcisuicieets 122, 903 270, 955 15, 458. 39 Spauneemerenereras. foo set iis y rye ss oe Oe ee eet ee 2, 206 4, 863 286. 78 EN Ota emeteeeeee Se seis oincccek etch dcehef secs ncn ece eR 2, 361, 016 5, 205, 146 306, 333. 08 The imports of canned fish were comparatively unimportant, being valued at only $19,732, of which $19,517 worth came from Spain. 12 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Fish imports have been handled in the usual way by a few commission firms that are also largely interested in sugar and coffee. The following firms have been in business here for several years: Fritz Lundt & Co., Morales Gonzales & Co., Sabater & Co., Bravo & Co., J. Tornabells & Co., and Playa Brothers. Imported fish are distributed by sales through the interior with occasional transfers of cargoes to other ports in which supplies are needed. In the past long-time credits have been given, the receivers discount- ing the amount of the sales at the rate of 1 per cent a month and remitting as soon as sales were closed. With a change in government and a somewhat disturbed state of trade, the present tendency is to make sales as much as possible for cash. This has to some extent reduced sales during the past few months. Merchants complain that the former long-credit system was unsatisfactory, the selling party having largely to trust to the honor of his debtor for payment. If the latter was disposed to evade obligations, a recourse to law was so unsatisfactory that by some firms a total loss would be thought prefer- able to a resort to legal measures. In case cargo shipments by sail are made, return cargoes of sugar and molasses can generally be secured from February to and including August. At the time this port was visited, during the latter part of January, 1899, no cargo lots of fish had been received for some time, and freight rates by steamer only could be given. These were: For sugar in hogsheads 22 cents per 100 pounds, and 18 cents per 100 pounds when in bags. These rates are somewhat higher than in the previous year. No shipments of molasses had been made up to Feb- ruary 22. Freight on sugar is made on the net delivery weight. In past years the coffee crop has all been sent to Europe and Cuba. Since the change in government no coffee has been sent to Cuba, and a considerable amount is being sent to the United States as introductory shipments with expectation of an increased business with the States, ; both in coffee and fishery products. The expenses on a cargo of fish would embrace the following charges: Port dues, $1.50 per 1,000 kilograms. ; Lighterage, receiving and weighing dues, 40 cents per tierce, and smaller pack- ages in proportion. Commission, including guarantee, 5 per cent; time sales when aiReona teat 1 per cent a month; customs dues, as elsewhere arth The receipts of 1897 were a fair average of those of past years, and consisted of 90 per cent cod, 5 per cent hake and haddock, and 5 per cent pickled and smoked fish. Here, as elsewhere, much loss has resulted from fish turning red and spoiling. Boneless fish are unknown, but dealers express a desire for experi- mental lots, well cured, and hope to create a demand for boneless ee canned fish, but do not encourage large shipments at first. Canned fish consist chiefly of sardines from Spain. FISHERIES OF PORTO RICO. 13 Wholesale values of dry cod for the past three years per 100 pounds are here shown by months, as ascertained from the books of dealers at Mayaguez: Month. 1896. 1897. 1898. - See eemiecins sms taseie ese $5. 50 $5. 50 $6. 00 SERS SUR OO CrAanOn oe Eco cnaeeee 6. 00 7. 00 SC CIb0 BSC RBOCATOe DBSae 5. 00 5. 50 7. 00 woe amersacrnecnte ceeeees 4,50 6. 00 7.50 SE ROO COON CALDER OU Ee aeeesae 5.50 7.00 9. 25 Jocsosemseseescieceeces 6. 25 8. 00 10. 50 So cawe wun senewacaosees ss 5. 50 7. 00 8. 25 AENEID acgganoesqscascSsasene 4.50 GAWD | Nee Sosco5 September .......... HERE GOD 8.75 5s50P U|ee se ececee Octobersan-sacesce a etaete 6.2 6.0 6.5 During January, 1899, the market was as follows: Codfish, $8 per 100 pounds; hake, $5 to $6 per 100 pounds. Haddock, $7 per 100 pounds; pollock, $5 to $6 per 100 pounds. Pickled herring, $4 to $6 per barrel for round and split; the latter $1 a barrel more than round. Sardines in oil or mustard, in +-pound boxes, 70 to 90 cents a dozen. All quotations given are on a basis of Spanish money, which, on account of fluctuations, has resulted in an unsteady market to both receivers and shippers. ARECIBO. Of the ports on the north side of Porto Rico this place is second only to San Juan, with which it is connected on the west by 58 miles of railroad. It has a population of 6,000 to 8,000. The harbor is much exposed, with dangerous reets close to the shore. Cargoes have to be lightered to and from vessels. In the imports of dry and pickled fish this city ranks fourth in the amount of value, which in 1897 were as follows: From— Kilograms. Pounds. Value. | British North American Possessions.|} 1, 173, 279 2,586,636 | $152, 426. 27 Wmited! States. ccescsseressosss sais as 7, 673 16, 916 997. 49 TRA BSB tee Mas SA OTe ia 1,180,952 | 2,603, 552 | 153, 423. 76 Canned fish imports were all from Spain, amounting to $2,333. Of the dry fish handled, some 25 per cent additional to the above was received from the San Juan and Ponce importers. The original importers of the several ports draw on or supply each other according to the condition of the trade. The imports for 1897 are said to have been on an average with those of past years. The @§incipal fishery imports consisted of small-sized dry cod from Nova Scotia. Receipts in recent years have been handled principally by the following firms: G. Ledesma & Co., Rosas & Co., Ledesma, Artau & Co. 14 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. AGUADILLA. This port, with a population of some 5,000 to 6,000, is located at the northwestern end of the island. The harbor is poor, being simply an indentation in the shore line. A good depth of water is found to within a Short distance of the beach, on which quite a surf breaks. The place is of considerable importance as a distributing point for this section. The mercantile business is represented by numerous stores, a few of which carry quite large stocks, of which dry and pickled fish form an important portion. The annual distribution of fish from this port is stated to be 2,500 tierces of dry cod, 500 barrels of pickled herring, and a small amount of smoked and canned fish. The fish go principally to the interior of the island. Very little is imported direct, the supplies in general being bought as needed from importers at Ponce, San Juan, and Mayaguez. Occasionally small orders are sent to the United States. The direct imports of fish in 1897 amounted to 19,965 kilograms, or 44,015 pounds; $2,595 worth of dry fish came from New York and $2,845 worth of canned fish from Spain. Nearly all dry fish handled are quite small, these being preferred to those of medium size. The following seven firms handle the bulk of the fish received: J. T. Silva & Co., Yumet & Co., Angel Ma Yumet, Ernesto Rubio, R. Ponce & Co., Jose Diaz, and Schnabel & Co. Boneless fish are unknown, and canned fish of American pack are seldom used. Dealers express a desire to increase their business with the United States, in the hope of receiving a better class of goods, adapted to their trying climate, the losses from fish turning red and spoiling being considerable. ARROYO. This port of entry is near the southeastern end of the island. The population is stated at 1,200. Dry and pickled fish are largely used and distributed through the interior, it being claimed that the monthly receipts average 120 tierces of dry fish. Most of the fish products © come from the importers at Ponce, the direct imports being small. The custom-house records show the direct imports during the past six years as follows: Year. | Kilograms.) Pounds.| Value. AB9G. nfs ac caecia Seeeeceete eancee eee 6, 350 13, 999 825 S97 ic sce eho s Bet tock to taanele neers None. INone: P22 225-s<4 60,116 | 182,533 7, 815 | Ie eis oss sesonpos: coacongcoencinsasesooe The imports in 1894 were all from the United States, those for the other years were from Nova Scotia. The only direct import in 1898 comprised 200 tierces and 3 boxes of codfish and 100 barrels of herring, from Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. Report U.S. F.C. 1899 (To face page 14.) PLATE 2. FISHING BOAT AT MAYAGUEZ FISHERIES OF PORTO RICO. 15 FRESH-FISH BUSINESS. Fishing for a livelihood is not carried on to a large extent anywhere in Porto Rico, and scarcely at all for sport. A few fishermen at the several ports make a living by fishing, plantation work, and labor at the docks on vessel cargoes. The professional and semiprofessional fishermen, as noted by the writer, number nearly 800, and employ about 350 sail and row boats. The local fisheries yield numerous species of fine edible fishes. In view of the large amount of dry and pickled fish imported, it is at first surprising that so little attention is given to this business. Asa rule, the local demand is indifferently supplied with fresh fish, usually at high prices. Ice is never used, and only the few fish taken of large size are dressed. None are canned, and the only attention given to curing is when an extra large catch is made, a few being then poorly cured for the home use of the fishermen. In past years the best of the business was monopolized by the few persons interested who had means to buy the exclusive right to fish at the most favorable localities, such as near the outlets of streams and at other desirable places along the coast. Rights were advertised and sold at auction by the authorities. At some ports the local authorities imposed a special tax on all fresh fish landed. Under Spanish rule all fisheries were in charge of an officer known as the captain of the port. Any person wishing to engage in the busi- ness was obliged to procure from him a license and be enrolled in the reserve naval force, licenses being granted only to subjects of Spain. Boats were numbered, and a record kept of licenses, men, apparatus, and, to some extent, of the products. Unfortunately for our knowledge of the former extent of the local fishing industry, the records of the captains of the ports were either destroyed or carried away by those officials at nearly every port when the change in government took place. With the change of government, the granting of exclusive fishing privileges in the waters of Porto Rico and its adjacent islands was abolished by an official order, a copy of which is here given: HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF PORTO RICO, San Juan, P. h., December 4, 1898. From and after this date the granting of exclusive fishing privileges in the streams, rivers, bays, inlets, and other waters of Porto Rico and its adjacent islands will be discontinued and the right of fishing in the said waters will be absolutely free; but all persons who enjoy said free privileges will be subject to the common and statute laws which govern fishing in said waters. By command of Major-General Brooke: M. VY. SHERIDAN, Brigadier-General, U. S. Volunteers, Chief of Staff. At the time of taking these notes, February, 1899, a new cabinet had just been seated; its officers reported that no action had been taken on the fisheries; all fishing and the landing of their catch by fishermen were free from tax; no reports had been received from the several 16 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. districts, and their officers had no records relating to the fisheries or statistics as to their past condition. The apparatus consists of a limited number of nets, trawls, and trolling lines, and many wicker-made pots or traps. It is of the most primitive character and is made by the fishermen. Fishing for sport may possibly receive more attention in the future than in the past, as a large number of mountain streams and lakes are more or less supplied with fresh-water fish, while numerous species are available in salt water. SAN JUAN. The fisheries at this city receive little attention. Seventy-five men claim to be fishermen, using 4 keel and 25 flat-bottomed boats of small size and little value, lateen sails being used. These men work on the neighboring plantations more or less, only a few of them being engaged in fishing at any one time. Part of the catch is made by haul seines, in which small fish are taken. ‘Trolling lines are largely used in deep water, far from shore, for fish of large size. The catch is principally made late in the day or during the night, so that the market can be reached by 4a. m.; a fair average of a day’s catch by three men and one boat being 250 pounds. On landing the catch at the city it is usually bought by a middleman at from 4 to 8 cents a pound, but not paid for until disposed of either at the city market or by peddlers. Fish are peddled strung from poles, and are also carried in large, oblong, shallow baskets. The retail prices range from 15 cents a pound upward. The largest fish are often cut up in slices to supply small demands; small and medium fish are never dressed, and no ice is used in the business. This manner of disposing of fish by peddlers is in general practice at the several ports. Many of the species are brightly colored and curiously marked, and make a very attractive appearance when first caught. Many of them have fine edible qualities. PONCE. In view of the large imports of dry and pickled fish and its general use by the 30,000 inhabitants of this city, and the number of so-called fishermen of the place, the amount of its fresh-fish business is surpris- ingly small. The captain of the port reports that since the late change in gov- ernment 127 men have been enrolled and granted permission to fish, free of any charge, in the waters of the district. They use 60 small open boats of an average value of $40. The boats are of schooner, sloop, and cat rig, together with skiffs and dories with sails. None of them are large enough to be entered at the custom-house or to need any papers except that granting the privilege of fishing. The fishermen follow the fishing business very irregularly, and of the 60 boats enrolled the average number engaged in fishing from day to day is not over 5 to 10. FISHERIES OF PORTO RICO. 17 The catch is made chiefly with set pots anchored in and about the harbor; single hooks and lines are used, and a few haul seines are operated along the water front. No fish are dried, smoked, pickled, or canned, all being disposed of fresh for local use. The aggregate catch is small, and no record is kept of the amount. There is said to be a scarcity of fish in this vicinity. So long as the fishing is done with set pots, in which bait is seldom used, only light catches of small and medium fish can be expected. A fow large fish are taken by men with a single hook and line in deep water. The city of Ponce has quite a large and good general market, in which the fresh-fish business makes a poor showing, with its one stand, on which a few fish are sold by two or three men. Fish are sold here, as elsewhere, through the streets by peddlers, who carry them sus- pended from poles borne on their shoulders. Those of small size are tied in bunches and sold at somuch a bunch; if large enough to weigh 2 to 6 or 8 pounds, at so much each. None are sold by weight. None are dressed, and ice is not used. Retail prices average 10 to 15 cents a pound in Spanish money, which was worth 60 cents on a dollar when exchanged for United States money. The old records now in the custom-house at Ponce show that during the portion of 1898 in which it was under Spanish rule the fishing business of the district was represented by 340 fishermen, with 109 registered boats. This district then included most of the south side and a small portion of the west end of the island, or about one-third of the coast line of Porto Rico. That the business was carried on with little energy or return to the fishermen may also be judged by the value of the catch, as shown by the old records, for the last six months of Spanish rule. The aggre- _ gate value of fish taken in the district of Ponce by the 340 enrolled fishermen for that portion of 1898 when it was held by Spain amounted to 26,815 pesetas; this represents only $3,218 in United States money. On account of the disturbed condition of all Porto Rican business in 1898 that year can not be considered as a fair average. MAYAGUEZ. The fresh-fish business of this port is not extensive, but the market has a larger supply and better variety of fish than are found at the markets of San Juan and Ponce. The catch is made by 25 fishermen, who use 10 to 12 small sloop-rigged keel boats. Most of the boats have a well in the center to keep the fish alive until disposed of. An equal number of dories are used. The former are built at the port at a cost of from $50 to $175 each. The dories are of Canadian or United States make, having been purchased of vessels arriving with dry fish. The custom-house at this port reports one vessel, of 74 tons, in the fisheries of the district. 18 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Under Spanish rule fishing and fish landed were free of tax or duty at this port, but fishermen and boats were recorded by the captain of the port. This officer fled on the approach of the United States forces and left no records of the previous business. At present fishing is free, but no record of persons or boats employed or any account of the catch has been made up to the time these notes were taken. The fishing-grounds for haul seines and cast nets are along the beach near the city landing; in the harbor and open sea, to a distance of 8 to 10 miles, hooks and lines and set pots are employed. Two haul seines, each 450 feet long and 12 to 15 feet deep, are hauled by6to8 men. The nets are hand-made, and have a nominal value of 150 pesos, or Spanish dollars, each. Many species of fish are taken in the haul seines. Wicker pots or traps are anchored in from 18 to 25 fathoms of water. Six boats, with from 12 to 25 pots each, are used near the landing and as far out as 10 miles. Spiny lobsters are reported as found at all seasons, but mostly during April and May. They weigh from 2 to 10 pounds each. Cast nets, of which the loca] name is tarraya, are fished along the beach for sardines and other small fish; their value is from 5 to 8 pesos each, and there are 14 in use. Three trawls are fished by six men in three boats, in from 8 to 100 fathoms of water, some 8 to 10 miles west from the city landing of Mayaguez. From 75 to 200 hooks are used to each trawl, and these are fastened to snoods 3 feet long and 1 fathom apart, with 1 hook on each. Trawls are baited with sardines and anchored. They are often under- run, and are taken up as soon as a sufficient catch has been made or the time has arrived for a return to market. The trawls are valued at from $3 to $5 each. Trolling lines are used to some extent, with single hook baited with sardines. The hooks used are Nos. 1 to 9; the largest, No. 1, retail for 5 cents each; while No. 9 hooks, used on trawls, are worth 50 cents per 100. Twine for trawls is worth 25 cents per pound. The catch is sold by peddlers, who buy the fish or are hired by the fishermen, and to fish-stands in the large market of the city. The fishermen receive, on an average, the equivalent of 6 cents a pound, the consumer paying about 10. All fish are sold undressed, at so much a bunch for those of small size; large fish are cut into strips and sold by the piece. Fish are most plentiful in the harbor of Mayaguez from August to December, but are abundant outside of the harbor at all seasons. None of the catch is in any way cured. ALGARROBO. Algarrobo is a small fishing settlement in the suburbs of Mayaguez. The fishermen’s houses scattered along the beach are surrounded with cocoanut trees and banana plants, the leaves of which form the roofs and sides. This settlement has 14 fishermen, who use 4 dories and 1 sloop. This sloop, the Francisca, was built at Algarrobo at a cost of FISHERIES OF PORTO RICO. £9 $1,200, Spanish money. It measures 73 tons and is the only vessel used in the fisheries of the island that is of sufficient tonnage to require registry at the custom-house. It was built soon after the close of the late war and had made but three short trips up to the last of January, 1899. Itis 30 feet long, 94 feet beam, with 5 feet depth of hold. In the center is a well 7 feet long, with 31 14-inch holes on each side, to admit the water. Aft of the well is a small compartment for sleeping quarters, and forward is a small galley for cooking. Her fishing gear consists of 40 set pots, by which most of the catch is made, a small trawl with 100 hooks being used occasionally. The catch of the fishermen of this place is made along the coast, the sloop going as far as off Mono Island, 42 miles distant. One haul seine is used along the beach by 5 men; this is 80 fathoms long, 3 fathoms deep, mesh in the wings 1 and 2 inches, and in the bunt ?-inch square mesh. Ten pots and a trawl with 80 hooks are used just off the beach in 6 fathoms of water. Sardines are used for bait on the trawl, the pots generally being set without bait. SABANITA. This settlement is a few miles north of Algarrobo. From 30 to 40 men carry on more or less fishing, in which they use 2 haul seines, 50 to 75 pots, and 6 trawls. The apparatus is similar to that at Algar- robo. Two boats are used in seining, 5 in fishing pots, and 6 in trawl fishing. The two last-mentioned appliances employ 2 men in a boat. Other small fishing-places in the vicinity of Mayaguez are Anasco, Arribo, and Corega, each with a few men who fish in the vicinity of their homes. The catch is sold to the neighboring villages and planta- tions, and the fish market of Mayaguez is better supplied than that of any other place on the island. Fish are peddled along the route to the city, being suspended from poles carried on the shoulders. No fish are cured and any surplus is thrown away. BAYAMON. This place is 5 miles southwest of San Juan, with which it is con- nected by rail. The population is given as 2,500. It has a number of stores that carry quite large stocks of goods, including dry fish, bought from the importers at San Juan. The Bayamon River flows through the town, with its outlet at the entrance to San Juan Harbor. This Stream, although small, is of some value for its fisheries, the most extensive being at Palo Seco at its mouth. At Bayamon the river is only 25 feet wide, with from 3 to 10 feet depth of water, according to the seasons. Near the mouth it widens out to some 75 feet. Bayamon is supplied with fresh fish taken from the river by 6 resi- dent fishermen, and by others that live along the river banks to the north and south. Other persons fish only for their family use. None of these men give more than a part of their time to fishing. The catch is taken with hoop nets, cast nets, gill nets, and haul seines, all netting being hand-made by the fishermen. , 135 132 fishupots, walued tab bo easson seca cee eae aac else cin oe = 396 12’ cast nets; valued) ati $65 2 aeecwee et ase sees ceelscis osm 72 MOtal ae coc ee ete e cecee ect oc ence cease ote ace cose 1, 503 During April, May, and June trolling lines and hooks are much used, but at other seasons trolling is limited to such times as going to and from the set pots. The principal part of the catch is from pots which are occasionally baited with fragments of crayfish or spiny lobsters, but as arule pots are not baited. Crayfish are plentiful and at times the pots will be filled with them. When more are taken than can be disposed of the surplus is returned to the sea. When the pots are baited with broken-up crayfish, the catch is confined to fish, as no crayfish will then enter them. A small number of crayfish are taken at night by hand, among rocks in shallow water; a torch is used which attracts the crayfish and enables the fisherman to see and impale it with a forked stick. The fish are sold fresh, undressed, supplying the local demand only. The fishermen receive 4 to 6 cents a pound. Crayfish are sold by the piece, the size governing the price, which averages 3 cents a pound. The largest weigh from 6 to 8 pounds. Occasionally fishermen dry a small amount of fish for their own use. The only nets used at Santiago are a few cast nets for taking sar- dines and other small fish. HUCARES. This place is located near the center of the western end of Porto Rico, and is 4 miles north of Punta Santiago. Near the shore the water is shallow, necessitating the lighterage of cargoes. The port of Hueares is said to have a population of from 800 to 1,000, most of the men working on the plantations, while a few are fishermen. The village has a few fairly good houses, but the majority of them consist of a light frame of poles thatched with the leaves of the sugar cane and banana. A number of small stores dispose of considerable dry fish, which comes from the importers of San Juan. Fish are reported plentiful in the harbor, where they are taken by 10 fishermen, who use 4 boats, 60 pots, and trolling lines and hooks. Eight men with 1 boat occasionally use a haul seine 300 feet long, with a bag in the center. The fish catch is chiefly by pots. FISHERIES OF PORTO RICO. Pat FAJARDO, CEIBA, AND LUQUILLO. Fajardo, located at the northeastern end of the island, with Ceiba, on the south 6 miles, and Luquillo, about the same distance on the northwest, are represented in the fisheries as follows: Fisher- Locality. Apparatus. Value. aiGh. Ot OO ae eects wars moc ee ocveic snide wn mrereje ecteiamieleicis Ss cinieje eee iialele Castimetaslgn 2. c iB accee th tess eet anligeinesaces sacs ccacencameceteertnee cae Turtle nets, 50 WEDD cnictoe sos BoatsyGe ceccceccacs oa scaace catiseenials cecaactaclecieceem neces cate (IPOtR th Sec cmaceecemn =e Ses eee emcceeeae cess see ctoeee sei o\s awe ciace Cast nets yaceeeceie sce escemeeteccicemaemee ceicesemeoretcentecese iba blll \eeeeeeceaes BIOL a oano Sans sASOocOn6 EOC CmOsoOOoOSoCSD Coban doogaEsuesess 12h oaSoeccsesoscoscaocnoon GEeasbCmDcaEs dagm socecesasosecs | Wash MSL staat telcterete ee ecosin cioeimcisine rs elsiclelciersisisieteiaterae ste rtetere teres 220 5 | Fajardo, with a population of 4,000, is the most important place in this section, and is located 2 miles inland from the playa or landing. At the latter there are 600 inhabitants, a few small stores, and the custom-house, which, prior to the change of government, was a second- grade office at which no imports were permitted. A large amount of dry and fresh fish is consumed, the former coming from San Juan. Fishing is chiefly by set pots; occasionally a few haul seines and cast nets are used in the general fishery, and gill nets for turtles. Trolling hooks and lines are used to a limited extent. Fish are plentiful and are all sold fresh, undressed, at about 4 cents a pound. The boats are small, roughly built, with sloop or cat rig, none having wells. Haul seines are 300 feet long, with a bag in the center, and are hand-made. The mesh in the wings is 14 and 2 inch, in the bag 4 inch. The twine is imported from Spain and is worth 36 cents a pound. At certain seasons a light catch of fish is made in the Fajardo River, a few cast nets being used near its mouth. Within 6 miles of the mouth of the river 3 weirs have been fished in the past. The best fishing-grounds, near the mouth of the river, were formerly worked only by holders of special grants from the government. Canned fish are not much used. The cost and retail prices of the few found on sale were as follows: Retail Description. Cost. price per can Per dozen. | Cents. SALCMIER EEO Meee ae erat alae cis aislcsalaisic ceicie’s s@awloS eae manic nce cc eclemeae sels caieeeiens $1. 00 10 Sa rime datal lecanie serene sek erat oe tne cee sete ce cto aoe conte saeeee oa 2. 25 25 ORAS, TONED. CAN 5 sat GOS a SR ae ann en eee een ee 2. 25 25 Menlnizancodish) epound! fatican: score ccstareeccscceccs he ccesncc socket edeseescen 2. 50 30 28 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. A few turtles are caught about the adjacent islands, chiefly with gill nets 15 feet long, which have wooden decoys attached, representing turtles. During 1898, 400 pounds of hawksbill-turtle shells were taken and sent to New York, where the best brought $5 a pound in gold. Small oysters are found attached to the roots and lower branches of the mangrove trees that border the islands, but none are gathered. VIEQUES ISLAND. Vieques Island is the largest in size and population of the several outlying islands belonging to Porto Rico. Itis 17 miles long by 5 miles in greatest width, its western end being 11 miles from Porto Rico. The population in 1897 was about 5,200. A small amount of fishing is carried on at several places. The following table gives all the statistics obtainable: Location. Men. | Boats.| Pots. Porto isabel aat oS assis cca cteiscsssicaciweae se osheeeeeeeiaes acme ee mene 12 6 50 Porto Reals saccsenn sce cccescs causes seman wecste wee cacebeeeanethmneesoneneeaece 4 2 12 IROTLOUNGPTOT.comeriecs se - sate c cnc Pomeee race wace coe e meee nae Cosmet eee en aoes 2 1 8 POLLO PATONAS Jt iscicacins ewes aeat ete anes as eee tee bie obec ae eee Sener 6 3 18 Porto Mosquito?=-:¢cccescecccthsces casas sceesacede sca cackccasmencameeenen ee 6 3 20 DO et es he oat aioe Sn icie reer cieiate o sine ewes ote SIH eee SESE AE eeleRe More eeee 30 15 108 Trolling lines and a few nets are used, but most of the fishing is by set pots. The pots are anchored by ropes made of vines. The catch is peddled through the several small villages and at the plantations, selling at 5centsa pound. A few turtles are taken at the southern end of the island. Small vessels from the neighboring British and Danish islands at times visit this section on their trips for turtles. Isabel Segunda, on the north side of the island, has several good- sized stores, and is the leading port. Its harbor is much exposed, and dangerous with northerly winds. At this port the fishing appliances are 50 pots, 25 cast nets, and 1 haul seine. The latter is 150 feet long and 10 feet deep. CULEBRA ISLAND. Culebra Island is 10 miles north of Vieques Island, and 14 miles from Porto Rico. It is rough and mountainous, and is but little cul- tivated by its 730 inhabitants. It is of very irregular. shape, with an extreme length of 8 miles and a width of 3 miles. The harbor is one of the very few good ones found in this section. It is nearly sur- rounded by high hills and has a good depth of water. The narrow entrance is bordered with coral reefs. On the harbor is a small settle- ment of about 100 inhabitants, with a few small stores. Fish are reported plentiful around the island, but scarce inside the harbor. Very little attention is given to fishing, only 2 or 3 men being engaged. They use 12 fish pots, 24 nets for turtles, and occasionally trolling hooks and lines. Imported dry cod is much more used than fresh fish. : Report U S.F, C. 1899. (To face page 28.) Plate 5 FISHERMEN AT AGUADILLA., FISHING SCHOONER FRANCISCA AND WICKER FISHING POTS. FISHERIES OF PORTO RICO. 29 Nets for taking turtles are 27 feet long, 8 to 12 feet deep, of 12-inch Square mesh; they are home-made, the twine being worth 50 cents a pound at St. Thomas. A few turtles are taken on the beaches, but most of the catch is by nets, which, with their wooden decoy turtles, are anchored near the coral reefs; the nets are visited once or twice a day during the turtle-fishing season, which is said to be in May, June, July, and August. The hawksbill, green sea, and loggerhead turtles are reported more plentiful in this vicinity than elsewhere in the region. The local catch is small, only 75 hawksbill turtles being caught in 1898. The shell of the hawksbill is said to average from 3 to 5 pounds, and brings from 75 cents to $4 a pound in gold at St. Thomas. The logger- head turtle is used only for its oil. Turtle meat of the other varieties is sold for food at 6 cents a pound. Under Spanish rule fishing privileges around the island were free to the natives only. The natives claim that their fisheries have not been protected, the islands being visited by numerous small fishing craft owned at St. Thomas and other Danish and British islands. Since the change in government these vessels when in this vicinity fly the Ameri- can flag,and their crews claim to be citizens of the United States, although the natives say most of these boats are owned at the British island of Tortola. The fish are salted and poorly cured on board by drying in the sun, and are disposed of chiefly at St. Thomas and other ports in the West Indies. The catch is obtained by pots and trolling lines. The turtle catch is said to be considerable. The harbor of Culebra Island has numerous small inlets that are bordered with mangrove trees, on the roots and lower branches of which small-sized oysters are abundant, but are too small to be of much value for food. STATISTICAL TABLES. Imported fishery products being next to the largest in amount and value of the imports of Porto Rico, the statistical tables presented on pages 30-33 are of much interest and value. The records are from the original entries at the several custom-houses of the island. There the various species are not shown, but by reference to pages 4, 5, and 12, an analysis of the imports will be found, giving species and full par- ticulars of imports. In all cases where values are given it is on a basis of Spanish paper money, which has had a fluctuating value, the average during the time shown in the tables being some 60 cents on a dollar for gold. 30 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Table showing, from countries received, the quantity, value, and duty paid on Dry, pickled, and smoked fish. Canned fish. Received from— Kilos. Lbs. Value. Duty. Kilos. Lbs. 18938. British North American | 9,315,929 | 20,538, 095 $1,211,070.77 | $83, 843.26 |..........|.....-..-- 1 provinces. United States............- 356, 190 785, 264 46, 304. 70 1, 676. 59 15, 323 33, 781 2 Norway and Sweden...... 10, 922 24, 079 1, 419. 86 Q5NBOT Seis ee sale ceeeeee 3 Tnints\ 220 Sepa sas soso ne Gabe an seccea||sciss sc oe coca|lbosse ee pood 4 bemer oadsee 1, 146 2, 526 4 SIE see aedoeconemocoss 135, 731 299, 235 7, Clos Uo aeetotiee see 67, 538 148,896 | 5 na a ace iemeate sa seit 1, 246 2, 747 161. 98 11. 21 2, 953 6, 510 6 (GP UTO ENN, CooedoonocactoooTe 22, 412 49, 410 2, 913. 56 201. 71 614 1,354)" 7 otal 222 -seesscsce = 9, 842, 430 | 21, 698, 880 |1, 279,515.90 | 85, 828. 36 87,574 | 193,067 | 8 1894. British North American 9, 890, 226 | 21, 804, 202 |1, 285, 729.38 | 89,012.04 |..........]......---. 9 provinces. United States.----.-.---- = 1,522,207 | 3,355,890 | 197,886.91 |.---...-.... 38, 489 84, 854 | 10 Norway and Sweden..--.- 10, 790 23, 788 1, 402. 70 ATI |. < aeijew- laeeersees ll MVANCOsee asin o2s2c2sscc605 4 581 1, 281 75. 53 5. 23 6, 261 13, 803 | 12 SithJun eaebeas séochoe sas kee 56, 247 124, 003 Watolico Ue certian oe z---| 250,713 552, 727 | 13 IIA: sohosemecaceoscoeSeee 144 317 18. 72 TS} IEB Rebecca lordasdose< 14 my lard santos sae meses 350 172 45. 50 3.15 10, 273 22, 648 | 15 (Gigianieihy’ Se oceccsstensoae 23, 349 51,476 3, 035. 37 234.14 1, 346 2,968 | 16 GIS iss saa ado tt nbc ascleidl sidaaon cesta | toaed neat | Soars -mellnee ea Gellaae 686 Ussay beta ali otal Jb sitc3--93- 11, 503, 894 | 25, 361, 729 |1, 495,506.22 ! 89,302.97 | 307,768 | 678,512 | 18 1895. British North American | 12,379,085 | 27, 291,194 |1, 609, 281.05 | 111,411.77 |.-........|.........- 19 provinces. Wmnited States... 25-22 /..2- 769, 401 1, 696, 238 100, 022. 13 6, 900. 50 879 1,938 | 20 Norway and Sweden...... 32, 639 71, 957 4, 244. 07 208.1 Gil ashencc5ec\e2ecemenae 21 LINC ESS Geos eeEeeaceebes J Cadeeenaeecs! asoepesseeeloeboseaeccsdl koccertcokees 2,421 5, 3387 | 22 Spann ne ee eetes eso ae 27, 903 61, 516 8; 627-139) |aosoc=<-=5>5 532, 303 |1, 173, 526 | 23 TUR ye Oboes oo cece Ce ROe ESE BELeeECEEHse SHMEEonene set ocooranaa shel eco Spcmcises 78 172 | 24 One meine ae ae nee 980 2, 161 127. 40 8. 82 808 1, 781 | 25 Germany sece~s--- 5-55 -c 2, 309 5, 090 300. 17 24. 30 940 2,072 | 26 Denmark pe. G2 os2 52:2 = 45. 7, 645 16, 854 993. 85 (ot ema cich|aonceda=ac 27 Totalit 2st ties ie sue 2s 13, 219, 962 | 29, 145, 010 |1, 718, 596. 06 | 118, 707.96 | 537,429 |1, 184, 826 | 28 1896. | British North American | 11, 974, 462 | 26, 399, 153 |1, 556, 680.06 | 107,770.16 |.....-....|.--------- 29 provinces. French North American 70, 270 154, 919 9, 135. 10 BP rT SiGe seopon od benacoSoke 30 provinces. United States........-..-. 728, 714 1, 606, 538 94, 732. 82 6, 558. 43 6, 793 14, 976 | 31 Norway and Sweden...... 45, 974 101, 355 5, 976. 62 CORT Esoasor see |lpoce meer - | 32 IPAM C Osc cis sitnicieice Se iecee 5, 840 12, 875 759. 20 52. 56 4, 231 9, 328 | 33 SPalen sees oe s-sesee 86, 369 190, 411 NE Ppa EEO Pee es mee 248, 137 547,048 | 34 IMB osccnbeotoreeacsasadec|ocondeessoddl aasneapesces esses ctesasea|lessoccsacus¢ 36 79 | 35 England 98. 02 6.79 3, 630 8,003 | 36 German 2,110. 81 146. 13 360 794 | 37 Denmar 12. 35 186) |e otoseSso leas eaeeee 38 Venezuela 2, 665. 00 184.°50) |e 2cis:e-< sera siseneecretel 39 (CDR, Sa sgecedsactiesceaheca|Sonnco ste sat sec coaeeceee|Sbosns soe aciag||se see ceoses||=esbeccen-|bomosesogs 40 Totaly. 7st 5eeseeets te 12, 949, 131 | 28, 547, 929 |1, 683, 397.95 | 115, 765.63 | 263,187 | 580,228 | 41 1897. British North American | 12,722,700 | 28, 048, 735 |1, 653, 871.00 | 115, 000. 84 |.....--...|---.----.- 42 provinces. United States.............| 2,226,750 | 4,909, 141 288, 958.60 | 20, 080. 67 1, 964 4,330 | 43 INO WAY. cen seen aeenoere 44, 443 97, 958 5, 776. 29 ELE ChE semen iaeete | PSAs aries 44 Swedenwccscc ees ase 18, 799 41, 445 2, 443. 87 T1Gi! eK (eee ee EE YE 45 Scotland sie. ccccccca sees 391 862 50. 83 ChE bosceadedellbtoeeceaoe 46 TANCE ase sce sicscencins cose 2, 542 5, 604 330. 46 22. 88 4, 567 10,068 | 47 Paces er seeee esse sec 75, 523 166, 499 9, 817. 99 2. 21 296,194 | 652,996 | 48 htglyeeercsccneccssesss sae 920 2,028 119. 60 8.24 143 316 | 49 Hinglan dees seen sass 70, 520 155, 470 9, 867. 60 634. 68 17, 126 37, 756 | 50 Gormany er osecnseicoso--1 9, 834 21, 680 1, 278. 42 88. 54 382 842 | 51 eR Ota tee sae emia 15, 172, 412 | 33, 449, 422 |1, 972,514.66 | 136,410.91 | 320,376 | 706,308 | 52 FISHERIES OF PORTO RICO. 5 fishery products imported into Porto Rico during 1893, 1894, 1895, 1896, and 1897. Canned fish. Shellfish. Total. Value. Duty. | Kilos.| Lbs. | Value.| Duty.| Kilos. Lbs. Value. Duty. TL edsceeed aac aaeos eee et Saeel A SRSetS ieeaeie ie (EME NGS 9, 315, 929 |20, 538, 095 |$1,211,070.77 | $83,843.26 2 | $7, 661.50 371,513 | 819,045 | 53,966.20 | 2,557.66 tl eee Pe ees alecoc 8 10, 922 24,079 | 1, 419. 86 95.59 4| 1,995.50 ; 1, 146 2,526} 1,995.50 458, 96 5 | 33,769.00] 88.54] 3,402 | 7,500 |$272.16 [$10.03 | 206,671 | 455,631 | 51,686.19 98.57 6| 1,476.50 | 339.59 O12" 1) 25010) |) 72596) [Neste .- 5, 111 11,267] 1,711.44 350. 80 7 SO TROOR TON Ole emer a eee aR | See Aes 23, 026 50,764 | 3, 220.56 272. 32 8 | 45,209.50 \1,838.77| 4,314 | 9,510 | 345.12 | 10.03 | 9,934, 318 |21, 901, 407 |1,325,070.52 | 87, 677.16 1) poetocaoate| HOSES a Hes CSC EE RCE Hae Pammnege at a poe 9, 890, 226 |21, 804, 202 |1,285,729.38 | 89, 012. 04 10 | 19, 244. 50 /2, 434. 43 TDA OB” GG, Baoseoe 1, 560, 816 | 3,441,009 | 217,141.01 | 2,434.43 Tht | ae eate eee Eee 720 | 1,587 | 57.60 | 7.20 11,510 25,375 | 1,460. 30 54.31 12] 3,130.50] 792.02] 1,750 | 3,858 | 140.00 | 17.50 8,592 18,942 | 3,346.03 814.75 13 125, 356.50 | 720.80 RO) dal) = 200) |[seeooae 307,010} 676,840 | 132, 672. 61 720. 80 TH, [Pesce eS Eke US Ae Pm ca] 1 144 317 18. 72 1.30 iA ||) TaN OLR EEN Eee ee Rete ane rt eee ae 10, 623 23,420 | 5,182.00] 1,302.68 16 GUSROOND HOSOT, ek eens eee e's eee UN IN eo 24, 695 54,444 | 3, 708. 37 407. 41 17 BY GL (UO atl GR A teeter ime warterel laters beard 686 1,512 343. 00 86. 78 18 |153, 884. 00 [5,506.83 | 2, 640 | 5, 820 | 211. 20 | 24. 70 |11, 814, 302126, 046, 061 |1,649,601.42 | 94, 834.50 7H) poeciss doe5h aces GAeH GAC ce ase] Geacercl Ean eeeel tee eee 12, 379, 085 |27, 291, 194 |1,609,281.05 |111, 411.77 20 439.50 | 92.00 94] 207| 7.52] .75]| 770,374 | 1,698,383 | 100,469.15] 6, 993.25 DAL Tye seas el Ah iS | Re |e [a 32, 639 71,957 | 4,244.07 293. 76 2D || TPAD: || pity CE BtEl hea eaeie nesesad| GEeeGe . Alsssbeae 2,421 5,337 | 1,210.50 278. 41 23 |266, 151.50 |2,800.00 | 4,481 | 9,879 | 358.48 |..-..-- 564, 687 | 1,244,921 | 270, 137.37 | 2,800.00 24 39. 00 OC (a (ape Ail 08 Oia be 78 172 39. 00 8.97 25 ADECU1):| seat PNET bese ene naeeere oman ami besssap 1, 788 8, 942 531. 40 101. 72 26 ATOSOON as] O70 sR cae [Pane | REN Pel Ae ee 3, 249 7, 162 770. 17 131. 30 PY} lies Sapo ARe| CADE ere PANE te] (adatoms [Ree 7, 645 16, 854 993. 85 68. 81 28 /268, 714.50 |3,379.28| 4,575 10, 086 | 366.00 | _ .75 [13,761,966 30, 339, 922 |1,987,676.56 |122, 087. 99 | DO) ease eS elke SEER | ROR EE eee ia REE eal ee aes 11, 974, 462 26, 399, 153 |1,556,680.06 107,770.16 BOm| Meee aes 70,270 | 154,919] 9,135.10 | 632.43 31 | 3,396 735, 590 | 1,621,697 | 98,135.96 | 7,340.45 Spies sce 45,974 | 101,355 | 5,976.62 413.77 33 | 2,115. 10, 071 22,203 | 2, 874. 70 539. 13 34 124, 068. 334,529 | 737,510 | 135,298.31 |.......--. 35 18. 36 79 18 00 4.14 36| 1,815. 4, 384 9,665 | 1,913.02 424.24 37 180 16, 597 36,591 | 2, 290.81 187.53 21) |e 11 24 12. 35 . 86 BY) | eae aeeeee 20,500) 45,195 | 2, 665. 00 184. 50 AY) | eee 137 302 1OSSGH less ceeee 41 |131, 593.50 |1, 730. 75 243 | 536 | 19.44] .83 [13,212,561 29,128, 693 |1,815,010.89 117, 497.21 1D | ccoeesc cae] MEG || SSP eps CRA Mm tees (ee eRe |e ee 12, 722, 700, 28, 048, 735 '1,653,871.00 115, 000. 84 43 982.00 | 225.89 115| 253] 8.00] 1.15 | 2,228,829 4,913,724 289, 948.60 | 20,307. 71 HE cosmimaey sce eae ae |e ct VS me 44,433 | | 97,958) 5,776.29 399. 92 A RN a ee eel Seca bellesccues 18, 799 41,445 | 2,443.87 169. 40 Arig mime esse oN eee | noc sc atl becxcees 391 862 50. 83 3.53 ATA ONORS ESO 580697 | ccs c cos |soccceclecensece|eecee ce 7, 109 15,672 | 2,613.96 553. 25 ASR aoe leoO | 1429216) |. 5 22s2-|2s-cim-c|on- seme -|enocens 371,717 | 819,495 | 149, 135. 49 431. 37 49 71.50 THA? 0) Raha ee a Ee a oe a SEES 1, 063 2, 344 191.10 25.73 BOM MESenGass0N 2NO02845) |5s-csccclocsccurs|semoacaelbaceon- 87,646 | 193,226 | 18,430.90 | 2, 637.13 51 191. 00 ASA O31 OA ee se ee ee a | en a 10, 216 22'522 «1, 469. 42 132. 47 52 (151, 408. 80 |3, 249, 29 115 | 253| 8.00| 1.15 |15,492,903 34,155,983 2,123,931.46 139, 661.35 32 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Table showing, from countries received and by ports of entry, the quantity, Dry, pickled, and smoked fish. Imported from—| Ports of entry. British North American prov- inces. United States ..- Kilos. Lbs. Value. Duty. ones 2:62.20. 5, 933, 104 |13, 080, 247 | $771,303. 52 |$53, 397.94 |........|.--.---- San Juan..... 3,380, 410 | 7,452,524 | 439,453.30 | 30,513.73 |.-....-.|-..-.--- Mayaguez ....| 2,235,907 | 4,929,328 | 290,587.91 | 20,529.66 |........[......-. ‘Arecibo....--- 1,173, 279 | 2.586,636 | 152,526.27 | 10,559.51 |......-.|....-.-- Total ....-- 12, 722, 700 |28, 048, 735 |1, 653, 871.00 |115, 000.84 |........|.------- Ponce ..------| 1,807, 480 | 3,984,809 | 234, 972.50 | 16, 267. 31 San Juan ....- 268,729 | '592/446] 34,934.77 | 2, 438.38 Mayaguez ....| 122,903 | 270,955 | 15,458.39 | 1, 122. 33 Aguadilla....| 19,965 44.015 2) 595. 45 183. 58 ‘Arecibo......- 7,673 16, 916 997. 49 69. 07 Total ...... 2, 226, 750 | 4,909,141 | 288, 958. 60 | 20, 080. 67 San Juan ..... 44, 433 97,958 | 5,776.29| 399.92 |........|........ San Juan ..... 18, 799 41, 445 2, 443. 87 160: 400| boc eee eee San Juan ..... 391 862 50. 83 3. 63, (ee ee Ponce ...----- 2, 434 5, 366 316. 42 21.91 San Juan ..... 108 238 14. 04 97 Mayaguez ...-)----.--.-..|--.--- Raoon|/seeesasctlscs[bspsenese: Total ...... | ag 5,604 | 330.46 22. 88 lee) oo conesel[ses55 SS Se ibcckeodsnic|ecouseseeeeee Wiis chats San Juan ....- 73, 317 161, 636 Pyap Pal | Sapper osses Mayaguez .... 2, 206 4, 863 286. 78 2, 21 ZTE HEY 5 S6e| Bese se sioos| poseoeeescia|s apibaeie Secee | beinioneeeiaiars ATOCIDO =< sonst Sacer a cae siete eee ctaccr esas ideal steaieil = Pita what oe vael Total ....-. 75,523 | 166,499 9, 817.99 2.21 aCe Rees aaa lee ee ea nee Seale Wtue ys eee nae San Juan ..... 920 2, 028 119. 60 8. 24 Total ...... 920 2, 028 119. 60 8. 24 Ponce ....---- 70,421 | 155, 252 9,854.73 | 633.79 San Juan ..... 9 218 12. 87 .89 Total ...--- 70,520| 155,470| 9,867.60| 634.68 San Juan..... 9, 834 21, 680 1, 278. 42 88. 54 Grand total]15, 172, 412 |33, 449, 422 |1, 972, 514. 66 |136, 410. 91 Ponce .....--- 7, 813, 439 (17, 225, 674 |1, 016, 447. 17 | 70, 320.95 San Juan..... 3,797,040 | 8,371,035 | 493, 615.20 | 33, 623. 60 Mayaguez ....| 2,361,016 | 5,205,146 | 306, 333. 08 | 21,654. 20 Aguadilla ....| | 19,965 | ' 44015 2) 595. 45 183. 58 Arecibo....... 1, 180,952 | 2,603,552 | 153,523.76 | 10, 628.58 Total ...... 15,172,412 33, 449, 422 |1, 972,514. 66 |136, 410. 91 j Wf FISHERIES OF PORTO RICO. oa value, and duty paid on fishery products imported into Porto Rico in 1897. Canned fish. Shellfish. Total. Value. Duty. | Kilos. | Lbs. | Value. | Duty.| Kilos. Lbs. Value. Duty. ook EN ERIN DON SE OA ee al 5, 933, 104 |13, 080, 247 $771, 303. 52 |$53, 397. 94 5 CTSES TSE bs eae 08 isa |e al ana 3, 380, 410 | 7,452,524 | 439, 453.30 | 30,513.73 Fi sc doa tal oe Sas a Real iia a aaah ical 2,235, 907 | 4,929, 328 | 290,587.91 | 20,529. 66 neon oe eee GESTS 5 cal Neg las (aaa a 1, 175, 279 | 2,586,626 | 152,526.27 | 10,559.51 Peed rset yee) Tod cles ot [Seg oe .|12,722,700 |28, 048,735 1,653,871.00 115, 000. 84 6 aif | See Rear Rena Dramas 1, 807, 812 | 3,985, 541 | 235, 138.50 | 16, 305. 48 7| 806.00] 185.42) 115| 253) $8.00] $1.15| 270,456 | 596,253 | 35,748.77 | 2° 624.95 8 POLIO Ma POR esas: Se se se ie I Bee 122,923 | 270,999 | 15,468.39 | 1,124.63 7 | tent I tee (ie area reaper ae 8d Bie ee Comes 19,965 | 44,015 | 2)595.45| 183.58 || kee) urea ER Rea 7 Le LA ee 7,673 | 16,916 997. 49 69.07 11| 982.00 | 225.89 | 115| 253 8.00) 1.15 |2, 298,829 | 4,913,724 | 289, 948. 60 | 20, 307.71 AOPIGSH xt Osa oe A a ears ee 44,433 | 97,958 | 5,776.29| 399.92 sol aes iene ee Tee Geena aaa 18,799 | 41,445 | 2,443.87| 369.40 Vs TUL A a a yaar anaes 391 ~ 862 50. 83 3.53 if Pee ae ae aa ee Bie ae Rc 2, 802 6,177| 500.42 64.22 16! 1,894.50| 435.78 |......-. sere ges see 3,897 8,591 | 1,908.54] 436.75 17| °205.00| 52.28 |...-:...'.....-.- ee ay 410 904} 205.00 52. 28 18 | 2,283.50| 530.37 |......-. 1 see Cea aie ‘| 7,109| 15,672 | 2,613.96| 553.25 iieaeeie 00!) 2... .-- Cre Steph Mee ce RR depaa ie “(Aas eia'|.. Ds, 60n |b, son) op |ane ee 20 |108,814.50 |......-..|.---+--. ee el aiageni hes kc 290,946 | 641, 426 | 118,345.71 |.......... 21 | 19,517.00 | 429.16 |........ EAL Ta -dl) Sateie eae ae 58,799 | 129,629: 19,803.78 | 431.37 jy) 2 Se Sana (ara (i nana enna 5,690 | 12,544] 2,845.00 |.....-.-.. 3 2.25330) nr ea Bes ase es rene |S eine 4 666; © 10:987 | (De9555.60, lee eaees Pematirt 50) °420-10,|-......:|s.0-...-|c--sqecclocenze. 371,717 | 819,495 | 149,135.49| 431.37 67 | 148 33. 50 7.70 996 2, 196 157. 60 18. 03 27 71.50| 17.49 |........ ae ae BS? 1,063 | 2,344 191.10 25.73 28 | 8,215.30 |1, 922.91 |........|- ed ae ee -| 86,851 | 191,474 | 18,070.03| 2,556.70 Pema TER POD 15.79. 5A. | cit a ce| ges. oe |-c-oc-clece-enc 795 | 1,752 360. 87 80. 43 mR nfoea 2 ON2dh \fo ss <2 Aas el domees oc|-ncaoe -| 87,646 | 193,226 | 18,430.90 | 2, 637.13 31| 191.00 | rarer Neo a ee ee een ee -| 10,216! 22,522] 1,469. 42 132. 47 32 151, 408, 80 3, 249. 29 115 | 253 | 8.00 | 1.15 |15,492,903 (34, 155, 983 |2,123,931.46 |139, 661. 35 38 | 14,406. 80 [2,011.09 |........|....--.. ead (feds | owie _|7, 842, 252 |17, 289, 196 |1,030,853.97 | 72, 332. 04 34 112,092.00 | 754.46| 115) 253 | 8.00| 1.15 |4,021, 339 | 8,865,529 | 605, 715.20 | 34.379, 21 CP || Teo. Tan ae CS 7 Peon ee er Een 2, 418, 039 | 5,330, 860 | 326,065.08 | 22) 137.94 55 | 5 EEE CORI Sp eee Oc ape fee ea eae Dae 25,655 | | 56,559| 5,440.45] 183.58 10) 3. ETT Nao ae ce ie ia 1S Ce aa aa ere 1,185, 618 | 2, 613, 839 | 155, 856.76 | 10, 628.58 SS i es eet al fei va es eae poe ae ares 38 |151, 408. 80 |3,249.29| 115 | 253 | 8.00 | 1.15 |15,492,903 |34, 155, 983 |2,123,931.46 |139, 661. 35 34° REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. CONCLUSION. The change in the government of Porto Rico has been so recent that it will be some time before the old methods will become modified to suit new conditions, and so little is known of the local commercial fisheries of the island that predictions as to their future can not be safely made. In supplying the island with the large amount of cured fish required annually, there will be changes by shippers and receivers in methods of handling, one of importance being a change from the long-time credit system. A knowledge of the coffee and sugar industries of the island is important to shippers, as return cargoes often have to be secured. The future imports of fishery products may reasonably be expected to come from sources that can lay them down at the lowest prices, and to some extent handle in return the products of the island. As the Porto Ricans are conservative and slow to experiment with unfamiliar articles, some time will be required to introduce boneless or other fish preparations unknown to them. They are quick to appreciate low prices, and when they come to understand the good qualities of boneless fish, canned fish, and similar foods prepared in the United States, a large demand for good articles, at reasonably low prices, may be expected. The local fisheries may possibly prove to be of considerable value, but time and capital will be needed to develop them. Different methods of capture and more energy in the prosecution of the fisheries are necessary to determine if a large supply can be depended upon. The species best adapted for curing or canning are yet to be ascertained. The entire absence of machine-made nets is to be noted. With the introduction of capital and the development of the fisheries, there would at once come a large demand for these goods. The few nets now used are hand-made by the poor fishermen, who are seldom able to buy more than a few balls of twine at a time, and no one has as yet seemed willing to advance capital or supplies to further increase the business. A large variety of fine edible fish are found in the salt and fresh . waters of Porto Rico, yet little attention is given to their capture and none to their cure. Only those living near the seacoast or some of the rivers ever have any fresh fish, and then only at high prices. Cheap ice and quick transportation are two important factors in the fresh-fish business, and at present these are both lacking. Ice is to be procured at very few places, and the price, $12 to $15 a ton, is too high . for its use in the fisheries. The few short lines of railroad have no express business, and no fresh fish are transported by rail. With few exceptions the common roads are so poor that merchandise has to be carried by pack animals. With improved transporting facilities and cheaper ice, the thickly settled interior could receive a more abundant supply of fresh-fish at more reasonable prices, to the benefit of both consumers and dealers. Report U. S. F. C. 1899. (To face page 34.) PLATE 6. FISHERMEN’S HOMES, PUNTA SANTIAGO. FISHING BOATS AND FISHERMEN'S HOMES, PUNTA SANTIAGO. CHECK-LIST OF THE FISHES OF FLORIDA. BY BARTON WARREN EVERMANN, PH. D., Ichthyologist of the United States Fish Commission, AND WILLIAM CONVERSE KENDALL, M. D., Assistant, United States Fish Commission. 35 aes gate set! se ( 7; ' kgtsto. TO) PLAYA 7 MLV. ATA MORSE AE Tale le, ivebtw ,, oft hy ‘eagles aN a) a eM he a SULA ei # 2a eno MALAI Jetpel meal) dal amet fatal yas sath pl OTA / “" a, darks CHECK-LIST OF THE FISHES OF FLORIDA. By B. W. EVERMANN AND W. C. KENDALL. INTRODUCTION. While studying the large collections of fishes recently made by the United States Fish Commission at Key West, Biscayne Bay, St. Johns River, Tarpon Springs, Tampa, and elsewhere in Florida, the present writers found it necessary to go over all the literature pertaining to the fishes of that State, particularly papers of a faunal character or which bear in any way upon the geographic distribution of Florida fishes. The examination of this literature, the identification of the different species mentioned by the various writers, the reduction of these species to a common denominator, and the determination of the name which each must bear in the light of present ichthyological knowledge, have constituted a work fraught with many difficulties. In order that the results of so much labor may be preserved and be readily available for use in further studies of the fish fauna of Florida, it has seemed wise to publish this check-list of the fishes of Florida, in which the known geographic distribution in the State of each species is fully indicated. The list includes all species of fishes known by us to occur in the fresh and brackish waters of Florida, and all salt-water species known from Florida waters within the depth limit of 1,000 fathoms. Under each spe- cies are given all the Florida localities from which it has been reported, and in the parenthesis following each locality are the name of the author reporting the species and the year when it was so reported. In the bibliography which follows will be found the titles of all papers of a faunal nature pertaining to the fishes of Florida which we have been able to find. Some titles may have been overlooked, but it is believed that all the important ones have been included. The titles are arranged in chronological order and any reference in the text of the list can be easily located by means of the bibliography. When two or more papers on Florida fishes were published in the same year by an author the letter a is added to the second one cited, » to the third, and so on, to agree with the references in the text. Several investigations bearing upon the geographic distribution of fishes in Floridian waters have been made, the results of which have not been published. The most important of these are the following: In 1889 the U.S. Fish Commission steamer Fish Hawk, while engaged in experimental hatching of mullet and sheepshead at Punta Gorda and Punta Rassa, made a small collection of fishes in Charlotte Harbor. These have been studied by us and are referred to in this paper as having been collected by the Fish Hawk, as ‘‘ Fish Havck coll., 1889.” 37 38 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. In February, 1895, while making certain investigations with refer- ence to the establishment of a marine biological station on the coast of Florida, Dr. H. M. Smith collected a number of fishes at Lake Worth, Biscayne Bay, and elsewhere on the east coast of Florida. These specimens have been studied by us and are cited in this paper under “Smith coll., 1895.” In October and November, 1896, the present writers spent some time at Key West, Biscayne Bay, Tampa, and Tarpon Springs. Large col- lections of fishes were made which are referred to as “EKvermann & Kendall coll., 1896.” During the early part of 1897 Mr. Charles B. Hudson was at Key West engaged in painting for the U.S. Fish Commission the important food-fishes found at that place. The specimens painted, and some others, were preserved and are referred to as ‘‘ Hudson coll., 1897.” From January 15 to April 15, 1897, Dr. Kendall was on the St. Johns River studying the habits of the shad. Incidentally large collections of fishes were made. These we refer to as ‘“‘ Kendall coll., 1897.” In February, 1898, the Fish Hawk spent some days at Port Tampa, and collected a few fishes which are cited as “Fish Hawk coll., 1898.” BIBLIOGRAPHY. 1818. CHARLES A. LE SuEUR. Notes on American fishes. 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VIBULMO BVIIPUBI19}0 FT torte ees eecenncene SISUOL[IS@ XC le MOE Nin Ss ieissimcssiciscssicins so cececesccocsssUBPlO ( DSOLQUN BULDAD NT we ee ene snoMyyned Jostpnqaee, |--- "> > Q10Q [LD 2 UBPAO LP UOMO TyINGD BULOSOTGOX*) ceimenetecinenns ---"gSngvoul, SnITqoWw “=== =" QIOQ [LD ZW UBPLOL Ja/Uos snuYoW wore eect eee wee e nese w erence nc ceene sido[e sour snjou0ze.L0(T “Q1OQIED 2 UVPIO LP sNUISSM) DY? 8NJOU0)DLOCT SOC LSOM SAAT OL LO BAO) Nia ie ernie sina mien iSite leila ea oleaaen qdoq{Ly x uvpao Lf sodtsor SAqQ OMA seat awncentewccnesceccwcacnannsccnaces * nonmy enansopAyy, |vt- gag TTy) a usps fr 77.68 snunso7h, wane eee eee ee eee een nee *guvahs BuBUIIONnt) |7--s ote Q1aqTTy = Uvpior suBIds euemnson ==°1AB0BU BUIOJSOUCIG) |--=---"- =< =" == ses ae nose Yoo 3 urweag rheyorm vmMoysoydrg = 0/sia win aicieieimisie'nininin=c\ninisicie)sie BLOT OLS BIS MUS (ti |e 2 a nnn elsec ine sie nese eae LOC TT) ia epee t BIOFI[OS BIOTUINSSAC, SNUISYS0qIeT SANAQONBIG |-“---*oess msec nes PIOQ[LD) 2 Uvpso Ee VIS TYSONAo] SATAYO Rav JSC CCCI OIG IIIA CRIS suoplaoad SNUIepeD [oro Tt ttt geq TED 2 URpsor suopldord sume[eD seeeee -xom snaojdomoyon yal** ttt gToqTTy 32 UBpzo Pr XOU SoyRqouUUEID we eee ee eee eee eee eee nnn FTE BINS AW] os anne mieimnicieincicisicis crests eres VIOG IX) WY UBPLO LP VAIB BULIOYI WY Se ------gurowysfursdodAqyeuy SSIS BO0OTCG SOS uvpao ¢ vutoeysAur sdod Aqyevay See een enn SIZUOMDO BIT VY erceeerreceeeceseccecee=--TEDIOL SIZuOMsO SIydorA py *Aqrwooy od Ay, MOLJVOYLJUOPL FUOsoT *soroods [BUTULO \T *ponuryzu0j—s911)V00) Hpr1dop,T Wouf mow sp pagrlosap savoads fo 18VT 103 FLORIDA. OF CHECK-LIST OF THE FISHES 868T 868T 868T 868T 868T 868T 868T 968T 968T 968T 968T 9681 968T 968T 9681 968T 9681 9681 968T 9681 9681 c68T G68 G68T 068T 888T 888T 8881 L881 S88T L88T 9881 "so=-***-elooEsuog Jo ‘syueg Ieddvug |-----*----- OID SCIOTO I GOO OID OI OGUC BOYURYL VlLIvULITq UAT aisia/wjeis«siminieisin\= (YP ORDO 0 CRISIS PORONO SOIR ROSS OOS E AGEL Ue GUN the a} Gk hen = aseieninwecieieiciccee qsoM Aoy |ooccoo toot: wreeeeses= qnIoAB) SAT POLIT IAIOD TO AA 38 eet ean a Se Rn RR et a Ne ee Co Rigid Sate ead eae = Sed sydorqgon Tei Op aiguenose eoj0awouly ~~ tet Sad i= iyegor mae = agg shoe SS ie STATISTICS OF THE FISHERIES OF THE GULF STATES. PREPARED IN THE DIVISION OF STATISTICS AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES, UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. Cc. H. TOWNSEND, Assistant in Charge. 105 INTRODUCTORY NOTE. The following report on the condition of the commercial fisheries of the Gulf States is based upon a canvass of the region made in 1898, the information relating to the year 1897. Condensed information on this subject has already been made public in Statistical Bulletin No. 8, Fisheries of the Gulf States, single-sheet statistical bulletins relating to the condition of the fisheries usually being prepared upon the comple- tion of field work and distributed in advance of full reports appearing in the regular publications of the Commission. The report has been prepared under the direction of Mr. C. H. Town- send, assistant in charge of the Division of Fisheries. The agents of the division participating in the field investigations were: Messrs. Charles H. Stevenson, in Texas and Louisiana; Ansley Hall, in Mississippi and Alabama, and John N. Cobb, in western Flor- ida. The agents were familiar with the fields allotted to them, having at some previous time canvassed the fisheries of the same States. In addition to the purely statistical matter, they have furnished explana- tory notes, which have been inserted under the proper headings. The preparation of the extensive series of tables has been chiefly in the hands of Mr. S. Le R. Pritchard. GEORGE M. BowERs, U.S. Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries. 106 k _ STATISTICS OF THE FISHERIES OF THE GULF STATES, GENERAL NOTES AND STATISTICS. The fisheries of the Gulf States, as considered in the present report, are the commercial fisheries of the coastal waters, no inquiries being made respecting fishing carried on irregularly above tidal waters. The last canvass of the fisheries of this region was made in 1890,* While there has been an increase in the number of persons engaged, there has been a decrease in the amount of capital invested and in the value of the product. The fishery conditions in 1897 were, however, not quite normal, owing to unsettled conditions in Cuba, quarantine restrictions, and the storms of previous years, which destroyed much of the outfit of the fishermen. The region has very important fishery resources throughout its vast extent of coast line, but they are far from being well developed. The fisheries of the Gulf States in 1897 gave employment to 13,967 persons, 11,180 being fishermen and 2,787 shoresmen. The largest num- ber is credited to Florida, where 5,011 were engaged. Louisianaranks next with 4,403, followed by Mississippi with 2,565, and Texas with 1,199. In Alabama the number of persons employed amounted to 789. There has been an increase of 2,215 in the number of persons engaged in the Gulf fisheries since 1890, at which time the total number was 11,752. About one-fourth of the fishing population is composed of unnaturalized persons. The money invested in the industry was $2,584,061; nearly one-half of this sum, $1,149,262, is credited to western Florida; $518,301 to Mississippi, $513,813 to Louisiana, $237,496 to Texas, and $165,189 to Alabama. There has been a decrease of $394,231 in the amount of capital invested in the fisheries in this region since 1890. The total number of vessels employed was 425, valued with their outfits at $717,076. 6,025 boats were used, valued at $436,041. *The following publications, emanating chiefly from the U. 8. Fish Commission, should be consulted in this connection: Fisheries of the Gulf of Mexico. Silas Stearns. The Fisheries and Fishery Indus- tries of the United States, section 11. Geographical Review of the Fisheries for 1880. Report on the Fisheries of the Gulf States. J.W. Collins and H.M. Smith. Bul- letin U. S. Fish Commission, 1891. Report on the Coast Fisheries of Texas. Charles H. Stevenson. Report U. 8S. Fish Commission, 1889 to 1891. The Fish and Fisheries of the Coastal Waters of Florida. Transmitted to the United States Senate by the Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries, January 28, 1897. Senate Document 100, Fifty-fourth Congress, second session. See also pp. 263-342, Report of U. S, Fish Commissioner for 1896. 107 108 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. The apparatus of capture was valued at $137,216, and the shore property and cash capital at $1,289,328. The yield of the fisheries in this region was 65,660,623 pounds, valued at $2,271,726. The fisheries of western Florida were valued at $944,793. Louisiana ranks next in the value of products, the amount being $713,587. The values of the products of the other three States are as follows: Texas $286,610; Mississippi $192,298, and Alabama $134,438, The value of products has decreased $166,949 since 1890. The oyster fishery leads in importance and was valued at $748,760. The sponge fishery ranks next, with a value of $305,589. Mullet follow, valued at $213,988, and red snappers at $200,412. Other important products of the region are trout valued at $114,978; shrimp valued at $117,453, and channel bass valued at $91,776. The sponge fishery is confined to Florida. The oyster fishery is more important in Louisiana than elsewhere, the yield in that State being valued at $432,668. Mississippi ranks next in the importance of this fishery, the yield being valued at $110,964. The shrimp fishery is of more importance in Louisiana than in any other State, having a value of $80,576. The most important items in the fisheries of Alabama are oysters with a value of $60,207, and red snappers valued at $11,725. In the fisheries of Texas the oyster leads, valued at $94,663. The other Texas fisheries of importance are the trout fishery valued at $45,525, sheepshead at $21,723, and red snapper at $17,453. The following three tables show, by States, the number of persons employed, the capital invested, and the yield in 1897, while the fourth table shows the extent of the fisheries in 1880, 1890, and 1897: Table showing the number of persons engaged in the fisheries of the Gulf States in 1897. States. Fishermen.|Shoresmen.| Total. FU aah cet eR a PT ae DER a ate red 4, 667 344 5, 011 JNIGIPITES SADE CEO BSOCEEOAOEDEECOOOSEE Ee OCOoCHOsECnenccoepeeEoctesao45 593 196 INDIES RET eon cec cena ae Sen aS noon SO nCOO OOS OMnE DOSS aDESeadnSecceo5es 1,061 1, 504 2, 565 HWAOUIBIANG eee cana a cece once ae nicetleee = cicicie erence aaselaneeistan maaan 3,719 684 4, 403 PROX AN Micteeninisis ciaicle cis nie ele lelvialsielvicls winieiaio wielsials'visleisivwisin viele vin elneisloisielsieleia\=i= 1, 140 59 1,199 AUT TE Ma eebcnSonaro DUH D OS ER SO DB EeOCOS SOSbe De seodpoEcanoenocoaee 11, 180 2, 787 13, 967 Table showing the investment in the fisheries of the Gulf States in 1897. Florida. Alabama. Mississippi. Designation. No. Value. No. Value. No. Value. WIGEHO]B\ <2 hitam occa tacaiiccm sete cee omens 183 | $274,177 53 | $40,375 83 $81, 125 TUITE YO os secoec Reo CUeEEOAcRnoseEncc BEAL UPA [aosaosssone D2 2a Suleeeetss 854.88 |/---- es -e- Omit ee ce Soi aoe aes cb qen cele ac Scrcinl|ceeemntacer 191, 56h |e csss-mc om TOUD 70) | cao /ESecooed lsscbss)etooscs Peas |Sesbeedesees| bese ishs—|besosae BAS al eee MHD a sacoooneqssdd) |Ssees Bases5e4 bodane bosesce) ecses Gaee sed Gecee Secor Gicd basseesliscscscs 160 JETS) seco hate coaeesoe5 46 | $1,090 | 109 | 8,029 | 14 | $420} 57 |$1,710 | 81 |$2, 935 213 | 19, 216 Apparatus — vessel fisheries: Joi GSE eaeeedod Banos SeSesese 3 (HO! heeae| ESstacs| SSs5l hassog5eaod keaSecos|Setose -lbsacace Tongs -..-.-----------|-----|--------|---2---|-------|-----|-------]--6-- oneene-|----|-0---- 16 136 Sponge apparatus -.|..-.-|.--.----|------|-------|-----|--2----/-2---|--0202-/eee-|-------|--- ee. 102 Apparatus — shore fisheries: SenGG se cheodcocacedsl pead Fee doce basso eso S54 loser e] lesan Sp Bea) Sagan - 240 3333 | Ppl Gill nets: --...----.. 23 690 62 | 1,340) 14 350 | 57 | 1,425 | 51 765 64 | 1,465 RST De MOUS a ~ anie ose) = = st creinina = == 30 (Ue fais oee|looremes|/eacellssaseas ecu lbccsoric 3 90 LLNS) cot Sea asredden) bene boss eee Sosgsao #) jlksose Saccins alssece|lsogsnedile SAA LER eee beocorc 36 INTER aapaesepeoeeee 18 144 26 Lai |issond|bencasdllsseseilssasase 4 32 65 553 Sane. See eS) Sollee og EG op sesso sos) Bosses] bh =Son) cesdiogal le Sosa) becinao Hood cscete see docise 99 Ging. an 2 norscoscep|eacded se s6he4|4sesSq)bansade |ABREA Fae sael le Stce|ESsccne 50 750 33 495 IN Sake cose saeecses] sees! bnogsnde|lscos6¢d) Sade soe) ao6s [SSecc eis S5cs! 65065 Head sessnse 17 il Minor apparatus ...|.....}........|---.-- 654 SeSt aes SB Sa6d| bosons) Saed sennbed botecedlic¢casoas Shore and accessory MEOPOLbY} 2-5-5. || --- 430! |. -s=~= 2,100 |....- 100 |..... 743{1) |aae)) TRIO) | Gaccies- 28, 138 ESD GA teil pee nosces) bsneq Seecdsed |cecesc Bh IS beara Ssessood besod Be sdede 2 seal 80000 omens 38, 500 Matalieereeetocs| ster Pye eae Dt Nee ee B70) [aoa Eye Beedle |osacene 104, 584 Calhoun. | Washington. | Santa Rosa. Escambia. Total. Designation. No. | Value.) No. | Value.| No. |Value.| No. Value. No. Value. MWESHEISISHIN DG. 2 sen 5-|on= (= ZU S00 WS iS78) 12 Seca s| enews 233, 000 bMET A ERs Pee Ree re waeeeneclesseceee Turtle nets: j trinilediee eta 409, So2n LosGOS |'ssice02-cleoreee theese pss|anaseces 13;,000. |, $650" |52 eal mee eees a Sponge apparatus: = Sponges ........- At OOD [Zaz cdksG leocereeclseeeaes BGA || 20157 Bi lumen as leeeaee 3,450 | $3,342 ongs: Oysters’ S-2....--|---.. eee Pees See sreeee-|noeeee--|--------|------- 2 pec 480,000 | 17,144 Grand total. .| 948, 158 |271, 413 | 70,000 | 7,000 284,645 | 25, 946 | 13, 000 650 ee 450 | 20, 486 Washington. Santa Rosa. | E bia. Total. Apparatus an a gt scambia ota BRECIER. Lbs. Value. Lbs. Value. Lbs. Value. Lbs. Value. Purse seines: : Un rg YG Oh Rey dase eee bored Eeeeserseca bo we asics Henince -4 lnehcsocin- 70, 000 $7, 000 Haul seines: Soe nae EA DOUN Sty ail PON lew octta ate aisl ewwiaeoa nc] saan tn amcalemacee aace 4, 350 87 ATG) Ses ae $75 7, 500 75 MhyOMGN cieaaace|h * ekOh loge sees HOD |docman poee| samwenetcelenas+ soe —-|a5e>eSacee 8, 212 32 IANO sos re csnih MANO ROLOG|) mabe #OUD Vaaddae poec| enewan sis es|os ase oeci-|-oos nicl 3,515 203 SIPRAISHINACKELOL |: =e 4070 jwuues MLA od. co tieel ec aac oneak on -toeens|>cneecare 4, 075 114 BOSC c st an5 a5 2 30 2,340 30 ellow-tail ...... 14 1, 400 14 PP OUAL coc ence 119 26, 392 555 Lines: Groupers ..------ 17, 805 178 8, 500 $85 | 495,350 4,953 | 611, 155 6, 275 TCV TELTS epee EQe Sea eed Rete one ee one Spee (Sane a AR aa ees | 197, 000 2, 955 Red snappers. - - 102, 019 3, 370 61, 555 re 154 4,711,113 151, 741 |5, 032, 487 161, 999 Motaleecsse ot 119, 824 3,548 | 70, 055 2, 239 |5, 206,463 | 156, 694 |5, 840,642 | 171, 229 Turtle nets: PRIM OS cee eres aan | ssoaee eee sa ses soe ass scoters laSse ate ceed adeeb oueeclece castes 502, 852 16, 308 Sponge apparatus SIDES ood ods besodeosne| Baad 6486 Ets sano bees Eee brcpsecosd tcecceteae 302, 101 276, 295 Tongs: Oysters*<-=---=-- eecnne cone |nnen ec ene|-s--2---5-]--2--+---- pecdosess beacssosce 480, 000 17, 144 ’ Grand total..| 134,976 3, 984 70, 055 2,239 |5, 217, 703 | 156, 813 ie 221, 987 488, 531 Table showing by counties and apparatus the yield of the shore fisheries of the west coast of Florida. Monroe. Lee. De Soto Manatee. Apparatus and species. : Lbs. Value. Lbs. Value. Lbs. Value Lbs. Value. Seines: Blue-fish....t..0. 21, 000 $420 MRARNGN DSSS oan oa ae tol laser ere ol ema arate 40, 005 600 Crevalle ......- 1, 500 23 PALER ee Sate 6x! SI d ol |o warner ornare o1| was Sere ae 15, 000 225 BGM NGUN see e esas socal ky AG, OUD) 26K No terrors eeme =| ee stesmeencs|snaeroca|s sane cee se (eweemee SSTALBIG ced fas ed ecco ae 3, 333 67 esa tihipe enc pesca >. « 400000) )) 1-2, O04) ua xocrcdara|e Se ociel 1 boner. cl burg toexs|sces sess oeleeeeee Mullet, fresh 1, 245, 545 | 12, 455 Wi ei ere UE 35 ee ee ee 21, 000 350 Minllotirae;salteds se. 4): coasts co| seean os 1, 800 146 SExOhaly§ sO VEPOS Hie eis crete | os orarerorerwins atc (2 wraso! aro. orm & wi seateter¥arerdhs 4, 888 244 BT Ose ee eo lobe dt O00, |) ener 20) | vcrreravertor tel nade ale ee rawae rool ob owe wad] teseeas acest eeeee Ere Nee eee iter eee SOO!) SR C5 | tsar Does ear etchorka| Lue co de Sees DSS SS LESS SOURCE Same oe ty 1321000) 44) 256405) Liommose ssa erase] teers otorad|anasnoe|sastzeneces|t eeawee Sheepshead............ 23, 113 347 SHADPOLS CL ay elena well O00!= © 1367) cesses asecloesa=we|e-eeoe)c2ec|snicces a-|-noro-sn0-slacceece Spanish mackerel,fresh 8, 000 320 120 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Table showing by counties and apparatus the yield of the shore fisheries of the west coast of Florida—Continued. Monroe. Lee. De Soto. Manatee. Apparatus and species. Lbs. Value.| Lbs. j||Value. Lbs. Value. Lbs. Value. Seines—Continued. TUT hy IE Saas AeSma soannoessdo|loooo0ese Yellow-tail - - 200 Other fish. ..- 9, 800 Craw-fish!.25552. 222. -\<- 132, 000 Le emeairceals Lotalteasosscescee 424,814 | 9,941 | 888,337 Gill nets: JARI VA seo eeeseno|pococdsemad|poccenss| sca chy Roa Re eres Sele eoetos beaosscoaee||Scbcos: iplue-fishases22..< =e s1=6 5 $672 24, 000 480 Channel bass ....-....- 72 35, 615 534 (CRA opeacosdecec ead lacecoocentd bogoshor béaesee sc: SSEemess| onenogouced haconcse 6, 594 99 Tari HA ogo odsatodsl boosace ose hieadosse besseedecd bccerove Ssomcoceacd| Sarncneor 12, 000 184 (Gaeu pesos pemeeecosd anbacoopme Go S0cobS booed bbnbe|Seceemad Seconeuened mmoneenc 6, 000 120 Mullet, fresh ........-- 23, 621 | 2, 419, 021 | 24, 190 Mullet, salted.......-.. ub |lbsecccosSsclissoséaac 10, 000 167 Mnlletiroe salted sssece|-e<-e--2-ce|eee-ecec| 9 SOO (645). 2 nce se a mteren 875 70 Pompano, fresh.....-.-. 2, 330 71,222 | 3,561 Rompano salted ses ce|aseac--scleccwermmie|| | | ly keOn | SSO nr eee amie tn| tema teeta atte Sailor’s choice ....-...- 40 15, 102 226 Sheepshead ...--..---.- 1, 500 58, 100 872 Snappers, gray, etc --.. U7) | eossosescs|lescoasee 11, 000 165 Spanish mackerel, fresh 5, 509 21, 716 869 Spanish mackerel, salt.|.----.-----|--------| 3,500 | 240 |...-.-.-....|..-.--..}...--------|------- PErout ares licen eccease. 119 104,000 | 2,080 MOtal eee sseesac==- 33, 863 | 2,795, 245 | 33, 617 Cast nets: WMG RE eases] el)” 28 Pb} Ee Sdsneqe lcooasass) boapescaéone essoend lasos Aocccod|cscac itmilien, ele oe aaeecos) WARD TI pecacnensd bescaoed| boastonshedlbosasacsleonacigeca!beonccc hnllgnney GENIE Sb eseee!| HI a ope6 0555 eseSos5) beesecaosan|bsosnneclbeccscesacallecssses ShiGiTGe eo asaseoseeosl! FRAG SiN ISSS bares) padbebas brececdossal Seodooshlaseoooeascallsocecac Total Seeds. -cccce: 25, 950 (1 Ee ee Sesser se| Hea eDuSesce REOBonollneaneeaaeadlleacaasie Turtle nets: BRUTULOS Sec ciss cic ocicminae GTR De as 6 PEE Sonne eno ceed! PacmeDoaene Sadecar asooSSaocce|lscocone Lines: ATHDOL=FISH cielo cicntas as = 18, 600 “An cel- fish secce<-ceece. 22, 000 Barracuda = fos eces- 31, 000 (Blne-Sh ean sons se cee 8, 000 Hloundersiass2--=- =i 155 GTONPEIS scene ns a 81, 000 Grants ssesc. seeeececs 573, 000 HOGAN Te aan’ omic in wns sais 74, 750 ing fish ee sees ee 243, 000 IROTEIOS Smee cceoee cscs 91, 800 POLK SH doceeascaecsee 9, 462 Naloris choice... -ss-- 5" 19, 066 SUaAppersered ese. ccease 1, 000 Snappers, other.--..... 37, 070 Spanish mackerel... ... 12, 000 Yellow-tail ............ 59, 133 Ophertish tess. ase cosas 427, 721 ROU cen ceiste ce iain area's 1, 708, 757 Miscellaneous: JARI Ne sSonopeseces 5, 600 Groupersiesceess ssee .ccsstcacees dows: 201, 000 8/0400) «Dronute: $-. 2.2528 dott: 269, 600 | 15, 040 (CAAT T= aaa dot. 175, 000 3,675) || Whiting). ~...-.-.... do.... 2, 000 40 Channel bass ...-.---. dos. 211, 000 10, 550 | ——=—— 5 Orevalle sce sic sssee Goss 12, 000 270 Total value of products.|..-........- 242, 293 @roakerss =. .42--2506< do.... 397, 000 13, 910 * Equals 104,061 gallons. FISHERIES OF MISSISSIPPI. Description of the coast.—The coast line of Mississippi is broken by a number of small indentations, the most important of which are Point Aux Chenes Bay, Pascagoula Bay, Biloxi Bay, and Bay St. Louis. Each of these receives the waters of a number of small streams, the largest of which is the Pascagoula River, emptying into Pascagoula Bay; Biloxi River, emptying into Biloxi Bay, and the Wolf River, emptying into Bay St. Louis. At a distance of about 10 miles from the shore is a low broken chain of small sandy islands, none of which has more than an occasional inhabitant. Of these, Ship Island, lying directly off of Biloxi, is the most important and furnishes the only good harbor for large vessels on the coast. Mississippi Sound, extending the entire length of the coast and terminating on the east at the entrance of Mobile Bay, Alabama, lies between the islands and the mainland. Its waters are too shallow for navigation by large vessels, but it is of considerable importance as a fishing-ground. Fishing localities.—There are three counties on the coast of this State, each of which is interested in the fisheries. These are Jackson, Harri- son, and Hancock. The fisheries of Harrison County are much more extensive than in the other two counties combined. Fishing is prose- cuted commercially or otherwise in all the localities along the shore, but the principal points are at Scranton and Ocean Springs, in Jack- son County, Biloxi, in Ilarrison County, and Bay St. Louis, in Han- 136 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH -AND FISHERIES. cock County. These are all small towns, Biloxi, with a population not exceeding 5,000, being the largest and most important fishing and trade center. General statistics—The number of persons employed on the vessels fishing and transporting was 382; on boats in the various branches of shore fisheries, 679; in the canneries and packing houses, 1,504—a total of 2,565. The number of vessels engaged in fishing and transporting fishery products was 83, having a value, including their outfits, of $107,063; the number of boats of all classes used in the shore fisheries was 439, valued at $17,039. The apparatus of capture used by vessels and boats, consisting of seines, trammel nets, gill nets, cast nets, dredges, tongs, spears, and lines, was valued at $19,255. The value of shore and accessory property, which comprises chiefly the canneries and the packing houses, was $125,644—a total investment, if the cash capital employed in the canning and packing industries, amounting to $249,300, is included, of $518,301. The products of the fisheries consisted of 1,358,890 pounds of fish, valued at $46,041; 1,903,165 pounds of shrimp, valued at $28,804; 458,520 hard and soft crabs in number, valued at $5,214; 3,372 terra- pin, valued at $1,275; and 629,713 bushels, or about 251,885 barrels of oysters, valued at $110, 964; the total value of products eens $192,298. In the quantity and ate of nearly all products, except shrimp, there was a large falling off from recent years. This may be explained by the fact that owing to the prevalence of yellow fever in this section in the fall of 1897 a rigid quarantine was maintained from September 6 to November 12; all means of transportation were suspended and the fisheries and canning and packing industries were practically discon- tinued. The shrimp fishery has materially increased, and it seems probable that under more favorable conditions all other branches of the fisheries would have been more extensive than ever before. The three following tables show, by counties, the number of persons employed, the number and value of vessels, boats, and apparatus used, the amount of capital invested, and the quantity and value of the products of the fisheries of Mississippi in 1897: Table showing by counties the number of persons emplo yed in the Sisheries of Mississippi in 1897. On ves- | Boat or On ves- = sels shore Shores- Counties. ele. ae Hana Asher men, | _0tal. a porting. | men. AIPORT NS 52 Sa ogcds So ogecas conSeee gags SSoeSs0S6 a PAY secooat Se 271 143 434 IEGIMB EWN segséderaasocossedinssope tessSrcsseencerscase 241 17 296 1, 107 1, 661 Hancock ....- Seach cewacds chpaciechecese eee Bee eee iLO4 a) Seamer 112 254 Potala Sete rine. sees eceatict scab beesticaacee 365 17 679 1,504 2, 565 FISHERIES OF THE GULF STATES. Table showing by counties the vessels, boats, and apparatus employed in Mississippi in 1897. ws La the fisheries of Jackson. Harrison. Hancock. Total. Items. No. | Value. No. Value. No. Value. No. | Value. Vessels fishing.......--.---..-- 5 $4, 100 55 | $54, 625 18 | $13,300 78 $72, 025 fons POr-ccere =o 4g, 4 25 osocees 40) 61M eae eee LIQ! 400/552 345-- 164.55 |e eee (Orisa tibce eee eee Oe ee eee TRASRU etee ASiR55a |e seae SOS) eee 23,593 Vessels transporting. ........-.|.--.-.|---..----- 5 DOOR crete ae | tater 9, 100 DSHS 25 SESE Ss Ses egsees pore) Sche-c| Saesces ore HOB 61 Bae ee Sel Reo eeeee cae once UNEB BI Bei = MOTE eae onan ae cen s nel ess cos|sectaccoss|--ccen as 7 NG ee anal |B meg Pirren e em 2, 345 ROMER aaa ca soial-be Soe sta ceo as 169 4, 953 204 9, 850 66 2, 236 439 17, 039 Apparatus—vessel fisheries : NOINGAhaiia 5 socehls tiie aes sa 4 475 35 4, 300 1 100 40 4, 875 Trammel nets.--..-............ 3 180) een Sadeaee us| coeacadlsecesceee 3 180 OR IG) OS See See eae 1 P11 Woe Coscia c| Goose CHES pacseeag Ooeccencps 1 130 LIPRI DGG! Gao ss SSRs Soe eel be 88 BAPE re 8 PAN) eases ls oteadhse 8 27 SRONERR: =A = 25Gb sacck sine 19 93 251 1,316 468 348 1, 877 PMS Siar a ata aja oss a owe 4 18 CSG -eSeEl BSS SESe 5 eee Bee cecaee 4 Apparatus—shore fisheries: Bennca Ee ere 25 | 2, 025 47 FA Hill ARSE eaooeetose 72 8, 000 ‘Trammel nete-.22-.-22:.0/22 18 | 1, 320 9 270 2 90 29 1, 680 SANIDDOUN en ton snc ane omen olsen coe |e emo 15 60 60 240 75 300 1 CG) ae eae ee Rd a es LESH. Fo. Py (el eR AGH Ss ee 186 ST eRe Be eres 10 a ae a Ros ae none Peed Sareea 10 10 LUE 1G eee 130 | 654 131 786 48 288 309 1, 728 Minor apparatus.......-..--.|------ (foeeee 20 10) Hee era ee oe 20 10 Shore and accessory property -|------ OF 650) eases nine Ga5S8iTO | s-eaaaoe 20; 128 oe cleats 125, 644 Gaanicapital ja. ism caae6 gan<|aeneos 7 AOD es ae oy 166: 900) e552 Fat GO0l | ses caess 249, 300 RG tees hte ot hs oo calnciaen 67 ey ee 310), 564. ao a< 22,010: psa Dh ae 518, 301 Table showing by counties and species the yield of the fisheries of Mississippi in 1897. Jackson. Harrison. Hancock. Total. Species. = = = Lbs. Value. Lbs. Value. Lbs. Value. Lbs. Value. BING KI DASH. -j\snscancnm sens -0 15, 000 CU Renee ass) Soea eee 12, 000 $600 27,000 | $1,350 Bine-nsh=s Ase sites At 33, 300 LELOG A See natactad peliacstaleeeomatts = ates oir 33, 300 1, 105 [PULSES TS SS see eee 21, 500 ALDH eaten ee oul lseaiecise o|seecam atlas asia 21, 500 215 Wattistis 322-5280 38 22 s20ck 28, 000 560) (sss Sees. SARs 2.82 3, 200 160 31, 200 720 Channel bass or red-fish.--.| 153, 800 6, 043 33, 200 | $1, 660 12, 000 600 199, 000 8, 303 @roakers* 3223.2 5-- 220-25. 18, 700 324 21, 200 1, 060 8, 500 425 48, 400 1, 809 ROCHE GALE WACOM 25 foc cetacean apiers-| aa: ~ <5 = 3, 000 150 2,000 | 100 5, 000 250 HIGMNGErS!2 552554 seodacs-<- 21, 600 672 6, 600 B30) |. sete asl Sac ee ee 28, 200 1, 002 TIE eRe ee eee 187,100 | 1,891 46, 500 850 7, 000 140 | 240, 600 2, 881 OVO Race cee ce cek ee eek 5, 000 L500 33 SS Sce Se aeeetel sae tee al seco es 5, 000 150 MBM ao aan F hho oman Sz 20, 000 370 18, 880 O44 soos anstibcnces se 38, 880 1,314 ROMpPSNO .-cssessases ces ee = 23,000 1,400 1, 800 180" |) See SE ee 24, 800 1, 580 Sheepshead ....--..-..----- 79,400 | 2,566 21,500 | 1,075 9, 250 462 | 110,150 4, 103 Spanish mackerel........-.} 45,800 3,180 3, 960 396 15,000 | 1,500 64, 760 5, 076 SPT 2 eae gascoeeoe cose colle SOR 0 1) irre 1 BER Eee nse Saeeosed PEeere ree ann ee se 3, 500 105 Sun-fishes 1, 000 50 500 25 24, 800 508 PON Gases c5 claigascketeeeee 39, 300 1, 875 23, 000 1, 150 452, 800 15, 570 |S]TER OTT Deeg ah eae a ee 1, 670, 765 | 25, 062 10, 000 150 /1, 903, 165 28, 804 Crabs, hard... 90,360 | 2,052 36,000 | 1,350 | 1131, 640 3, 494 Crabs, soft 4, 000 400 16, 000 1, 200 221, 200 1, 720 PRarEt pins 55 tes ce cee obese tae 6, 798 Ls Dioy sek wets Sata eee 36, 798 1, 275 BIGALODS Oe. 7c c'oas tacesee' == 3, 045, 141 | 77,480 | 795,410 | 13,637 |44,407,992 | 110, 964 Total 5, 014, 004 |114, 839 949, 860 | 21, 499 |7, 829, 685 | 192, 298 1394,920 in number. 263,600 in number. 33,372 in number. 4 629,713 in bushels. 138 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. The vessel and shore fisheries.—The oyster fishery is of much greater importance than any other fishery in the State. Its development has taken place chiefly since 1880, and has been largely due to the estab- lishment of the oyster canneries, which have greatly increased the demand for the products. This fishery now employs a large fleet of vessels and boats, and is a source of considerable revenue to fishermen and shore employees engaged in preparing the products for market. The season for taking oysters begins October 1 and closes April 30. Until quite recently oyster tongs were the only apparatus of capture used on vessels and boats in this fishery, but in 1897 three small steam- boats and one schooner were fitted with dredges. The quantity of oysters taken by vessels with dredges was 51,871 barrels, valued at $15,728, and with tongs, 105,079 barrels, valued at $45,493—a total catch by vessels of 156,949 barrels, having a value of $61,221. The catch by small boats, on which tongs were the only apparatus employed, aggregated 94,935 barrels, valued at $49,743. The oysters are nearly all obtained from the natural reefs in Missis- sippi Sound and in the vicinity of the islands along the coast. Oysters have been planted to some extent for many years at Biloxi, Ocean Springs, and Scranton, and there are still considerable areas of bottom utilized for planting purposes in these localities, but the results have _ never been fully satisfactory. The shrimp fishery, which was comparatively small until within the last few years, now ranks next in importance to the oyster fishery. The entire catch of shrimp—except 10,000 pounds, valued at $150, obtained with cast nets—was taken in seines by vessels and large sailboats, each having a crew of four men, that being the number required to fish a seine. The fishing season is from about March 15 to May 1, and again in the fall from August 1 to November 1. The length of the seines varies more or less, but is usually about 115 fathoms each, with a depth of 6 feet at the ends and 12 feet in the center. The size of the mesh is 24 inches stretched. The seines are made of 9 to 12 thread cotton twine, and cost from $100 to $125 each. To facilitate the fishing oper- ations, and for the purpose of securing larger quantities of shrimp, some of the packers employ a number of transporting vessels. These are supplied with ice and sent out on the fishing-grounds to buy the catch of the vessels and boats. The remainder of the shrimp is landed by the fishermen. Many of the fishing craft are owned by the packers, but the usual method in such cases is to have the vessel fished on shares, the owner paying the market price for the shrimp, which is about 145 cents a pound when landed at the packing houses or sold to the transporting vessels. The quantity of shrimp taken with seines was almost equally divided between the vessels and boats, the quantity secured by vessels being 951,105 pounds, valued at $14,267, and by boats 942,060 pounds, valued at $14,387. FISHERIES OF THE GULF STATES. 139 There is also considerable fishing with seines for fish—chiefly with small boats, vessels being engaged in it to only a limited extent. The season is from March 15 to October 1. The fish seines are made of somewhat heavier twine than the shrimp seines and are more expen- sive. They are from 95 to 100 fathoms long, the size of mesh being from 2 to 24 inches stretched, and cost about $150 each. Four or five men are employed in each seine crew. The quantity of fish taken with this apparatus by vessels was 96,100 pounds, valued at $2,980, and by boats 363,740 pounds, valued at $12,918. In addition to the shrimp and fish taken in seines there was an inci- dental catch with shrimp seines consisting of 3,473 pounds of terrapin, valued at $650, by vessels, and 3,325 pounds, valued at $625, by boats, the value of all products by seine fishing being $45,817. The trammel-net fishery is prosecuted during the fall, winter, and spring, and, so far as fish proper are concerned, is of greater impor- tance than the seine fishery, but is of less value when all the products taken by seines are considered. The trammel nets are used in sections of 40 to 50 fathoms each in length, two sections comprising one net. The size of mesh in the inside web is about 2 inches, and in the webs on either side about 14 inches stretched. The cost of the nets when new is from $25 to $30 for each section. The quantity of fish taken by vessels in trammel nets was 186,700 pounds, valued at $6,758, and by boats 376,100 pounds, valued at $11,901. Considerable quantities of fish are taken with pole and line, and with hand lines, by small boats during the fall. The most important species caught in this manner are the trout and Spanish mackerel. Hard and soft crabs are also caught with trot lines from September 1 to May 15. The trot lines are from 400 to 700 feet long, the bait being attached to snoods placed about 4 feet apart. They cost from $1.25 to $2 each. The line catch aggregated 429,390 pounds of crabs and fish, having a value of $13,851. Gill nets are used to a very limited extent in the vessel fisheries, the catch amounting to only 5,600 pounds, valued at $455. Spears were used by one vessel and a number of small boats in the capture of flounders. Cast nets and dip nets are used in the boat fisheries, the former for taking mullet and shrimp, and the latter for taking soft crabs, the value of the catch of both forms of apparatus being $2,240. The fisheries prosecuted by vessels are much less extensive than those carried on with small boats, but are gradually assuming greater relative importance, and the forms of apparatus used are becoming more varied. The total value of the products taken by vessels was $86,493, and by boats $105,805. 140 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. The following tables exhibit the products of the vessel and shore fisheries in 1897, by counties, apparatus, and species: Table showing by counties, apparatus, and species the yield of the vessel fisheries of Mississippi in 1897. Jackson. Harrison. Hancock. Total. Apparatus and species. Lbs. Value. Lbs. Value. Lbs. Value. Lbs. | Value. Seines: | BING -HeNamacneminislentelsiae ee 12, 000 SOGOU enema a al eames woe nea evesce| orem 12, 000 $360 Channel bass or red-fish. 20, 000 GOON Sete See ae 1, 000 $50 21, 000 650 Groakerssaasecctnc cece 1, 800 Ql emetaasac|lsaaecesie 6, 000 300 7, 800 327 Mimlletecccsse= secees 9, 000 ON Set sae eesle sae Soe 1, 000 20 10, 000 110 Sheepshead ...----- 12, 000 SSG al Brats ia = ere icles see 2, 000 100 14, 000 460 _ Spanish mackerel 5, 000 BOOM peemee eee sa ctto se | Soe tol emaetetates 5, 000 300 Siun-fishes2..c22:) ence pos 6, 300 GBs eoemeese e's Sb weil cemmes es alas ates 6, 300 73 TTOUtsccaes eee eet eeueeee 15, 000 400") coco ete acimecces 5, 000 250 20, 600 700 Shrim pisos ec mecca eee ee 70, 000 1, 050 B81; 105 S13 O07 essa Balin cee 951, 105 14, 267 AMS SS6ssaGoeeeesceds| Ssasaososd Haseonce 3, 473 GD |lssocsSsss4)Aansesce 3, 473 650 CROURS soaee cece ace 151, 100 3,310 884, 578 18, 867 15, 000 720 |1, 050, 678 | 17, 897 Trammel nets: TF Bine:fish=-c-seacetasascos 10, 000 B80 le asicd a cetelecess a nclosswesieorleseenaue 10, 000 380 Channel bass or red-fish- 5ESO00 |) C2 2480 See eal sence ec alhesceteadlanasscne 56, 000 2, 480 (Oreagkers ca acetcwaecueo ss 6, 200 128 Sees e Oslo tcaets|Cememe cecil eectesems 6, 200 128 HlOUNGOLS sss -e Has see 1, 000 HOME See toe os estate| sone ateces|soemoree 1, 000 50 IES a Sees oe 28, 000 BOD ne ee LE ed ee ke 28, 000 300 IPOMPANO wana acs se tacos = 2, 000 AON csc cnacstel oases tot laees eee seal aescoees 2, 000 140 Sheepsheade-2 25 -cas-peee 23, 000 TOO Mb. Boose eee ie meee Rall Sea oe 23, 000 790 Spanish mackerel..-...--. 2, 500 2O0 Wawsine sone Caerecen| teereereee seemer oe 2, 500 250 Spotsrces ss eee se 3, 500 OSs See zea des asl eee SIE ee gee 3, 500 105 SUN-fishEsss ooo ccsn eles 7, 000 dN Vp] Pan ence ie ard ea | a te bah dal ala om gh 8 7, 000 110 Mroutie. ees. eee ahs A73000 1 P42 4026 {ia See a Berea lee seh Pee | 47,500 2, 625 aL OVAL aes coecareccces 186, 700 Gash eee BS 5? ee Sa ers Sree 186, 700 6, 758 Gill nets: p ii 2 IBlie-fish esse ces aaceesoe 500 20 §\ -\caiata ate tat Eee mierotete seas siete pets ecinwe 500 25 Sheepshead. .-...........- 100 Db Jcntcctnstdlse cee aalltesoecmcecleaceeine 100 5 Spanish mackerel. ....... 3, 500 315) Ol Bea aeesricc Gaeroneel seas cosa acaceios 3, 500 350 SEVOUWS ose ae ecoenmeninenas 1, 500 WOW ene eee Semescodlkeonnes = ee lamenisiets 1,500 75 Totalsitscccsccccoees 5, 600 ABD ULEOe Eee be | ise See 5, 600 455 Spears: Inn bith ganas Saoeeseee 5, 400 GS) |bosae ce os Cae ects Caesars Bees 5, 400 162 Tongs: ee pceboshsoesotseses 117, 250 3, 000 |1, 199, 223 | 33, 536 522, 410 8,957 |1, 838, 883 45, 493 redges COMPS PS TS SS ES fal bee | ee S073 PIS ATOR seseee eel a eee 907,743 | 15,728 Grand total......-..- 466, 050 | 13, 685 |2, 991, 544 | 63,131 | 537,410 | 9,677 |3,995,004 | 86, 493 Table showing by counties, apparatus, and species the yield of the shore fisheries of Mississippi in 1897. Apparatus and species. Jackson. Harrison. Hancock. Total. Lbs. Value. Lbs. Value. Lbs. Value. Lbs. Seines: | Blue-fish....... aisamtajaia(e ate 6, 000 SU ALO-HS His 24 ~ oe nico = Se 21, 500 Catfish ee -cste be 3,500 Channel’ bass): -..-22.-2-< 41, 800 Croakers: 222222 sce 928% 6, 000 Mound ers |eee ssc eseee 6, 000 Mallets): 29-4 see <3 52,500 IPANETS Wee ck ae eee ie 11, 000 pompano i: sess! eee 14, 000 Sheepshead): 2s... co 0s oa 14, 500 Spanish mackerel... ..--. 22, 500 Sun-fishes 3, 000 ATOUbS settee 52, 000 Slinimp Ree ore oe es 152, 400 PErrapine acces ccieciee cece ce] sesh eo 's.2e Lotalperete cent eee ee 406, 700 “25, 200 | $1, 260. 16, 200 10 _ 3,600 180 asso 594. 1, 800 180 18, 000 900 3, 960 396 “28,800 | 1, 440° 789, 660 | 11, 845 3, 325 625 902, 425 | 18, 230 Value. 27, 920 —— FISHERIES OF THE GULF STATES. 141 Table showing by counties, apparatus, and species the yield of the shore fisheries of Mississippi in 1897—Continued. Jackson. | Harrison. Hancock. Total. Apparatus and species. Lbs. Value. Lbs. Value. Lbs. Value.| Lbs. | Value. Tramme!l nets: IBIsek DABS. ~csecse2o mc ase 15, 0v0 27,000 | $1,350 Plies tos <5'5-2— = ae 4, 800 4, 800 160 WTB. < scssacoccac nasi 4, 500 Be | 4, 700 100 Channel pass'<2-.5- 2. == fo os-4--se0 Channel bass or red-fish. .-. 465, 200 203529) PASROUD seem etre ole ore eisraar Crevallouee eee see cceaaates 18, 000 690 || (Other fish;:.-=.- 52...- 2522 C@roakers sees = sae aan 328, 775 16, 980 |} Oysters .-...-- Drum, fresh-water --------- 7, 250 74 || Shrimp..--.-- Drum, salt-water-.--.------ 18, 570 540 sl |( Crabs) stereo -ceceecsestece Flounders.---......---------- 9, 625 Go4)|| (Craw dishe=-.-2-ss---<2=-= ISIGRETE Mo necoseotcocdseese ge 125 5 || Terrapins ...--.-.-- IWS Ge cco oetosood SSO0Le 165, 819 Geral ||| Btpeinlery Go oseocornendescsess IRD HON 35 ee a cecCeaaeeeadesee 11, 050 ROY ||| AUN re ese coocccorbesd|ecosciseoses= Tee pore ce coadasebORae 17, 665 1, 891 Sheepshead .-.-..--..------- 238, 010 12, 506 TOtAL be iocaacssceee Shoemaker .--...........---- 9, 600 346 Table showing by counties, apparatus, and species the yield of the vessel fisheries of Louisiana in 1897. Lafourche. Orleans. St. Mary. Terrebonne. Total. Apparatus and SPECIES: Lbs. |Value.| Lbs. |Value.| Lbs. | Value.) Lbs. | Value.|. Lbs. | Value. | ne Seines: Channel bass or RB TE) houses nee boseaseed seocdoe Wopihetes|seoseee 651504) (S246 |heeee enc |enacer. 6,150 | $246 CORin ay Boe sgods bosnocod bosoesd leosented|sSserss 180 Tieeocee oe alen ease Se 180 7 Manllote ees cones lscsetnce leesecouloessscosleeceess 150 Hf (eee rere pene 150 3 Sheepshead ...---|--------|-------|--------|------- 1, 120 Se eee aa BaSecene 1,120 45 PROM Gee ee eo Sones eae |sceeees (Sacer eee (essa 4, 060 G2 emeee ne ae Seat 4, 060 162 Gren) Googsbanoe suocnase| Pooseee Hecatosa btoasae 1, 800 EY Ree ccueee eeeneece 1, 800 36 “Eipvie cee eee a OR a RS Wes Py ee) oe ee ee 13,460 | 499 Torgs: 4 a Oysters..-.------ 11,060 | $627 | 98,875 |$4,331 | 119,910] 6,852 | 93,030 | $5,316 |322, 875 | 17,126 Grand total..| 11,060 | 627 98,875 | 4,331 | 133,370 | 7,351 | 93,030 | 5,316 |336, 335 | 17, 625 FISHERIES OF THE GULF STATES. — 155 Table showing by counties, apparatus, and species the yield of the shore fisheries of Louisiana in 1897. Calcasieu. Cameron. Jefferson. Lafourche. Orleans. Apparatus and HERS Lbs. |Value.| Lbs. |Value.| Lbs. {Value.| Lbs. {Value.| Lbs. |Value. Seines: Teel s WES Siceeng6ellecenticsellbeeebed|boHese6d bse cera See cosscelloeseade||Ssboseecitel eee eicee 320 $26 Bne hs hese ct sees aaceaeee sce cee| Smacs am allo ocp oc | vos acen|oceooasleoe nae cmeclementes 3, 460 112 iBuitalo shes. = |ee a2 aeeelese Sore lbne cme e cm secare 7, 400 $148 28, 900 $578 27, 090 514 (atfishsena sees s-coceas|sseces,-|soseecoe|seesacc 9, 000 240 12, 800 384 40, 120 1, 003 Channel bass or TREC HTS) Be SS] Bee Sse OESr a4 Seroneae See eaee 54, 125 | 2, 585 22,030 | 1,080 | 266,585 | 11, 736 PTGVallOme seco as omens aa| essa ee eeee a mene set ee cence n| cee coe |saa ses cess |semcieers 18, 000 690 Croskerstosaesses loos tae aslocscoss| besecssclestacs 26, 020 | 1, 224 5, 400 221 | 127,415 | 6,593 Wrmrsalt-water |scarcree se see sescecm olocsesec | sc omae cele ass ccfcae somececlacebess 16, 170 420 OUN CELA seen ae| me sess | see | Saeeeeen seaasak| soeceeseltes cece llocd sce cne alscen aes 5, 325 399 MN eter sree le SE Ryan eas | onamee c[lece enn 88, 360 | 2, 924 38, 685 | 1, 567 7,124 218 IROMpano eerie eee ee oo-|Sencadse|lsseccs | seeoseace|lensendo|ensoeedace lEsrecae 17,100 | 1,805 pheepsheadesssne |e se ese e ae lane eae aa] esea ee 8, 900 491 1, 960 126 | 123,605 | 6,094 Shoemaker .-..--- 9, 600 346 Silver perch 2, 870 110 Spanishmackerel|- = -.\- --|---+-ss|o-s<0-5-|205--5- 2, 460 246 950 95 | 44,860] 4,014 Striped bass.....}..-...-. snedegdiassoscanissea5e¢ 320 PAW eceeeseee|beceeas 3,440 207 MEDS HOS) sees sas jso| ano sccc|oettemnael eee sae 1, 470 DM ee é casas eee as 43,230 | 1,213 PRrOUbse ce ree acine er ance seetmnciiescanacicaseses 141, 485 | 6, 558 56,590 | 2,862 ; 162, 355 6, 544 Otheritishyessss-c|feetecce| ease ccslontencae|scescae 11, 200 612 7, 200 294 9, 500 520 SHEOM Pere see cans noes se celacetcoclectesceclecr sce 3,328,466 |54, 837 | ‘928; 160 |21, 386 |. -.----2_)--.---- Potato -|ssceaeclecce aeelseteccos esse sae 3,679,206 |69, 972 |1, 102, 675 |28,593 | 928,169 | 42, 564 TRELTA DINGS ses sers lores eae eee tel cet erae alas naar 1, 375 Gis) | Sesencotedlesecccd boceedssdlecceose ANTES e once Sp Re aee ae ee eee ee es 2 ee eee 6, 850 by fy (al BSE eee 2, 600 61 MTP AtOT BIGGS -|- -eeseala se: con leseccemcleceemes |(sanutee oe EDV Y I espoeesOE By 243) | Soe toes eee Tie aes sk Sa eae De ew ey 89) De es 55, 692 | 5,937 |.....----- 5, 243 | 381,000 | 6,224 Lines: @at-tishecccn. == 30, 850 | $582 | 4,000} $120 | 134,400 | 2,844 |._........}.-..... 15, 100 496 Channel bass or methikiesgosoca Kessteee Heeseee loaSooaee 2eoe4||Ssss8on64|ssesso4lsecceeagsybesano5 120 9 CrOSKerspeer tora ec cscs iciceaeslhamesicice sees 3, 800 A2SAl we caeaceclessemer 27,500 | 1,150 MC Simmer acts ar arate | et Sets Soe taal ots ae | sasene ac] excel aereeo neal tebosee 1, 000 45 LEER Nebr ses eee Sas Sane ees ae ee 2, 800 84 2, 650 1B! | pakinsiajesjrc loam aetara malate Sand |acéboes Sheepshead se stee meciae eel seems seseeeeela ok coe e 3, 100 208) | Seaceoclaowaes 4,130 296 SPAanish Mackerel | seperate |Sace aac see a | ee eee 800 SO eee cee male eeemars 2, 850 312 Seniped Dass)=...02| 5 o-62 -2lac-- =n Become |esoenee 400 74e} | eeesceetad|boser ee 900 70 DUNSNES «seal sees lecee ces 28, 750 512 4, 000 ON Keenan iserere ete ones 1, 800 92 BETO Gare ee eee ete | ete leee oat aeceeall eee eeqere 14,110 SOON eS oes sco 10, 860 743 Otherifish=seesea|ceseeco cscs becel- chee electemee 4, 000 225 Ncessustecleseaces 2, 000 135 Crabs...... Bete eters |S setasteiae Saat sire |e: toe wiatte cae stays 964; .400)1|6; 012" oss cctcs~ alana |seeneeeer lneeneee Lotal.-..s.<. 30, 850 582 | 35, 550 GH ASTE GEO) 10D dite | aera re aoe 66,260 | 3,348 Tongs: Oystersoseeses- lee aeae sc -s-nion- 19, 250 870 | 186,900 |10,142 | 871, 850 |48, 974 | 977,550 | 40, 027 Grand total. .| 30, 850 582 | 54,800 | 1,586 |5,053,458 96, 628 |1, 974, 525 |82, 810 |2,352,979 | 92, 163 156 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Table showing the yield of the shore fisheries of Louisiana in 1897—Continued. Plaquemines. St. Bernard. | St. Charles. |St.John Baptist.) St. Landry. Apparatus and : SS See aa Lbs. | Value.| Lbs. |Value.| Lbs. | Val.| Lbs. | Value.| Lbs. | Val. i | Seines: iputtalo-fisheeseeees| sees === |e 6,000 | $104 | 23,750 | $480 | 37, 000 $740): ooasseeleeaeee (OAISTE Ne Sas eeegoos| bacosoosa4|-mpsones 17, 600 394 | 21,000 | 465 | 31, 000 UE Bepcccas| soa 20 Channel bass or Te@=ishye cee oa ae Bee Sasa |ee aan =e 44,360 | 2,290 | 1,000 75 300 CroaiKers) see = 4-~ Spanish mack- ere) se a. 75 By Encssesalessceodisoctescullescbd oe 60 Daleisesene potesec Siripedipassaeece |e. sc alae 920 10) \ipoon Sch eetctdl beat scone See saee bogcces- eee Sun-fishes -.---.-- 1, 800 36 1, 610 104 1, 370 78 1, 250 25% | seen \eleesoe rottescessesee~ 19, 800 786 960 57 500 25 | 38, 693 1,208) |= 255.23 eee Othemstishecceacec|=oaecee| sass ls | 2,000 110 | 1,600 UU Scetce an eames ma eneer Ct. Aas SLIT Oineeeiasoeee 32, 000 GAY |, SSucocalese 2005 oecesonn| eoasoas 60, 200 153: |aeas 5 Seueeeee a Terrapins ------- 143 PU see cpase| seeds GescSerel lisotoss 1, 068 | 96) | 2.2 3o eres eee PEECLGS eco teas cies |S one teens aaoeiton-| ae geese slo cictesal see seciec|eeeee ae 125 | 4 Carseat te monee A Gelline ace 96,208 | 3,164 | 32,190 | 1,871 | 23,310 | 1,067 | 172,611 | 4,253 |......-.).._.-.. Minor apparatus: | | Catctighitee ee lasaee ses e sata 1, 100 32 800 ie eee! See Were mete aL WOT ceed eaood lbaascoor | MaaTaaas 500 30 300 17 |... -- 22 2|52025206|soese2--|------- STE TGS) boepeee Hacc edd |S apeseoe 600 37 420 Ol Reeser SReRRe Be Memrors. |\coccce (thers hesee ale seene ar lie sete 750 45 600 BU! | Sb oe ae] amie icre ate | mala ater ea Shrimp eose es. --1- 24, 000 ON obo AM sre soen Bb hpeecrr|lscesnes Boeabo bes Peeaeaselsaccbe dec se (GED gate se ba) Moe osaee| boouaser 16, 533 240 | 5,333 TH: \c carossss|bek ies Sa) noses. eee oes Terrapins -.---.- TAS GUAPO 2 es cee eee al" a mecwics| seems 24,480 |. T5872: | te ee ee Jane esc oResons| baddocedd baboosee 3, 200 84 | 1,800 Ce ee eee Sp ecene| PEena ae Suassce Alligator hides ..|.--.----. GEN 56 =45en) Gostooe Po eon 6; 780b oacostoe|e==oe= > Total .-25 .<... 38,614 | 8,378 | 22, 683 468 | 9,253 208.) —-24, 480°) 8,652) |--2- 252/22 g23-- Lines: Buffalo-fish ...... 4, 620 ASH See cess Sees ces|seeecsec|. ccceed | aonetle-5| cen oak we | ee teercioe | See Cat-fish.....=)2.. 979, 093 | 24,516 | 9, 060 312 | 3,850 PAN Se SSabece Selene 22, 400 $448 Groakerstacane 2 -|)sesee ce aloes ess 8, 640 685 | 2,175 NS 10g) ee Seo Si seesen eee Gelloncoses Sheepshead. .....|.--.----.|.--.---. 1, 800 136 840 BP Poaamooee basesceer Sbancase|sosaoec eWrOUhesiscae eae =slavicice|osmaeess 3, 560 268 | 3,985 DBA ae etme omiceee ae Sere eee Samtishes: 2245 2--|- 242 22e-|ea oases 550 33 lsstrseze’: |e Sckrs ei] sero cise bees 4, 800 144 (QUESTA NSoSé came peepee Raeoonen 1, 500 94 | 1,000 (Uy Sen eamerd|beaebe seo see~oe||-seceuc Motalssss 55% - 983, 713 | 24, 634 | 25,110 | 1,528 | 11, 850 Wail ||SaccysSos|esscsaqse 27, 200 592 Tongs: Oystersis-=----'-< - AGONGTOr Plo S6ON ase slants sales eee ea e|toeins 2,380, 350'|136, 062 |-..°.---|_------ Grand total. ./1,388,210 | 52,036 | 79,983 | 3,867 | 44,413 | 1,912 2,577,441 148, 967 | 27, 200 592 158 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Table showing the yield of the shore fisheries of Louisiana in 1897—Continued. SUMMARY. Apparatus and species. Lbs. Value. Apparatus and species. Lbs. Value. Seines: Minor apparatus: Black Dass ~|--ecse- === 320 $26 Buffalo-fish.............- 11, 000 $220 Blnesish seep 52 sseececet 3, 960 132 Catstish saan sccccececes 32, 300 784 Buffalo-fish.-...---------- 147, 200 2, 847 Channel bass or red-fish- 4,000 20 Cattish) ooo 2. ces. =< 5-8 sio- 144, 900 3, 700 @roakers=454~ 4- - 3, 015 128 — Spanish mackerel ...-..-..- 50, 505 4, 575 | Motales<-sastecnssetes 816, 592 41, 619 Striped bass ..-.--------- 16, 780 1, 049 | = — Sun-tishes)s-.25---<---s-\ 69, 780 2,355 || Lines: rout eee ree aa ce ceeeee 494, 723 22, 086 Buftalotisho-ce-cseeeees 4, 620 118 Othermishee =... -os--sc5 2) 43, 500 2, 266 | Cat-fish eos... 146 anise 1, 965, 064 46, 682 Shim) saeere essence 4, 400, 826 78, 756 Channel bass or red-fish- 120 9 Merraplns a= sse= ase = 1, 211 117 Croakersrepeccsceascsasris 59, 115 2, 914 Whe Gy Ses caceeceacoesee 125 4!) Mullet ..-....-.---.-..-- 2, 200 93 ———_—_—_. — RerGhver cise eeeeeeeeaaeee 5, 450 162 Motes eee seco ie 6, 541, 289 172, 955 Sheepshead ..-----...--- 23, 010 1, 485 } —— Spanish mackerel -.-.--- 5, 300 557 Fyke nets: Striped bass ...-......-- 4,100 300 Wal O-fiSlseyeiace eee =e aie 148, 273 1N58oi||) esUn-tshesee=-ese-seeeeee 42, 680 1, 033 @atefish! peseescc---2-/--2--- 24 CPR Asa 6e| Seerae ee 24 82 10 BOR sess sees Anse 1G SAO Seeore cece boscbaas : jeans (Bae Aceen sadder Heecesar Tongs and rakes.-... 22 132 12 72 16 80 6 30 9 54 Shore and accessory IBLOPSLUY esos = oes | emia ChEVA) ee oeee Bl (Sete THEO) series B07 | eeeeee 54 @ashicapitallsosec- c= |---- = ~~ 93000!) 225 =5-)|= Sones ieee et 13,000: |s-2.55-|-2 2-64)-9||2cedleseneeen Rotel Sees < chee eset «cea 35, 353 |...--- Dy OTD) lac a cicteiee 44,964. )..-2.. 2,684) 02.2. . 2,514 Galveston. Harris. Jefferson. Matagorda. Nueces. Items. = = No. | Value.! No. | Value No. | Value.| No. {| Value.| No. | Value. Vessels fishing .....-.. 13 ($16, 820 4) EPs EB) Wes soalle= cocacs 7 | $4, 420 7 | $4,925 Tonnage ...-.--...--- PPAR Bi hoe BOSS CUI 5 ols ace Ipsceacsena5cen iy ae IER ee ee BO. 50s maearsees OMbiteea c facsete os a4] ener Ae B9EN| ao = 1 steel eetoaceallocnese- T8010 3a 2, 712 BOAtse esata coe taee: 304 | 35, 617 25 | 2,755 | 52 | $3,596 26 | 2,002 56 | 6,320 Apparatus—vessel fish- | eries: Seipes 260 3 3650/5 Se.44| tonics es 1 112 7 805 Lines 1 OY eeeaees|ssacoaad| Seece.| lo ocood pechcoclopadaaes||socbbcallsao0sc>> Tongs and rakes..--. 10 60 4 74M eo salle soosbae 14 84 3 15 Apparatus—shore fish- eries: SEMTE SoS eceooeSasanSo 62 | 6,470 10 956 4 510 1 100 12 1, 305 diay Ve Sb ascssellqecsees Se sosong|Ss5se0 oboocsasellsesess bsteascassodsas|accescns 84 630 @ast netsl=s-----—— = 60 77) SSS c lescecncs asso sencrase Sosaasel See cnocs 40 128 Minor nets-----<....- 60 ZA SES =| ecto) Seeesa| Aero sae Meccboe lsacmacealnaccusd|sonconse Use Seco oosonnecosas)Sorceces VU ostoadsi|Sacmaasnileeocas HOS | Sacesies seat ell aceon 15 Spears ....--..-..----|---...-. PA ||eooscoalloeeate a |Socaesl|>ssasoes||Ssessacbosnosoeloososse 15 Tongs and rakes..---. 157 942 4 24 21 126 18 108 20 120 Shore and accessory PLloperty..-----------)-----—-- Pehle |leseresc MPF eocaeic HADI loa ooe NOD |accisese 12, 100 Cash capital .........--|-------- PAU se seel bosnesss escoccollee ocbeod|>Shcecallboopescs|socoans 6, 000 Oba eae atria nelle a ar Ol Ga%leaeane= Se tell SSS A SO0taeoseeee CE YPAL |lsangaoc 35, 090 SUMMARY. Items. No. Value. | Items. No. Value. a i Vessels fishing $36, 565 || Apparatus—shore fisheries: WOnNSPO ec css soos eee ase] \OUSs Ola mesemcieay. SUN PSosssooccescocesoos sc sce 147 $15, 517 Omtht Geese aes eee ss 15,119 Turtle nets 204 | 1, 254 ISR IGS 5 Goa oer econaseeoenenon= sc 77, 911 Castmetsaa-aeeene= sce eas 158 542 INDIA cogs ass 55508 Saree 60 20 Apparatus—vessel fisheries : IPG) 3S = soa SRccb0osdoosa 255c|penoonse 393 NOMNOS)22 ss ceemesiciae ona ses 24 2, 762 BPE sy) seoeeosscos7 Ssacesos ossecsece 52 Lurtle Nets-scecq.+<=osee= ee 22 115 Tongs and rakes ...-...-.--- 285 1, 688 LUG) Re ee SS aeee Co SeepEa ss boodse ge 148 || Shore and accessory property .|.---.--- 55, 155 Tongs and rakes ...........-- 43 255)|| | CashiGa pltaleseseeemm eres =tiam ae serrate 30, 000 MTotaleeeerees seticm sace «ale gees 237, 496 FISHERIES OF THE GULF STATES. 165 Table showing by counties and species the yield of the fisheries of Texas in 1897. Aransas. Brazoria. Calhoun. Cameron. | Chambers. Species. MEE Mos mig <9 |SS=ra aan at tT lo tec Lbs. |Value.| Lbs. /Value.} Lbs. |Value.| Lbs. Value.| Lbs. | Value. Rivestishtweeeeesse.e 9,300 | $380 400 $20 6,400 | $265 2, 000 $70 250 $14 (Gatehsht 262252252 TUMOUOM me 40% | eae ese yaar Sem ween eee PANN ans) \leeeacoeedeboseoe Channel bass ..--..-- 239,616 | 9,849 | 14, 000 630 | 228,210 | 9,574 35, 240 | 1, 246 | 14, 860 852 Crpvalless. = scans: 3, 200 OTA eke ae Pao 2, 800 110 1, 000 BOW ese ser lease CWKOAKOLS: S25 noSc%re 7, 650 304 2,009 80 24, 600 948 5, 000 150 3, 400 170 JOVART CS eS a5 eee eee 2. 450 3d | Peetaehs SAScooe bene aar| Reeeoer Nees satel maces 1, 600 80 Wlounders). 2222 ~<.-: 55, 500 | 2, 236 1, 000 45 29, 850 | 1, 221 4, 600 161 800 48 Hop-fish’ ss. ss. ---- 2, 480 10D | ee aseoneleassoos 3, 825 De eno acaee Besa ne eee caad eesaee JIG ci eee 13, 300 DOD | eee | ceteiering: |tnies, seri etal c.aicye see race ekereveete | ree ets | eae ape | eee Mullet, fresh.....-.-. 23, 900 813 800 32 3, 050 105 6, 000 1800 5.5 eel seen Mullet, salted ......|--------- Jorezes-[--------/------- |e 22-2. ---/ee-----|- 2-2 ee lee eee 500 25 EPC 6 S2eecen =a 3, 500 140 700 30 9, 050 369 1, 200 36 800 44 WB KOer eos tec ce 1, 000 AO’ Resor oe talent c= 1, 130 Q5 ia ao ones Seace. oo) aesoeset eee Romipanosees=o5 == 6, 900 308 200 12 5, 470 QOD Alle aioe cre os seiset | eee eerine BeSeore Shecpshead.......-.. 80,500 | 3,309} 7, 600 SUSE (On OL LG | Pa TBSLn scecciciemcl| secant 6, 000 342 Spanish mackerel... 9, 600 PLU eee SS eel loericione 7, 500 339 4, 000 160 300 24 Striped bass ..-...-. 2, 250 OT eee ae eens 1, 300 54 2, 000 (U8 eee eee SUITE Nes copeengoar| Geos = - osc (Sooeeor bo aees Secor Re aeseee Semester 22, 400 to OS een Nae Se [RPO Wits ciaeseeeoerias 200, 350 | 8,192 | 10, 000 490 | 152, 350 | 6,387 | 33,800] 1,195 | 9,170 529 Otherftishs-ses-seeee 15, 000 450 | 2, 000 SOU Scant llores antall irasenstenic sites s slate sae meee SHrMp\.-5 cnessea~ = 3,710 lll 4, 000 120 10, 200 308 45, 200 | 1,373 1, 000 40 Crabse-=2te) see ' 4, 800 192 (Roeecod scesteo) poscsesss|Seeso ae 3, 000 Up see cecalanes Thnrtleseacsseceeae 25 340 OOTP aa salen oaicianme 47, 355 | 1, 894 8, 840 265.552 Seletais| seasons Terrapins assseeeoe 830 2AM ||Soeacsa- Ea all Praerreia me | eta nected | are cateto at ancll ele ae evel tore caer Oysterses2-o soe 200, 900 | 6, 872 | 50,820 | 2,390 | 268,002 | 9,311 | 73,500 | 2,100 | 41,020/ 1,758 Total ese 923,076 36, 236 | 93,520 | 4,237 | 880, 666 |34, 680 | 268,780 | 9,155 | 79, 700 3, 926 Galveston. Harris. Jefferson. ' Matagorda. Nueces. Species. | Lbs. | Value.| Lbs. |Value.| Lbs. |Value.| Lbs. |Value.| Lbs. | Value. IBine-fshe aaa seins 3, 850 $201 750 Goal be Ss eel eee 320 $16 6, 770 $270 SPaaa eet] OTS Mite rata iatshara’ «| = claivis Gareja |lercisis. cc eel sams @s|seee on. 125200) |) © S470), | feo. ema aoe ore | eres | eee Waiehisher ces ssnasedliésesceclloconesscdllessacce Papefish’. 2. eee so5<'- 4, 950 297 1, 500 Oils SSeeees (Sane sas 240 10 3, 000 118 Mewelsn al O5:| 2e-e 241s neh: [Seneca et come se Channel bass...-...- 6, 000 PAO! Patents acest ea cee aeoaase Jew-fish ........... 12, 000 ASOT ooo ecalessesue lacecioSttal eacaeae IDR SSaeesodesqad| bos cacees Geoe sae bereearss Pints Went tosses aeons (Chill Wooo cnecace S00 4, 800 1 eA ok cisel |e areal Seeseceral Sewetae Motalesesaee << BB ch UR| phe. Or Ree eoosce pee 1s Ser eeaase Spears: ! Flounders ......-... S2N000 NI 280 Wee aja oe | oe ars | 3,400 TIGR Lee sae aeaeece poet ele eee Tongs and rakes: Oysters........---- 200, 900 | 6, 872 | 50, 820 | 2,390 | 98, 840 | 3,257 | 73,500 | 2,100 | 41,020} 1,758 Grand total....| 818, 647 |31, 836 | 93,520 | 4,237 |464, 840 |18, 329 [268,780 | 9,155 | 79,700 | 3,926 Galveston. Harris. Jefferson. Matagorda. Nueces. Apparatus and SEEGERS Lbs. |Value.| Lbs. |Value.| Lbs. |Value.| Lbs. |Value.| Lbs. | Value. Seines: Blue-fish 2.2.02 s.- 3, 000 $180 400 SOA. a dak amione ae Noa cia oes Keeeeee 4, 200 $168 Buttalo-fishi eas 2 25-\|e5e0c2 52 Jesocepe||sensnons|lsonnsoc 12): 2000\% S470) teats elaecaace|Pecesccee | eee ee Wat tishe ees. = coos ss |ne ee ewe |Soeeses|.2--5- oe eee 6, 400 742) ee ee eter Pr meeste (=o, oe Channel bass ..-.-.--. 228, 630 |12, 967 | 36,120 | 2, 152 9, 600 528 | 11, 000 $440 | 157, 000 6. 023 Crevalleme<..s..-3: 6, 000 300 1, 000 DOS ede S| Rew eecd | dowd ose oeeiacts 3, 000 105 Croakers --;..-.. 2. 48,600 | 2,415 | 10, 650 545 1, 200 60 1, 000 40 16, 600 582 LORIE 55465 ae 21, 650 896 3, 700 185 1, 000 AD ee ote ie acim 7, 200 252 Flounders ......... 24,825 | 1, 490 4, 800 288 200 12 1, 200 48 8, 700 322 Hog-fish...........! 4,500 | 270] 1,000 GOD i eee eee ak ee 3, 000 118 ENGINED . o- 0355 50a Soe noe ope See nar Sees] PRE ee een | Eo 5 pial (Ee See ie a Ie ate Ianto Ss ny [es ere Mullet, fresh ....-. 5, 800 270 1, 200 (3X). aS ey S| ae eee Soe een Le ene 2, 000 70 Parchitige eee nse. 6, 500 390 1, 200 72 400 PAVE ee eal Pars ee 2, 600 92 Bike tere 6,000 | 330} 1,000 55 250 1D eee (nee 6, 400 236 Pompano. -cei 2.32. 600 Rebs epee. alliage eR |Satte dae Rese eee [eese heme Ee 1, 800 72 Sheepshead ........ 119, 750 | 6,750 | 19,600 | 1,162 | 4,500 225 5, 000 200 62, 000 2, 328 Spanish mackerel. . 3, 200 256 300 24 700 56-1, 000 45 7, 300 | 292 168 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Table showing by counties, apparatus, and species the yield of the shore fisheries of Texas in 1897—Continued. Gal : Harris. rson. : v Appiratas and xyalveston . arris Jefferson Matagorda Nueces. Bpecies: Lbs. |Value.| Lbs. |Value.| Lbs. | Value.) Lbs. | Value.| Lbs. | Value. Seines—Continued. Striped bass-...--.--. 1, 000 $60) 228 oo2l teecieod seeeeee ales Preiepetal| eistefeyats cars| = einiesstere 1, 200 $46 YURI Hee ema obe Hee 191, 100 |11, 074 | 28,500 |$1, 680 3,800 | $437 8,000 | $320 | 196, 300 7,499 Othertishs.--2-s--- 10, 000 600 3, 000 180 1, 000 Ost Scbeeerlcueeees 20, 000 740 Shrimpit-c.-----e. - 64,000 | 2,560 | 2,500 100 500 15) | eee cee 171,000 | 1,820 Mirtlesiaascce- eee ae On Pe Oo RE oral pencidcdldoadbade ebeoacal socoasae eeeaccel seepbartolloodcono Terrapins ........- | 1, 200 120))| 2 Sees oe joseeeee 1, 850 160i) Seas e |b ee ol sa ee ee ‘Total. 23.5522 778, 355 |42, 036 |114, 970 | 6,637 | 43,600 | 2,376 | 27,200 | 1,093 670, 300 “20, 765 Turtle nets: are ah) aesit : na a : Tins Es eset cedeoos|seactcncs pecceed| bas sosad! SesonpaleGsnonors|seossce |oeeconoc|eascso- 116,140 | 2,346 Cast nets: we : ewes |? . ir Mullet=.c.-ceccesa-s 10, 000 0 Ne eB AOR RIISSROOSe bacorcrc Conodad lacaadnod Soomcos 6, 000 180 Perehiszcen ots ese.cc 2, 400 M44 aes t8 |e heacc|d eee. slot base lees [Secisc = = eta eee eee Trout.-.-------.-.. 3, 000 DSO S Pos Shei saree sion crctewe tare Paicte eis ate lictatelereels 6 | cco = © lee eaten ee ee nme SUGEMINT) Soodagkenscal | so6oseec5| Nonoded paoodiata lesen lsciae Sate) mbaoc Solsc ode ta) ees 53, 400 854 Totalic--s=-2--- 15, 400 Tee SS cioGnn cocuo aciacaos Scaoods Jeceeeeee Es Dosson 59, 400 1, 034 Minor nets: area sere in sly a a ro Crabstete wes sa: tees 1125000) | (27800) 285.8 ose eres tothe sec hoetawins | sice bere a) emer on crore tere Se areas Lines: Rr f 7 fi . F y Gathishiennss22 sess 6, 000 240 Wisc cccied clacecees 26, 830 OG Ss | Se eecerojal| Greate atoin'| ora cheetetare || eereietete Channel bass .----. 4,000 ZAQU|eomas ca oases 2,100 1 ee eee Bees BE am ac] |Seboocc WOWeliShieayeoo sew cee 1, 800 1) Reese aera Soc ci aa ncosacal Mocperse SSceeba| RoacSoraseouaas Sheepshead .-.....-.. 3, 000 WA TosscocseSssesce 480 29 safe icici bm cisie eral ese Re Se ERO Uti ar-y-(eints eee 2. 800 MGS8h|c.tas S ol cess ce 1,500 QO clos cAI liven wo cm |ichacararecvatenyhe Rireterers Other fish.......... 4, 000 AOU See oees |oneee es 4,000 2205 Sass cok| Sen case |hsesecbee teiwonen Cina Daa tema [nee ase eee eer en Aes oe 12000187 0p See amen 6, 320 252 otalias.21 a0. SP GON | 1.476 hoc cals -secse 46,910 | 1,799 |......-. Soe 6,320 | 252 —————I——— | | ——— | Se 8 Spears: Flounders ...-..--- PiDO0" | SGI | eeccec|icc os ses| A omeacan|lcset emel oceemaeslseaaos 48, 000 1, 824 Tongs and rakes: Eas als ' meals ale ae Oyasters.\.5.---=--~-=* | 592, 340 |26, 142 | 29, 400 | 1, 260 |225, 148 | 8, 355 |168, 420 | 5,980 | 397,110 | 13, 640 Grand total. ... 1,547,195 |74, 493 144,370 | 7,897 |315, 658 |12, 530 |195, 620 | 7,073 [1,297,270 | 39, 861 \ SUMMARY. i | Apparatus and species. Lbs. Value. Apparatus and species. Lbs. Value. Seines: Cast nets: BMGs. cele aio aeietelainie aioe 22, 450 $970 Croakcers! cls cmaisaelals sie seis 2, 000 $60 Battalo-tishsce--cjenee ceca 12, 200 470 Mall 6tiacaccucestee seepenras 21, 600 747 Marhishte sess che wes tise =e 6, 400 286 Perch ses - eases oe ee ee 3, 900 ~ 204 Channel bass or red-fish. -.. 831, 367 | 38, 280 EBT OUG aceiccceemerme corse 11, 300 512 ae A Ub eine ets wtocres acer 16, oa 655 SHRIMP see: geo sscs lL eeeece -, 60, 600 1,106 OAKES... -.------------- 103,450 | 4, 642 | j ie ee eee 37,150 | 1,518 | Total..... SgqddboganoSe _99. 400 __ 2, 629 GUNG erS es oe ease ee nie 79,625 | 3,754 ||Turtle nets: Moptisheessssecsee- 12, 700 Gey) |i), AN) conccecsaciadsscscsse 159, 120 3, 997 SOW NSN ec ccc ewe 1, 000 42 . i Mullet, fresh 33" 800 | 1,236 || “ior nets: 13) con ll oeeeene Mullet; salted....-...-.---. 500 25 SO APMRE~ corrd ohag |- Ea ——— |_ Perehtesesamarenerpiiesiats sel 20, 400 964 | Lines: ’ IPik@fencansrncte cm eect 15, 650 713 Cat-fish ..ccccnnsse0-secnce 64, 830 2, 749 Pompano - 224.5 4ceeee ce eee 11, 600 544 Channel bass or red-fish- - . 14, 700 710 Sheepshead! os acece-cee 2 342,950 | 16, 210 We wets hep emcee eee 13, 800 588 Spanish mackerel .......-.. 28,800 | 1,379 Sheepshead ........-...--- 3, 480 209 Striped bass.=<--- s<---4)-- 6, 000 260 Trout 39h. c22 se see acts 5, 800 313 SOUP CON ee in teins e-em 22, 400 984 Other fishiS7.—s-c eee hes 8, 000 460 ERT OUt Meet csisicis esiers sis sie 729, 620 | 33, 472 Creibs 2.) Gatien eS ail sfaiei<'i- 26, 120 889 Ophea hshi session os 51, 000 | 2,100 Potaleeseseee eine: 136,730 5. 918 SU teh i 0s seco Ss OSeBSees Seeeec 291,560 | 6,090 See ———————_ Miele the oe ec acces ac 49,600 | 1,730 : Pena? a easement a earls aie Slaps tees ee weer 110,900} 4,855 a ___» =|) Tongs and rakes: RT ataleee cerenee te heey ® | 2,729. 952 |117, 384 OMSIOHS Ssc6soc5-b3s$5s558e 1,877,498 | 71, 754 Grandiitotalessseese- =: 4iBe since 209, 337 FISHERIES OF THE GULF STATES. 169 The extent of the wholesale trade in fishery products on the Texas coast is set forth in the following summary. Most of the products of Matagorda, Aransas, and Corpus Christi bays are shipped respectively from Port Lavaca, Rockport, and Corpus Christi to the west and south- west, and the same is true of the red snappers caught off Galveston. But most of the products of other sections of the coast are consumed in the localities where obtained. A noticeable feature of the wholesale fish trade on this coast is the organization effected by the fishermen several years ago of union or cooperative fish markets, the profits of which are shared in by the fishermen. But at present these are not patronized by the fishermen as generally as three or four years ago. There is no drying, pickling, smoking, or canning of fishery products along the Texas coast. Statement showing the extent of the wholesale trade in fishery products for Texas in 1897. Corpus Christi.| Galveston. Port Lavaca. Rockport. Total. Items. = = | | No. Value.| No. | Value. ; No. |/Value.} No. |Value.| No. Value. | | Establishments. - 2 |$12, 100 | 1 | $3, 300 | 2 |$10,800 2 |$6, 500 7 | $32. 700 Cash capital .....|........- G000Nl osceac PAU ees eee TS! O00) acer 9. 0008 ze eecsees 30, 000 Tons of ice used- 200 1, 600 120 480 | 180 | 1,120 200 | 1, 400 700 4, 600 Employees....... He Se eco se le oeetoce IW |sooes5 | U lisacesae CD) NN oeBrasa- Products handled. Pounds.) Value. |Pounds. Value. | Pounds. | Value. Pounds.) Value. Pounds.!| Value. Blue:fish.....--- - 6, 400 PISGI We woceieelssece cee | 7,100 | $465 | 9,000 $560 | 22, 500 $1, 411 OTT le SSeS cel Seenaenesl Beeeaceas termes ers see Wns 2 Seeiers be etm | 11, 000 715 | 11,000 715 Channel bass or TOO -f1Shic,. acsia~e -| 232,180 |16, 074 |228, 642 |13, 816 | 690, 146 43, 072 Crevalle .: 25... 2, 000 130 | 2,800 146 7, 800 436 Groakers: 56.042 21, 650 | 1,287 | 7,520 457 51, 024 3, 014 Flounders 24°15) 1,405 | 47,654 | 3,071 | 110,504 6, 773 Hog-fish ... 4, 340 312 | 2,400 165 | 9,740 657 Jew-fish ..-... [bodnooscelocssase 12, 000 815 | 12, 000 815 WBYGH ase see acc 7, 634 513 3, 200 187 | 15, 034 942 KG eemerrae PON SOONE © (PSSM o ccd call Scccncice I ememmroeefemsmeels 800 48 10, 650 631 Pompano .......- 5,000 | 400] 6,720} 584} 15,970] - 1,267 Mnllets ae caseer 2, 600 152 | 22,150 | 1, 276 32, 750 1, 838 Red snapper..--. 5 {severe Ree sore lnatseretetaci|les necier | 464,791 | 23, 380 Sheepshead -...... 84,500 | 5,792 | 74,500 | 4,815 | 262, 450 17, 061 Spanish mackerel 8, 120 632 | 9,000 644 | 27, 660 2,011 Stripecupassracser |p ae ovOUOn|le sel20) |Neecece dl ectrcccteale etic cote mecteste 2, 000 140 4, 000 260 ETO sa ce aceccace 151, 545 | 9, 023 |188, 850 |11,698 | 636, 395 37, 416 Othertish=-2-.--. Peseta ote eee reeierena 12, 400 693 63, 543 3, 241 Turtles). sec- ss == 44,615 | 2,685 | 28,000 | 1,360 | 153, 235 6, 861 SRGINADING reams eee ce act acise oes lanes = aoe Science See | Sesece se elleeeocen 950 295 | 950 295 SHIM pce sse eee 204, 150 DHG RE leeraicvarceisle ctcerstees 9, 000 360 3, 000 140 | 216,150 6, 134 Oysters: See we ALOVASOU 22870 os coe cles eeere a 602, 084 |30, 152 |217, 000 | 9,765 |'1,229,564 | 62, 787 Totaleeeeee 1,467,848 | 76, 237 |483, 934 | 24, 008 |1,206,488 |69, 382 |889, 586 [51,390 |4,047,856 | 221, 017 $$ 1 175,652 bushels, | a Tite Loon ea ‘ae remitted OM GP Fey oad bel friituty 4a yortoiwi bake: anes ‘ool . i, sa. Ss pe bs meena peel PEE ie et Sa Pie i 4 | aie 1) taba hints Lstgetbun Prema a ar “ me ae oe peu 7 te H a at Son ie Med ne ee: : be yrs, Te lee te es Saas " io , . Aan re er paren ae set Seo Vie se it te] pF rete S= aaee . Sig oe. woe : : # aa aes i a Re ‘at SLAMS Cs OF THE FISHERIES OF THE SOUTH ATLANTIC STATES. PREPARED IN THE DIVISION OF STATISTICS AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES, UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. C. H. TOWNSEND, ASSISTANT IN CHARGE. 171 INTRODUCTORY NOTE. The accompanying statistical report on the fisheries of the South Atlantic States is based on investigations made by agents of the United States Fish Commission in 1898, the information relating to the year 1897. The general results of this work were made public in the report of the Division of Fisheries for 1898, and were also presented earlier and in more condensed form in Statistical Bulletin No.9. Single sheet statistical bulletins are usually issued upon the completion of field work, and distributed in the fishery region to which they refer, in advance of the regular reports of the Commission. The information collected during this canvass is here presented in full, the results having been tabulated and the various features of the fisheries shown in detail. The report has been prepared under the direction of Mr. C. H. Town- send, assistant in charge of the Division of Fisheries. The field inqui- ries were conducted by Messrs. W. A. Wilcox, T. M. Cogswell, and John N. Cobb, agents of the division, to whom should be credited the explanatory notes relating to the States in which they worked. The fisheries of North Carolina were canvassed by Messrs. Cogswell and Cobb; those of South Carolina and Georgia by Mr. Wilcox, and of eastern Florida by Mr. Cobb. The assistant in charge has had the constant aid of Mr. S. Le R. Pritchard and other members of the office force of the division in the preparation of the tables. GEO. M. BOWERS, Commissioner. STATISTICS OF THE FISHERIES OF THE SOUTH ATLANTIC STATES, GENERAL NOTES AND STATISTICS. The condition of the commercial fisheries of this region, as shown in the following report, has not changed to any marked degree since they were canvassed in 1890. Although there has been a general increase in respect to persons employed, capital invested, and value of products, the development of the fisheries is not yet proportionate to the important fishery resources of the States considered. The region, as a whole, with its numerous rivers and extensive sounds, is destined to maintain greater fishery industries. The investigations were confined to the coastal waters and to the lower courses of the rivers as far inland as commercial fisheries are maintained. The table on pp. 176-177 gives general comparisons with former canvasses made in 1880 and 1890. Comparisons in detail may be made by consulting previous statistical publications* of the United States Fish Commission on this subject. The tables on pp. 174-175 show, by States, the condition of the fisheries of the South Atlantic States in 1897. The capital invested in the fish- eries of this region amounted to $1,828,832. Of this amount $1,218,459 is credited to North Carolina, $174,354 to South Carolina, $284,864 to Georgia, and $151,155 to eastern Florida. The total number of persons employed was 17,185, of which number 14,449 were fishermen and 2,736 shoresmen. In the North Carolina fisheries alone 12,045 were employed; in South Carolina, 2,139; and in Georgia, 1,869. The fishermen of the eastern coast of Florida num- bered 1,132. The total number of vessels employed was 243, having a tonnage of 2,790.83, and valued, with their outfit, at $200,280. The total number *The Fishery Industries of the United States, section 11, Geographical Review of the Fisheries for 1880. The Fishery Industries of the United States, section v, History and Methods of the Fisheries. Report on the Fisheries of the South Atlantic States, by Hugh M. Smith, M. D. Bull. U. 8. Fish Com., 1891, pp. 267-356. The Fish and Fisheries of the Coastal Waters of Florida. U.S. Fish Commission Report for 1896, pp. 263-342. Report on the Fisheries of Indian River, Florida. U.S. Fish Commission Report for 1896, pp. 223-262. Notes on the Extent and Condition of the Alewife Fisheries of the United States in 1896, by Hugh M.Smith. Report U. S. Fish Commission for 1898, pp. 31-43. The Shad Fisheries of the Atlantic Coast of the United States, by Charles H. Stevenson. Report U.S. Fish Commission, 1898, pp. 101-269. 173 174. REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. of boats in this region was 6,691, valued at $276,866. The apparatus of capture had a value of $492,596, and other accessory property $531,290. Gill nets have been the most important form of apparatus employed, and were valued at $243,482, pound nets ranking next in importance, with a value of $137,175. The value of seines is placed at $95,540, all other forms of apparatus being of minor importance. The products of the fisheries amount to 80,390,465 pounds, with a value of $1,833,155. The products of the fisheries of North Carolina were valued at $1,316,017; those of South Carolina, $210,456; of Geor- gia, $170,605; and of eastern Florida, $136,077. The most important item with respect to product is shad, which is valued at $478,784, oysters ranking next, with a value of $334,934. Mullet is third and is valued at $115,465. Alewives and squeteague follow with values of $118,124 and $112,578, respectively. Shad and oysters are by far the most important products of the fish- eries of North Carolina; oysters, whiting, shad, and sea bass of South Carolina and Georgia, while in eastern Florida the leading fishery products are shad, mullet, pompano, and squeteague. Since the last canvass of this region, which was in 1890, there has been an increase in the fisheries of all these States except eastern Florida. Taking the region as a whole, there has been an increase in products of 13,205,847 pounds, having a value of $259,451. There has been an increase in capital invested of $140,546. North Carolina is the only State where the investment has decreased, the amount of this de- crease being $25,529. Since 1890 the value of the yield of the more important fishes, such as shad, mullet, and alewives, has been nearly stationary, while that of oysters has increased about one-third. Table showing the number and value of vessels, boats, apparatus, and shore property employed in the fisheries of the South Atlantic States in 1897. | | | North Carolina. Sout Cane: | Georgia. Florida. | Total. Items. iPeist ¥ Ate t Wil fale ea. i No. Value. | No. | Value. | No. | Value. | No. | Value.| No. Value. | | | Vii) Siessoeedsas 174 | $151, 375 | 16 |$15, 742 51 |$28, 833 | 2 | $4, 330 | 243 | $200, 280 Tonnage....... (BT OR28 1 |aee eae ELEY | See eee CLINI eee LGB Tal ste ee 1270585 | eae eee Boatses toes. 2. 3 4,428 | 202,709 | 1,056 | 34, 080 680 | 20,277 | 527 | 19, 800 6,691 | 276, 866 Selness- 56-6 --m- 1, 044 86, 165 88 | 3,045 66 | 2,395) 44) 3,735 1, 242 95, 340 (Gallittets ees. see- 86, 688 | 179, 190 408 | 23, 840 424 | 11,905 | 487 | 28,547 | 88,007 | 243, 482 Pound nets .--.--. SSC Lo Ons iON ama ere eesti 4 SOON essere eterna 1,856 | 187,175 Fyke nets ..--.---. 23 SO los coacdl|sesooronl|saseaee |Eeseetred season sacsoere 23 341 Cast nets ..-.---. (Oe eee eee 123 615 82 385 30 165 235 1, 165 Mintle metsyss 6) ssee= === |= == ese oe boseonea Garsore scones a= 37 380 37 380 Pota2- 2224 - 26 1, 233 BSD le coses Alera - |epeketetee = \[s aaictests ail lre semis Sates Bega 1, 233 885 WIN eS 22a <5 32-2 | See seen DAT Nee ae rake 03) | bees 205 Wacor ee AGH ote 1, 923 Wiheels)23. S200 - (ON) URED! bo 5= 55 -|lbsacs6-|lecesea- essere s|(2cence loose oes 70 1, 050 Dredges -...----- 26 | 855) EES 22e [sess Fee 5a 500 eee ke 31 905 Tongs, rakes, and eUabs'j. 5-5-4 1, 491 | 8,383 | 246 1, 692 547 2,133 51 337 2, 335 7, 545 Other apparatus .|.-------- 25320) Zee eee Ci eeeeess | Dia Seeees|aeee aso Verena eae 25405 Shore and acces- | | sory property .-|---.-----| 315; L6G Ne eee eee | 45, Usd | ------2 MO6ssoORhe-ee ae Cae 7 Ub | See ees 531, 290 Cash capital .....|-----..-- leet S824 00s eee | 48, 800 |..--..- iu, DOOM |aseee= 291008 eiee= ser 327, 800 Totalleseso ole Syiss% se Ay 2185459) | oe EER Gy ae ee en 864 |...... lis iPa shy | or tasaee 1, 828, 832 | * Shown in other apparatus. FISHERIES OF THE SOUTH ATLANTIC STATES. 175 Number of persons employed in the fisheries of the South Atlantic States in 1897. States. Fishermen.|Shoresmen.| Total. SSOUUL, Car NE, oo. c 25 Ce Sno SS Su DBUCES SoD oS Sed p on ne -prbiceoueHoEDaeoe 10, 120 1, 925 12, 045 Sunk (COND, cos ocdege seco nscemcbers ssaros besba Aa ce Sa SseospoEmsaoe 1, 934 205 | 2, 139 LE@INORE Sayddecdvec sc Ost Sse popu SUD SONS PEmgeCOOL one Lemnenobecmancese 1, 404 465 | 1, 869 LELGTR Ans sade sod Sci Deen OSS See SS SE SS CSC CS DBS CE Se SUN SecceecomaObege ar 991 141 1132 otal meee ee Sele neonate ne satin eoc tae oes a ee 14, 449 2, 736 AS | | Table showing the quantity and value of products taken in the fisheries of the South Atlantic States in 1897. North Carolina. South Carolina. Georgia. Florida. Species. = = = Lbs. Value. Lbs. | Value. Lbs. Value. Lbs. Value. Alewives, fresh..-.....-- 5, 694, 201 $48, 756 2,000 | $40 25, 000 $500 | 33,913 $404 Alewives, salted ..-.-.---. 10, 096, 236 Tepe Mane Sessor poaoceer|ysacodaces|socossas 5, 000 125 Black bass...------------ 535,342 | 23, 611 1, 000 | 30 4, 600 322 | 52,516] 2, 184 Blue-fish, fresh .........- 1, 482; 375°| .° 41, €08"|| 40,000) 1,600 |) 22.0.0. leee. 46,421! 1,121 Blue-fish, salted .......-- 213, 800 5 dae eee Ye ciclo = ge [ee ea ee Ce ane Oe | IBoniboe seen eee aes cis 2, 350 BO) ecocuesac Beene or eee acad semerecn jsoebacticice eee 3 Butter-fish ....-..---.... 94, 750 frase pits 285 ora Be [SOT eee a as en ee (Oe Eee aR Stee 192, 211 4, 646 28, 500 { 535 157, 600 2, 734 124,000 | 38,720 Channel bass or red-fish, | } PGR Neem ono cciesa a acs < ale 64, 550 830 110, 000 2, 500 23, 800 1,190 235, 782 8, 542 Channel bass or red-fish, | MAIRE Cee ct ore seca a cece 40, 200 COA re on, |c.nisiec ciel tacecsic eee tcleeba: Aas eee aes eee LUAITo- aoe eee eee 51, 400 1, 073 215, 000 1, 875 14, 300 592 17, 000 | 175 1DUHS) Gene teeet crease Seenes 96, 700 A OS eee saeco |ses Saretoe 5, 000 LOO" Ead Sastre See MIOUNG Ors! <5 0-6 Soest cree 178, 975 GH bee me eee tiel Me IeERS 6, 500 290/874 55 SOR ae (SUK DY TOS) 6 hop SHS a eeE eee ee cesond peae reese SENOS ee Se sere epoenm os lesen beeauel smecans Hickory shad: --2-=.:.=-—- 230, 975 7,583 | 36, 800 1, 516 (OW) 262! <2 x6 $2 ease ee RGM eS Bisa eean ns ona 358, 070 MOB Saetemiae = acl ayo | eee eee asic niaceclem iste Meteo el aoe Menhaden ............-.- Wi 310500051) 19,700 dee cases oo -| cas ant eee )7| ce nese see ee |e Mullét,iresh) .=...2.-.--- 797, 425 16, 797 46, 000 885 56,000 | 1,310 |2, 341, 957 | 21, 156 Mullet; salted:---2----22.| 2, 612, 160 73,541 | 10,000 PAU || esi eh ges Al ena 2 | 71, 400"| 1,576 Rerches scree REND | 806,379 | [Ripe Sheets eee ee ern oe 412, 807 IBIKG seta te acces cee 100, 420 pRinetis heeccmactesceemsce os 61, 600 Pomipanoe eons ees 53, 175 1,728 | 5,000 SU0M eee eee onl ere | 196,344 | 13, 093 ROVE Ye ase eee eae i- 39, 910 ATO ana rlat aes aya ee he oases ot het ee He Se Pec oe See a Se Sailor’s choice ..---...--. 39, 000 975 §, 800 440 600 | BY ee eet Si I bo Sead or round robin. ..... 8, 100 Clu odoncs- -sdleeosueec SEB eossne= | Stcidobarst NEperActenaiscesace Sea Dass = -teseceassese a: | 189, 225 5, 564 632:/400) |\°26; 300 || 2-2-5 oe) oon cess 5, 570 210 Shades siecaesatestececce ce | 8, 963, 488 362,811 | 506,125 | 27,696 | 787,550 | 46,705 /1,011,180 | 41,572 Siam kigeeeercece merce « a2 lcscee sce ciecllscccise cca 30, 000 300} Pen. cenoss|seeneaee eee as eS Sheepshead 2. -5.-- ose 55. 271, 206 9, 243 36, 200 1, 460 25,000} 1,250 390, 164 5, 908 SUAPPOrsicscree cea< 22 -- 34, 400 860 D4, 000) |" 660) |5- 2-2 -e ae | 5 x's cecaterl| smc aN Spanish mackerel ...---. 330, 840 18, 017 10,000 | 1,000 18, 100 | 655 3, 450 160 Spots and croakers, fresh.} 1, 963, 756 28, 384 49, 000 BOM = cme Weare ee eiers 23, 133 772 Spots and croakers, salted 165, 246 Cle Ce ae eres lose Laon eseneccleescaes. Reece ees lise en Squeteague, fresh........ 3,006,758 | 92,993 | 80,000 | 2,030 54,650 | 2,512 | 516,370 | 12,817 Squeteague, salted -...... 83, 496 DRDZGMIe 2 Sage es Sal ore teens aaa e ome hssast eee Strawberry bass ..-.-.... 21, 725 SGG6 Soe cece ad anon [aces sae emolemocaeen \eceasasece Were ee Striped bass ....--- Gece 845, 123 58, 035 10, 100 556 9, 000 BS Oi lene joerc NOES COM 6 eae. ec aces 371, 625 13, 525 411, 100 7, 325 1477000) 4/060) leone aamieee eas ce SUCKOIS! fesse acteincecia= 135, 230 RHO Mk tebe okioe |e acne do Motes oes sno Sener a aie ey eee Sun-fish: sas. 225025--65- 05 38, 210 I OW asaecoece ee aerer 3, 900 | 195 | 248,989} 6,827 DUETS Bec aqepeoee eceoeee 14, 125 74D) |ouecooh=e|seessons|easaecosce Secatcod|lsnemon eso (Eeacees Warmouth bass.....-.--. 6, 950 By CE easier soi Seas tl lanen cero eacaess eee yeas es 8 A Lorn Ae ae eee eee 45, 300 1,133 | 688,500 | 28, 405 45, 700 | 2,100 8, 000 365 Other mnishie: == sss se 45||-at peas ss a) sce See? eRe ens su 4 Hee ane JseseGSascdlsse- ace 103,340 | 3,356 flail ) SoSpep er aoe ceeeaee 146, 496 5,885 | 374,500 | 18, 395 67, 600 2, 535 38, 625 1,497 Grabsssoth-2ssess-cssc5.-. 986, 720 AH pa cae see Soeoaere [Se cto esa lialey verte a ee are | ee Craps wiandeacs ese ook e ee 40, 000 1,000 | 110, 000 2,240 | 74, 660 1, 864 3, 700 175 raw ti Slee ec cee ater. | see see eel ones ch cou Ne eee Mento ee ane acre pefee sacctee 4, 000 80 Roerrapins) - =225- 2248. -< -- 17,179 2,815 | 40,916 9,635 | 34,785; 11,254} 10,350 1, 425 sour GleSy. «Senses ceee ee 24, 000 WeG20 | se aces 2a ee 1, 000 20 23, 856 1, 751 HrOgS Yas. = ase ope osc 1, 800 AOL 2 en Ba 1) 8 Oe i ote a beep Cl ee Oysters .....-.-..---.-:.| 6,011,726 | 241,099 |1, 504, 300 | 45, 360 /3, 406, 440 | 86,709 | 362, 802 | 11, 766 CVA Gyo e 22's eee cs seacic 937, 208 53, 703 185, 400 8, 652 2, 640 165 | 4, 800 300 SCMLOPS eee seater ees: 118, 323 bYODo: | 22 eee eer bes sarclser- ose culseamaees Nocedooseco||onesse Waviareeetetens wenn ces. | 32,500 | 11,162 69,805 | 17,525 OG op ES Me ed cal SEE Squeteague sounds .----. | 691 Od: | eeeest Sea eesee Sie laseaesceec|es ones. | sce ebeosce Merwsess. ences css- 55252 3, 862, 200 AP QOGN este cate | Aerie Sot ce mena tree tat |----20200e|--oceee PO talesseen eee ee 64, 234, 257 |1, 316,017 5, 280, 446 |210, 456 |4, 993,100 |170, 605 (5, 882, 662 136, 077 176 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Table showing the quantity and value of products taken in the fisheries of the South Atlantic States in 1897—Continued. SUMMARY. Species. Lbs. Value. Species. 1 Alewives, fresh......-.-. 5, 755, 114 $49, 700 || Sheepshead ...........-- 722, 570 Alewives, salted .-....... 10, 101, 236 78; 424° || Snappers; ..-2 . sane scnsos.ca5 $845, 695 | $1,027, 669 | $1,316, 017 +288, 348 +28. 06 SOM UEC OVOUIMN Bean erin nin cininin cee n cece 212, 482 202, 602 210, 456 + 7,854 + 3.88 Georelaesares sees seen c nese c osaseenise 119, 995 123, 563 170, 605 + 47, 042 +38. 07 MONT asclalaie sini eim cca sn2.=:=:<1- =' aeaeise sine 78, 408 219, 870 136, 077 — 83,793 —38. 11 JOO TEM pe ot oes See oe cee eeeeae 1, 256,578 | 1,573,704 | 1,833,155 +259, 451 +16. 49 FISHERIES OF NORTH CAROLINA. The fisheries of North Carolina have continued to increase in nearly all respects and are now of greater importance than ever before. In the number of persons employed and value of products they are more than twice as important as those of all the other South Atlantic States combined and nearly equal them in point of capital invested. The prominent position of the fishing industry in this State is due chiefly to the vast extent of its sounds and other coastal bodies of water, fresh and salt. Several rivers have fisheries on their lower courses, and the ocean banks are fished extensively. The industry as a whole isof greater value than any other branch of trade in the eastern part of the State. The three tables on p. 178 show the extent of the fisheries in 1897, The total number of persons employed was 12,045. The capital invested amounted to $1,218,459. The value of vessels and their outfits was $151,375; of boats, steam flats, and pile-drivers, $202,709; of apparatus of capture, $410,811; of shore property and working capital, $453,564. The yield amounted to 64,234,257 pounds of fishery products with a value of $1,316,017, an increase of over 12,000,000 pounds since 1890. Shad continues to be the most important species in the North Carolina fisheries, the value of which was $362,811. The yield of this species shows an increase in weight of 3,195,075 pounds, and in value of $56,796. The next species in importance, the oyster, had a value of $241,099, an advance of $65,532 since 1890. Alewives had a value of $127,055, after F C 99——12 178 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. _ which the more important species were squeteague, worth $95,219; mul- let, worth $90,338; striped bass, worth $58,035; blue-fish, worth $46,752, and clams, worth $53,703, an increase of over $40,000 since 1890. Persons employed. - On vessels fishing On vessels transporting In shore or boat fisheries On boats transporting..........-..-.------.------- Shoresmen ..... Soo sc conpHCUnn st opeseonsooooasesSse How engaged. ewww wee we twee wee ene e ee tees cce res ceeces Table of apparatus and capital. Items. No. Value. Items. No. Value. Vessels fishing.........-...-.- 98 | $69, 450 Sa rertns core fisheries: DUTT Ee) ache per genoccocpgce 1 3017320" ss 1 ee GH OG ES - petscsacosssss5nse 1, 026 $79, 465 Tig eee Gee ata ee CaO Till gM URL ELAN as wee acer cee 86,639 | 177, 820 Vessels transporting --...-..-- 76 aio Pound nets s sseas2sehessoe 1, 852 136, 375 JRTEINO Cos sogesnssoonods 86203: Neeser ae Fyke nets-...-.-.-.-----.- 23 341 Ontibere cos een rece eee ee eet ame 7, 423 Minor nets: -2.522 222222225 775 1, 867 Ley y repens) hbk Pees Seca aoe 4,420 | 200, 251 247 Boats transporting ........--. 2, 458 885 Apparatus—yvessel fisheries: 1, 050 SHO ScAgeategceresaeeeies 18 6, 700 Tongs and rakes ....-..-.. 1, 352 3, 023 Guldnets tS. se ses cane csee mee 49 1, 370 Miscellaneous’: .-< ) ale 00)" |e an Seka yee MOTSeeee ee eat se sieicce|secece mele cetecenlece see |belntewnas Soisa| tesa ins 2 be Basen Scacras INOMNMOtS see seeaccsicas ciciare 10 BYP safetne|Accerecss Beoplisacnodac 5 5 13 32 MUINGS Yee pemee eee ee ce yectelleeeees ce 9Ou| ase be|Hosscese BE Beer ice] Bacera RecieeeEd techs mocodic POiSeeee eee eae ee ence lausabacels sasncctlseseeclbocadtnas Semollbocconas 100 GUN eee orlacogcdp Tongs and rakes............ 85 233 | 210 605 |100 250) |s dicta ns ee ene = ocx ohana Shore and accessory property.|----.--- PANE ay bbe 250 IO) | ecase CERI Reooe 105 Cash\ capitalnce.cssecece aeccnlaceness PAD il eeceea enoneee Sei | beeneee |S auees 5= 500) Soeae | emeeeee Rotalseeeseces sew seaos|ees ese et. 58, 030 |... --- 20, 205 AO 250M Bearcat 3085954) Sass 2,677 186 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Vessels, boats, and apparatus employed in North Carolina fisheries in 1897—Continued. Perquimans. Pitt. Sampson. Tyrrell. Washington. Items. dat No. | Value. | No.} Value. | No. | Value. | No. |-Value.| No. | Value. Vessels transporting.......-..|.--.--|--------|----|----+----|-----+|-------- 4 | $2,000 2| $1,200 Tonnage. -.-.-.----- Abn odr0b 55 |sodecd|Sossecao||Scad ledoaee cs |lsoccon||aceoeaes BEE EY |losaassee IVI) eeccens Mia blibscacca see eco weeaicia me | eeisctei| eemermetatal| elas leiacie aise eeeatel lise claire eral) sre Bi) |esae 230 Roats fishing --- js2.-- se... 43 | $2,750 | 70 $347 | 125 | $1,250 | 100] 6,050 78 3, 890 Boats transporuine 2 ce ema =| cele ale Edd penne |S: Sons Raasesee 1 300.3 ssqes|eeeeeee Apparatus—shore fisheries: SINGS epee aeeina sn ema = Gillmetsseseese once came ae IPGUDCLNGUS ee eene = = seria WOMGTENG eeaenos onberocsoe IPOS oon als sce lasts st cieie Se reias Shore and accessory property - RODE see cease seers SUMMARY. Items. | No. Value. | Items. No. Value. Vessels fishing..........----- | 98 | $69,450 || Apparatus—shore fisheries: MOnNAS Crease =e nce eae MOM 20" laocctakeeek SOINGA Ss cciiwecces ses ce eto 1, 026 $79, 465 OR oo eas snoesseonacaosccd bolsnseSce 21, 327 | Gill notsyaecosecccss secs eae 86, 639 177, 820 Vessels transporting..---..-.. 76 OSL 7 bell) < "Pound nets. --. --s5=- 22-02 1, 852 136, 375 PUGHIALO eee aaa a een iteiataal 862.03 |.-.--..-.. | Eye mete. sc mani cere sas 23 341 Ontiteseow-concaccccoscms|seensece ne 7, 423 | Minor neta sscoce soccer eee 775 1, 867 Boats fishing........--- Sal ied a0 1 200, DBL PaMbaare ee ates be ceca ul yale eens 247 Boats transporting. ..---..-.. 8 2 ASB) |I) | MRotersc- fee ieee ices sees 1, 233 885 Apparatus—vessei fisheries: || weWViheéls ees eee es eee 70 1, 050 OLN GA eens ci es tale eiaioiinaiate 18 6, 700 | Tongs and rakes ........-. 1, 352 3, 023 Gallimete ees seer es asec e velar 49 1, 370 Museellaneousss 2s oocee eel seeeeeeeee 453 IOMEN Rt pose noe sosoececrsoe 26 855 || Shore and accessory property |---------- 315, 164 Tongs..... Leentisokognodaaee 139 360 | Cash capital csencmeace tlle oneness | 138, 400 TG ball ek stops tars 2 oa oe |e 1, 218, 459 Table showing by counties and species the yield of the fisherics of North Carolina in 1897. Beaufort. Bertie. Bladen. Brunswick. Species. _———— Lbs. Value. Lbs. Value. Lbs. Value. Lbs. Value. Alewives, fresh........ P5867 | $3,250) el 238842 (0S9: 9940 oem eel scene eral is sictere te ietetata eer eeteratate Alewives, salted.,..-.. 46, 000 695i) T3516, S57) | 1255400 Selects ate ete cea al motors eet) eee Black basse: .---- 157, 145 EU n aes seteics | eReeisce 63,975 | 1,599 SpotsMireshi ese ce scanc|nees inesc|seeesece 194, 260 PAT yt eae ees een (eee F | 100,300} 1,003 Sows FEU) Saosereseed bontaorod sacersce 36, 700 Squerearie, tresh'-255-)- 220 05sc-|escec-5- 695, 208 Squeteague, salted.....|.-....2..|..-.-.-- 47, 450 Strawberry bass ..-..---|.-- inbiesee| boscreadlesdoseashsb Striped bass ........... 20,400 | 1,428 4,500 SHER Goccesocentee-|lsadstebad|é sSected cass: sees eec SING asec tesod=epoone 900 DB ts eeeome acces LUDTIRS son sdSogecooded bedsoscend|lbeanonnd 14, 125 GrapssSOLG ca. sacsc-sc|Cece ase ei |cdeeceae 979, 200 Tena pode sssecnoasulnaoorsoocd bpacscse 6, 428 ONSIBES eta cose eanccialisacis seae| sae cio 2, 557, 275 Glnmipete cae sce ccc st ese smet se oael ae cece se 307, 408 ‘Soni Wn heeeeS saa Ses 5 Se eeneeeo onaceees 118, 323 GERI asec cemeceeeb cde He SNR reel See cite a eae 8 ter ae 10,360 | 3,248 10,125 | 3,375 TGiRF FE Gisgance nee Se SA AINSOTS SEN PO | 80 te Re em ee oleae 919624200) (85 703) tena ee eee Obl eins co cicsiiniae 323, 513 | 10,546 | 19, 022, 667 | 224, 641 |12, 292, 720 |112, 787 | 2, 624, 168 68, 861 Hertford. Hyde | Lenoir Martin. Species. | Lbs. Value. Lbs. Value Lbs. Value Lbs. Value | Alewives, fresh.......-. 569, 686 | $8, 085 2, 000 $30 1, 130 $10 PAL BBB $353 Alewives, salted......- 107, 998 SON Scr eeeceesele meee |eee coe oes sep oeea| PASS B72, 1, 241 Bine-tish fresh 0505. |\mcn acca cs lester ae 68? G50. iy T0290 ee Se oo GS oe ee eRe 8 eee Blue -fishySaltEed) =. 22/<\.2|\ 5-2 55s- cise |-cceer 35, 000 WOO pe cet cee Oe con -|eeeeeer eee eeeeeeee Wat-fishs sine eneeesan Croakers, fresh 1D Hib pear eee MOIST eee ap eict- <1 Flounders aan Hickory shad.......... 375 VAS ep merece asia matne 1, 700 43 6, 900 284 tine ge aoe access tote aacsese cocina sinecmics 2,500 25; || Sock sei. cd poseasecleelee cee eeaaeere Mirlletstresh! =-se-s\ccleceobescsiess 29, 650 444 eke uek coat sebsccs acs eeemecleenoee. Monlletsalted!} = 2.22. lesesacecees = 50s O00) IR 250i 'aa22 ce eed een ce ulcer eee Pere Peete cinimicinin oles SATO Oa Si ees eames el eer cree 127 5, 200 260 PSII Sess soyeic araia ce) a ois laminin atari tte 53) 100) 1.033) ee eos Ee aces | caetsouc set |e cise nal een cease eee Clams) ee neeee aeee no nossececuocs|s Ete ABS 000% | 2K40 0a ere = abiste sleersueis cc | ecine celal eeeeeeee ROMISCe ee pee este tee ee oem alee ns seialssootescacsclecaocscclieeeencacwlbseee oc. 40, 000 50 Totale ssc o2esce: 741, 349 | 11, 122 2, 486, 600 | 68,525 108, 845 4,016 385, 205 9, 533 188 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Table showing the yield of the North Carolina fisheries in 1897—Continued. Currituck. Dare. | Duplin Edgecombe Species. Lbs. Value. Lbs. Value Lbs. Value.| Lbs. | Value. Alewives, fresh .....- Ee 3, 500 $21 284, 080 Alewives, salted ...---- 113, 500 687 | 1, 336, 334 iBlackipaAsseees- cess A903280)| 22151699) |o= So aen soe Blue-fish, fresh ....--.. 36, 250 | 1, 462 662, 690 Bluefish; salted .<2c.'ec| scssccess=s-|se Secs - 118, 200 IBUtber-S Me seme sleet 400 16 8, 800 @at-fishteo-2o2scacs-anc 62, 446 868 6, 050 Channellibass;treshies-.| 2 so-so sane macs 27,500 C@hannelibass.saltedins-|-es esses ele = mnie 40, 200 Croakers, fresh ......-. 22, 800 592 349, 044 Croakers, salted .--....- 2, 000 80 4, 400 JUNE) Sis gee saoemaaecooe 27, 450 1, 533 10, 900 Wigunders'+2-2-2=-.---- 1, 000 30 12, 725 ISMORMAV RIE soos usone bosoapeseses|pososcse 5, 834 aon pfisap sate ti= tela 20, 600 444 26, 190 Mallet: freshi-..-2--<. 50, 800 1, 056 60, 400 Mullet, salted.......... 10, 000 500 479, 410 Rercheececcsecees cncoes 335, 036 6, 779 21, 590 Riko osu eas wat SEG40N | UNOS4el en nae: Meme leon ebay sogkoapesccod|baccensonses||bos7575 4, 650 Scad or round robin...-. 8, 100 AGM cc mstneer cam hades pee cscisscis aces 364,400 | 13,665 | 3, 147,128 133, 017 18, 900 840 | 11, 925 $530 Sheepsitead@enres steel ges each ces ener eeee 81, 826 Bea Gnlt Kcsae seal seeemte ces eee ||: ah ee Spanish mackerel. .-.-- 2, 300 166 79, 470 6561. | 28 Sen ce|ecar cee eee | eee Spots, treshe en.) no - 10, 000 232 134, 740 BSA. || era taiee.c ee cll Sic eres olllateeeete sal eaatoeterees Spots, salted........... 3, 000 120 94, 146 POG SOS CT eae ee me Squeteague, fresh..--.--. 51,200 | 2,210 | 865, 895 DD OLO)S| pee sles eee eee |e cee alleen Squeteague, salted-.... 8, 000 400 28, 046 BE cejasntate srane ele mqerelere ise | Mere ete teen Striped bass ...----...-- 48, 920 3, 435 364, 357 26, 006 2, 300 LIS) | Sac ateltaem ees SHPRGGOM Speccoonacde oolesoosuubascolloasnness 82, 600 Ep EU) Baoensaed Seances Gocckeralccemeec = Snekers: as-c062secm cee 48, 850 DOM {| Bias Sismeie= calaielninn.ciaie -oesces 94, 750 | 1,758 | Squeteague, salted ......-. 83, 496 2, 226 Gates heeeence ces ace ce sce 192, 211 | 4,646 || Strawberry bass ...-.-.-..-... 21, 725 866 Channel bass, fresh. .-...-.- 64, 550 } 830 || Striped bass--.-.....-...-.. 845, 123 58, 035 Channel bass, salted.-..-.-.-.- 40, 200 SOAS S CUT PC OI m ease ieceiecieteeserrs 371, 625 13) 525 @roakerssfresh .21) 3252-525... 1, 247, 619 ASeH1ES WiSuckers:s:665- ocho = sass 135, 230 3, 037 Croakers, salted ......-.--.. 31, 400 A D2 OT MSE a ae alaaciele cis isleeaee 88, 210 1, 000 LON EEO, Qua 2 SAP EO pace eease 51, 400 TT OMoa||(PUAtO l= eee seecce sess 14, 125 283 PHOS ere nica = aocsiaccsesscaes 96, 700 4,051 || Warmouth bass..-.-..----- 6, 950 348 UIOUNGSD Ss ceicaie ses c)'-'- - =teraie 173, 975 ap lise Ailend 5 one goaseaouaden 45. 300 1, 133 Hickory shad 230, 975 fi, 5eoul SRTtIMp sess e a= seee- ee 146, 496 5, 885 Ran PofiS hes Seseeee aoe. coemeel asec eoss SSecoséacdllsaadanes 1, 380, 000 2, 300 Mullet, fresh ....---. 1, 075 GL Se ares oeeel aces as] tos oec ae oleae eee 119, 400 1, 833 Milet salted=< 2 2 c=.| Sse a [---2-22-|--- 2222-222 Vaeeisiovers 297, 600 8,:77 630, 250 | 18, 606 Sheepshead.......-.- Spanish mackerel. ... Spots, fresh......-.-. Spots, salted Squeteague, fresh. ... Squeteague, salted... Strawberry bass..... Striped bass Suckers ARHOIOS 28.4. 22ee sae Terrapins Total vessel and shore 6, 250 250" eae ceateee ee pasaescis 3, 450 104 82, 455 2, 221 eR eee | ae ee eee ape SLA Salers OL. AE. Saar 47, 525 2, 547 45, 000 675) |e cee eens e 10, 312 207 103, 6u0 1,526 Be BRE race Ses SRE Ic ee ys peal | Pye inne [Sey eh Ses ls kets 23, 400 585 63, 100 9469) 532) Pee | ee 18, 725 832 335, 358 8, 280 ey ees. eae Pee ebabecincocansaecososos7 sedjoueccsae 25, 600 678 3, 400 10 eek gel ye TE es te eee Bee See celloanosans 22,653 | 1,813 | 11, 600 867 1, 300 65 1, 500 75 8, 100 170 12, 700 S78 ee aan oe: | as ales | Scions oer Ree 3, 900 D256 rkoses hous (Beaker | Baas eee ne onl ae ee | 5 - PSS ered bein amend rs Pelosi) eee 8, 925 179 DR dense hls 23. eee wa 22 | eee DAZO00 I) “D3920~| 2. --- 49, 500 | DO GH eee wet vatnise | ae eral | eeeicemiee |e oe ceeoale ae eae | eee Kingfishiece---<.5- 5 SMO DOH meted Ooi eee ecm eerecen ss toraen ae | Bese ent OR eS oe Be Mullet, fresh..--...-. _ 80, 075 | Mullet, salted. --..---- 93, 850 Piestisheeesase = -= 6, 550 Pompano ..---------- 6, 050 Sat: WAS asec eecossec 9, 300 Sheepshead . --..----- 8, 775 Spanish mackerel. - -. 41, 070 Squeteague ....-...-. 78, 663 Mota. s-2-=-< 406, 258 Shore fisheries: Alewives, fresh ....-- 10, 000 50 es an eee oe sltpecis Sars Hlacdeane soc leeks ool coe ele ee AMlewivesssallede as s.| sec sociace oe oat ere | reets ono teaalllse cesses amaae oe cal eminicecs 112, 500 $675 Blue-fish, fresh ..--.-- 208 0S 0ale A O2ule ae mete ies oo seen | Sesce eco celaeemceee 17, 300 695 Blue-fish, salted. ----- 30, 400 NBObeeee oe ects amerecic ak le smear es lneeceens |e Aaa latches IBOMIGO Rep eees === )= <= 2, 350 BON boeenaacseso Saree sed Canoe ase aessnetel beams see See 5 2 Butter-fish-..-.--.--- 10, 050 AU O ee esonptocd|Saaconas sesmanssea|acasasee 400 16 Channel bass .-...---- 3, 800 Sigil RoeeS sce steel om oer Sesics oe S| Cas cies eae omen ees Croakers, fresh ------ 57, 800 6 ene] Rees Beceem ene ete 13, 600 408 CHOTA REICGL - S el eS aonecocsod Pae opens) SaEceodacoso Ancedacg backeoosre| Fencasse 2, 000 80 ‘HMlounders' 2.4-4-----= 10, 400 208):cansop se ce =| across | soee ce ania: [aan tote lee sere eee Rine-fishie sos -2/25=-- Ga BOP eae = Speco) saceseed eae Saag |essenins 9, 600 114 25, 325 MOOS eae ttesce nealle tema el sae na sol bec mon os Gee nem aaa] hee eee GSS5 50h eo t TS Tel asec risa seetae| eet eree | eencecee a nema 500 | 40 DOSE GON els OBh eet cx cee Sate acon seme on Sarl ee 4, 200 86 13, 300 Se aoe Saas a el Be aes ee eee ae eel ne eae 3, 000 120 DdIsoS (all oHOla Na aeosct ese cal maces oc somat ce an eemeee oe 28, 000 1, 270 21, 850 E5759 ol a Se | Rs a ene ate Oe Se 8, 000 400 3, 000 150 16,400 | 1,148 5, 700 342 | 13,900 974 SP EHS eee Ee neha 100,475 | 2,453 75; 000))|5 330008 | pepe ee ee eee 5, 200 TICLE fs ee aes (ena [emean fariel Manse 0) aio Neagee SS ek ee cee eel Meiers 10, 360 | 3, 248 10}125:|| -3oS8 75mm eee eee 1, 136, 927 | 23, 942 382, 435 | 16,419 | 327,075 | 17,967 | 585,400} 18,973 | 1, 543, 185 | 34, 787 382,435 | 16,419 | 327,075 | 17,967 | 585,400 | 18,973 196 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Table showing by counties and species the yield of the gill-net fisheries of North Carolina in 1897—Continued. Dare. Duplin. Hertford. Hyde. Species. Lbs. Value. Lbs. Value. Lbs. Value. Lbs. Value. Shore fisheries; | Blue-fish, fresh ....-- BIN O90) |) S22 039 Sane ene loeeee a laaetece sac ciara cr 30, 000 $450 Blue-fish, salted 118, 200 Meister lS scaS oi||Sooseooclawascoeeme) paces seoloocscheacdlssecsce- Butter-tishtsss-ssense | 3, 800 HEYA Beemeemoes [abst cc | pocebs oo oc|ecdosccel secs coeeas eee Channel bass .--..--- | 27, 000 OU besseseece\lScsces4 pees soease Seerenbd |seosestood|acoccsec Croakers, fresh .----- | 187, 244 AS GOT) |||soues ee (eae tel on. nls ee | Croakers, salted ----. | 4,400 | Ct SRO oc SASrSeae aoeeEEnene Bsa Soo laamamee > sclsasceces Ronoctishtssecsonn a= | 20, 500 Dee See ced SSetese SeeoooSeen Sespec aa sm ssotecallbesscecc Mullet, fresh-...-..---- 60, 400 eR | eSeaesecadlescéosas| soeacacesa besecsosedpasscoccssllsorecace Mullet, salted.....-.-- 479, 410 LOPSG0M eee ewes nowwae asl onic cccisemie|sateee erie | tee mieen tans Beene LEGS TS So oe ese 0oce| Bececossesed||] cacbeac6|sosecececs| Saasaead semen ass-|pocot eas 30, 400 608 Pompano .---..-------| 1, 600 Bib ees soseeDe PSScReedleSspcosccH baseomoglasesnecasoescosos- Shade j=-is see ascicl: 2, 113, 872 90, 362 2, 700 $120 17, 100 $637 247, 500 11, 000 Sheepshead ...--.---- | 65, 925 OF 65Gb eons cho sec ecisoaceG| cate as cae a eereereis| aan eee ees Spanish mackerel. ---, 13, 470 TG ISU Woe ss sewer leempas s| mew ances oe | aisecet 10, 000 400 Spots, fresh.....----- | 111,500 BOON | RE Re cel| L ok aad te Se |p 40, 300 502 Spots, salted -..-..--. 68, 146 Oe Ce EE ae eer sccd Se SASS SES aee hema Sabceroe = co5 exiles Seeeceme Squeteague, fresh. --. 619, 800 DRUGLD Marsa ees Ome clea cae ete eh teers 43, 500 566 Squeteague, salted - -. 28, 046 Bh eaeeee cee Coccerss Heccacseersa beaenasd scossc]-<~||-csa25-6 Striped bass -.--.---. 32, 510 ray Ol Base ae oss Saeeseed Ses cerosod spaceda> 4, 750 400 LS ayo) cosas omcesc 6, 100 1 58 eee Sees ASS sete pees Seem onesnd astesc: Squeteague sounds .. 691 TE pe Sie SAGs baadss6s bASosacsee| Proce ca|Sonocomend||:ccogs07 Total ssass. ts225- 4, 540, 004 168, 394 2, 700 120 17, 100 637 406,450 | 13,926 Lenoir. New Hanover. Onslow. Pamlico. Pasquotank. Species. Lbs ‘Value. Lbs. |Value.| Lbs. |Value.| Lbs. |Value.; Lbs. | Value. Shore fisheries: Avlowavesreshsas---|saansciac~|Secees sfeeeescce|semeee = DON OOO le epOUON etter ate eset 3, 332 $35 @hannelibass secac-2-|seesnect|sor see] seesenc|se= ee ele 15, 000 NEOs Bemscha oaceros|ioseccorcilscasccc @roakers, fresh )=---~-|'s:-2----|22= 25-2 12,500 | $250 | 38, 200 (eS Kesar Scecotie||sasceece|Scossac Wound ers see oc 2s 2] 5 52=,-2-)o-552-- 6,125 123 | 10, 200 OS eeseSene| Goesodc||ssaesse) sototac ikon? ie songs cc bocepene jqseosa= 8, 700 [BTS bas eneac| Honcaces lacogeudd ssosabalecaceact Minlletstresbeesesce = |eee sce clseae see 74, 250 | 1,857 | 45, 000 900 [Pee e522 sSbeee| eee ae Mimlletisaltedsenq =e jane 2. oe ace | Se nore malse ences 1515500) |F4 54.5 a eects eee ee a eer LEGO) Ne Some sacegor esac dad bobo) ae-eseee peocege 10, 000 SOOM Es Leen. + (Pas See nl eee ISAT). - noc osncson se) iceecssas hotebes|pesseasc|berecs= 25, 350 507 Veneer ece|-tee es clecese see Shad. eose.c2ecs22:' 25,0001" “$9387 1236; 1810 Poy lOo eee seal ae 18,000 | $800 /213, 880 SING NS 1GEG ho aceasa| GaSe ae eeeocs) Sesbessd hososee 6, 000 E311) ||jbaSocce «| Bacenod| botosSs: SPOUSMILOS saa seaee ae teeer tees cces 7, 500 150 | 21, 200 424i he eee ed Le ee Squeteague, fresh..-.-|.--.----|------- 13, 590 6801295; (7251113; 309) |e eee ele |e a ere Seen Sune! OES Se cosc sgesllaweecocd losaeces! bee onces Pooedel Secsesacesacoae 500 20 | 5,965 428 Sturgeon <------- << -- bbebescolebssasc 935750125812 le eee eal ecclesia | eer mello rear ee Cawian =e cnerieccsesee lEeineoond| Kemeoee 12,015 | 4,539 Pree eee eee eee eee ee ] | ee rors Motel eens oecee =e eic201000 937 |465, 211 (24,001 (668,175 |21, 883 | 18, 500 820 |223,177 | 8, 502 Pender | Perquimans. Sampson Tyrrell Washington. Species. | |— a Lbs. |Value. Lbs. |Value.| Lbs. |Value.} Lbs. /Value.| Lbs. ‘Value. Shore fisheries: Croakers, fresh ....-- CPOE y Se Beeteres bons laaocedaGd phaansd Pdonseea scodatic boceseécllecosecs Blounders’-=.--.----=|| 1625 SBN AR she Pa a ee See ied |e a eee eee ees eee een | pee Mullet, fresh ...----.- 38, 400 O60 rs scn cde Soe | see lecees oclet ces oat Sones eee ee Eee Shadisesscsso sneer oes 6, 750 300 | 92, 096 |$38, 454 | 22,500 |$1, 000 |728, 000 |$27, 310 112, 800 | $4, 230 Spots, fresh.......... 4, 850 Uf eesesecd besccet |soeodeoc|| soenoss| |p seeoona senasac bosses |Gscnss- Squeteague, fresh... -! 5, 000 PP eee ee Pens ete Saree ree oo el Seneree boca ser lsecreae fam ses. Striped Dass) sa.esee =| oe eee ces|seo- 3, 060 214: | acshe ce leeeeeee 47, 300 | 3,311 | 9,309 656 Wotalieenerso noe eS - 62,875 | 1,740 | 95,156 | 3,668 | 22,500 | 1,000 |775, 300 |30, 621 | 122,100, 4, 886 i] FISHERIES OF THE SOUTH ATLANTIC STATES. 130 Table showing by counties and species the yield of the gill-net fisheries of North Carolina in 1897—Continued. SUMMARY. _ 7 Species. Lbs. Value. | Species. Lbs. Value. | | Vessel fisheries: Shore fisheries—Cont’d: IBIS Nees eee = os 53, 650 $1, 073 UGinesiile os chbosedessos 94, 850 $2, 023 Channelibass.-.------..- -- | 5, 750 89 Mullet; treshtss=---2-=-- 262, 550 6, 410 Groakersy.-- 4-55-25 49, 500 296 Mullet; salted! =->-=------ 711, 410 17, 620 REM OSHS esses ee 2 =o - 23, 025 462 Perchisss vacesce ceseseees 10, 000 300 Wralletatres Di s--- o---- == 30, 075 448 Pig-fish 2 <2): s=sjacinaseri 115, 320 2, 379 Mallet, salted ...--=.-.-.- 93, 850 2, 816 Pin-fish)= 22 22 sseee eee 4, 200 63 LSTA 6 Beso oneeceneneae 6, 550 135 POmMpan Or saeace ase 15, 325 496 OUD ANG 22 l= aa oe === 6, 050 183 (BOL 2 pees acts = =e eee 6, 200 62 S50 9, 300 TOG Nea Spay bass: oco0: ie. Sues 23) 495 468 Sheepshead ......-..----- 8, 775 265 Sage ae = sano we eee 4, 916, 952 205, 079 Spanish mackerel. ...---- 41, 070 2, 466 | Sheepshead ......---.... 97, 250 3, 595 Squeteague ....-..---.--- 78, 663 2, 424 Spanish mackerel -.---.- 92, 520 5, 508 — SPOtSs, thes Dies segs sela 291, 160 3, 735 Ro tales see ae sea 406,258 | 10,845 || Spots, salted ......-..... 84, 446 2, 962 = Squeteague, fresh .-.-.---- | 1, 295, 452 45, 651 Shore fisheries : | Squeteague, salted .-.-.. 57, 896 1,548 Alewives, fresh ..---.--.. 63, 332 785 Striped'bass..---..-...-2- 145, 635 10, 033 Alewives, salted -.--..--- 112, 500 675 Sturceontesrssoa soe see 284, 225 9, 315 pine fish treshe sss eeo5- 882, 775 27, 336 MAb tee epstae a ae ioe pie 5, 200 104 _ Blue-fish, salted ..-.....-- | 148, 600 SOG5 |e ee ROLTADIN Stes eae eer 6, 100 1, 152 ib{ortN Ke) a sensmsccomadssans 2, 350 Shi lin - RCE athe seoae eaesaaaeceac 32, 500 11, 162 Burbber-ts Were ee = =a 14, 250 346 Squeteague sounds -.-.--. 691 104 @hannelpass*eo---2--o--- | 45, 800 523 |, ———— @roakers, fresh_..-..=...- | 327, 094 6, 769 WDotall: ecw ses eee LO, 199, 058 371, 189 Croakers, salted....------ | 6, 400 172 > iMlounderss-.--oseece- =< | 33, 950 680 |, Total vessel and iHuckory shad! ......-2---- | 8, 700 435 | SITOLOs ose eee 10, 605, 316 382, 034 Table showing by counties the yield of the pound-net fisheries of North Carolina in 1897. Beaufort. Bertie. Camden. Chowan. Species. Lbs. Value. Lbs. Value. | Lbs. Value. Lbs. Value. Alewives, fresh...-. 20,600 | $393 204, 332 $814 2,244, 708 | $11, 065 PAVE WIVES Salbede22\(5o250.2-520-)0bos-602 348, 366 75 3, 902,676 | 28, 984 ePeka DANS te eee cosas yon ee Uleeeccios|soeeessteet 29" |scoce2 ste eer iplue-fish) 22225. =...< 4,500 SO eS eee an Soe See en ns Eee tal RE See ele Aeccec iButher-fish .--=.---. yen) BbalLe eee aed a ee oaea| Seem cece soa eee sos tere ee Se (CHUTE Eee eeemee 4,740 71 1, 650 24 7, 530 296 Wlantiol\bassysaloedal soso ee. als mss nos ee cee ec kos lence |insae comers oclbee sects |e co a eee | eres @roakers <2.2-<:-2-: 833500: TS 252. | SUL e ns Sesh s see le ecaee~ amine! =a aac | Sac aae ers | Meee HGIS( ee Scmseesscssce a ae ieee bases Brel |e asl Sec [eek wea es ee } 50 3 Hlounders!.-2. 2-5-6. | 5, 740 SOFIE eee = toe 90 895 34 Hickory shad..-..--- (cacmonaaamng beekasae 12, 300 10 49, 879 1, 995 OMG tees es ees ok | 1, 300 73 VN PSR ial eae | Uhm ae Pe eh Se eee eo eSnips git ak TO ih RenGhis. =. yess 1=)=)5| 10, 200 510 1, 280 362 57, 450 2, 293 wo Re een eet ans cae ae eeee cls coco ee|ecneseeee ss 28 200 16 OMpPANo .=---=-=-=- 3, 200 VD eee ee Sak nce clsaacansoee nelletss cisco’ | icra encom eee | ae eaeeine ret One eee ae 60, 300 2, 680 115, 200 2, 250 675, 680 21, 538 Sheepshead-.....--. 2,100 AD Eos ates Set rare er el See ete te re I | eee | eee Spanish mackerel... 4, 250 A490" ose e ede aches celiac sceisaiscs ash oecaserlteeetscme mene aa eee Squeteague -...--... TES PIECE Haylee Pil Peck ee at SE Ue es 2 A Dh Rea lee ener (ei eg aS a ee en 5 Spots, fresh...---... e227 OO i ete re oa les See AN Le haa ae 2 cra atl bearer sive ee eres eel eee Striped bass ..-.. -. 3, 750 300 8, 857 1, 260 38, 330 2, 684 Diureeon! <).5-5.-----| 1, 700 Bey Ree a tee nee coe allots atc Seraice [oeete aen ee cere ne eel Eee DIL CKOLS Ps. = sos 25 so. eesti ese tyre Laas Se ae 1, 140 21 12, 200 367 NG Tal sae = ='S-. 377, 715 | 8, 315 693,125 | 10, 811 175, 933 4, 963 6, 989, 598 69, 275 198 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Table showing by counties the yield of the pound-net fisheries of North Carolina in 1897— Continued. Craven. Currituck. Dare Hertford. Hyce. Species. F | Lbs. Value.) Lbs. |Value.) Lbs. Value.| Lbs. |Value.| Lbs. |Value. Alewives, fresh... -- 25,000 | $375 3, 500 $21 274,080 | $2,006 | 16,349 | $385 2, 000 $30 Alewives; Salted’c=<:|:2262-s-\esce. <= 1, 000 LDMOS 50000 8a 9s men. eel cece sets ape eee iBlue=tishza.- eam ai-t -| 25, 000 500 50 2 53, 400 25004. 2 seSaeeclteaceee 10, 650 159 Butter-fish.-......... 5, 000 Bileneacanad babaaLs 5, 000 IG Sertspmcdl po ascaclscocasecleccenae Cat-fishess- ise. 2.2 = lneoseeos|eoreeas | 1,030 30 2, 350 59 300 VAL 2.3: See eee @hannelibass salted! |P2o-. alee s8a.c||-caees] | =- sce 40, 200 804>|\2as 5322 seaSoaibeesocec|ecos55 C@roakerssce sees eee 65, 000 GPA |peacisaricossscoc 146,000" |'5.3)282, | femeo ean seer 10, 300 154 Bel Nee eee ee mare Oe lace ume nosecine lecrecee oelsmeenee 1,500 Cyl eee Basen Se mueser|asccace Flounders -.-..------- 6, 500 65 | 1,000 30 11, 675 256; | hae aoe |eee eee 6, 600 85 Hickory shad -...-.. 5, 000 UO SAmdion xe) acess 4, 844 233 75 4 || oss eeeen|beeeeee Kaine-tish’-5-52--—--|) 105150 202) cee or eere cen 3, 890 227) ees seee eee eee 2, 500 25 Perch eee ssc | 20, 000 600 | 6,700 140 19, 790 594 600 19) ae sisal reese Pio fishiossaccecacs ss) ceo nselee cass ee spetae| (Cees sete ce banca w'c| oo cc nesaisis aa es Sele aes 8, 200 123 POM pane ssee- === |eorsoce+|sseecod|soseesse|ssossc- 2, 950 162 ||=:52 sec ee|S Sets acta se ee eee eee Shader rete sce kat 22, 837 | 1,015 4, 000 150 | 961,256 | 39, 955 480 20 | 4,500 200 Sheepshead ..-...--. |* 3, 650 BOM eseewec rece 9, 400 M10) | accede] seach aeseoeiee eee meee Spanish mackerel.--| 15, 300 Bier 4al ESS SSeeey ome 66;(000 "|!" 5, 280" eee ee sl S oe eee |e eee eee Squeteague ..--..... 105, 575 | 2, 260 300 15 161, 475 8: (074s eee noes 46, 100 690 Spots, fresh ......--- (P4051 00) meta OT | oe eera eel eee toe 18, 040 381. | 1 heen ethane 15, 600 207 STOuSh SHUTS sea Se losacseod paste -||Eooudatalsoonitss 26, 000 180! om: SoS 5) anaes eee Striped bass .-...--. 13, 200 792 | 10,720 750 292, 647 | 20, 453 50 3 3, 500 280 SLULLEON! Sess ae esse oe asec ae| Soeoe sale ne Seeee|seee sel $2:/600)|| 45.1380" |2 5-22 Sac] bases nee ees eee Suckerstp..-sercecccle sce seelseeeees J---222-- See eseeistete aia) treniele mies 2, 000 464-2 aeace [stress Total 2essosece 1362, 312 | 7,247 | 28,300 | 1,150 |3, 286, 087 | 98,391 | 19,854 | 488 |109, 950 1, 953 | Pamlico Pasquotank. Perquimans. Tyrrell. Washington. Species. = = Lbs. |Value.| Lbs. |Value.| Lbs. |Value.| Lbs. /Value.} Lbs. /|Value. Alewives, fresh...-. 10,000 | $150 | 19,918 | $206 | 113, 249 |$1, 300 55,315 | $550 | 78,999 $356 PA Gwiy.es Salted ac -alse5- ccc |eescieel 7, 000 63 72, 666 545 | 581,499 | 4,614 | 392,999 | 2, 948 Blue -fighsesseacsee 18, 300 SOGW esse oa) sasee oO oatee Sete ee Seema au sedia|edosemee baeaeee Butter-tish---se-s=se 1, 000 DOW Soe oe Al oleae cle cece Sadels cece celles eee oe Ue eee | See ae | eee CWat-fishisoer. 6 soe nee ene sale eee 3, 500 105 5, 280 193 100 1 4, 250 177 Croakerst2o. se sae 10, 200 4) eas sel esses See ae Reems IA ea Oem eel mtn soc (c jes Mlounders). os. 22 5- 3, 100 BN ES cereetea mee cities lea tas ca] Camied 2a Serene ce lmeeeeee 500 20 Hickory shad..----- 2, 000 150 68 2 7, 450 224 3, 375 135 20, 250 830 Kano-fishts.-eetaes= DD 1 fa ee eos Oe sae eee Seen Pen a ee a ene Perch seacaemaseseds 15, 300 459 | 5, 200 162 13, 250 530 10, 050 329 19, 950 800 Shadteese- Seen oseoe 9, 000 400 8, 592 852 | 134, 320 | 5,037 57, 440 | 2,154 | 214,980 | 8, 062 Sheepshead ....-.--. 1, 200 (1) Beene sec osonaG| |Potso case lecorse allie neo SeollseoaSHellseSsaceAcloceace Spanish mackerel--.| 8, 250 206 | ecco eb- |: sksisedll eae an clo ae = eal emrsm So sco cieiols |lerece era eer Squeteague-.--.....-. 58,525 | 1yp225 | 2252255) secee eco ceceieee|saeee2e| ceeeescisc|eo-~ se. eeeeeree | eee Spots, fresh .--....-. 7, 000 70. |. caveats | oeScenc|sasecee es eocsens| Pe se ceetes|-ie esos] = Soest eee Striped bass..-...-. 8, 200 328 2, 236 158 7, 950 550 3, 530 255 19,650 | 1,381 NUCKOIN Sees coo eee salle lece eee ee 6, 000 180 7, 830 28a i Seeeas cual ese 2, 600 78 otal esos <2 157. 790 | 3,625 | 52,514 | 1,228 | 361,995 | 8, 662 | 711, 309 | 8,088 | 754,178 | 14, 652 SUMMARY. Species. Lbs. Value. Species Lbs. Value. Alewives, fresh ...--...---- 3) 137,450). $205163) || Pio-fishls =< cercereseee on 8, 200 $123 Alewives, salted .......---- 6, 417, 539 48350) || PEAKOeesee a ceeesne oes 900 44 IBIBCKND ASS le cea ce et seceie as 700 20) OMAN Ose esclese sae Peer 6, 150 274 Bluefish: ccee se 42 -eee ce = 111, 900 35 620i Shad! ses seecesceeeee aes. 2, 328, 685 88, 293 Bittersfish\. ss eeca 2 see =o 16, 725 325 || Sheepshead --....-..------ 16, 350 752 Catefishesaste eee eee 33, 130 1,043 || Spanish mackerel..-...-.--. 93, 800 6, 017 Channel bass, salted. ------- 40, 200 804 || Squeteague .--..--------.. 524, 810 14, 556 Croakers|-nisoeccmsnen-< seek 315, 000 5,064: || Spots; tresbiesseeeeen oe =e 94, 015 1, 258 HGISe coc: = cocwetien sees oeee 1, 550 30) || (Spotsysaltedesse-eeee ease. - 26, 000 780 INIOUNGETS .seee | Peneeee Alewives, salted......- ean eee ee |sosece se|locaseas|soaseecelecesss= 61, 667 585) (os .2eee | eee Cat-fishe=s.c---s225-0 22 Ue rete esata Sees | eee 525 SIL: | nce cle S| enciniene |p eae eee IDE) scdscesbecoes secede CSeden 4) csesens lcososece aso ses 150 BW Beeeeree Cece aoe lcomemtcc|accotcc Hickory shad.......--- Inaneesal Sasso |psonon ool bases beseance baemce 900 44.5.4 55 ShA| aoa Perches ese oseee 8 2c Pee Seal neo oer 650 26 |: sce Ses oce eels Seen eee RAE tae Sonanen eowseselysseees 11,925 | $530 | 39,200 | 1,470 | 34,000 | 1,590 |-------.|-.. 2... Stripedibass'ss22 222s. s esac eee scence] oneal ean cice's = 2, 450 ON 48 Eee ees) Roeser acta Scl>coacnc SUCKERS haere steers Pee acetic eee ecee See seen 300 BiiesiscneReliiee-soalkesceerel tessa Crabswsoft-2- 2-2-5225. DADO) Plaids | eos eissals Gesctalst ceeeeel aecece| saceemeememeoes 5, 120 $448 obaliey ae), 2,400 | 144 | 11,925 | 530 | 43,275 | 1,685 [106,567 | 2,399 | 5,120| 448 | Pasquotank. Pender. Pitt. Sampson. Total Species. Lbs. Value.! Lbs. Value.) Lbs. |Value.| Lbs. |Value.. Lbs. | Value ANGER) TREN Neco gogec|laoeoo sao ge0dloaeese cllocances|locoobsar pososeelscceticd|Seeeess | 17, 000 $285 INO aGE GEUIGH Me oe geae |Soteocac bccceond peopera Seeesed lssocoasn Ceacesal seacers| cosas 131,667 | 1,215 Cataisheeease2 2 o- he: il Mel sistas ase sear 3 Hickory shad 65 Mullet, salted 450 Perchiss-222- c= esses a Shad 42225222. 2sseseees- 7, 296 Striped bass ....-...... 172 SUCKOrs sere eee ae 3 Sati seeeSstonsaeead beeosees paeasoallnassoes|sesedas| dass sorllssessoo|pocesce|acecgas 2,496 125 CTA SSS OTC ee cae nese cael eae oa eee et | Geena (ees Selene ers iene 986,720 | 3, 992 Succi Lee eee 1,500| 45 | 4,837| 215 | 27,472 | 1,221 | 9,900 | 440 {1,328,117 | 13, 688 FISHERIES OF THE SOUTH ATLANTIC STATES. 201 Table showing by counties the catch by dredges, tongs, rakes, etc., in North Carolina in 1597. Beaufort. Brunswick. Carteret. Species. : = = Lbs. Value. Lbs. Value. Lbs. Value. Vessel fisheries: OMS c Bean goenoandebatocesasac 59, 500 PI BLOP oe seccrccseia letiancstemais 843, 675 $29, 029 Shore fisheries: ORO so = Soda coe sesbeecoacod lbsobeScosnpn comp ees54 |boseap noose bocpeordas 1, 718, 600 60, 299 (Cleit) 6 Sse op ehlespoosecor ened eens o opceCol Sone Cotecra 400,000 | $22,500 | 307, 408 19, 213 SiaMNNE) socoaseescoosaccotachees| |posesaosecos| Scecsoseue|aoscocesapoc lopopsaccas 118, 323 5, 653 EO tals ee aie cialaiceeieae ae sce) wieteciziayeo'stelersi ste waiale wnars 400, 000 22,500 2, 189, 331 85, 165 Total vessel and shore.-.---- 59, 500 il, 370 400, 000 22,500 | 2, 983, 006 | 114, 194 Dare | Hyde. New Hanover. Species. SSS Lbs. | Value. | Lbs. | Value Lbs. Value. | | - | | Vessel fisheries : | OWS = nec dtonpeececebscceoess 74, 851 $3; 208 |. <2 2. .----=0)|0-- ee nee -| oon = ence nn |o- === Shore fisheries: (OWSNIGHE Ss Set Soonnsecebobdnogseoe 113, 400 4, 610 1, 666, 700 $45, 583 448, 000 $28, 000 Clam ate eee as Sh eRe 2 ee 25, 600 890 | 48, v00 2, 400 144, 000 8, 100 Mota sarc .c nas sate cd sis. re 139, 000 5, 500 1, 714, 700 47, 983 592, 000 36, 100 Total vessel and shore..----. 213, 851 8, 708 HE 714, 700 47, 983 592, 000 36, 100 Onslow. Pamlico. Total. Species. - —| — = Lbs. Value. Lbs. Value. | Lbs. Value. Vessel fisheries : | O\NAIGIR caes ee des aaea sd Ses cacoonelleossocoeaaec Pescosoecd|boposdcosace| Ecossmecce | 978, 026 $33, 607 Shore fisheries: ny, | (UN SUGIS Cece ad chboosassbodsesones 840, 000 $60, 000 252, 000 $9, 000 5, 038, 700 207, 492 (CHEWS) ceecess tee scneasesersseose 12, 800 GON eeseocsnade | Baccececae 937, 808 53, 7083 SM UOMS so twas sacesoecsseet hood |Senscacdsconllseocn pened cncobscsescsllssossocens 118, 323 5, 653 (Ths heen oe eh cae eae 852, 800 | 60,600 | 252,000 | 9,000 | 6,089,831 | 266, 848 : = = j= | Total vessel and shore..---- 852, 800 60, 600 252, 000 9,000 | 7, 067, 857 300, 455 Table showing by counties the catch by miscellaneous apparatus for North Carolina in 7 1897. Bertie. Chowan. Currituck. Dare Species. Lbs. | Value. Lbs. Value.| Lbs. | Value. Lbs. Value be Ooh Ono ldabooece SaEcascuadds SaSpboora Genbopedicconoune 151 $33 ASR ROOSe Ad Scnoon ad EOD OCObSeE sol eSopoee 1, 800 $450))|'- scene eel eset NOSCUON ERE ACURA IE SHY MS enka lscoseoecl Seascoonad oacecce 500,000 | 625 | 2,962,200| 3,703 | 1,800) 450 te Martin. Washington. Total Species. = Lbs. Value. Lbs. Value. Lbs. Value SRGN Aiea cieier.| sclac eats Gers sce loe te cele =ctelnseinacce sis cele |= co cic oes 151 $33 SOS Nee eee eee ee oats a. ((orae dee a) ss oleae semacciae's|Saaaeslece 1, 800 450 ets sneeeeteeeneessai ec ss 40, 000 $50 360, 000 $450 3, 862, 200 4, 828 Totaly esc 5. ss.52-s25 40, 000 Poles 360, 000° 450 3 864, 151 by Sill 202 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. The shad is the preeminent fish in North Carolina so far as value is concerned. The following table shows the number caught during the years 1889, 1890, 1896, and 1897. The continued preponderance of Dare County in this fishery is clearly brought out, the catch in 1897 being almost one-third that of the entire State. Table showing the nwmber of shad taken in each county in North Carolina in 1889, 1890, 1896, and 1897. | Counties. 1889. | 1890. 1896. 1897. No. | No. No. No. ean for sa- =o cteles/o see eeisioal= sa ceeece ee eeaa scenes 59, 618 — 65, 050 54, 282 51,774 Bortiomeeens see Ee cakes ay! SNe ren rene Pe 161, 050 106, 800 148, 950 | 122, 491 Bladen eer seam se aes scecr cee eat ce ane ieee elecee oe seas sel esa eetioweas 6, 202 | 7, 044 PS TUNIS WAC Kearse ois 2 tee ais perso seem memealesesiee 6, 894 6, 741 7,434 | 2, 250 Wamidentesencn: oo s ace Se eae erie oe isee ene 26, 600 39, 375 33, 000 51, 000 Carnteretiancoo-- ares See eee aaae eelciseme onesie st 7,571 5, 750 21, J50N i Sece ee eee Chowan ees. eso ae eee eine lamina ce citeeae ae one 119, 126 125, 841 348, 898 270, 041 Columbuse sss. 5262s ces mnea et Se eta enee) sslenlae \aB ee BA secon Seee nen eee T2200) sss sane eee Cumberland! s2-22--5-secessseee Bees nis re eit ena esl eee ocieise sins Gel aoeies 2; DOD ee cae eee CuUribyek .aa0- cles osteo anos ene cenit sins Hee eee 54, 400 70, 763 36, 053 91, 100 DATE e ae aes Sats Soe ae ake Seo esivans gauwase Je geeeeone 595, 217 690, 749 675, 700 786, 782 Duplinwesesce cine eo ses cone sees sees ecic weiemiencs ae ee 4, 038 3, 210 3, 534 4, 200 MA PECOMDE =~ 22 esc acct see Se osteo ciasiscise seen 24, 046 20, 694 1, 960 2, 650 Gates ease oe etd cats tena tant Comeenereeineseeet 4,300 4, 760 MOO taaeetncemeee GOON Oise ccaae mi cioit a tale eo asa is rela mara cle wnlacs Caneel ae | Rommee ioe me |keee oe Sees 4.193") seme oeeaeee Hertford) seems seo nose ac sess Uaceeieeeeck ate maa: 6, 354 8, 150 12, 870 12, 095 HV AO sikie= sana die Seecieticesce Se hese maeeee ake aec sss 19, 850 27, 780 50, 365 56, 000 JDORMSTON soaacet Sacks sieheehesaweiee acbee we aaeaceiecae lisiaiaisiclaysyere mele Einteis wise wistm ase 850 Iss a2eceeeeee WON OR senate see se ysis cece See eee Ce Coe eee eee 7,000 | 7,497 14, 787 21, 356 IND Gime eeete ns cna e aareremass Ge are eee mene eae nese 24, 000 | 26, 410 54, 089 31,500 INewsHanovert-cssciscseceeeccenee Crees she taceise 43, 677 37, 700 40, 038 52, 618 (OMS) (Vo ASCE SES Ee eC DE CORO RO SSE Reciaeeacieeerie eee se 7,194 5043 |n ck ccweceee Scere neem iPamlicoand!Cravieniaes. cece 6 cn ee «isenececc sence css 145, 000 | 148, 000 160, 383 141, 000 Pasquotanksnsj.ss-scce esas eco ster ode otecnioceer 34,479 | 37, 830 59, 398 58, 728 RGN Cr eee eee mae oe ee icine Sn cee esis cea ees 31, 783 | 26, 160 8, 492 4,375 PROLQUIM AN Steed ne ee sess oe eee cco ane eee 30, 390 27, 750 51, 324 65, 706 Pitts ecsmeceac oat cee ames e sccee seni ac aeocee cede eee 8, 794 10, 736 13, 382 12, 585 Sam PROM ee se ss ee eto olo seis Sate ciclo a 6, 714 5, 350 6, 130 15, 200 PI Tre lets sate psec cine eaten w cis ce ciew ie mavacia smear ae = are 28, 480 32, 850 156, 169 196, 360 Washington ....-. Soe ae iayayslsto asain Greiinatece Soe 73, 822 71, 105 119, 839 1138, 945 IWiAYNO Sees soem sere nt ose Sate ack nese ene eck see et| ew ase ceca |beeascesers 3; 146s). eee seee ET G Gall aera e eiays een TOE oe sen he tae econ 1,530, 394 | 1,612,594 | 2,096, 804 2,170, 800 INDUSTRIES. The shore enterprises of North Carolina dependent on the fisheries are of considerable importance. The prominent features of each of these is shown in the tables that follow, which are presented in a con-- densed form. The menhaden business of North Carolina is centered in the vicinity of Beaufort, and six factories were operated in 1897. The capital invested in buildings, vessels, apparatus, etc., was $102,840, the num- ber of persons employed was 200, the value of the fish handled was $19,605, and the value of manufactured products $35,527. The wholesale trade and canning industry was carried on by 27 firms which included 1 establishment canning oysters and 1 canning clams. To avoid showing private business of these two canneries they have been combined with the firms dealing in fish, oysters, etc. The pro- ducts sold had a value of $411,941. More than half of this amount represented fresh and salted fish, while the oysters that were sold open brought $100,181 for 149,181 gallons. FISHERIES OF THE SOUTH ATLANTIC STATES. 203 There was only one oyster-canning establishment in operation in 1897, and its output was small. The oyster-packing industry shows a large decline, owing to the withdrawal of many firms formerly engaged in this business through- out the State. In Elizabeth City 13 firms thus engaged withdrew from the trade. A new industry, that of canning clams, has been started at Ocracoke. Table showing the extent of the menhaden industry of North Carolina in 1897. Items. No. Value. Items. No. | Value. Establishments ..-......--- 6 | $57,000 || Steam vessels fishing ....- 3 | $25,000 Cash capital... .-------=-- Badescaebee 20, 800 | AV INCKS see Shoe epoope 124: 927|5 eee Shore employees -..--------- UGE ese seecc Outfit and apparatus..|.........--. 4, 260 hishermeny sos. +. oses eee OTA Seca | Sail vessels fishing .-..-.-.. 8 6, 350 Menhaden handled......... | 19,250,000 | 19,605 || Tonnage ....-:........ 119.92: |.G eee Tons of scrap prepared. . - | 1, 330 24, 450 |) Outfit and apparatus..|....-.----.- 5, 340 Gallonsctotioile ten s-Fc.4-" 61, 550 11,077 || Sail vessels transporting. - 4 4, 400 | MONNRLE see eei- -\5 ese (60220))|Pasemaacer | Outtibes:: (Lek cct ee eee 550 | Statement showing by localities the wholesale trade in fishery products for North Carolina in 1897. Beaufort. Elizabeth City. | Morehead City. | Newbern. Items. = = = Quantity.) Value. Quantity.| Value. Quantity.) Value. ‘Quantity. Value. | | { | Establishments......------ 4 | $5,600 | 2 | $2, 695 6 |$10, 800 4 | $25, 400 Cash capital .--...-. Sere Genesee Weld DO Oily sors et 0p) eae ere 23¢9008| hee sseee | 25, 000 Kee usediss a= -= =e tons.. 110} 550 | 220 | 1,100 970 | 4, 840 800 | 4, 000 Saltmsedisearce sees bUs hee ed eccee elas fete [Samat bateaces 700 | PID) essaecoeadlesasscae Employees...-..-.---. No.. (iy Eas ae Wiis iniciderse= 19) sae. 184) Pease Products handled : Ovsterssoldiopent sgallg cel eaten eel het tice elermtalsicretelets le tataccle 24,927 | 15, 066 50,754 | 36, 065 Oysters canned ....cans..| 120, 000 es 200 Bre wiateaisiors el ayer aarateiail SS arapiciepsiats Eee ee ae aba wacirss @lamseesene-0.---- bush: 530005) c4500n | saese = ac |eeeacie = = 23,/250) || 20,925 jaa aecenealemee see Scallopsisoldiopensgalls =| ee oo e eal ese ne eine eer | enim 4,147 |) 22);730! |S - = ee eee eeeeeeies Crabsisoftis- -2.-=-2- INOS 3 | IAS. 3 o aaa epee barton sl Seee ets 4, 800 240) |Saes. tS a Saas Fish, fresh and salt--lbs-.| 350,000 | 14, 000 [ 048, 833 | 39,475 |1, 406, 868 | 56, 274 1,565,000 | 60, 600 | Marshallberg, Washington. | Wilmington. Ocracoke, Total. Items. | and Belhaven. Quantity.) Value. Quantity.| Value. |Quantity.| Value. |Quantity.| Value. Establishments.-----.----- 3 | $9,000 | 4 |$20, 200 4 | $8, 650 27 | $82, 345 Gashicapitales-steoece- cee lsesssee sce HG OOM Sttecossce 1 000M Eseee cer ee pl onOU0Nl Ease sermes 117, 600 Teeused(- =f. 220255 tons. - 540 | 2,700 ALG! e 2N050n ec misiene sic |tiat cet 3,050 | 15, 240 SHG ee ee eee bush... 800 DAO See ete Cares || meee A= ccomiate re ict [sce goretare 1, 500 450 Employees...-.-.------ No.. 11 al ee ee 1SMee SSeS ae 147 Wee aaees 445) |i oe eee Products handled : Oysters sold open. .galls-.|.......-..]--...--. 18, 000 | 13,500 55,500 | 35,550 | 149,181 | 100, 181 Oysters canned: --/cans=:|---.-2----|-.-.--- Weise eine pecs ef rerere steer cee eraencoata ersten 120, 000 7, 250 Clamps i tae boeks DUS Ss |Psee oaks ot Seen ey opens el eee eS le See Sess eee 28,250 | 25,425 Clams canned...--- CANBe eee eacoulloeenacae aoe are Seems 56, 300 9, 850 56, 300 9, 850 Scallops sold open- eae 8 Ae toa Seno Scene aaa acer Shp ae moral BA Baere 4, 147 2, 730 Wrabsesolt.- =o. -- = =- 54S hep aoceca| oreeeace 37, 200 2,015 | 120,000 | 6,500 162, 000 8, 755 Crabs, hard........-. No. ae A aaa ls 6244008 Wels SO0u|sacceeere |e 62,400 | 1,300 Shrimp .....- APUSH Sele ees sa eaailei= eee 228005 |" 282 960-2516: oyei-\| Sarees 2, 800 9, 860 Fish, fresh and salt... lbs. .|1, 444, 275 | 48,436 | 250,000 | 25,000 |.-.....---|-------- 6, 064,976 | 243, 785 Caviar ecilag AROS OReS se] Seeeeose oo GeSetcae Tie Py! PEE) Se cpsosinos| oancmer 7,425 2, 805 204 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. FISHERIES OF SOUTH CAROLINA. _ The commercial fisheries of the State are carried on chiefly in the bays and near the outlets of the rivers in Beaufort, Charleston. and Georgetown counties, the cities of Charleston and Georgetown being the principal fishery centers. The fisheries of the interior waters are to a considerable extent for local use, shad comprising the principal part of the catch. In the Charleston fish markets, both wholesale and retail, sea bass, ‘whiting, and shad are the leading species. One species, not often found in fish markets, was the shark, which is skinned and cut up into strips and sold in small bunches of from 1 to 2 pounds, at 10 cents a bunch. Some 30,000 pounds of sharks are sold during the year to the negro population. A1Jl fresh fish are sold by the piece or the bunch, the latter being made up of small-sized pan-fish. Terrapin are found in more or less abundance in the bays, creeks, and inlets of Beaufort and Charles- ton counties, the larger portion being taken at or near McClellanville. Terrapin are secured by nets, and by hand-picking as found buried in the sand or mud, and are reported as becoming scarce. The sturgeon fishery is one of the most valuable branches of the fish business of Georgetown County. Sturgeon are taken by gill nets of from 12 to 15 inch mesh, and an average of 900 feet in length, being 20 to 22 feet deep. The sturgeon are all of quite large size, ranging from 100 to 300 pounds, with an average of 125 pounds. Occasionally much larger fish are taken. The sturgeon catch of Georgetown County is made in and near the mouth of the Santee River, in Winyah Bay and Waccamaw River as far as Laurel, the largest part of the catch being made in the lower end of Winyah Bay. The shad is the most important species in this region, both as to quantity and value. The shad catch of Georgetown County is all made by means of gill nets fished in Winyah Bay, Waccamaw, Peedee, Black, and Santee rivers, the greater part being from Winyah Bay and Waccamaw River. The catch from the three last-mentioned rivers is mostly used locally. The shad nets employed in the waters of Winyah Bay and Waccamaw River are 54-inch mesh, 1,000 to 1,200 feet in length and 22 feet deep. The shad catch is reported as having much improved of late years, as a result of large plantings of shad fry. The season’s catch of 1897 and 1898 averages 500 shad to each net, the average weight being 4 pounds, with many of 6 and 8 pounds. One caught in Winyah Bay in February, 1898, was reported to have weighed 10 pounds. The fisheries of this section are of much value to the city and county of Georgetown, where several firms act as agents for or partners of the fishermen, furnishing them with nets and supplies, and receiving, packing, and forwarding the catch to northern markets. Beaufort County fisheries are chiefly represented in products by oysters, that are mostly sold to the canneries located at Ladies Island, FISHERIES OF THE SOUTH ATLANTIC STATES. 205 near Beaufort, and canneries in Georgia, at Wilmington Island and Thunderbolt. Small vessels from Savannah cruise along the waters of Beaufort County, buying a considerable amount of terrapin from the residents. Of the large variety of sea fishes to be found in this section very little attention is given to any except drum, which are plentiful, and weigh from 20 to 150 pounds. During the short run of drum, extending only through March and April, from 50 to 75 boats from Beaufort engage in the fishery, their aggregate catch for the season amounting to 150,000 to 200,000 pounds. Drum are sold by fishermen at from 25 to 50 cents apiece, or an average of about one-half cent a pound. They are mostly used locally, all surplus being shipped by steamer to Charleston. The following series of tables contain condensed statistics of the fisheries of this State. There were employed in 1897, 2,139 persons, 59 of this number being engaged on vessels, 10 on vessels transporting, 1,865 in the shore and boat fisheries, and 205 were shoresmen. The investment in the fisheries of the State was $174,354. There were 12 fishing vessels, valued at $6,300; 1,056 boats were employed, worth $34,080. Gill nets constituted the most important form of apparatus of capture, and were valued at $23,840. Seines were valued at $3,045; tongs and rakes at $1,692. The shore property and the cash capital amounted to $93,855. The yield of the fisheries of the State was 5,280,446 pounds, having a value of $210,456. The value of oysters taken was $45,360, of whiting $28,405, of shad $27,696, and of sea bass $26,356. The yield of shrimp ry was worth $18,395, sturgeon $7,325, caviar $17,525, terrapins $9,635. Persons employed. How engaged. No. Onivesselsi fishin prose emsiansmiacies ete a cleeeniae 59 On vessels transporting -..-....-...--.--..-..---- i0 IMSshoreor DOstiIShOries=-oesssseeseae eee seensees 1, 865 SHOrEsmen’ oe ce sans hee eee ae eee soe eke eee eee 205 Do tal seve va aeeacacine sccetecadssassocsaas 2,139 Items. No. Value. Items. No. | Value. NiGSROIS ishing. os oe 25s -c0ecc- 12 $6,300 || Apparatus of capture — shore SROMM AZO Ee Bon \scccicnscesee= 224.90 |....------ fisheries: Oarbhitpeemmetemse sek ccna ocenclescssiecd 3, 157 SENG osé co sceseodanasccsooces 87 | $3,015 Vessels transporting........... 4 5, 700 Gallviets\eet epee ee eee eee 408 | 23, 840 SRONNA LO ase ons. a3 scccs:- 28503: Nace see Cast NCGS. cesses enn cia0 123 615 (Ohittittis 6oaccasoc see eee Ee eee 585 Bow: Nets hess ses ccc cones s 20 60 OAL ee ie 8 1,056 | 34, 080 TETSU) eye ee a a ara ABS ORR 985, Apparatus of capture—vessel Tongs and rakes .......--..--. 244 1, 678 fisheries : Shore and accessory property -.-)---.---- 45, 055 MOINES sao soeeeeaaseeeeec es cen. 1 30) |||; Cash capital = 5- ssqeccsecees oe eae | 48, 800 MESS! ease eeee sees aalc Secsen 440 SS == MONS = osqisanseviee see eee sees 2 14 Motalte: Jf sue: sl eteepeaealee esse de 174, 354 206 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Table of products. Species. Lbs. Value. || Species. Lbs. Value. IAIGWIVES <--2-5---=2--55-% 2, 000 $40 || Sheepshead ..........----- 36, 200 $1, 460 13 F 7) 2) 0 CE eee eae 1, 000 30 || Smappers---------.--.----- 54, 000 1, 660 Ia D ee ee ec! 40, 000 1,600 | Spanish mackerel ..---.--- 10, 000 1, 000 (Chis is) ase eae eee 28, 500 535 | Spots and croakers.------- 49, 000 730 Channel bass-------.-------- 110, 000 2,500 || Squeteague ------.-..-.--- 80, 000 2, 030 Oram oo eee eee ence: 215, 000 1, 875 | Striped) bass) 2 -5-- --225-5- 10, 100 556 (Grouperse = soe ese ae 33, 000 1,170 || Sturgeon ---...-..----.---- 411, 100 7, 325 Hickory shad ...----------- 36,800| 1,516 || Whiting .-....-...-....-.. 638,500 | 28, 405 iMullet;iresheles:t4--- 22 ==. 46, 000 885 WhCraps ssa s25- 8 ce meeaaee 1110, 000 2. 240 Miillekipitted 5.2.21. 2.) 10, 000 200 || Shrimp.....-..-.-c.-.-+0-- 374,500 | 18, 395 IRGrc Neos cies 32= eee 2, 000 40 BOLrapins:. so se= oe see 40, 916 9, 635 IP OM Pans ase niaae ae es 5, 000 300 i Oystersy.2 225 22-222 5-22 | 21.504, 300 45, 360 Sailor’s choice...---.------- 8, 800 ZEN) || MESS < sono soc oneness cens=s $185, 400 8, 652 Sea bass.----- Pee aera 632, 400 265300) | ANIA ecm epice soc a= = ec 69, 805 17, 525 Shad 2 vee Soe ee ete ores 506, 125 27, 696 —. Sharks s--caseeeececesecses 30, 000 300 Lotals22s35. 322 rees & 5, 280, 446 | 210, 456 1 330,000 in number. 2914,900 bushels. 323,175 bushels. The tables presenting the fisheries of this State by counties show the most important fisheries to have been carried on in Charleston County, where 989 persons were employed, $104,747 invested, and the products valued at $124,473. In Georgetown County the yield of the fisheries was valued at $50,237, while in Beaufort County the value was $34,546. In Colleton County the fisheries are of small importance, the catch being confined to oysters, which were valued at $1,200. Table showing the number of persons employed in the fisheries of South Carolina in 1897. | | lg | Beaufort | Charleston| Colleton | “C0TS® H d. Total. OW One a ce | County. | County. | County. Coates ue On vessels fishing -.......-...-..--...-.... | Soeeceeseoer BY le spect cee ee||ssegcecassce 59 On vessels transporting -.....-..--......-.|.--------.-- (Oy Wet eSacecoce| Besesee ache 10 Boat or shore fishermen -.------..--------- 477 873 25 490 1, 865 SIGE IG 6p ccossoosouegedcopessccnorece 90 BWf esoseotsencs 68 205 AUP oo Sh She too senubabeocuoEega Sse 567 989 25 558 2, 139 Table showing by counties the vessels, boats, and apparatus employed in the fisheries of South Carolina in 1897. Beaufort. Charleston. Colleton.* Georgetown. Total. Items. No. | Value.| No. | Value.| No. | Value.| No. Value. | No. | Value. WViessels fishing >. ---.---c/=--|---=--|==----—" AS65300 sioss -clinenena ste ee |store ae 12 | $6,300 SRONNAL Caneel = |e | 2e220) |e ce scscciecsss|ssencos|S2ess)scecccs- PPO eeecscor Guthianeee eee On hse] keaton is Ba Siar Al easel ee ee fea! eee is Soe 3, 157 Vessels transporting -..-----|-.---.|.--.---- BA ABU oscc neem aaclsecce jnceeee-- 4; 5,700 (hin yee Eee eee seo se|Boene|seScece PRUE! pees oo eA ese ealassoeo | lemase bhesnesee 73 WUBI Been sae Outhto pore Secs s omens eteliee = 2| se oeseeslsceccene be ey Qeeooeks Ex aar| Snes aa) ene cases 585 BOR eek erica coranesioe sess] 281 | $5,740 | 405 | 17,195 | 25! $200 | 345 |$10, 945 1,056 | 34, 080 Apparatus—vessel fisheries | SPninGS eS socccetet cssseenes Eeaed Poaceae 1 Bilas Bee see lbebES bensoone 1 30 WINGS (oe ace eC see Bees seme e|osaceecafeeseees= 440) | 52 552) eboces|teese|easancee len oso 440 PLONGS osm asec ceeaee see =| faces eens 2 1 Bere sees o| Gs eded Seomaacs 2 14 Apparatus—shore fisheries : | SOMES oo ae ose cose eeee ae 18 | 650 43) 2865022 o.c|-naeea 26 500 | 87 3,015 Gall mets eset = = tens yess (aera s|se cee = se CALE BHU Real Beas Ss 329 20, 240 408 | 23, 840 C@aspmousjooececeeen cece vas | 25- 125 98 CN gee Ines 56 -lIbaaos Pato. 123 | 615 LEO ROINEN IE) S22 See eeaesescas booed Sasape sesso ss - cecgbers sodas) etooass 20 | 60 | 20 | 60 PANES sai=) tach ess seeee ess esse LOO} 2 see eee YAU Sane Bacseee beacon 1D legs aes 985 Tongs and rakes......---- | 100 700 93 (iat tee Sear. 51 327 | 244 1, 678 Shore and accessory prop- | 55 , 500 She FISHERIES OF THE SOUTH ATLANTIC STATES. 207 Table showing by counties and species the yield of the Jisheries of South Carolina in 1897. Beaufort. Charleston. Colleton. Georgetown. Total. Species. : ; 7 = Lbs. | Value ; Lbs. | Value.| Lbs. | Value.) Lbs. Value. Lbs. | Value. | | | UE WEVOSSs so ef ees tate oe Nese wierciS eo eentats Rens 2 | | 2,000 $40 | 2, 000 $40 Black bass-------|-------..- [osmoes|pesmacesce : 1, 000 | 30 | 1,000 30 lugtishiese ts eele ons) ca-salcee see mELONOUO LIC SINGOON Deere eee astena| sore ee lee eee 40, 000 | 1, 600 Cat-tish-.-...---\ ledancie tes t](sesece!s | 25, 000 | 3, 500 35 | 28, 500 535 Channel bass ..-. 10,000 | $500 LOOM OOO S25 000M sa aann-\eosocete| sone 2 ten eccisete 110, 000 2, 500 LOA eee 180, 000 | 1,350 35, 000 Pease eon eet 215,000 | 1,875 CSTD F PONS athe beecl Bs ene sae esosoe SA CUTUTE I ost be Gr CU Ms en eek aml letpe trait | bee es ae eee 33,000 | 1,170 mackory shad... ./)--2---.-- peecee ss 3, 800 fy |pesccoan|soasnel: 33, 000 | 1,440 | 36,800 | 1,516 Mullet, fresh -.--- 13, 000 390 30, 000 LUN Sao sees seas 3, 000 45 46, 000 885 Mamleisaliedes ps0 so Cees sel fa) See Se ool saws Sool sea e'e sic 10, 000 200 | 10,000) 200 TEVICE Dano oe scat ear | ac emi Raed see [Ser s4 a ee nl ees 2, 000 40 2, 000 40 Pompano ..-----. jpedspschss||asssc0¢ | 5, 000 | SIU) || -osadoea|leeeesiss| pes ssece Isegocze 5, 000 300 Sailor’s choice --- 800 40 | 8, 000 | 400) Peeen oeslec ona fea vote feats 8, 800 | 440 Sea bass .---...--. 6,000 | 300) 626,400 |} 26,056 |.-....-.]......- Home coe aaleaeemior 632, 400 | 26, 356 Bi eesaneencraclssecsetee-lesaseen 28, 125 ANGIE ee omer ee acre '478, 000 |26,290 | 506,125 | 27, 696 SUIATNE: Sa55 cebod Mada asese Beer | 80, 000 3008 seemece.|seseec eSae hese ise e ae : | 300 Sheepshead ...--- 1, 200 | GOm oo, O005| wl A00N peo en ons ||ae aces ABSeaSe sSnee = 1, 460 Snappers ..-....- POR CORSEE hose DECUIOE i aC UT Beene joe asia Vearaetcare 1, 660 Spanish mackerel).......--.)--.---- LOROGO A) fel OU0N Reece ae ecie cc 1, 900 Spots and croak- Cres ate ae 6, 000 300 | 43, 000 | 4300 eee see lasewae | 730 Squeteague..-.-.-. 4, 000 HOM me rOTOOON| Ped BO Went lees cae | 2, 030 Striped bass ..... Jrostabe 5 S| eee ee {eer 5 1008 ees UG ese era | 556 SUMTER ED IN Ga eoted SS beqSoes Saar Sail) GS NOS I ChCP ES BCRP Aaa Benes 260,000 | 4,000 | 411,100 | 7,325 Wanting --5--- ==. 42,000 | 1,700 595000) | 26567oole = <2 2528) ccic ar. 1, 500 30 | 638,500 | 28, 405 Crabs. .---- esac 3, 000 100 97,000 | 1,940 |.--..--. | asS so 10, 000 200 110, 000 2, 240 SALIMp ----.2--.. 16, 500 495 358, 000 | A DUO aise ae |-------|-------- .----.-| 374,500 | 18, 395 Terrapins ..-.-.--- 10, 028 | 2, 075 26;865"|) 6: 960) |W .| comma 4,000 | 600 40,916 | 9,635 ONG Wi | Soeenonees 998, 200 |23, 680 | 329.000 | 19,000 | 84, 000 |$1, 200 | 98,100 1,480 1,504,300 | 45, 360 CDT es 84, 200 | 3, 356 | EAD ere? 6B al eee I eee 23,000 | 863 | 185,400 | 8, 652 CEVA Sone cSerase bas aeseeees aaa see 12, 430 Sl Ble Peewee. Beeesas 57,375 14,344 | 69,805 | 17,525 Total/2--- >. 1, 374, 928 [34,546 2, 826,043 124,473 | 84, 000 | 1, 200 995,475 50,237 5,280,446 |210, 456 | | | | PRODUCTS IN RELATION TO APPARATUS. The catch of the vessel fisheries amounted to 243,000 pounds, valued at $11,166. The principal part of the catch by vessels was made by lines, the fishes taken being sea bass, groupers, red snappers, and Squeteague, with a total value of $38,816. The shore fisheries are of vastly greater importance. The catch by lines amounted to 1,766,200 pounds, with a value of $61,055; the catch by gill nets 1,030,630 pounds, with a value of $54,302. The yield of oysters and clams by tongs and by hand was worth $52,662. The catch by seines amounted to 191,516 pounds, valued at $12,681, while the yield by bow nets and cast nets was 379,000 pounds, worth $18,590. Table showing by apparatus and species the yield of the vessel fisheries of South Carolina in 1897. | Seines. Lines. | Tongs. | Total. Species. =r Lbs. | Value. Lbs. | Value. Lbs. | Value.| Lbs. Value. — ee — | | | | — GHOUIIORS coco ces se ey el ee 13, (00) SRR NSE cee rare ta | 18, 000 $720 IRGGUSTApPPElseee eae sees oe =. (ee cee cist chsce ae | 4, 000 AG OMe Jae cioke aoaeciic | 4, 000 160 SOR DASH eee eee a oie e cee cleo eet: le 19654000 7806s Soo Sees ee en) 965400 7, 856 SWORE AU eoss sasngces5525 pean meena paper nee 3, 000 SOyleeesess es We. sisteebisa% 3, 000 80 Werrapins 2 = sees core sk - = Zr OOORIESL O00 SEs 2 2aeeele kee se lee cess Bocas 2, 000 1, 000 OVSLOIS ae see e see ee eee ee eek cine wee|Sacsiiedllcheebisces Viens Leeds 14, 000 | $1, 000 14, 000 1, 000 (CETTE) ose anecGas 5 5a6 54h) Ws) eeyee Sari Bek etal (eee cana ey ee ape ey 5, 600 350 5, 600 350 Total see cee 2,000 | 1,000 | 223,400! 8,816} 19,600 | 1,350 | 243,000 | 11, 166 Note.—All the vessel fisheries of South Carolina are centered at Charleston. 208 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Table showing oy counties, apparatus, and species the yield of the shore fisheries of South Carolina in 1897. Beaufort. Charleston. Colleton. | Georgetown. Total. Apparatus and | | SAGE Lbs. |Value.| Lbs. | Value.| Lbs. /Value.| Lbs. |Value.] Lbs. |Value. Seines: Channel bass..-.- 8, 000 $400 DONOOD tS TSOOON bercentnetsicll aisiaia ial Spear. ca aececec 58, 000 | $1, 400 Hickory shad....|---------|------- 800 UG lomsccassjoceasbal|ssossonelaces ae 800 1 Mullet, fresh ---.| 10, 000 300 | 30, 000 ASO UP emincrsctcss stares | 3,000| $45 | 43, 000 795 WME, SNC So|lbonatseacsodssnc|[bosedasec||esseceac||senoose+|ecesces 7, 000 140 7, 000 140 Sailor’s choice... 800 AON Gj taesanan|lodocescdlesnodeesllonsssas seeseose lee aaoe: 800 40 Sealbassiecese-ce 4, 000 AT) | po ackesoslosoasasoeacocsac |Sonstoc lcemeeesleeeseet 4, 000 200 SOS saccossHoosdlessoseosecasaae 3, 000 Gl! leoaooane|poosodellaeedeses|aanoace 3, 000 30 Squeteague..---- 3, 000 150 4, 000 DO ON bereacemc|(secisrcrer 5, 000 150 | 12,000 500 Striped! bass ---.-|---------|----..- 2, 500 TOO ee o- ssmelesowteaclGceceteclseseece 2, 500 150 Wihitin See. =~ 2, 000 I) Baxesscce Seeseerta Beerntes seeccee poceceesrsa |seecrc- 2, 000 100 Crabseeeasasesa | a= essere eeeietale| seta cte a= lecossccd|se=sc0sallseseass 7, 000 140 7, v00 140 Sbhrimpreee-eeee- 4,500 135 8, 000 AOO' ie aro 2 correo sree Ieee ceteietele liereiisstets 12, 500 535 Terrapins «-....- LONOZS | 2207 u 4 24.888 |) “G960us. ee eeel cc fac 4, 000 600 | 38,916 | 8, 635 Motalieeenaee- 42, 328 | 3,400 | 123,188 | 8, 206 |.---.-.-|.-----. | 26,000 | 1,075 | 191,516 | 12, 681 Gill nets: IBIAG te SOs so epdallpasneescs lseoddos |Saccog ancllsesuas = Ahaecocotallosondas 1, 000 30 1, 000 30 Hirekory, Shades | se= eens =e | 3, 000 G0uleereeceslocccnce 25,000 | 1,000 | 28, 000 1, 060 Winer, PeieGl Seles ooseacd|oeéGoog| ence ssessonceac 4 /scescac) Soseos= 3, 000 60 3, 000 60 Sil sseccneeoaSsl lSsodcaaed |acoosse 28, 125 DIEZ LG) ee iseiosalooosace 478, OVO |26, 290 | 506, 125 | 27, 696 Squeteague ....-..|---.---.-|-----.- Pee Cee eee eee 4, 000 200 4, 000 200 Striped bass)-----|----.----|------- 2, 600 IGS) /5asi5+ aeallasaeaue 5, 000 250 7, 600 406 Sturgeon ..-....-|.-. Pa eaaS IBaSer & 151, 100 one essa ke ------- 260, 000 | 4,000 | 411, 100 7, 325 @aiwidar sss semecicves oem sips issece es 12, 480 Bs LSM | See sares| aieiesie le 57,375 |14, 344 69, 805 | 17, 525 Mota sear isec aaile ey soticw oes | 197/250 | 98,028) |aa2 wees |eee = 833, 375 |46, 174 |1,030,630 | 54, 302 Lines: ipIneisheeees eee ee|cecciaeece ees sae 1, 405000) |) “el, GOON; sce ec ce | =o emcee soa eee eee 40,000 | 1,600 Cat-fish=-e=-- a2 - (Seep ae eu e405 5he 25, 000 VOW ea eeesad sasaoe 2, 500 25 | 27,500 525 @hannel bass'==--|22----=-- lee eters HOSOOON 1000) |es ees eee on aomceecis scenes 50,000 | 1,000 Drum peers sae 180, 000 | 1,350 35, 000 52D: ne arcietae Ne eroye creche |lStererseroistel| pie ete ere 215, 000 1, 875 Groupersieesee=—e eee eee eee 15, 000 Ce ote jase Sot cocina crEscoue 15, 000 450 archi ee eens sete eee PiScey ea- tase ear einen at (nes 8 2, 000 40 | 2,000 40 OM pan Oje=seeeee eee eas eet- Joceadae | 5,000 3008 Sa ccctecleeemcies et eaeacalomelosere 5, 000 300 Sailors ehoicece|s-nce sec Becca | 8,000 A0O Me eet eee bee roeere eee 8, 000 400 Seajbassee-ceeeee 2, 000 100 | 430, 000 | 18, 200 |........ Penance leerenta ts near: 432, 000 | 18, 300 Sharks @eeccee= == WaeesScclecsmess 30, 000 3005 2S cboalsesseen| =e eeoneelecaaeee 30, 000 300 Sheepshead....-.- 1, 200 60 35, 000 ME AOO Feiss ee ea Soon ae sem Becoee neces 36, 200 1, 460 Snappers .--..--- eee Somes a GO AON) |) ISIN) | ee eoofeccans - es See ee 50,000 | 1,5v0 Spanish mackerel |.-.....--.|------- |) SLOW TRON) pe GonSa eeeegae eee see Pee Se 10,000 | 1,000 Spots and croak- | Gils cane eaos 6,000 | 300 40, 000 400 Leese SSCS OC EO eaetar AIS 46, 000 700 Squeteague.....-)..---..-. ns See 60, 000 i 2OOM 22k Meera ec cecel2 | sees 250 2a eee 60, 000 1, 200 Whiting eels iat | 40,000 | 1,660 | 595,000 | 26,675 |........|.---.-. 1, 500 30 | 636,500 | 28, 305 Crabs2e 5-62-55 | 3,000} 100) 97,000 1,940) || S252 F32ees ese 3, 000 60 | 103, 000 2,100 Total@ee--s- 232,200 | 3, 510 }1,525,000 | 57,390 |.....---|.-----. 9, 000 155 (1,766,200 | 61, 055 | = —| — | ———n| ee | = ——— Bow nets: PANO WAVOS- sn) oc: pe Gpeas6d pse5sS4|sopsboscd bo ccsabalecmeconse lasceces 2, 000 40 2, 000 40 CST ie Geooenculoceoacoos bosdeos laonas5 ocd AScescon |pecudsadsccpecs 1, 000 10 1, 000 10 IsbtO ROA PSG sa5 bgouscdad lsoss5ee soso sescsssdlsaccsasdicsases= 8, 000 440 8, 000 440 Lotalia--eee sel asecesee pedongallaconodecH joussgoad bsq0c6es|lsocooce 11, 000 490 11, 000 490 Cast nets: Channel bass..-.| 2, 000 NOON eseesemacl=tone ses setee ces |secacan| oe onaces ecto 2, 000 100 Mn 6trese = pe ee ee eee | | | Beate ee Saas) aa 00 goo lke: ee ee cae 2, 100 $32 Rear alten sees 700 Ci ea meee as eee rN 3, 700 185 Fane alate See 6, 000 OOS area SEER | ee ee 42, 500 835 Peat cl, oe 2, 250 TD) | Speen eae 2,950 112 A 2 Aish EERE 900 ABU 2 es Ce, eae 5, 900 295 Be | meee Peas Shoat ee PS te lu uigr 21, 600 810 js rea eo saa Ae Oe (EA Sor ee | ann ee ae ee coed O50 CLA i ere Dae 78,050 | 2, 269 iba 5 eee ee eee [oe eee ee 4, 600 | 322 eet | Retinets ert (ek el Ne ce ll ak oe 132,000 | 2, 310 Sesh we fA Samat 99 111 Dacia ok Bil Sank ell aca mea | EOE tae 17, 200 860 eae ae ee a ee 5, 100 D5 i | ee. Nine Stee 16, 200 | 560 = cae eigenen al aa eae de Bk 14, 300 | 592 Pe Sees 4, 500 AS 5 eee ca eiss| Seo eeee 5, 000 | 100 Sekine Ee lea SA Heats Since (PENSE Sa Sr AD Ney |S 3, 400 130 ta soe (8 3S el ie Ah i a cetera Cee es 25,000 1,250 NE RS eo ea cis de suena | eee aes Ae 20, 400 1, 020 eS ea eae Se Ce Se Sew ess ee 3 oe ea 3, 700 185 sheet |e aes 500 a | SO eR RI eee ph 30,300) 1,395 fae: pel 10, 100 Pilih eee Pee a OS) || MF — | = = == SSS SARL OSE. VT Begg SOON eed sh. Mee, 1,324,570 | 54, 132 i | a j | ali | cl SS ORI VEE i bE Cad at Taek ah | I ees albeinroes Ore 2, 640 165 of fe P| ek ng er || AL gn cel | ale oe GaN bad Bek LS Sees SL 72,060 | 1, 764 eras be Ne as Se aE PE WIV 1 Bare 74,700 | 1,929 2,150 $225 | 120,895 | 6,324 | 46,000 $2,380 | 2,911, 230 | 138, 028 | The wholesale trade in fresh fish, oysters, etc., is largely centered at Savannah. During the year 1897,7 firms were in operation in the State; the value of property amounted to $51,074; the cash capital required was $61,000; the value of products sold was $71,320 represented the value of 1,783,000 pounds of mullet, which were obtained from Florida. 2 ArTK $202,975. Of this amount Table showing the extent of the wholesale trade in fishery products for Georgia in 1897. Items. No. Value. Items. No. Value. Establishments ........---.| 7 | $47,774 | Products handled—cont'd.| Pounds. | OST COT CE ae SOR See eo eae eae eae 61, 000 | Sea bass: 2---2cee-eeeee 47, OVO | $3, 290 Collecting boats .......----- 29 353003 Shadiese net eca ae aan 197, 000 16, 645 Tons of ice consumed .-.---- 2, 350 7, 800 Sheepshead’. se. 5-2 s-e 66, 000 4, 620 HMM ON CGS) sss ae ses cea Ef See eticee || Spanish mackerel --.-.--.- 18, 000 2, 160 | Squeteague ..-...-...... 45, 000 3, 600 Products handled: Pounds. Sturgeonyeese a. eeeeaeeees 73, 000 6, 570 PNIOWIAVES o-20sc-2sa0025=5 13, 000 390 Sun-fish and perch ..-.-.- 55, 000 3, 850 Gatchshwraters ast ces s5 oe 6, 000 120 Terrapins eens eee a 36, 433 18, 658 G@hannelsbass_...- =.= ge =< 36, 500 2, 555 SHEIM pees see ee aces 14, 800 1,530 Wroakerstyss2e-2 2 52..e0 su 17, 000 1,190 Grabs tecats ss2tes eoee 36, 000 2, 600 Grouperseece-e 2. s-.-2-.-- 119, 000 3, 555 Ovstersrs-ceec ens saeee * 439, 250 41, 015 muckonyshadieeses:seses2 30, 900 2, 468 Clamse2st-i2sre2e2aesees +1, 600 100 Mille heeareertaccncsocec 1, 783, 000 71, 320 CAWAATA oS mcjeie ci sicfernsjee se 4, 375 1, 303 EOMUpPAh ONseeeeee eee seems 18, 800 2, 256 — Redisnappereecs_ so .c-ss. 295, 000 11, 800 Totale testes =a nse 3, 364, 158 202, 975 Stripedibassesteece soe. 11, 500 1, 380 * Represents 62,750 bushels. Norte.—Five of these firms are located in Savannah; the other two have but little property and capital and handle most of the terrapin shown in table. + Represents 200 bushels. 216 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. In the wholesale fish and oyster trade and oyster-canning business of Savannah during the year 1897, the capital invested was $169,526; per- sons employed, 296; fresh fish handled, 2,895,875 pounds; gallons of oysters, 71,500; oysters canned, 1,261,884 cans; the value of products was $281,052. Oyster-canning industry. Items. | No. | Value. Items. No. | Value. | | | Establishments ...-...----- | 3 | $34,000 | Oysters utilized ....bush..| 363, 998 $49, 993 Private oyster grounds ..-.|.---------.- 20,000 | Oysters as sold: Cashicapitalease--ce-sesesee | ba scas Sodsss | 50, 000 One-pound cans. ...- no..| 1,502, 619 82, 794 Ice consumed -...----. tons. -| 50 } 150 | Two-pound Cans ....no-- 115, 224 11, 353 Salts ssscesee nescence ces Ibs...) 29, 625 | 256 || Shucked rie 29, 500 23, 600 aM plOV CES ieee mele «=e -taieere = 383 llzaniacowee In shell 1, 400 1, 400 | | leorShollstess scr ence do..--) 400, 051 8, 001 Norr.—One cannery located in Brunswick, 1 at Thunderbolt, and 1 at Wilmington Island. Thetwo latter canneries are operated by firms at Savannah. Of the products from the waters of the State, shad are most impor- tant, and, with oysters and terrapin, constitute the principal part of the wholesale business. They are well distributed through the inland waters and furnish a fine food supply for local consumption. When there are transportation facilities the surplus is shipped to distant markets. Of the numerous rivers that receive large runs of shad, the following are the most important: Savannah, Ogeechee, Altamaha, Ocmulgee, Oconee, Satilla, and St. Marys. The first arrivals from the ocean are looked for soon after the 1st of January, and by the middle of the month a good run may be expected, the season lasting about three months. The bulk of the catch is taken by gill nets used within a few miles of the mouths of the rivers. The quantity taken through the interior is not large at any one place, but is quite important in the aggregate. More attention is being given to the sturgeon fishery than formerly. There is an increasing demand, and high prices are received for sturgeon and its roe. The catch is made mostly between March and June. The oyster industry shows a large gain in the amount gathered, the greater part of which is steamed and canned. This branch of the fishing industry gives employment to several hundred employees at the factories. Oysters are gathered principally from natural beds, and are known as raccoon oysters. The beds are located at numerous places in the estuaries, lagoons, and bays bordering on or near the ocean, and are entirely exposed at low tide. The exact location being known, at high tide the small sailing vessels employed as transporters sail near the beds and anchor. Large skiffs, or rough boats, are then taken from the vessel and anchored over the oyster-grounds. At low tide the men from the vessel have only to land on the oyster beds and with naked hands or “ hand-grabs” gather the oysters, throwing them into the boats. which. on the return tide, are unloaded on the vessel. FISHERIES OF THE SOUTH ATLANTIC STATES. 217 The ‘“‘grabs” used are small hand irons made like ice tongs, but having numerous prongs to take up the oysters. The oysters are of small size, but good flavor. The process of canning steamed or ‘‘ cove” oysters is simple. The shell oysters are unloaded on the wharf at the cannery. Gangs of men are employed in filling long slatted iron trucks, which hold some 12 to 15 bushels each. As soon as filled they are run into long steam chests made of iron, or occasionally of wood; the door being closed, and steam turned on, only a few moments are required to steam the oysters enough to open all the shells. The cars are now run out and emptied on the floor and on long tables in the factory. The men, women, and children now begin their work of picking the oysters from the shells; they hav- ing been cooked enough to nearly free them from the same, it requires no skill and but little effort to pick the shells clean. As soon as the picker’s dish is filled it is taken to the weigher, and a brass check is given which represents the amount due for picking, the price being about 14 cents a pound. The oysters are now emptied into a trough, where they receive a thorough washing, which cleans them from all dirt that has become attached in opening and picking. They now go to the filling tables, where they are placed in the cans. The cans being then filled up with salt water and the tops sealed on, they are put into crates that are placed in iron retorts and receive 8 to 10 pounds of steam until thoroughly cooked. All that now remains to be done is the labeling and packing. After the oyster season is closed many of the oystermen turn their attention to gathering terrapin. Within the past few years this busi- ness has increased and a scarcity of terrapin is now reported. Small vessels from Savannah and vicinity cruise along the coast between Fernandina, Fla., and Georgetown County, 8S. C., buying terrapin from the residents, who gather them along the bays and creeks that receive tide waters. When the vessel returns to the home station, the terrapin are put into small yards, usually near the water. When in captivity terrapin are fed chiefly on shrimp. They soon become quite tame and are on hand at feeding time. The catch to stock up a terrapin yard for its winter demand must be made during the summer or early fall. The demand is confined to a few winter months, mostly in December and January. During this time they do not require and will not take any food, yet do not appear to grow poor. The catch is made with nets and by hand-picking. Dogs are often employed in tracking the terra- pin from the water to the marshes, where they are found buried a few inches in the sand or mud. Some little attention has been given to the propagation of terrapin, but only in an experimental way, and it is demonstrated that they can be hatched out in confinement and havethrived. The main objec- tion to propagation seems to be the slow rate of growth, requiring a number of years’ delay to realize from the venture, and six months or more of each year they must be fed. 218 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Most of the terrapin are sold in Northern cities, where many of the leading hotels and clubs have standing orders for regular shipments during the season. Terrapin are classed as counts, three-quarters, one- half, and bulls, prices varying from $8 to $12, as to size, except for the bulls, which are not desirable and bring but little money. The sizes and average weights are as follows: Designation. Average weight. Average size. | Conmntseesesete ceases p= 2 2s POUNGS IAC Hae ce eteeisa eee near | 6 to 8 inches, mostly 63. Threefourths eas. e ee ee (ele pOUuNdSsieaCh! ceca. seep ese = | 53 to 6 inches. One-haliteee epee ee eceeace ate (eliponndssperdozeniees seer coe rece 5 to 54 inches. Ballatssee ee wees tetas cae A POUNGEACH Ese else aa meric: Saat ase 4 to 44 inches. FISHERIES OF EASTERN FLORIDA. Next to North Carolina, eastern Florida has probably the most favor- able geographical situation for prosecuting the fisheries of any of the South Atlantic States. The general coast line is about 450 miles in length, but the numerous rivers, bays, sounds, and lagoons give the State a much more extensive shore line. The most important of these are the St. Marys River, which forms the dividing line between Georgia and Florida, Nassau River and Sound, the St. Johns River, Matanzas River, Halifax River, Mosquito Lagoon or Hillsboro River, Indian River, St. Lucie Sound, Lake Worth, and Biscayne Bay. With the exception of the St. Marys and St. Johns rivers these waters are lagoons or arms of the sea, from which they are separated by low, sandy bars. There are openings at frequent intervals connecting the ocean and lagoons, and through these the marine fishes find their entrance. The Indian River is a typical specimen of this kind. It is - about 135 miles in length, and runs parallel to the ocean, being sepa- rated from it by a narrow sandy strip of land which nowhere rises more than a few feet above the water. The river’s width varies from only a few rods at Jupiter Narrows to 5 or 6 miles just below Titusville. The average depth is about 6 or 7 feet. These lagoons or rivers are favorite resorts for the marine fishes, some of which come in to spawn. The — waters are generally salty, but during heavy rains they sometimes become fresh in all parts except near the inlets. The principal fishing centers are Fernandina, at the extreme north- eastern end of the State; Mayport, Fulton, New Berlin, Jacksonville, Palatka, and Sanford, on the St. Johns River; St. Augustine, on Matanzas River; Ormond, Daytona, and New Smyrna, on Halifax River and Mosquito Lagoon; Titusville and Cocoa, on Indian River; Fort Pierce and Eden on St. Lucie Sound; West Palm Beach, on Lake Worth, and Miami, on Biscayne Bay. In 1890 eastern Florida held second place among the South Atlantic States in quantity and value of fishery products. This is still true with regard to the quantity of products taken, but not as to value. In 1890, 7,463,531 pounds of fishery products were taken, valued at $219,870, while the catch in 1897 was 5,882,662 pounds, worth $136,077, FISHERIES OF THE SOUTH ATLANTIC STATES. Ze, a loss of 1,580,869 pounds and $83,793. This is mainly attributable to the falling off in the shad and oyster fisheries. The most prominent fisheries are those for shad and mullet. Con- siderably over half of the total catch and almost half of the total value are represented in these two fisheries. The other leading fisheries are those for squeteague, sheepshead, channel bass, pompano, and oysters. Gill nets, seines, and tongs are the principal apparatus of capture. Cast nets, lines, and other minor forms of apparatus are also in use. The absence of the pound net in this section is noticeable. During the latter part of 1897 a pound net was located in the ocean near Cape Canaveral, but was put in operation too late in the year to be included in the present canvass. Pound nets have been tried before in different sections of the State, but without success, the nets being destroyed by sharks and other predatory species. The absence of a vessel fishery is also noticeable. There are numer- ous snapper banks a short distance off the Florida coast, which are resorted to by New England fishing smacks, which land their catch at Savannah. Such a fishery could be carried on more easily and econom- ically by Florida fishermen, as they are closer to the banks. Several vessels from Punta Gorda, on the western coast of the State, have made trips to Biscayne Bay for the purpose of catching Spanish mackerel. Very little ocean fishing is done by the fishermen of this region, a few seines only being hauled on the beaches. Although the waters adjacent to the coast teem with marine food-fishes, the fishermen have generally confined their attention to the rivers and lagoons. From 1880 to 1890 there was an increase in the fisheries of eastern Florida, but since that time there has been a decline in the fisheries as a whole. The decline is especially noticeable in the sun-fish, shad, shrimp, oyster, and turtle fisheries. The sturgeon fishery, which was at one time quite important, is now extinet. The species in the catch of which noticeable increases are shown are alewives, blue-fish, chan- nel bass, mullet, pompano, sheepshead, and squeteague. \| Alewives, fresh .........--- 33, 913 $404 || Spots and croakers. --.---. 23, 133 | $772 Alewives, salted oe 5, 000 125 || Squeteague ----...-- | 516, 370 | 12 817 Black bass 52, 516 2,184 || Sun-fish ..-..- Js 248, 989 6, 827 Blue-fish -. sg 46, 421 161210) |eWihitine eee seeeeneneee nes | 8, 000 365 Cattiahbwot tees. seesee eke 124, 000 3,720) |||Other fish - 22-5 ---2--s-5=-" 103, 340 3, 356 Channel bass orred-fish- --. 235, 782 35542) WOVARters)— essere eee eee *362, 802 11, 766 IDR CS SSO Geen eeaae At 17, 000 175:\| Clamps Os. set eet rene ae 4, 800 300 Mullet, fresh -- aa 2, 341, 957 PAR TSG a @rawetis bys. soe - ce ela cian 4,000 | 80 Mullet, salted . cf 71, 400 1/576) Crabsy. sse2-cssresceeeee re 3, 700 175 Pompanons...s------->------ 196, 344 NG GEE) IWWetSlibahe 7) 6 o4 ese cocomeaeseee 38, 625 | 1, 497 Sea basse-ceetccerccscccs--- 5, 570 2100} Ru rtlescees = seeice aera 23, 856 1, 751 Shad Seccee ste ccnasciccceal 1, 011, 180 CME EPA) MWeradhh oh) skeoe seeadceanone 10, 350 1, 425 Slreepsheddiseces- esis ----—- 390, 164 5, 908 ———————— Spanish mackerel ..-.-.. .--- 3, 450 160 Totaliss=~ Fas ~/e-Fisee 5, 882, 662 136, 077 * Represents 51,829 bushels. FISHERIES OF THE SOUTH ATLANTIC STATES. 221. THE FISHERIES CONSIDERED BY COUNTIES. Commercial fishing in eastern Florida is carried on in eight counties. Duval County easily ranks first in the number of men employed, value of investment, and in value of catch, and is second in the quantity of products taken. This is accounted for by the fact that the lower reaches of the St. Johns River are wholly in Duval County, and these support large shad fisheries. The shad catch of this county is more than double that of all the other species combined. Brevard County is first in the quantity of fishery products taken and second in men employed and value of investment. The Indian River is wholly within this county. Orange and Putnam are inland counties, and their fish- eries are wholly on the St. Johns River. The following tables show the number of persons employed, the apparatus, the capital, and the yield of the different species: Table showing the number of persons employed in the fisheries of eastern Florida. Spe | On vessels |Shoreorboat Shores- , Counties: transporting. fisheries. men. | Petal. NGM AA ne eee seaisl= see tis icioc aie ne ao cleniaslalian cies wine|| sansa tise aa ait 99 40 139 MU a= ace ces cence som ceca as cceicicie celcic od 165 44} 3, 735 Gallinetseenereee se cessacmas nc cceces $e ees atoll ata erone arsine 203 8, 220 23 925 487 28, 547 Castmetseeeseeeeecces oss a82----- 15 [Esl Bee Beseasee esictans!| ene ap 30 165 Turtle MAUS eee meses er ese coc ast 2 30 31 290 4 60 37 380 WGI OB ee seen sees ice nice Se cee set eee | Bl Amey pil iseceercle leet 7 eae 46 UD) Mt eonc.d.c can Sous OO SOE Bean Ae eae | ae 19 11 Sel eee Seats ee se eat 337 Shore and accessory property. --.....)---.--- OOH |Peeaee LG 01S) een 1100) |= - 222 | 64, 715 Mashvcapitall se teemceces somes cockisees| soecons AOOn eee TOGTOO} |Paaeae 1(000!|2-e eee | 29, 100 otal ee seacr sess ase e288 So zce iene ee eee 42,378 (002. 2: Riese Meee | 151, 155 222 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Table showing by counties and species the yield of the fisheries of the eastern coast of Florida. Nassau. Duval Putnam. Orange. Species. | >a a. | Lbs. | Value. Lbs. Value. Lbs. Value. Lbs. Value. Mewives: fresh). <..2=-2<.)2|----0<+<=- Veeeretetaret 14, 500 STON ae eer ee aelaaaee ns 19, 413 $194 Mlewives saltedacese ease eee et esl epee 5, 000 OO AL ee ah |o oases sul hoon See eee Black*passeweescassaa ieee soeee seers coe 8, 000 B00) Bermeeeccrs| ste ete 34, 116 1, 564 Catfish ei nsenaset es. 22s et eede eal eee 104,000 | 38,120 20, 000 S600) | 22222 8S poseeee Channel bass or red-fish -. - 4, 106 $82 44, 570 SON Ecos coal sae acelllos hase ee eee TOME Sas ee epee wee caecien 12, 000 L2on sees SEE eee ae Coe Pee ei ae ne pee a he LOT ne IMmilet fires lisesene- se cese | ece cee cielacess =: 288, 000 2280) aces tence [bs ee aod en setae eee Mullet; salted 2222-22 o=so---|-s25-225- leases 22, 400 596! | 228 - tea ad | aeae ees | See sees oe Shade pariecsmeccacc cee cas 12, 000 450 731, 480 | 30, 747 101, 600 38, 200 152, 600 6,575 Spots and croakers ....-.--- 5, 113 250 5, 020 M50 se sfos eel oases eee 10, 000 250 Squeteague...-..----.-.-.. 12, 000 Ao) Pace seosena|sesseoar LOO O00) 735390) eee eee) eee eee Cie) Ne. cons eceEes = aaeeeal ReBoeceaS sansa te 15, 760 472 5, 000 250 205, 116 5, 505 Wihitin gee ccsqss-22 256 5, 000 738 SoBe ohOg oe SaReeeee Sacereedns Bescon ISoocpdesod |oculesoc Othertishisectee seco neece ee 6, 478 300 38, 590 A 65 | aermmeater aopea= 10, 000 250 OVSters pemer eres eer 318,500 | 4, 137 63, 000 3;6003) es Spiele ool eee acme eee | eee Crabstecsostectescs -eccsaae 1, 300 80 1, 200 30 ssc caceece| ees ce) ssc oeee eee eeeeetee Shrimp\sose5 sassestseease 20, 000 750 16, 600 Pa Ree serote serene (eens ssellescuasss Rerrapis sseeee essa see = 9,000 | 1,200 1, 350 220 ||Dseacncec| eect | On eae | eee Totalie’. 22 ee oe ee. 405, 497 7,984 | 1,359,470 | 44,586 226,600 | 7,440] 431, 245 14, 338 St. John Volusia Brevard Dade. Species. Lbs. | Value Lbs. Value Lbs. Value Lbs. Value. (Blac KADSSH Sas e ee seers nes cee cee seems ee pscee smeae| sesamiae 10;400:}) “$3004. 522 neeee|aeeeacee iplne-fish sac se 82 - ce ase See 2, 000 $60 2, 300 $58 36, 307 787 | 5, 814 $216 Channel bass or red-fish. - 36, 943 563 6, 300 126 134, 063 | 1,712 9, 800 168 (no Meeee ee eee eae So ceeee 5, 000 SOU arn tora tere) ate |e tememtererel emmietseimeeise [ene co eal| seoirmeie ee Lccanens Minlletstres hie. 2s 2n- sen 134, 500 1, 345 123,100 | 4,013 | 1,791,157 | 13,479 5, 200 | 39 Millet tmaliedee acces nsec! ese cr lee] ctae- =: 49, 000 O80 Cmnccmeniceleaeecee | Sco ane.c crepe ieee IPomMipan Oyeseeaee aah ae saci 20, 000 800 14, 360 1, 005 138, 284 9, 866 23,700 | 1,422 Sea DaASSiecee nem cmsasc eee cee 5, 570 DLO i\lesetiete te nals sie ell bie sa aicia is cal [Ste ce crete emtele ce aaa | Cee eee Shadiescwee- cee cee ees ceee| ele te clsslatectee eer 13, 500 GOON as 222. tes] Se eet ee a eee Sheepshead!sess--o-------= 2 14, 137 213 6, 700 134 300, 727 4,511 68, 600 1, 050 Spanish mackerel --....---- 2, 000 EW) |GesSacocec aaa eee 450 | 28 | 1, 0U0 | 52 Spots and croakers .--..--. 3, 000 ge eS Se te ass) |S ee el | ec es Se | eee eee Squeteague.............-.. 36, 000 1, 260 36, 000 1, 160 324, 370 6, 487 8, 0OU | 160 SPITS EN Niece. co pee See nS eee | aeeeeerse ee eee 23, 113 600 ssc ot Secs eee Wan hin ete cecace asec esse 3, 000 AMG ine aeeeeciealseeeere eee vee dacs ls Sieme-ciacllls ore Sreiale Seales ee OtherwtiShseseeacceoas nee es 24, 510 945 13, 240 367 5, 022 151 5, 500 185 OhiSiGiisln Seance Seen Sacer 35, 000 ZeOOUy |eeraeresaaeinl | ele cece 42,505 1529) | 22,25 eel ones (iin saseaeeas Soeea ane 4, 800 SOs ec cee eres craeiaine leecre ce ciemtarel ee cece | eee eee eee Graw-lish sce scseccsasenscee 4, 000 80) |icceoeceo.|t Gees Ses) seoeee ce eee hc Seo) sereeee see See Orabsita-cee sen ee es oceaser aie 1, 200 CER pe onenoon i aeeeaes) Sosodoedas4 SSeene sd seceecorselletiscence SAH sosegdaee ene aeuesae 2, 025 13 (Eine [3 osindesa'| cencbensoeeltesosusd tec: Sener ee ABUTGLOB eee coat otek cscs ecclecee pos a lesSae see 1, 600 128 19,256 | 1,443] 3,000 180 AUT IC} he baSeteee enero 333, 685 8, 793 266, 100 8,571 | 2,825, 654 | 40, 893 130, 614 3, 472 SUMMARY. Species. Lbs. Value. | Species. Lbs. Value Alewives, fresh ....-..---.. 33, 913 | $404 | Spots and croakers.....-.. _ 23, 133 $772 Alwives, salted ....-...-.-. 5, 000 | 125 || Squeteague .............-. 516, 370 12, 817 black basseesecs sce a=,2 clas 52, 516 2 1edall Sunfish. )j.e/= seer 248, 989 6, 827 SB IMe=f8 Niece ae eesene sees 46, 421 | HPAL ||) WAN ene ne cose socmonas 8, 000 365 @at-fishiecesse caeee aes oe 124, 000 | 3 he20) || Other dish--ces-esseeeeeees 103, 340 3, 356 Channel bass or red-fish -. - 235, 782 | 3.1542) | MOVSters:ses- o-oo eee 362, 802 11, 761 Drom e- = Sees eee eese eee 17, 000 7b \) Clams2 sae eaeene tater 4, 800 300 Miniletireshiessasss scence 25041,957) 21156) 1} Craw-fishit..ceceaece see 4, 000 80 Mullet, salted .-----........ 71, 400 | 1 O7On MCrabs mere s-seeeeemeee = 3, 700 175 Ee GwWipanOless- asses ee er else 1965344) 13093 Shrimp ee eeeeeaneee === 38, 625 1, 497 NOMIDASS loamcice oe scene 5, 570 | 210))|' Durtlesiy: joactecieimeistac- aie 23, 856 1, 751 Nader eee cess acecceetcacces 1 Ol 180") 415725) Memapinsce. acwivcteteccels =e 10, 350 1, 425 Sheepsheadiaw---so2<-20- 24 390, 164 5, 908 ed — Spanish mackerel..-.-...... 3,450 | 160 Totaliscsacssecesess 5, 882, 662 136, 077 FISHERIES OF THE SOUTH ATLANTIC STATES. 225 THE YIELD BY DIFFERENT FORMS OF APPARATUS. The gill net is the most efficient form of apparatus in use in eastern Florida, over two-thirds of the total catch being taken by it. Mullet, shad, squeteague, and sheepshead are taken in larger quantities in gill nets than in any of the other forms of apparatus. Seines rank next to gill nets in the amount and value of products. Shad and sun-fish are the principal species taken in seines. Cast nets, which are only used in two counties—St. John and Volusia—give good results. The greater part of their catch is made up of mullets. These nets are in use mainly in waters where other netting is not allowed. Cat-fish is the principal species taken on lines. The other forms of apparatus are turtle nets (these are practically large-meshed gill nets), tongs for oysters, nets for shrimp and terrapin, trot lines for crabs, spears for craw-fish, while clams are generally taken by hand. Table showing by counties and apparatus the yield of the shore fisheries of the eastern coast of Florida. Nassau. | Duval. Putnam. | Orange. Apparatus and species. §>—— a == = 5 ; | Lbs. | Value. Lbs. Value. Lbs. | Value.| Lbs. Value. iz an. ee Pint Seines: | Alewives, fresh .........- J---2e-=--]--2----- ISR UE SEPA) epee Gas bBeséane 19, 413 $194 Alewives, salted .....-...|---.--.-- \Seeeoese | 5, 000 VAD etemaconaalecawcce. Vuretcte pies apes] = See Blaclapasse eee ceece ces esse ees There | 8, 000 SOON ee ence ae egaeaccs 34,116 | 1,564 Ses coscmoeeete See eeeeee JES EES EASA | ck 96,750 | 4,300 4,500 | $200 | 145,600] 6, 309 Spots and croakers ......|.--.-.--- poeeeder 5, 020 i lascee tendo! Seabee] 10, 000 250 Siu! We pecooeberaoneees S@ocesae Hes see 15, 760 | 472 95, 000 250 205, L1E 5, 505 Ofihertish eesemeeetses cee aeeosg-a beets LES eae eee Ses seenae 10, 000 250 BRO UA pa salaries eerere lGeiscteatar 160,030 | 6,027 9,500 | 450 424,245 | 14,072 Gill nets: livid ope | a fais” 3 Channel bass or red-fish..|.--...---|........ 44,570 | BO eo ae nines aero | Sd eeme sa. ane MAM etsIKeSh= = <2esa6553-4/550 sam | Eseesses 288,000) | 2.26280 | coke ee soe eee Series Hoes ee Minlleti salted! .os-s.2-5--=|=2-- Seecalbeccesee 22, 400 59Gi)||-c cose osce| eetecee [eesreratetesiatate | eemeercianetens Shader ea eesccitae cue ae le 12,000 $450 634, 730 | 26, 447 97, 100 3, 000 7, 000 266 Squeteagtiessss+5 5. ccs sc. | 3, 100 Cdl bate carte | Renee | eLOOK O00) |) 38390) esse ae ee ee Other fishisses.--6-=2--6 2 <1 3, 478 150 23, 590 OS): |e crocte oe Pater arate |= === 2ecees|oneeee-- Motaless oun. 22 S-is 18, 578 693 | 1, 013, 290 | 30,922 | 197, 100 6, 390 7, 000 266 Lines: f | wy J = aS Warr ajar sinateiovale eis eete | So me <= S15 |=, ate,ee0,< ar 104,000 | 3,120 20, 000 | 600!) 2s ececaleeeocses Channel bass or red-tish 4,106 |- 2 |eesas= See eine eo ae ates sie neta Oe atne oe | ee ae ate eee ee lO in Cees kee eeeooseaae 12, 000 TP Reese Tera aelole e oeW te craetetar ae [et ancl ee ee sae ene Spots and croakers ------ | 5,113 2051) | Rees SS nese lbosoesce| Sse s5odSed| Sononoce||lsoocintiocsd|acecence pqleteapue)-2----=-.2-.-- | 8, 900 7400 | Eee aoe] bo copeon (Slosceeboos| Sans ssba\seesecee sd saccscce WARIO See sees ae tee 5. 000 ZOO) | See ercre amet |earoureie oc que eacmeeleeaae cai te ace coe ce See e OGhertishicce ccna se eee ac 3, 000 | SON Pe mceosel erate Sel a cee tera bao ce tar |beceeece Se | See eee Rotaly csas0 scenes: 38,119 | 1,124 164, 000 3, 120 20, 000 600))||Piccc2 ee S21 Sees = = == —=—= | —| ———- Miscellaneous: | Oysters 318,500 | 4, 137 63,000 | 3, 600 | 2 o's lsc Sate ses] eet Grabs o=.-2-: Seu. 4!" 41,300 80 1, 200 30) | Sane s neces li ABER ean AeA Amo noe Slim he eae eee | 20, 000 750 16, 600 662 | vaya, cfeeeyatal| aise se See ene ee PRerrA NSS sc. es ose eels | 9,000 | 1,200 1, 350 | DOD | are aisisisieva = eateries Se asia ates epee ee eee ieee 5m e976 G 167 |) 82,4500) 40817 |o —soe-|2o-2se5s- Squeteague ...---.-...--- 13, 000 OftherfishPesesesecs-- = 7, 000 Mota eet ae coe | 72,400 aS =. =} Cast nets: | Blue stisher ecco = Veticetose Channel bass or red-fish -| 11, 110 IMmilletyireshe-csescs soe" | 94,500 iMinlletesaltedscccecssccec|ocecccees Sheepsheade sss. 2a4--~1 2,100 Squeteague......---..... [eects OtheriMishe.ceecce ssc 2, 000 Mobalesece asses 109, 710 Turtle nets: EDUTGles eee aceee ee ss == Ss | sonst sabe Lines: | Channel bass or red-fish.) 4, 333 ID TOM Se ceoasemcicesan eaee Fill O00, Sea bass. se. osceeee5.ce 5, 570 Nheepsheaden case eee ace 6, 137 Spanishimackereleecess 4] -oscee coe Spots and croakers. ..---- 3, 000 Wihtthin genes eee nace oe 3, 000 Otherish essences ce sees 8, 430 Totals eco eoeee ces 35, 470 Miscellaneous: Oystersssec-coeeaeeceee 35, 000 Clanisccaueeno ee ceccnoor 4, 800 Craw-fishieeso-uusee scene 4,000 Crabs) ease eee 1, 200 SHFIMP)-pceiassese pies he ci-c 2, 025 TotaltSoneesce-cceeees A702 Ma,1030 "laa ce emse) cee set DAUR EPH ae So ccSallecces se Grand total-......--. 333, 685 8,793 | 266,100 | 8,571 | 2, 825,654 | 40,893 130,614 3, 472 FISHERIES OF THE SOUTH ATLANTIC STATES. 225 Table showing by counties and apparatus the yield of the shore fisheries of the eastern coast of Florida—Continued. SUMMARY. ! Apparatus and species. Lbs. Value. Apparatus and species. Lbs | Value | Seines: Cast nets—Continued. | Alewives, fré8h .......-.. 33, 913 $404 Mullet, salted..........- 49, 000 | $980 Alewives, salted ......... 5, 000 125 Sheepshead ...--........ 3,100 | 52 Black) DASE s= sachs noose cielo: 52, 516 2,184 Squeteague ..-.....--.-- 36, 000 1, 160 IDI GEIR eaee eee ee mae 2, 810 56 Other ‘fish! = 222-2.\...22: 8, 120 | 265 Channel bass or red-fish.. 16, 800 253 ee MTG Grete bettors eemin wie ere aes 10, 500 100 Notalteccces sce e ese: 327, 730 | 7, 650 Pompano -eeeee mee eine 44, 560 2,448 =~ ——: Whats ceom sens cia ice mene 260, 350 11, 409 || Turtle nets: | Sheepshead .....----...-- 33, 000 495 Turtles. -c4.05sscss 35:4 23, 856 | 1, 751 Spanish mackerel .....---. 2, 000 80 —— ee Spots and croakers..-.-.--- 15, 020 400 || Lines: Squeteague ...........--. 25, 800 861 (OPUS TET oringoocacoogcceEc 124, 000 | 3, 720 SUMAS Weer sete cee once 248, 989 6, 827 Channel bass. .-----.-..- 13, 539 | 271 Othersshe--eececee ccc 46, 722 1, 386 TUM cocci hate aeees s. 17, 000 | 175 a SOR DASE cece eet sea 5, 570 210 SBOtall cars =n a\sineis ee mies 797, 980 27, 028 Sheepshead ........-...- 16, 037 | 290 == Spanish mackerel...-.-- 800 | 40 Gill nets: Spots and croakers.----. 8,113 | 372 IBM esfis lies aasaalscctcncecte 43, 411 i, 049 Sausteague ace eee 8, 900 267 Channel bass or red-fish. - 191, 733 2, 799 IGN setae sak 8, 000 | 365 Mruillet; freshis-2 se -0-2eee 2, 113, 857 16, 098 Other fishies eee .| 14, 430 | 572 Mullet, salted............ 22, 400 596 | — POMpPanoO uss onj-ese 5s seco 151, 784 10, 645 Notales veces ose 216, 389 | 6, 282 Shiad ieee cette Soe ke 750, 830 | 30, 163 ————= Sheepshead) ---..-.....2-2 338, 027 | 5,071 || Miscellaneous: | Spanish mackerel ......-. 650 40 OYSteTS ever maaelceeece = | 362, 802 | 11, 766 Squetéague .--..-..-...-- 445,670 | 10,529 Clanisie sos). eee 4, 800 300 Other fish>- o32- 5-52... 34, 068 1, 133 Crawalishiis...-2n<-sescs 4, 000 80 | —_——_——|__ Crabs ........-....-..--. 2, 700 175 otal ca Aesjncssaaie aes 4,092,430 | 78,123 SATIN DP eset se cnec 38, 625 1, 497 os MerlapiunSe rience sacs = 10, 350 1, 425 Cast nets: | IBIne-nsh) sen eoasecae cee 200 16 TP otallere esse cee 424, 277 15, 243 Channel bass or red-fish- - 13, 710 | 219 — = = Minllenstreshic-\-cciejesse=i4 217, 600 | 4, 958 Grand total -osss. os. | 5,882,662 | 136,077 NOTES ON THE SHAD FISHERY. The shad fishery has always been of great interest to the fishermen of this section of Florida, and is particularly so now in view of the decline which has taken place since 1890. With the exception of a small fishery on the St. Marys River the Shad fisheries of the State are confined to the St. Johns River. Shad make their appearance in the St. Johns River in November, and can be found there from that time until the early part of May. The legal season for the fishery is from December 1 to March 31, although the nets in the lower river are usually taken out about the middle of March, as after that time low prices prevail in the Northern markets. The abundance of shad in each month of the season is indi- cated by the statement of one buyer below Jacksonville, who purchased all the fish caught in 22 gill nets, which yielded fish as follows: IDEGEIND OES ee yes oe eke oak by Sasha eube cteice sae REY well arg 1, 078 VED TET ACES EE BIE oa IEE Oe eg erm OE te eee yates 7, 557 HEC Tuer Taven etree ene ae ee cata) Oe nn ee Ae SENSE TS CRS 13, 633 ParensciesttwO Weeks)\.. = Hee -cde~haaese cesses nstehees 6, 122 The only forms of apparatus in use on the river in this fishery are seines and gill nets. On the lower river the gill nets average about 575 yards in length, 42 to 5 inch mesh, and from 40 to 50 meshes in depth. On the upper river these nets average about 300 yards in length, with 5-inch mesh. F C 99-——15 226 . REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. The seines used on the river vary greatly, ranging from 200 to 750 yards, with 3-inch or 4-inch mesh. The principal gill-net grounds are from Mayport, at the mouth, to Jacksonville, a distance of about 20 miles, where the nets are drifted with the tide; and from Bridgeport to Welaka, where the nets are drifted in the narrow reaches where there is some current. A few nets are also operated in other parts of the river. Up to last season the principal seining grounds were in Lake Har- ney, but it is said that it does not now pay to operate there, and last season most of the fishermen worked between Sanford and the mouth of the Wikiva River. An important seining-ground is in the river just above Volusia bar. Seining is not permitted in the wide reaches of the river, which are called lakes. The following table shows the fluctuations in the apparatus and catch of shad for nine years. The only years for which close accuracy can be claimed are the last four, previous data being largely estimated. Number of nets. Number of shad caught. Year. | ; | =) | | Gi || Beitiess | Pe Total. | Gill nets Seines. Found. | an6talk SIRT tees ane acetate brag SOM ema ae 80}1| 2504 000N |e =e stee a |aaceen sone neee> OF OCD IS Ek Sh sean eet a ee 64) Sees era ee eee 64) SGONO00N Ese 2. Se.) semece cane 160, 000 Tile. oe 3a8 SoSASa BE aes TGP OS Se oeatel Geeeeeen TWP) ||) SEO GUD, WeeSa ee oSecleccocodene 280, 000 TAPAS St ee pee SO Sees | Sees FI] AWN CW. |oeSseeecoclesseccoooe 200, 000 TSROLEEE eee eee ene 184 | TE AaB ase 195¢|||Sseaee ec. secon san Lean au 83, 900 TED :So8 Ns 32a ee - 166 ON eee: 176 || 493,161 | 228,000 |.......... 716, 161 S00 Sees reese nee 191 | 10 1 202 || 581,764} 289,570| 1,500] 872, 834 LRG REE E MeL ae pee Shae 171 | ee ee 195 || 331,033 | 125,248 |.........- 456, 281 TROT Hane seer a eRe EEG 168 Biri |S ena | 205 |) 227,027 | 115,711 |.......--. 342, 738 | | Pa — = ! eee The fishery reached its greatest height in 1890, since which time there has been a steady decline. In 1873 the average catch to the gill net was 3,125 shad; in 1876, 1877, and 1878 the average was 2,500; in 1889, 2,971; in 1890, 3,046; in 1896, 1,936, and in 1897, 1,351. While the number of seines increased very rapidly in 1896 and 1897, the catch steadily decreased from that of 1890. During the season of 1896 there were in use on the St. Johns River 171 gill nets and 24 seines, operated by 447 fishermen. The seine catch amounted to 125,248 shad, weigh- ing 255,555 pounds, and was valued at $8,627. The gill-net catch was 331,033 shad, weighing 1,029,001 pounds, valued at $53,297. During the season of 1897, 168 gill nets and 37 seines were operated by 536 fishermen. The seines took 115,711 shad, weighing 260,347 pounds, valued at $11,409, while the gill nets took 227,027 shad, weigh- ing 746,980 pounds, and valued at $29,713. A comparison of these two seasons shows that in 1897 there were 3 less gill nets and 13 more seines in use, while the number of fishermen increased 89. The seine catch for this season shows a decrease of 9,537 shad from the previous season, but a gain of 4,792 pounds in weight and $2,782 in value. The gain in weight and most of the gain in value are explained by the fact that fewer small shad, or “ skips,” FISHERIES OF THE SOUTH ATLANTIC STATES. int'l were caught last season and more large shad taken. In the gill-net fishery last season there was a falling off of 104,006 shad, 282,021 pounds, and $23,584, making a total falling off on the river from 1896 of 113,543 shad, 277,229 pounds, and $20,802. On the upper river large numbers of young shad, or “skips,” are taken in the seines. These do not average more than 1 pound in weight and are not of much value to the fishermen. In 1896, out of 125,248 shad taken in seines, 53,807 were ‘“‘skips.” The fisheries should not be sub- jected to this drain on the young fish. The water hyacinth, a South American floating plant, introduced into the St. Johns River about 1890, and now so abundant as to be a serious impediment to navigation, has already begun to affect the fisheries. There are not many places along the upper St. Johns suitable for the hauling of seines, and when the wind blows toward one of these beaches the fishermen have to suspend operations until the wind changes, as the plants pile up against the bank in such quantities that the shore can not be reached. Gill nets are sometimes caught in the floating masses and extricated with great difficulty. The fisheries below Jacksonville do not suffer on account of this plant, as it is killed by the salt water. The United States Fish Commission in 1896 planted 4,224,000 shad fry in the river, and in 1897, 2,017,500 fry. NOTES ON THE OYSTER FISHERY. Natural oyster-beds are common in eastern Florida, The most impor- tant of these are in Cumberland and Nassau sounds and tributaries in Nassau County, the lower St. John’s River, Matanzas River, and in the Indian River. There are small beds in Biscayne Bay and in other places, which have not yet been worked commercially. Since the last general canvass, in 1890, there has been a decrease in the quantity of oysters taken. In 1890, 97,350 bushels, valued at $14,850, were taken, while in 1597, 51,829 bushels, valued at $11,766, were secured, showing a decrease of 45,521 bushels and $3,084 in value. The greatest decrease since 1890 is shown in Nassau County. in that year 79,500 bushels, valued at $8,175, were taken, while in 1897 the catch was 45,500 bushels, worth $4,137. In 1890 there were two canneries in operation in this county. In 1894 there were four in operation, but there has since been a decline in the supply of oysters, and at present one cannery is in operation, a part of its supply being derived from Georgia waters. In Duval and Brevard counties the oyster industry has increased since 1890. Brevard County is the most favorably situated as regards the future development of the oyster industry, the Indian River, which is entirely within its limits, having a number of natural oyster beds which have been but slightly drawn upon as yet. If these are properly conserved, a considerable industry could be developed. The allotment of land for private oyster cultivation would most conduce to this end. AN INQUIRY INTO THE FEASIBILITY OF INTRODUCING USEFUL MARINE ANIMALS INTO THE WATERS OF GREAT SALT LAKE. By HL. F. MOORE. AN INQUIRY INTO THE FEASIBILITY OF INTRODUCING USEFUL MARINE ANIMALS INTO THE WATERS OF GREAT SALT LAKE, By H. F. Moore. From time to time persons interested in the development of the resources of Utah have discussed the possibility of introducing into Great Salt Lake fishes and other animals of economic value which normally have their habitats in the salt and brackish waters of the sea and its estuaries. The matter has been called to the attention of the United States Fish Commission at frequent intervals, and some years ago a provisional promise to investigate the lake was made, but until 1898 the opportunity to make the inquiry did not present itself. It occurred to the writer, while engaged in experiments in growing oysters in claires, that it might be possible to find places near the mouths of the rivers flowing into Great Salt Lake where the influx of fresh water would mitigate the brininess of the lake sufficiently to make the general conditions favorable for the introduction of that valuable mollusk. It was recognized, of course, that the area which, even under the best conditions, would be found to possess the requisite physical characteristics could not be very extensive, and that there was little hope of introducing marine fishes, for Great Salt Lake holds salt water of a density which could not be endured by ordinary marine organisms. Where fresh water flows into the lake from the rivers there is formed a narrow zone of a density approaching that of the sea, lying between the fresh water on the one hand and the salt on the other. This zone occurs only near the mouths of streams, and its limits are so circum- Seribed as to allow but small latitude for the wanderings of fish and other marine organisms possessing active powers of locomotion, and they would be restricted therefore in the exercise of one of their most important functions, and would be in constant danger of wandering into the surrounding water where the conditions would be fatal. The oyster, on the other hand, is a sessile organism, and, if its immediate surroundings be favorable, a restricted area does not prohibit oyster culture of a certain character, except in so much as it correspondingly restricts the number of oysters which it is possible to raise. Influenced by these considerations, inquiry was made of persons interested in the matter and resident in the vicinity of the lake, and the replies indicated that there were certain places near the mouths of the rivers where one might expect to find the fresh and salt waters 231 232 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. blending in a manner which would satisfy the requirements so far as the density was concerned. Preliminary experiments had shown that diatoms, which constitute the chief food of the oyster, would grow in Salt Lake water when it was reduced in density within the limits in which the oyster would thrive, and it was believed that they would be actually found in the lake under the same density conditions. This assumption was afterwards verified by the investigation. Sufficient warrant was then apparent for an investigation which, if it had no other results, would at least set at rest any future agitation and uncertainty concerning the matter. The scope of the inquiry was enlarged to embrace the question of the feasibility of introducing not only the oyster, but also crabs and fishes, although probably nobody in the Commission had any expectation of favorable results from either, and perhaps with the exception of the writer none had much hope of a favorable report concerning the oyster. From its configuration, and from the information which it was pos- sible to acquire by correspondence, Bear River Bay was selected as the first and principal point for investigation, although, after the unfavor- able result of the examination there, inquiry was directed to all other places which offered any promise of success. About three weeks were consumed in the inquiry. In order to make the results intelligible considerable attention is given in the report to a résumé of the hydrographic, physical, and chemical features of the lake and its drainage systems, as it is upon these, rather than upon the purely biological conditions, that the unfavorable character of the conclusions is based. GREAT SALT LAKE DRAINAGE BASIN. The drainage basin of Great Salt Lake comprises about 54,000 square miles, principally in northern and northwestern Utah, but including also a small part of southwestern Wyoming and southeastern Idaho. Practically all of the water discharged by streams into the lake is derived from the eastern part of its drainage basin, where the high peaks of the Wasatch and Uinta ranges interrupt and cool the moisture- laden winds and cause them to deposit their aqueous contents in the form of snow and rain. During the winter great stores of snow accumulate in the mountains to be released during the spring months, and in some of the higher and more sheltered rayines snow banks per- sist throughout the year. Owing to the late melting of the snows in the mountains the rivers discharge their maximum amount of water late in spring and the cumulative effect is to bring the lake to its maximum elevation late in June. There are three principal drainage systems—the Bear, the Weber, and the Jordan—all of which enter the lake on the east side. In addi- tion, there are a number of small streams and creeks, which, in the main, are more heavily charged than the rivers with saline materials. Most of them flow from the Oquirrh and Promontory ranges. On the EXAMINATION OF WATERS OF GREAT SALT LAKE. Qo western side of the lake there are no high mountains, and as there is nothing therefore to abstract the moisture from the winds there is practically no drainage into the lake from the westward. The land on the west side is,in general, a desert with scattered short mountain ranges of small altitude and the isolated, partly buried buttes and peaks commonly called “ lost mountains.” BEAR RIVER. Bear River rises in the northern part of Utah in a number of small streams which spring from the east slope of the Wasatch Mountains and the north slope of the Uinta Mountains, at an altitude of about 10,000 feet. The course of the stream is at first northerly, several times crossing and recrossing the boundary line between Utah and Wyoming and receiving on its way many small streams from mountain ravines. At Border Station the Bear River finally leaves Wyoming, and entering Idaho is deflected to the northwest as far as Soda Springs, where it circles the end of the Bear River Mountains and takes a southerly course. Bear Lake, about 22 miles long by 7 miles wide, lies across the boundary line between Idaho and Utah, being contained in about equal parts in each State. North of the lake is an extensive marsh, separated from it by a long, low ridge of sand thrown up by the waves to a height of from 2 to 5 feet above the water level, and pierced in two places by narrow passages, through which the water flows from the lake into the marsh, or from the marsh into the lake, depending upon the relative level of each. Bear River flows through the northern and eastern part of the marsh, flooding it in times of high water and draining it during dry seasons, and from the conditions stated it follows that the lake to some extent acts as a reservoir, receiving some of the surplus water during flood and relinquishing it again when the river falls. Three million whitefish fry were planted in this lake by the United States Fish Commission in March, 1896, but no evidence has been received that this attempt to introduce the species was successful. South of Soda Springs the Bear River fiows through the fertile Gen- tile and Cache valleys, the principal tributaries in this region being the Cub River and the several branches of the Logan River on the east and the Malade River on the west bank. In its lower reaches, below Corinne and the mouth of the Malade River, the river meanders through a low plain used in part for grazing, the width of the stream here measuring between 60 and 75 yards. In the northern part of section 31, township 9 north, range 3 west, it first breaks from its well-defined channel and a large part of its water escapes in two overflows, which spread out into a broad, shallow lake, extending over a large section of what is indicated on the maps as dry land and known to the duck hunters as Bear River Bay. - A few miles lower in its course the river again breaks out in a series of overflows, one of which discharges northward through a shallow 234 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. lagoon locally called ‘Section Tom’s Bay,” and the others flowing southward into South Bay, an equally shallow lake of fresh water lying in the bottom which was covered by the lake during the period of high water between 1865 and 1890. Below the point of efflux of these sey- eral “‘overflows,” the main channel of the river, as it existed at the time of the Stansbury survey and the low-water stage of that period, has become almost filled up and reduced to the status of a muddy slough. The course of this channel can still be traced in part by the stumps of the willows which formerly fringed the banks but were killed by the encroaching salt water of the lake and afterwards cut off by the ice that formed on the fresh water above and drifted about under the influence of the wind. It is evident that during the late period of high water, when the encroachment of the lake upon the land caused the river to discharge farther eastward than is shown upon the map, the silt and sediment brought down by the current were deposited in the old bed and when the lake again subsided the river was forced to seek new channels with the resultant changes in the topography noted above. Below the upper overflows the country to the northward of the river bank is marshy and overgrown with tules (a species of Scirpus), the gathering-place of vast flocks of waterfowl, and below the lower overflows the south side of the river is of the same character. The land map on file at the court-house in Brigham City shows surveyed sections on the north side of the river which are in reality ander water (the “‘ Bear River Bay ” mentioned above), even at the present low stage of water, while on the south side the recession of the water has exposed a large area of alkali flats and miry clay which was recently part of the lake bed. ; The flow of water in Bear River is subject to great seasonal variation, as is Shown in the following table recording the discharge as measured at Colinston, Utah, in 1897, according to Professor Fortier: | Cubic || | Cubic | | Cubie Date. feet per) Date. feet per | Date. feet per . second. | second. second. S = whee a [EN EN me Z ade EE if | 1, 480 || Apr. 20.. 5.9000 ||s-Atn ow 10) sees eee 1, 100 1,025 || Apr. 25.. Gy/4:15: | Avon Thy ee ae ee aeT TCO 1,590 |} Apr. 30.. Oe IPA) POSS Al oreecor shoone sos 025) 1,590 |} May 5.-. G665)))|\eANT O25 seminar | 990 1, 275 || May 10 TAGs’ | Ate NO eet ee eee en am 955 1,375 || May 15 G\GGoull Sept Deuce aes eee 1, 100 1,375 || May 20 Tee SoM Se Dus Ose ecme catenins eae 1, 185 1,375 || May 25 HM esleleio Genes ones qereK 1, 230 1,590 || May 30 Loree Wi Sts oA aoe Se Se | 1,185 Tsou une Hse eee ak aeee GNSLOMIMSe pueoee meee nn Bee 1,185 Te Sel liso) a ooeatseso as aSee EH ELD) Sane seceees caske: The 2 1ST D || UNOU Di sees c ceo sesee ee 45 305"||ROCtHD }- 2 bso-ecee cos Se 1, 230 Iaith al) aoe ee ceaeeee aaa Beg os OCthd Ul con! mass. ueeeer 1,590 TS TSI UME wort. see eee cee SHO POCt.i1a soc deco -eceeeaces 1, 872 Wey ||| duwNioe) sees ootsconcs- POON ROG te 20) acer -s crelcsers ates 1, 872 Tetbury Deeaacceee eee eee QYAS SN Oot. 201-~sa55- see cate el oO 1 3725| he Uby LOes nee eee ee 11930) | |HOCt.i380) 25h ciee seme 1, 695 TSS 75) || dub gion ts soe ere see TVS9ON PD GG. bits sc ee ence ence 1, 275 ZRBYAW Wii PANS els Same cic sedate AR evi IBe Ona aeeescdmaocaris tC - 1, 375 2 OrO ll daly 20) 5.5 ise ene ee Me ior || WeCloses set. aaa 1, 590 CPC Uta Us See Serene see MLS? 3 | DCG s2O oes winws tices 1, 695 EOD ah Aton eerie alt teareiniel aia 1, 100 EXAMINATION OF WATERS OF GREAT SALT LAKE. 200 The water of Bear River at the head of the upper overflow is turbid, and ordinarily a large portion of the mud would be precipitated in the shallow lagoons which retard the currents near the river’s mouth, a part of it being again taken up and carried into the lake during the spring and summer high water. Curiously, however, these lagoons are not permitted to serve as settling reservoirs during the spring and fall, owing to immense flocks of waterfowl which keep the muddy bottom continually stirred up. During a large part of the year, therefore, the river is discharging a heavy volume of sediment into Bear River Bay, which in its upper end, on this account, has become very shallow, with a bottom composed in the main of soft, deep, sticky mud. In a few places the bottom is firm enough to support oysters on the surface, but in most places a person wading will sink to the knees. The water in the lagoons near the mouth of the river,is quite fresh. An analysis by F. W. Clarke of the water, at Evanston, Wyo., showed the following probable constituents in grams per liter: Calcium ear- bonate, .1080; magnesium carbonate, .0438; sodium sulphate, .0155; sodium chloride, .0081; silica, .0070. The quantities are so small that the salinometer is not appreciably affected even at the mouth of the river, where it must be supposed that the proportions of the several substances, or some of them, are greater, owing to the leaching out of the salt lands near the lake. It was to this locality that some of the preliminary correspondence pointed as a favorable place for the intro- duction of the oyster, but the observations just noted make it evident that these waters are entirely without the pale of consideration in this connection. It is probable, however, that the cat-fish might be intro- duced here with considerable hope of success and a fish supply of some commercial importance to the surrounding country might be thus obtained. JORDAN RIVER. Utah Lake, which is the reservoir from which the Jordan derives its main supply, lies in Utah Valley about 40 miles south of Great Salt Lake. It is about 20 miles long with a maximum width of about 8 miles, its dimensions being subject to considerable seasonal and non- periodic variations. It derives its main water supply from streams entering the east side of the lake from the Wasatch Mountains. The largest of these is Provo River, which rises in canyons on the west side of the Uinta Mountains and, breaking through the Wasatch Range, empties into the lake near its middle, in the vicinity of Provo City. Four or five other streams enter it from the east and south, but they are very small, except during April, May, and June. Fed as it is by a fluctuating supply, the lake level undergoes great oscillations, in its turn affecting the discharge of the Jordan, through which all of the surplus water is carried. The Jordan leaves Utah Lake at its northern end and soon after passes through a gap in the Traverse Mountains at a point where the 236 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. discharge from a former greater Utah Lake has cut a deep channel, now characterized by rapids. North of the ‘ Narrows” the Jordan receives a number of small tributaries from the canyons of the Wasatch, but a large part of the water of these streams is utilized for irrigation purposes in Salt Lake Valley and furnishes the water supply of Salt Lake City. In its lower part the river runs through an alkali plain. It flows in a well-defined channel until it reaches a point west of Woods Cross, where the channel forks, the western fork almost imme- diately breaking up into a series of tortuous channels in a marsh. The eastern branch maintains its integrity to a greater extent, but the whole country below the forks forms a marshy delta, cut up by sloughs and lagoons, with a bottom of soft mud supporting a growth of sedges and tules. In many of the lagoons a dense growth of watercress forms a mattress rising sometimes as much as 2 feet above the water, level. The only really firm ground in the delta is formed by a sandy tract, extending perhaps a mile parallel to the east channel, and destitute of vegetation. This is stated to be the filled pn ene) of the river before the late high-water level in the lake. As at Bear River, the water in the lagoons is practically fresh, a sample taken in the east channel of the river where it enters the lake having a density of 1.0008. The following is the probable composition of the solid matter in solution in the water at the source of the river in Utah Lake, as deduced from the analyses made by F. W. Clarke, in 1883, the figures representing grams to the liter of water: Calcium carbonate, .0038; magnesium carbonate, .0644; sodium carbonate, .0204; calcium sulphate, .1849; sodium chloride, .0204; silica, .0100. It will be noticed that this water differs from that in Bear River in the much smaller content of calcium carbonate, in the presence of a large pro- portional amount of calcium sulphate and some sodium carbonate, and in the absence of sodium sulphate. This represents the main supply of the Jordan, but the composition is to some extent modified by the influx of the several creeks entering the river betow Utah Lake, and by the mineral matter leached out of the alkali lands. Its salinity, — however, is so low that there is no possibility whatever of introducing marine species, such as crabs, in the lagoons of the delta, and there is no necessity, therefore, to consider the probable physiological effects of the several mineral constituents upon fishes and other aquatic life. Unfortunately the Jordan River has not been systematically gauged, and its annual oscillation can not be shown, as in the case of Bear and Weber rivers. It undergoes the same variation, however, discharging most water in July and least in early spring. At its maximum it carries much less than the Bear, and at its minimum it has about three- fourths of the flow of that river, its annual oscillation being, therefore, less than in the case of either of the other rivers considered in this report, owing to the fact that its fiow is regulated by the reservoir function of Utah Lake. The lake off the mouth of the Jordan River may therefore be considered to have a smaller annual fluctuation in EXAMINATION OF WATERS OF GREAT SALT LAKE. ont. density, so far as the influx of fresh water is concerned, than it has in corresponding relation to either the Bear or the Weber; that is, leaving out of consideration the effects of the wind in directing the flow of the strongly saline water of the lake, there is less liability of a fatal varia- tion due to the influx of fresh water from the river. If, we will say, oysters were put down during the low-water stage of the river, near the outer limit marking the location of the maximum density in which they will live, it is not certain that the water during the flood season would become freshened below the minimum density in which they thrive. But taking into consideration the fact that the outer limits of the zone of favorable density move landward during the prevalence of north winds, owing to the encroachments of the briny water of the lake, it is evident that in so locating our plant as to prevent the one catastrophe we would invite another. As compared with the bear River the waters at the mouth of the Jordan are clear and the mud of the lake bottom is harder and not so deep. This is doubtless owing in part to the deposit of a larger pro- portion of the suspended matter in the sluggish water of the lagoons and sloughs, where it is not stirred up by the waterfowl, as on the Bear River. In many places the bottom on the alluvial fan is quite hard, and covered with a vegetable felting or carpet composed largely of diatoms. This is especially the case in the shoaler, fresher water, to which places, however, the saline waters find frequent access. The zone of mixed water is here broader than at the mouth of the Bear or Weber. WEBER RIVER. The Weber River rises in the high ridges of the western part of the Uinta Mountains, between the sources of the Bear River on the north and the Provo River on the south. It receives a number of tributaries on both banks, but none of considerable importance except the Ogden River, which joins it at Ogden. Below Ogden the Weber runs through low land, and eventually breaks into two branches, one of which fiows to the north, the other to the south. The northern branch divides and subdivides, part of it being lost in the swampy flats and part flowing into a shallow bay (not shown on the map), which is connected with the lake north of Mud island. This bay, which was formed during the recent subsidence of the lake, is about 2 miles long and ? mile wide, with an average depth of about 4 inches. The southern branch enters the lake 4 or 5 miles west of Hooper, opposite Fremont Island. The channel remains undi- vided to its mouth, and it carries practically the whole discharge of the river except during the spring floods. In October, 1898, the north channel was almost dry. The Weber River is subject to greater and more sudden fluctuations than either the Bear or Jordan, doubtless on account of the absence of natural storage reservoirs, such as are found in the lakes on the other rivers. 238 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. The discharge aS measured at Devil’s Gate, Weber Canyon, during 1897 was as follows: Cubic Cubic || | Cubic Date. feet per Date. feet per | Date. feet per second. second. | second. : | Fated oo eee 360 | May 5....... Peron ead BUT Sa ee ee | 185 TEMG ABoeBcpbecoonodnes 360 || May 10..-.........-.-.- ANODE | (MOC pUMLOL Se. lee sea ee 220 all Oe eee eee ocean fiat San) |) Menges es ees toade ANO20 SOP GalO ae san sie ete Sey eiae 220 Pan lose ee ees B60 | MMay 20h es 204. Sei os Ae TAB Soph 2Oee an ec cee 270 EMSA aan P on sot es soto 4 Sil MEN A So BAS SR eee icc A400) |) Septs25:-c2 55. 5-292 5225% 270 SAD ace aew see eee BGO) I Meiya SO eeswen see otra SCM OAIINSE OBESE 5555 seecsessa se Ai5 Jane sO seen saecece 360) )| (OMIM 1D pee mire sae 23590) | ;OCtt 525-22 he ccs ercer es 545 ODN seco ee cece ee BOON ene LOR see sees NGI 5 Oct Oseeeeeeeeaeeeee 545 (Mebvl Ome sss 2 acer: Jae) B00! | |Romnew bie eons eee A S75 Ont. slb eee cere eee es 545 ING) OI eas bemespeeemctoce SOON sume 20enes eho see eels 1 fon |) OGtea0 ace eees eee 545 Heb 201s 255s a2 eae S60! | PUNE 2D Moscone eee 1899 "OGbetorenrseeacee aac -aaee 545 Heb 20 ereec ne aeons S310) || INAS GN pe Seseesebwecose 330) |NOct oOks eee esse eeeee 545 MODE 28)s,cce se en asters BA Prt hy aan sepeueeeciece sae 220N ANOVSOmec eet oer acces 480 Maro see satan e ain sins SILOM ally WOse owes eesamaee 220 NOW LON eee ese eceee 480 Wiig Mo ees2cnesdosaoe Alb) |) (hulllyel Sin 2-282 2 ose 220); | SNOW plOl sense eeeer eee 480 Maraloteseentocwesemicccies BOO ema Obpeee tease srerereeiae LSS ON Oe eee eee 480 Mar 20 sees ee eae DM) Ui 2b) = Sees cose sae 185) \I\ Now! 25202222 cee ae 415 Marion saseoce oe asceso LE aun hae aeeeseseceae cense 185): || BNO. 8022 soe e~eaeeeeeer 415 Mains SOROS eee. eae 7804} VAUIp On tee. = tone koa 18514||'*D6er5. 2a. 5 eee as eee ee 415 ON ae, < RE Ee, OTS) Perna 0,4 sa Se ee ae 185" ||) Wee gl saa ame 415 PSG ets epee Nene Me Eh D275 y| Ane Todas) ae 185 | TGC) 15). Pro A eee 415 2Ajiyes IS GS-6 a5ease65 5SsH5- DOL Oin WeAsnOe DOM tee See teens ats | MOL RCA MSS Shea. 5 Se 415 UN e5 AV acoespcogcsansoses ANOLON PAIeN 2a nae meses eae 1855 )|"DeC25) 222. ne sense see 415 PACD TAD ae oe eaicia= =ialeteietaiaiete POLO AMO SO elect tie cieiere/cietor=iai= 185 DMec.80) 2.2 deme eeesee 415 PAS Ts Oe stele = eats oielarale 4,610 i A volume of water, very considerable as compared with the ordinary flow of the stream,:is diverted from the Weber River for purposes of irrigation. The main channel discharges over a well-defined fan, which extends about 14 miles from the present shore line. The shores here are formed by a part of the delta laid down during a higher stage of water than now obtains, and the slope is so gradual that the position of the water line fluctuates widely under the influence of the winds and slight changes in the lake level, a rise of an inch changing the position of the shore line north of the river mouth by several hundred yards. The water on the fan is practically fresh, but at its edge, where the slope becomes more abrupt, the density falls rapidly. On October 18, 1898, about 14 miles from shore the salinometer registered a density of 1.0315 in a depth of 1 foot; 50 yards nearer the shore the depth had decreased to 7 inches and the density to 1.0040; 50 yards farther in the depth was 5 inches and the density 1.0020, and 100 yards farther the readings were 4 inches and 1.0005, respectively. The water on the fan was clear, but the salt water around the rim had a milky appear- ance, probably due to the imperfect solution of its saline contents on account of its low temperature, 12°C. (53.6° F.). The bottom on the delta is generally firm and there is an abundant growth of diatoms: Both of these conditions are favorable to the growth of oysters, but the density is fatal and the extreme shallowness objectionable. BRACKISH SPRINGS. After the completion of the examination of the lake at the mouths of the main streams flowing into it, it appeared desirable to investigate some of the numerous brackish springs which are characteristic of the EXAMINATION OF WATERS OF GREAT SALT LAKE. 239 country bordering on Great Salt Lake. It was thought that perhaps by utilizing some of the ponds to which they give rise, or by construct- ing artificial ponds or claires and regulating the flow of water, the density might be so regulated as to secure the requisite aymauticiae: The springs selected for examination were those flowing from the end of the Oquirrh Mountains south of Saltaire and Garfield Beach. At Chambers Station there is a group of springs on the property of Mr. Anderson, most of them in the bottom of a small pond in which carp and trout have been introduced by the owner, both being said to thrive. A small spring on the margin of the pond had a density of 1.0003; about 50 yards below the discharge of the pond the density was 1.0012; about 250 yards below it was 1.0018, and about half a mile from the pond it had risen to 1.0019, all densities being corrected to 15° C. Near the place at which the last reading was taken a sluggish spring rises from a deep hole with abrupt margins, the density there being 1.6014. In the stream forming the discharge of the pond confer- void alge in abundance and several schools of small fish were seen. There is a copious discharge of water from the pond, and the flow, which was not measured, is said to vary but little with the seasons. In the lower course of this stream the land becomes somewhat boggy and much of the water is lost through evaporation over the increased sur- face thus produced. Two springs were next examined on the property of Mr. Spencer, several miles west of Chambers station, on the road to Black Rock. They rise between the highway and the railroad. The east spring has a density of 1.0005 at its source, aud the west spring 1.0013 at the railroad and 1.0015 about 200 yards below. Both of them flow through boggy ground, and their courses are much choked with alge and watercress. Near Black Rock are two springs just south of the highway and about half a mile from thelake. The eastern one, which is the larger, has a density of 1.0046, the most saline spring examined. The flow from this spring exceeds that of any others except that at Chambers station. The second spring, about one-fourth mile west of the one just described, is much smaller and has a density of 1.0018. Oysters will live in water of a density or specific gravity between 1.002 and about 1.0024, but near the limits mentioned they are inferior in quality and of but little value as food. In water of low density they become poor, flabby, and tasteless, while near the upper limits of their adaptability they become small and almost worthless, as may be seen in the mangrove oysters in certain parts of the South and in some of the West Indies. To raise oysters of the best quality it is necessary to have the water of such salinity as will give a specific gravity of between L010 and 1.020. It will be observed that none of the springs examined has a density within the limits which experience has indicated as most favorable for the production of sapid oysters, but the eastern or larger spring at Black Rock is saline enough to support adult oysters and to admit of 940 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. their breeding. In all probability, therefore, provided that the chem- ical constituents of the water were not such as to prove injurious, self- sustaining oyster beds might be established in the waters flowing from this spring, but their quality would not be sufiiciently good to warrant | the attempt. If, however, this water were conducted into shallow ponds the evap- oration would tend to raise the density. The evaporation at Salt Lake City is about 75 inches per annum and the rainfall about 50 inches, so that the net loss in fresh water is about 2 feet per year. A pond 24 feet deep and without an outlet would by solar evaporation alone have its density raised to within the desired limits in less than two years, provided sufficient water from the spring be introduced from time to time to replace that lost by evaporation. If no water be allowed to escape from the pond save by evaporation, there will be speedily repro- duced in miniature the conditions prevailing in Great Salt Lake and the density would soon rise to a degree fatal to the oyster. After the pond has reached the desired salinity, however, it may be maintained within the proper limits by regulation of the intake and outlet sluices, the inflowing stream of lower density tending to reduce the salinity of the pond by replacing the denser water which flows from the outlet. By a nice adjustment of the influent and effluent streams it would be possible to regulate the density within comparatively narrow limits with «a minimum of personal attention on the part of the operator. Two conditions are imposed by the problem: (a) The inflow must equal the amount of water lost by evaporation, plus the quantity flowing out of the pond, minus that which is gained from the rainfall in the pond; (d) the smaller amount of dense water flowing out must contain the same amount of salt as the larger amount of Jess dense water flowing in. GREAT SALT LAKE. Great Sait Lake is situated in the northwestern part of Utah, west of the Wasatch Mountains, being embraced within the limits of Box Elder, Weber, Salt Lake, and Toelle counties. Its length is about 80 miles, lying in a northwest-southeast direction, and its greatest width is about 35 miles. In 1869 it had, according to King’s survey, an area of 2,170 square miles, this being the maximum area within historic times. At the present time it has decreased to approximately the dimensions shown on the Stansbury map of 1850, when it had an area of about 1,750 square miles, 20 per cent less than in 1869. Itsmaximum]| depth, according to Stansbury, was 36 feet; and the King survey, made at the time of highest water within recent years, reports a depth of 49 feet. The shrinkage since 1869 has been approximately 10 feet, so that the maximum depth is not far from 38 or 39 feet at present. The deepest water is west of the Promontory, the water east of that penin- sula and Antelope Island being comparatively shoal and gradually becoming shoaler by the deposit of silt from the rivers. The principal islands are Fremont and Antelope, in line between the Caled AduinTon GF ADJACENT COUNTRY STATE OF UTAH. Compiled from the Survéys of Capt. Howard Stansbury inlagg. Capt. CE. Dutton in 1879 and Other Public and Private Surveys by C.Mostyn- Owen CE. May 25188! SC 4a. WL The TAR. MNOD TWAIRLEAK ‘U TO ATAT? vw sed mont bellerio D rtudeésvid bye woH.ieod 2 Y8l xf srodinuG 3D ..tcr2d hirvn evinG bio sil duT 19410 ‘a iL stow = ryi20M dD 1881-25 yoM | . ‘ou _- . a ee ee ee = ae ee ieee ce é ¥ EXAMINATION OF WATERS OF GREAT SALT LAKE. 241 Promontory and Oquirrh mountains, and Carrington and Stansbury islands, forming a similar chain farther west. At the present stage of water Stansbury Island is connected with the shore, and Antelope Island may be reached with little difficulty by fording. Mud Island, usually known as Little Mountain, now rises from the mud flats north ot the Weber, but during the recent high-water stage it was an island in fact. As is well known, Great Salt Lake is a relic of a great fresh-water or brackish sea, Lake Bonneville, the history of which in geologic times is written in the ancient beaches which terrace the mountain sides which formed its shores. This lake had its fluctuations in level, rising and falling probably in correlation to fluctuations in meteorological conditions, but eventually its surface rose until it stood more than a thousand feet above the present level of Great Salt Lake, when it spilled over the crest of an alluvial dam in Red Rock Pass and dis- charged in a mighty river into the drainage system of the Columbia. The erosive powers of this discharge over the loosely aggregated alluvial matter soon cut a deep channel and the surface of the lake in a short time fell nearly 400 feet, when further erosion was retarded by the hard rock which was then reached, and the size of the effluent stream thereafter was much diminished and became a factor of the excess of precipitation over evaporation in the Bonneville hydrographic basin, the lake level remaining approximately stationary. At a later period increasing aridity caused an excess of evaporation over precipitation, the lake fell below the level of its outlet, and its succeeding shrinkage in volume was due to a gradual process of desic- cation. In its process of drying up the ancient Lake Bonneville was divided into several portions, three of which, of considerable size, exist as lakes of the present day. Of these, Great Salt Lake and Sevier Lake are strongly saline, while Utah Lake, whose drainage basin receives more water than is carried off by evaporation, has become fresh by the continued discharge of its saline matter into Great Salt Lake via the Jordan River. Historical knowledge of Great Salt Lake dates practically from the time of the Mormon immigration into the valley, although it had been visited previously by adventurous travelers and trappers. At the time of the settlement of Salt Lake City, in 1847, the lake was at a lower level than it has since reached, and at the time of the first survey, in 1850, its shores bore evidence that it had been at the existing stage for a long time antecedent. Soon after, however, it began to rise, until in 1857 it stood nearly 4 feet above the level of 1850, its surface being at about 6 feet on the Garfield gauge, established at a later period. By 1860 it had fallen again to its former stage, but in 1864 there began a rapid swelling in volume which carried it to its maximum elevation during historic times, in 1868, when it stood at a height of over 13 feet, as referred to the zero of the Garfield gauge. From the high-water stage then reached the lake has fallen in level, with periods of tempo- F C 99——1f6 242 R¥PORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. rary expansion producing secondary maxima in 1876 and 1887, until in the fall of 1898 it stood at about 24 feet on the Garfield gauge, or barely a foot above the level of the corresponding season of 1850, In addition to the nonperiodic oscillation described, there is also an annual fluctuation, due to the temperature and precipitation character- istics of the region, the lake reaching its maximum elevation in June and its minimum in November. This is referred to, as follows, by G. K. Gilbert, in his monograph on Lake Bonneville: The cause of this annual variation is at once apparent. The chief accessions of water to the lake are from the melting of snow on the mountains, and this ocenrs in the spring, occasioning the rise of the water from March to June. Water escapes from the lake only by evaporation, and evaporation is most rapid in the summer. Before the influx from melting snow has ceased it is antagonized by the rapidly increasing evaporation, and as soon as it ceases the surface is quickly lowered. In autumn the rate of evaporation gradually diminishes; in November it barely equals the tribute of the spring-fed streams, and in winter if is overpowered by such aqueous product of mountain storms as is not stored up in snow banks. There is still another variation affecting the lake level locally, although its average level is not disturbed. Under the influence of strong winds the water is rolled up on the shelving lee shores to a height of several feet above the normal water line, while on the oppo- site or windward shores there is a corresponding depression. Even with gentle winds, not exceeding 6 or 8 miles per hour in velocity, the writer has known the water to rise an inch or two on the flats forming the eastern shore of the lake between the deltas of the Bear and Weber rivers. Each of these variations in the lake’s level has an important indirect bearing on the subject of the present investigation, the first two affect- ing the salinity of the lake both generally and locally, while the third has a purely local effect. It is evident that as the water rises, during either an annual or a nonperiodical elevation, the general density of the lake water must decrease, for the increased volume is due to the addition of fresh water, and the total quantity of salt in the lake remains practically, though not absolutely, the same. During a period . of subsidence the contrary is true, although some of the saline matter is left by desiccation upon the shores from which the water has receded, part of this being gradually returned to the lake by leaching and part of it being covered and entrapped in the soil. There are no data avail- able to illustrate the effects of the annual oscillation, but the effects of the nonperiodic fluctuation are shown in the following table: Date. | Sp. gr. Locality. Authority. WSO eae sioe lec Aatisie anisiele aiaisinia oe'cisininn\elecin em wammiaiajecinelais TEAM cies SosesceeeeaeS L. D. Dale S69] (SUMMBGE) ae oe ea ee - oe ee lee tease HOWE: eceeatietnashobees ses | O. D. Allen. 1873 (August) .-.---.------------------------------- BPS See agate oe secoe H. Bassett. TSS5(DECOMUCL) Sega e sania ee == eas ooo enee na afer TMI) Nonsesceercasaideccdes J.E. Talmage. IEG) (GURU E es = Se Sega ctie see asoemecesser coancd UGA? lASGoeoeectesos cases | Do. T1862) (CAM ETISh) Reese ae ae ol eas see ere ieee 1a Lai | | Ge Aes le ee Se | E. Waller. TSS TCMOVENIDOL) asses eee a= oe tee ee 1. 168 Garfield Beach..... H. F. Moore. f EXAMINATION OF WATERS OF GREAT SALT LAKE. 243 It will be observed that the foregoing accords in general with the history of the oscillations of the lake, a low density being coincident with a period of high water, and conversely. For a variety of reasons, principally because of the nonconformity in the location and other conditions of the collection of samples, there is not an absolute agree- ment. The density of the lake varies in its different parts, being lowest close to the mouths of the rivers and highest near dry shelving shores. In the latter case the density is raised by evaporation in the shallow water until it sometimes reaches the saturation point and the salt is crystal- lized out and precipitated on the bottom. The process is aided, of course, by the fact that the lake has no appreciable semidiurnal tides, which would tend to produce a more equable distribution of its saline contents. The circulation, however, in the deeper waters removed from the river mouths is probably sufficient to make the density uniform over large areas. Near the mouths of the rivers the density is largely conditioned by the volume of fresh water brought down by the stream. When the discharge is heavy the dense water of the lake is pushed back and the zone at which the mingling of the fresh and salt waters occurs is farther from shore than when the discharge is light. If the rivers maintained an approximately even flow during the year this fact could not materially affect the feasibility of introducing marine animals, such as the oyster, for the zone of admixture would remain, other things being constant, at approximately the same position. It happens, how- ever, that the rivers discharging into Great Salt Lake pass through annual oscillations of great magnitude, the maximum and minimum flow of Bear River in 1897, according to the figures published by Professor Fortier, and previously quoted, being about as 15 to 2, and of Weber River in the proportion of about 28 to 1. Data for the Jordan River are not available. It will be seen, therefore, that the fluctuations in the position of what we may call the neutral zone, in which the water has a density of between 1.01 and 1.02, must be very great. Again, during nonperiodic stages of high water—as, for instance, that culmin- ating in 1869—the salt water encroaches on the fresh, and some of the former fresh-water channels of the rivers become converted into more or less saline estuaries. The annual oscillations would probably affect the local density to a smaller degree, partly because the influence of the higher level of the lake would be masked by the greater inflow of fresh water, as it occurs syuchronously, not with the maximum, but still with a high stage of water in the river, and partly by reason of the fact that the rise is not so great as in the nonperiodic oscillations. Another factor which tends to produce variations in the salinity are the irregular changes in the lake’s level, due to the action of the wind. As before stated, winds of even moderate intensity tend to back up the water on flat lee shores, with the result that the denser water 244 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. moves landward and would inevitably increase the salinity over the areas on which oysters could be planted, and an offshore wind would tend to produce a fall in salinity. In other words, the neutral zone of water, just saline enough to be favorable to oyster life, has no fixed posi- tion, but moves shoreward or lakeward in conformity with the direction of the prevailing wind. The rapidity with which these changes may take place is remarkable as illustrated by the following observations made from an anchoreti boat in Bear River Bay on October 10, 1898: | Time. | Density. | | | eee aa 3.00 |} 1.0210 | | Sol 5 ete 0244 3.25 | lative sae ess OR ee Te 0811-0 | In the last reading the density was too great to be read with the salinometers used, but it greatly exceeded 1.031. A few days later, at the mouth of the Jordan, the density was found to change from 1.009 to 1.0141 within 5 minutes. In both cases there was a lake breeze blowing at a velocity estimated to not exceed 8 miles an hour. The salt water crept into the less salt in long tonguelike streaks, the progress of which could be readily distinguished by their color. In Bear River Bay, at 12.30 o’clock, on October 10, 1898, the density near the north end of “The Knoll” on the promontory was 1.003, at 5.15 o’clock it was 1.011, and at 8 o’clock next morning it had risen to 1.015. The density was, perhaps, higher during the night, as the wind was southerly at nightfall, when the salinity was increasing; but in the morning it had veered to the north, which would tend to blow the salt water lakeward again. The ‘‘ neutral zone” appears to be at all times comparatively narrow. This was best illustrated by observations made at the southern mouth of the Weber River, where the fresh water is discharged over an allu- vial fan. At the edge of the delta, where its slope begins to increase in its deflection from the horizontal, the water was found to have a density of 1.031 in a depth of 1 foot; 50 yards nearer the shore, where the depth had decreased to 7 inches, the density had fallen to 1.004; 50 yards farther on it was 1.002, and 100 yards farther it was but 1.0005, or practically fresh. The zone of water of a density suitable for the erowth of oysters was certainly not more than 25 yards wide, although it extended around the entire rim of the delta. At the mouth of Bear River the neutral zone was wider, but the dis- tribution of the salinity was so irregular that it is impossible to state its width. A complication was introduced here by the fact that the density was undergoing rapid change from the effect of the wind, as has been already set forth. EXAMINATION OF WATERS OF GREAT SALT LAKE. 245 The observations made are recorded in the following table: oe Location. Density. hee Location. Density. 1 | 50 yards off north point of knoll 1. 003 T6372 100} vards northen seat = ee) on promontory. 17 | 2,200 yards north (point of knoll or) 2 | 1,000 yards south 1.010 S.of W.) 3 | 1,500 yards south 1. 005 18 | 2,600 yards north......-.-.---.... on 4 | 1,800 yards south 1.012 18) | uU EG IGE heer orem ee 6 cobocc 1.021 5 | 2,100 yards south 1. 027 19 | Same (15 m. later) .--....--...--- 1. 024 6 | 2,400 yards south o* 193} Same(0/mi later) <-ss-eeesssee- 1. 027 7 | 500 yards east .........-.-..-- : 1. 027 190) Same'(d> molater))sos-. eee eee see 1. 031-+- 8)" 1,000 yards\ east .=.-5>.------- e 1. 022 20 | 300 yards east.........--..----.- oo Outi 300*vards east’s2-5---.-.-6 2 oo Zi) 400lyvards: west -.5-.c\tccce es ceee 1. 016 LOS 500i yards: éast -22.52:te5=- a lo Zo -S00ryards West. - 22522 ss2ccesecee oo 11400 yardsnorth -.22.--..-2- - oo 23° ,200 yards west. 2.525. 2--42-<0=" oo 12 | 900: yards north -:...--..-<- - oo 24 | 1,400 yards west........-...-...- roe 13 | 1,400 yards north 1. 0255 254/600 yards'west-—--+---- i Fon, i 1 7 Bere ase — = an es moesce tad? S@u Ai eJan gerd ont. re nsiow end slidw esnil Hut bs: Reqs 1s enw enoitizeg lsmoistbbs wore zont FF) > 2 189y evorverg ni boss20! mesd ban rat ye A a a“ FISHERIES OF WASHINGTON AND BRITISH COLUMBIA. 303 leaders, not exceeding 1,800 feet, which begin near shore and extend into depths of 55 and 7 fathoms. Off the west coast there were also only two single traps in 1895, both being well up toward the boundary, and off shore. They had comparatively long leaders extending over the edge of Roberts Bank, the cribs being located in depths of 65 and 9 fathoms, respectively, and at distances from shore of about 3,200 feet and 145 miles. In 1897 and 1898 many additional trap nets were in use about Point Roberts, but their number and exact location have not been ascer- tained. The catch of sockeye in the former year was very large, and the capacity of the region was shown to be much greater than had been anticipated. SEASON AND CATCH. The canneries obtaining their supplies at Point Roberts desire only. sockeye salmon, and take other species only when the sockeye catch is insufficient to meet their requirements. The trap nets at that place are therefore built almost exclusively for the capture of the sockeye, and, in view of the expense attending their construction and mainte- nance, it is doubtful if any would be used there except for the pres- ence of this species. The season when they are set is mainly limited to the period during which the sockeye run continues, generally begin- ning between the first and middle of July and closing between the middle and end of August. In 1894 and 1895 one or two traps are said to have been set for the quinnat salmon, commencing between the 16th and 15th of June, but as the weather about Point Roberts is likely to be stormy as late as that time, the risks attending the working of the traps have discouraged their use during the quinnat season. To maintain an active spring fishery for the quinnat by this means would require a special strength- ening of the nets, increasing the expense, while at the same time there would be constant danger of their serious injury or destruction. The prevailing summer winds are northwesterly, but easterly winds occa- sionally occur, producing rough water in the neighborhood of the nets in Boundary Bay and making it difficult or impossible to lift them for a day or two, especially the more northern ones in ‘the shallower water. If the sockeye season has been unfavorable, a few of the traps may be left in position during a part of September, in order to cover more or less of the run of silver salmon in case it is desired to fill out the pack with that species. As an indication of the recent rapid growth of the trap-net fishery at Point Roberts, it may be noted that in 1892 the catch of sockeye by that means was reported as about 37,000 fish, while in 1895 it had increased to about 680,000 fish, of which by far the greatest quantity was taken in the nets of the nearby canneries. The number of spring salmon caught during the latter year was reported at less than 5,000. Humpback salmon are taken in connection with a part of the sockeye run in very large quantities, but they are seldom, if ever, used for canning. 304 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Before the building of canneries at Semiakmoo and Point Roberts the Fraser River furnished the only market for disposing of the.fish in fresh condition; but the establishment of canning operations near the location of the traps has changed all this. In 1895 the river canneries received out of the total catch of 680,000 sockeye only about 80,000, of which 30,000 came from the nets in the Canadian waters of Boundary Bay and 50,000 from three nets south of the boundary line. In good years, when the Fraser River catch is ample, there has been no need to draw on Boundary Bay, although contracts previously made may have to be carried out, while in poor years there is a desire to retain at Point Roberts as much as possible of the sockeye catch made in that vicinity. The Fraser River canners are, as a rule, opposed to handling sockeye from Point Roberts, except in cases of emergency, for the reason that the fish are apt to deteriorate greatly in condition during transportation, when they are piled in large scows and towed from the fishing-grounds to the canneries. The season, being the height of summer, is unfavor- able, and the fish are often so soft upon reaching their destination that no use can be made of them. This happens most often in years of large catches, when the competition for markets is very great, and when the loss of fish from this cause has sometimes been very heavy. There is a marked inequality in the size of the sockeye catch at Point Roberts, as in other localities, from time to time during the same season, due to fluctuations in the abundance of the fish, as elsewhere explained. Small catches for a period may be followed by excessive ones (amounting occasionally, it is said, to from 40,000 to 50,600 sockeye in a single day by the principal nets at Point Roberts), the latter sometimes causing a surplus which the canneries can not utilize immediately. In this respect the trap nets possess an advantage over the gill nets, in affording the means of releasing or keeping the fish alive, through the crib itself or the spiller. The practice has also been followed of removing the surplus catch to cold chambers awaiting use. Notwithstanding the special advantages which the traps present in this respect, there is what seems to be well-founded complaint of the waste of many fish through their means, including even the sockeye in — seasons of great abundance. The charges recite that this species is sometimes retained in the nets until no longer fit for use, and also that at times only a small proportion, the choicest parts, of each fish are utilized for canning, the remainder being rejected. As it is difficult to imagine the willful destruction of so valuable a fish simply, as it is claimed, to prevent their coming into the possession of others, it is to be hoped that the circumstances are not so bad as represented. The danger of the extermination of the species is too great to justify a resort to any such methods and most stringent measures should be adopted to prevent a waste in this direction. The principal destruction is probably of other species of salmon and of fishes belonging to other groups, which are trapped in conjunction with the sockeye and in the removal of which no pains are taken to PLaTte 14. (To face page 304 ) Report U. S. F. C. 1899. anes ee Re ren enn rite a * i lead a * ae a wee e TRAP NET AT HUNOT POINT, SKAGIT BAY, WASHINGTON, 1895. SEEN FROM THE SHORE, PLaTe 15. (To face page 304.) Report U. S. F. C. 1899. TRAP NET AT DEMOCK POINT, COMANO ISLAND, SKAGIT B AY, WASHINGTON 1 1895 SEEN FROM THE SHORE. PLATE 16. (To face page 304.) Report U. S. F. C. 1899. CRIB OF TRAP NET AT DEMOCK POINT, COMANO ISLAND, SKAGIT BAY, WASHINGTON, 1895. pls #f FISHERIES OF WASHINGTON AND BRITISH COLUMBIA. 305 return them alive to the water. This results mainly from the large size, generally, of the catches and the difficulty of sorting them during the operation of emptying the crib. With the exception of some of the largest forms, it is customary to load everything on scows by means of large dip nets or by reversing the crib net, after which the desirable parts of the catch are selected ont and the remainder thrown away—nearly all being dead by this time. Experience with trap nets in other regions shows that some discrimination can be made during the progress of removal, especially when the species to be saved are large and easily recognized, as is the case here, but in so doing the work is much prolonged and the expense increased. In a new region, so rich in resources as the one in question, where use can be found for only the choicer products and competition is exceedingly keen, it is questionable whether such exacting regulations of this character would be either wise or expedient at present. In fact, regulations looking to the release alive of any part of the catch of trap nets seldom con- template in any region the assorting of the catch by hand, but only the escape of the smaller fish through proper restrictions upon the size of the mesh. This is a question which indeed deserves consideration in connection with the traps of the Puget Sound region. Among the species said to be destroyed in quantity are the quinnat, when off color, humpback and other salmon, sturgeon, herring, smelt, and flounders. As it is not possible to determine the color of the quinnat until it has been cut, there seems to be no way of affording the protection which it equally lacks when taken by other methods. Dogfish, which are sometimes captured in large numbers, are returned alive to the water, and a sale is springing up for the sturgeon, though many have been wasted in the past. GILL NETS. BRITISH COLUMBIA, Gill nets are the principal appliances of the salmon fishery in British Columbia, but in Washington they are less important than the traps and seines. In Canadian waters, in fact, commercial fishing for salmon with nets is restricted to the use of drift gill nets, except in the upper part of Boundary Bay, where traps have been allowed, and in one or two northern localities, where seining is permitted because of the clearness of the water. The drift-net grounds are mostly limited to the Fraser River and the adjacent part of the Gulf of Georgia, where the advantages for fishing are much greater “than in any other section of this entire region. Not only does this river and its approaches have the largest runs of all the species of salmon, but during the most impor- tant months for fishing they present together an exceedingly large area of highly discolored water in which gill nets may be used as effectively in the daytime as at night. This discoloration, which results from the floods caused by the melting snows among the mountains, commences generally about the middle of April and lasts until early in the fall, F C 99 —20 306 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. thus covering a large part of the quinnat run and all of that of the sockeye. Before it becomes sufficiently marked to obscure the nets, the quinnat fishery is mostly carried on at night. This drift-net fishery was being carried on in a small way as early as 1875 at least, but in the beginning it seems to have been entirely confined within the river. Finding, however, that good fishing by this means could be obtained outside the delta, the fishermen began by 1885 to resort to the ‘“‘sandheads” off the south arm, from which point the area of their operations has been extended until by 1891 it reached . as far offshore as does the intensely muddy water of the Fraser. Wherever this condition exists the sockeye can be taken in drift nets as readily and in as great abundance as in the river itself. This exten- sion of the grounds has given opportunity for a greatly increased catch, and has caused the bulk of the fishery to be centered within a radius of 6 or 8 miles of the river mouth, upstream in one direction and out in the Gulf of Georgia in the other. Drift-net fishing in the Fraser is restricted by law to that part of its course which is influenced by the tide, the upper limit being placed at Sumas River, between 50 and 60 miles above the mouth of the main river. Comparatively little, however, is done above New Westminster, though there are in this upper section a few good drifting-places during high water, where the quinnat are taken in the spring and the sockeye in July, but generally in August the river becomes so low as to interfere with operations. During a short period in each week of July and August, immediately following the weekly close time, drifting may be carried on largely about New Westminster and thence down- stream, but as a whole by far the greater part of the fishery is limited to the lower 6 to 8 miles of the river and the outside grounds. This is explained by the fact that the current is not so strong below, there is more room and more certainty of a sailing breeze upstream to renew the drift, and competition naturally impels the fishermen to seek the grounds nearest to where the fish first appear, in their efforts to secure some advantage. The canneries have also become mainly concentrated along the lower part of the river, especially in the vicinity of Ladner, and at Steveston, where they are convenient to the fishing-grounds now mostly resorted to. Fishing is carried on in all three branches of the delta, the main channel, the North Arm, and Canoe Pass. Outside the river there are no legal restrictions upon the extent of the grounds, their limits being solely defined by the opportunities for securing fish. Asexplained in the account of that species, the sockeye assemble in front of the delta, coming apparently both from the south and west, and occupying a considerable area both on and off the edges of the bank which stretches from Point Grey to Point Roberts. The discolored water permits the use of drift nets as far north as Point Grey, as far south as the boundary line, and to a distance of at least 5 or 6 miles offshore in the direction of Vancouver Island. The heaviest part of the fishing is done off the main entrance and Canoe Pass, FISHERIES OF WASHINGTON AND BRITISH COLUMBIA. 307 toward which the fish are working, but during a trip from the delta to Point Roberts, at the height of the sockeye season in 1895, the boats were observed to be also scattered elsewhere in all directions as far as one could see, to near the boundary line, south of which they do not go. There were at least 400 or 500 boats outside on that occasion, and the scene presented was one of great animation. While the nets are set with reference to the current, they soon take devious courses, and in places were so close together that the tug on which we were had difficulty in picking its way among them. Owing to the generally unfavorable weather in the spring, there has been practically no fishery for quinnat on the outside grounds at that season, but in the fall this species may be taken there to a small extent. The length of the drift nets in British Columbian waters is limited by law to 150 fathoms, and the most of those in use are probably of about that size. There is no restriction upon their depth, but custom fixes it at 50 to 55 meshes, though some are narrower. Two sizes of mesh are recognized by law. The larger, intended for the quinnat salmon, measured 72 inches in extension, until 1897, when it was reduced to 7 inches, and may be used from March 1-to September 15. The smaller, designed for the sockeye, silver salmon, etc., measures 52 inches, and may legally be employed from July 1 to August 25, and again from September 25 to October 31. Between September 15 and 25, and between November 1 and March 1, all salmon fishing with nets is pro- hibited. The quinnat nets are employed mainly in the spring and early summer, but also to some extent in September, when the quinnat runis smaller and the fish are not in so good condition. The smaller mesh is used mostly during July and August, when the sockeye are present and the canneries are in active operation. The close season, beginning August 25, is to permit the last of the sockeye schools, in which the fish are well matured, to reach their spawning-grounds unmolested. The fall season of the small-meshed nets allows for the capture of the silver salmon, but the fishery at that time is not extensive, as the demand for this species is very much less than for the sockeye. The twine of which the nets are made is of the best flax, but being loosely laid has a very coarse appearance compared with that used for gill nets in the Great Lakes and elsewhere in the East. The nets con- structed of it, however, are said to be better adapted to the large catches of heavy fish so generally obtained on the Fraser River, although the fine hard twine is best for clear water. The cost of the nets fully rigged is about $100 apiece. They are lightly tanned and sometimes a little tar is used upon them. With care they can be made to last three or four years, but with the ordinary hired fishermen their life is generally measured by a single season. They are fitted with lead sinkers and wooden floats. The buoys are sometimes of wood, but square tin oil cans are very commonly employed for this purpose. The boats are mostly small skiffs, about 20 feet long, generally manned by two, occasionally by three, persons. In recent years the 308 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Columbia River boat has been introduced and is now used to a consid- erable extent in the lower part of the river and outside. Its breadth and centerboard make it much safer for the more exposed places. All gill nets in British Columbian waters are, in accordance with law, used adrift. This method appears to be best suited to most of the requirements of the region and has given entire satisfaction. The cur- rent in the Fraser River is generally too strong for set nets, and with the large number of nets there employed only the one method of fish- ing them would be advisable. All nets are drifted at the surface, each being handled by a single boat, to which it is attached at one end, the other end being indicated by its buoy. Up to 1891, inclusive, the number of drift nets in use was limited to 500. Since then, however, licenses have been issued to all bona-fide fishermen, British citizens and residents, who make application. The canneries and other establishments dealing in salmon are allowed sev- eral nets apiece, but each independent fisherman is entitled to only a single net. The number of licenses issued and the total length of the nets employed each year since 1891 have been as follows: Total | Total Num- Num- aS = length of - » |\length of Year. Pen STAT Year. pene: mate ; yards yards. OOD ann em wets a seies eee ote. 721 252, 580 189D ce eee cemcese seme same 1, 733 528, 006 VEO Bree ciinisianis Spats hae te alsje'e ate bezel 1, 072 BOOT GUO! | SQ OMe rials wiaateeinieroltetsieme emis alta cca are 8038, 801 ROA sete tet ailaeiect os terete ore steve iniecele 1, 666 5038, 900 | MSOF). ic cieeiscmie we cefsenicice scsi Gallic ateecics 709, 400 To insure their identification the boats of the independent fishermen must be marked with their license number, but canneries and dealers have each their separate series of numbers, as each receives only a single license for all its boats. A varied nationality is represented among the drift-net fishermen, including Indians and negroes, there being a very large number of the former. The arrangements with them differ. Some own their boats and nets and dispose of their catch by contract; others are supplied with their outfit by the canneries and fish on shares, while others again, the Indians especially, are employed on day wages. The inde- pendent fisherman in possession of an outfit is supposed to fish it himself, and his hours are measured by his endurance. The canneries, however, generally hire two gangs for each of their boats, in order that they may be kept at work both day and night. The licenses do not define the position which each fisherman may occupy with his drift net. The law provides, however, that the nets shall be kept at least 250 yards apart and shall not be used so as to obstruct more than one-third the width of the river, but it has been manifestly impossible to comply with these regulations—the first, especially—since the number of nets has increased so greatly; and the second, because in many places the width of the river is Jess than three times the length of the nets. The fishermen are left to arrange these matters among themselves, and whether they do so by tacit understanding or not, there is little or FISHERIES OF WASHINGTON AND BRITISH COLUMBIA. 309 no interference among them. Each selects, so far as he can, what seems to him the best location, and may change it from time to time. As the nets are floating no fisherman has a clear piece of ground to himself, but they follow one another in groups over the same ground, and move upstream again after completing their drift or after having made a certain distance. The drifts may vary from 1 to 2 or 3 miles, and are sometimes shorter, dependent upon the abundance of fish and other circumstances. The best conditions for drifting are said to occur at slack high water, whether at night or in the daytime, and most fishing is done at that stage of the tide. The nets then hang more vertically and it is the general opinion that there is also then a better movement of the fish. When the river is high and swift they attempt to fish more along the sides and in the eddies, as the fish seem to seek the places of least resistance, but when it falls they do better in the channels. The nets are customarily set at right angles to the current, but as the velocity of the latter varies at different points across the channel and eddies frequently occur, the nets do not long remain spread out in the - direction intended, but take irregular courses with a general tendency to trend up and down stream. In some places, where bars so exist as to cause the fish to move crosswise of the river, the nets may do best in the latter position, but, as a rule, they are not allowed to head off much before lifting begins. On the outside grounds it is also the prae- tice to set across the current, and some of the most successful drifting is there done by starting a net near the mouth of one of the river chan- nels and allowing it to be carried as far as the current serves, which may be a long way when the river is in flood. An opportunity for studying the effect upon the salmon runs of the extensive drift-net fishing now carried on in the Fraser River is afforded by the weekly close times, but practically no attention has been given to the subject. All fishing being prohibited from 6 o’clock Saturday morning until the same hour Sunday evening, the salmon are given an unobstructed passageway up the river during thirty-six hours out of every seven days. The movement of the fish is not, of course, uniform or even continuous throughout the season or any extended part of it. While, therefore, it is impossible, without the necessary observations, to pass definitely upon the matter, yet at the end of each weekly close time it is expected that a proportionally much greater quantity of fish may be found in the neighborhood of New Westminster than at other periods of the week. On Sunday evening, as the time for fishing reopeus, the work begins actively about New Westminster, the river being covered by as many boats as can safely operate, and the catch per net being as good as at least the average on the lower drifting-grounds. Such success does not continue long, and during the remainder of the week comparatively few boats remain on the upper grounds. In the interest of the protection of the fish it would be important to ascertain what proportion of the run is removed by the large amount of netting used on the Fraser River during the past few years. Such 310 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. information as we possess is very indefinite at the best, but the evi- dence presented by the circumstances attending the weekly close time argues strongly in favor of the continuance of that protective measure. In illustration of this matter may be cited the catch by the drift-netters during the night of Sunday, August 16, 1895, which was said to have exceeded 700,000 sockeye, the largest single night’s catch on record up to that time at least. WASHINGTON. Gill nets are employed in both the salt waters and rivers of Wash- ington, but much less extensively than in British Columbia. Their use extends quite largely to the clear open waters, where they are only serviceable at night, and they are fished both set and drifting. The fishery is for the most part somewhat irregular, and aside from a few localities is prosecuted in a small way at scattered places, much of the catch being disposed of locally, although a good part of the fresh supply, especially of quinnat, sent to the larger markets, such as Seattle, is the product of this class of nets. Skagit Bay and River seem to have been the seat of the most impor- tant operations of this character. About 50 nets were employed on the latter in 1894, 35 belonging to white men and 15 to Indians. The set nets measured 15 fathoms long and 15 feet deep, some having a 5? and others a 9 inch mesh; they are anchored in little indentations of the river bank to avoid the swift current as much as possible. The drift nets were 50 fathoms long and 15 feet deep, with a 9-inch mesh, being used mostly for the quinnat. The nets were larger on the bay, some measuring 125 fathoms long and 18 feet deep, a 9-inch mesh being used for the quinnat and a 53 or 6 inch mesh for the sockeye and silver salmon. Since 1895 there has been a large increase in this fishery, which has mainly been brought about by the establishment of new can- neries, especially at Anacortes. The gill-netters, however, have had difficulty in competing with the trap nets, which afford the cheapest means of taking salmon here, as at Point Roberts, and in 1897 a strong but futile effort was made to secure the passage of a bill prohibiting the latter class of apparatus. Boundary Bay is another relatively important place for gill-netting, and in other places about the shores, as well as in many of the rivers, this method is also followed, the extent of fishing varying in accord- ance with the opportunities and the demands. In some places only two or three small nets may be employed to supply the local wants, while in others the advantages for shipping or canning interests may stimulate a considerable activity. Even in such small rivers as the Elwha and Dungeness, on the south side of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, having only 2 or 3 miles of level course, several nets may be in use, and such fish as are not required at home find their way to the Seattle market. . FISHERIES OF WASHINGTON AND BRITISH COLUMBIA. 311 PURSE SEINES. The purse seine is, next after the trap net, the most important appli- ance used for the capture of salmon in the United States waters, where it is said to have been introduced about 1886. It resembles the purse seine of the Atlantic coast, but differs from it in some particulars. Its construction and mode of use have been described in the Bulletin of the United States Fish Commission for 1888 (pp. 55, 56), and in the annual report of that Commission for the same year (pp. 254-256). The nets are very large and therefore of great capacity, the catch often amounting to several thousand salmon at a single haul. In those whose measurements have been brought to our attention the length varies from 150 to 250 fathoms and the depth from 14 to 25 fathoms in the bunt. The mesh is from 24 to 3inches. Two boats are required for operating a purse seine—one for setting the net, the other, a scow, for pursing it, the latter also having accommodations for the catch. Purse seines seem not to be well adapted for taking the sockeye, which are apparently too alert and active to be readily captured by this means, although small quantities may sometimes be so obtained. They appear to be employed mainly for the silver salmon, but also to some extent for humpbacks and dog salmon. It is the only kind of appara- tus, aside from hooks and lines, that can be utilized in the open waters at a distance from the shores, and as the salmon of certain species may school anywhere it is destined to remain one of the most important fishing methods, especially for supplying the large catches demanded by the canneries. The most important fishery with these nets, having its principal head- quarters at Seattle, has been carried on throughout the upper part of Puget Sound from the vicinity of Everett to Commencement Bay, and to some extent in Hood’s Canal. In 1895 Seattle had at least 11 purse Seines in use, and in 1896 probably not less than 20. Keeping track of the schooling fish, many of the nets are often concentrated in a single place, covering the water over a considerable area and making large catches. Although chiefly operated in the interest of canneries, the fresh and salt markets also obtain abundant supplies from this source. Single seine hauls in the upper part of the sound frequently exceed 1,500, and may reach over 2,500 silver salmon. The catch of the gang ‘of nets belonging to the Seattle cannery is said to have averaged 12,000 salmon daily during the height of the season of 1895. In other parts of the region purse seines have not been as systemat- ically employed. Some have been used about the San Juan Islands, and in 1895 they were first tried in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, with the object of obtaining supplies for the cannery established that year at Port Angeles. The fishing-ground was mainly in the vicinity of that place, but sets were also made near Race Rocks and elsewhere in the eastern part of the strait. About Point Roberts a few purse seines seem to have been operated nearly every year since their introduction, 312 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. but not with any regularity, and as a whole these nets may be said to have cut a small figure in connection with the fisheries of that region. This has been especially so since the rapid increase in the number and efficiency of the traps began. In 1893 and 1894, when three or four were in use, they did very well, and in the latter year a good proportion of the cannery supplies at Point Roberts were so obtained. In 1895, however, the catch by this means was reported very small, as the traps furnished sufficient quantities of sockeye from day to day to supply the canneries and no silver salmon were canned. The total number of purse seines reported for the Puget Sound region in 1897 was 46, and in 1898 it was 40. DRAG SEINES. Although drag sees were sometimes employed on a small scale in connection with the early fishery of the Fraser River district, they have been entirely prohibited for a considerable period throughout British Columbia, except in certain localities outside the region under discus- sion, where the water is too clear for gill-netting. Im Washington they seem to have been the earliest form of net introduced by the whites, and they are still widely used, though not very extensively in any one place. Their first employment to any extent was apparently at Point Roberts, where the traps have virtually superseded them. They were there hauled mainly around the southwest corner of the point, and thence up along the west side to a distance of 14 miles, the shore else- where being generally unsuited for the purpose. When rounding the southwest corner a part of the salmon keep well in to the shore, yet large catches of sockeye were never made there, and if 300 or 400 fish were captured at a haul it was considered a fair result. In the early fall, however, the silver salmon would be taken in greater numbers. As the traps multiplied and were made effective the seines gradually went out of use, though they may still be employed occasionally. The most important recent drag-seine fishery seems to be that which has now been carried on for a number of years to obtain salmon for canning purposes at Seattle. Eight nets, measuring from 200 to 600 feet long and with a 3-inch mesh, were in use in that connection in 1895. Near the mouth of the Skagit River 6 seines were operated in 1894, 2 by the whites and 4 by the Indians. The former were about 600 feet long by 30 feet deep; the latter 180 feet long by 10 feet deep, both having a 3-inch mesh. Seining is also done in the neighborhood of Utsalady, in Skagit Bay, and in both of these localities relatively large catches are said to be made. Good seining-grounds are reported in the vicinity of the mouth of the Nooksack River, though they had not been much resorted to up to 1895. Small seines are employed to some extent for salmon, by both whites and Indians, at several places along the south shore of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, chiefly in Discovery Bay and about Dungeness and Point Angeles. Nearly all the catch is consumed locally, but small quantities FISHERIES OF WASHINGTON AND BRITISH COLUMBIA. 313 may be carried to market as far east as Port Townsend. The species principally obtained are humpbacks and silver salmon. The cannery established at Port Angeles in 1895 had 12 seines in use in that vicinity the same year. Small seines will undoubtedly be found elsewhere in nearly all places along the Washington shore where settlements exist, and where the conditions are suitable for taking salmon by this method. This form of net is one of the most convenient to operate and affords a ready means for securing food. The total number of seines employed in the Puget Sound region in both 1897 and 1898 was placed at 59. REEF NETS. The reef net is the exclusive property of the Indians, by whom it has long been used. Its name is derived from the character of sea bottom for which it is specially adapted—the peculiar kelp-covered reefs—but while such abound throughout the region, the number over which the sockeye pass in sufficient quantity to furnish good fishing seems to be comparatively small. Formerly the nets were made from the fiber of cedar bark or roots, the preparation of which was a winter occupation and consumed much time. Cotton twine is now used and since its introduction the nets have been enlarged. They consist of a piece of webbing, which varies more or less in size, but may average perhaps from 36 to 40 feet long by 25 to 30 feet across, the mesh being about 34 inches. To prepare for fishing a channel of suitable width is cut through the kelp, and in this the net is set between two canoes so anchored from both ends as to keep them parallel with and at the sides of the passage- way. The suspension of the net is accomplished by means of guy lines leading from the canoes and head anchors. In the position which it then assumes the front end, facing the current, sinks near the bottom, while the hind end curves to near the surface. Although the kelp may be quite submerged along the sides of the channel, still it tends to direct the fish toward the net, and their movements may still further be controlled by short leads of kelp run out from the front corners of the latter. In case the depth of water is too great, ropes are sometimes stretched across the channel below the front margin of the net, and to these bunches of reeds may be attached with the object of turning the fish upward. The salmon, approaching with the current, pass upon the net. They do not mesh, nor is there anything to prevent their escaping at the sides. It is at this point that the Indians are required to display their skill. An experienced man stands in the bow of each canoe as a look- out, while each of the guy lines is in the hands of a member of the crew. The moment fish are seen coming over the net word is given to haul in, acommand which must be promptly obeyed. The side lines leading to the stern anchors are tripped at the same time, causing the boats 314 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. to come together, so that the net can be gathered up from all sides in a sort of bag. The contents are emptied into the canoes, the net is again thrown over and spread out, and the watching resumed. Success depends upon the net being hauled quickly and properly at the right moment. Should the fish have turned before the first step is taken, they are likely to escape wholly or in greater part. Constant vigilance is required, but the Indians have become so expert that they seldom fail to land their catch, and their success seems to depend only on the appearance of the fish in sufficient quantity. When the fish are running well a large reef-net crew will consist of 10 to 15 Indians, as at Point Roberts, but in some places the nets are smaller and the crew may not contain more than 6 to 8men. On Cannery Point Reef it is said that under exceptionally favorable condi- tions a haul can be made every 2 or 3 minutes, and a single large catch may fill the two canoes. With fishing at its best a single net may secure as many as 2,000 salmon in a day, but to do this the fishing canoes must continue at their posts, the catch being transferred to shore by other boats. In 1894 and 1895, however, scarcely anything was accomplished with the reef nets in this locality. The proper time for fishing with these nets is during the set of both the ebb and flood tide, when the current is running not swifter than 5 knots an hour. They can only be used in clear water, as it is essential that the salmon should be plainly seen; when the water is muddy or the surface rough nothing can be done. While originally the Indians employed this method only for a short period each season to supply their own wants, in recent years they have found a ready sale for their entire catch, which, consisting as it does mainly of sockeye, is in great demand at the canneries. The money value of this species is now so great that they retain only small quantities at the most for drying. Reef-net fishing could not, however, be profitably followed by the whites, owing to the number of hands required to operate the net and the great loss of time resulting from unfavorable conditions of sea and weather. The Indian reef-netters belong partly to the Lummi Reserva- tion and partly te British Columbia. The latter fish chiefly about the San Juan Islands, coming over specially for that purpose. What is probably the largest and has been the most productive ground in the region for this kind of fishing is the reef directly south of Cannery Point, at Point Roberts, which has been described in another connection. From 15 to 20 nets were formerly fished here at a time, and with much success; 16 were in operation in 1889, but in 1894 the access of salmon to the reef had been so cut off by strings of trap nets as practically to destroy its advantages, although the Indians still visit it. Each crew had formerly two places to fish upon, one for high and one for low water, in order to extend the hours of work, it being con- sidered preferable that the water should not exceed 8 feet in depth at the time of fishing. FISHERIES OF WASHINGTON AND BRITISH COLUMBIA. 315 Between Village Point and Bluff Point, on the outer side of Lummi Island, there is also an excellent ground, with capacity for about 6 or 7 reef nets, which is resorted to by the Indians from the neighboring reservation. Salmon have been abundant here and large catches have been made, but, as at Cannery Point, trap nets have recently been so placed as to divert a large proportion of the fish from the reef and reduce its value for the purposes of the Indians. There is a small but productive reef inside of Iceberg Point, at the southern end of Lopez Island, on which a few nets are used, and where daily catches of 3,000 to 4,000 salmon are sometimes made. Both sockeye and silver salmon are taken at this place, the former at least being now mostly sold to the cannery at Friday Harbor, and in good seasons the reef is an important source of supply. The nets are sometimes set in an extreme depth of 18 fathoms. We were told by some of the Indians fishing here that although they have tried for quinnat they have never been successful with that species, probably because it does not appear in defined schools. Humpbacks and dog salmon occur abundantly, but are not fished for, as they have no sale. There seem to be no other reef-net grounds about Lopez Island, but several small ones are fished off the west side of San Juan Island and off both the east and west sides of Stuart Island. Others probably exist, of which we obtained no definite information. HOOK-AND-LINE FISHING. The quinnat and silver salmon are the only species which will take bait and can be fished for with a hook. The fishery by this means, trolling with bait or spoon, is insignificant compared with the net fish- ery, but it affords the opportunity for securing especially the quinnat in the winter and spring when nets can not be used profitably if at all. The catch so made is disposed of to the fresh markets or utilized for domestic purposes by the fishermen. Both Indians and whites engage in it, the former most extensively. Some of the more prominent local- ities for this fishery are off Victoria and Port Townsend, about the San Juan Islands, off Nanaimo, and off Point Roberts, and in some places it is indulged in for sport as well as for securing food. Sport fishing for salmon with fly and spoon is carried on to a limited extent in some of the smaller clear rivers, especially in British Colum- bia. The quinnat is said to be the only species which can be so taken, and the fishing-places are the pools in which they rest during their journey upstream. Trout are also very abundant in such localities and are obtained by the same means. The Indians about Neah Bay do a great deal of trolling for salmon to supply their own wants, the fishes of this group following next after the halibut in importance as an article of food among them. The fishing season there is chiefly the months of June, July, and August. Details regarding the hook-and- line fishery have already been given under the headings of the quinnat and silver salmon. 316 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. SPEARS. Spears seem to be used rather extensively, in the clear, shallow upper waters of many of the rivers, for obtaining salmon as they approach their spawning-grounds. The fish so taken are, naturally, not in the best condition for food, nor are they sought by this means for com- mercial purposes, unless it be to supply a local demand. The Indians follow this method most, but white settlers also employ it where they have the opportunity to do so, and often in this way add greatly to their stock of food. In some localities the catch must be relatively rather large, as is known to be the case in the upper waters of the Skagit River. Besides the ordinary form of spear, a gaff is also fre- quently employed, the handle to either one being sometimes made of extra length to permit of its being used from the banks of a stream. Under favorable circumstances it is said to be possible to select from the fish, as they pass by, the particular species that is most desired or the more robust and healthy individuals. DISPOSITION OF THE SALMON CATCH. Until quite recently this region has occupied, from the standpoint of trade, a position of comparative isolation which the completion of railroads has only partly overcome, owing to its distance from large consuming centers. In the development of the salmon fishery and the disposition of the catch it has, therefore, been necessary to resort to methods of preparation which would insure the preservation of the product for indefinite periods. Salting naturally came first, followed by canning, while now the shipping of fresh salmon is a rapidly growing business. The salting process was introduced at the beginning of the century by the Northwest Company and afterwards continued by the Hudson Bay Company, primarily for the purpose of providing a winter stock for the use of their employees and for local sale. As the facilities for shipping opened up, an export trade began, which finally reached large proportions and has long constituted an important feature of the salmon industry on both sides of the boundary line. Requiring little outfit, this branch has been engaged in by men of small means as well as by establishments having considerable capital. While both the quinnat and sockeye are utilized in this way, the greater part of the output consists of the cheaper grades of salmon. The product is mostly dis- posed of to the eastern United States and to Australia, the Hawaiian Islands, China, and Japan. © The smoking of salmon was also begun in British Columbia at an early date and was subsequently taken up in Washington, but the quantity prepared in this way has always been small. Canning presented a somewhat more refined method of preparation, the product of which soon gained great and world-wide popularity. The growth of this particular branch of the fishery was quite rapid FISHERIES OF WASHINGTON AND BRITISH COLUMBIA. 317 from the beginning, and during the past few years has been remark- able. Its limitations are measurable only by the supply of fish and the restrictions of trade. The utilization of the salmon from this region in a fresh condition, except locally, was long delayed, owing to the lack of transportation facilities to large markets, of which there are none in proximity to the Pacific coast. The preference for fresh fish, however, led to the early utilization of through railroad communication to place the western species in competition with their Atlantic congener in the very home of the latter. This trade is now having a marvelous development. It reaches the larger cities along the Atlantic seaboard and in the interior _of the country, and has recently found an outlet in Europe and other parts of the world. Shipments have chiefly been made during winter and spring when the salmon are in best condition and the weather is most propitious. Ice is used in packing to the extent made necessary by temperature and other conditions, and freezing methods have recently been introduced. The quinnat is preferred for the fresh trade, and in the spring, before the Atlantic salmon are in season, it commands so high a price as to make its purchase for canning purposes unwarranted. The steelhead is also.a fresh-market fish and is sold almost exclusively as such, it being obtained most abundantly in the best condition during the winter, when the fewest difficulties attend its shipment. The sockeye and other species are likewise utilized in this trade, but the latter least extensively on account of their lighter color. The most important centers for the shipping of fresh salmon are New Westminster, in British Columbia, and Seattle, in Washington, but small quantities may be sent inland directly from a few other places, more especially from Tacoma. The bulk of the fish intended for this trade, however, is forwarded to one or the other of these cities from fishin g- grounds or from collecting places on steamer routes. Thus Seattle may derive its supplies of quinnat from the Strait of Juan de Fuca by way of Port Townsend, from the San Juan Islands through the several stopping-places which the steamers have in that group, from Skagit Bay and River, and so on, the entire field tributary to Seattle being an extensive one. The New Westminster supplies come partly from the Gulf of Georgia, but mainly from the Fraser River. The freezing of salmon seems to have been started on the Fraser River as early as 1886, but not much was apparently done in that line until within a few years. There are now several freezing establishments in British Columbia and Washington, and the business outlook is exceedingly promising. By this method not only may a large stock of fish be laid in when the season serves best, to be disposed of as demands arise, but a way is opened to new and more distant markets. The prospects are for a large and profitable trade which shall greatly increase the fishing industry of the region. 318 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. The local trade in salmon is relatively large in comparison with the extent of population, the low price at which, they can generally be obtained, especially the least desirable commercial forms, placing them within the reach of all. Many of the inhabitants fish for their own table, using nets and spears in the rivers and the trolling hook in salt water. The Indians have always depended very largely on the salmon, one of their chief occupations having been the preparation of a large winter stock by drying. In some places, where they have come much in contact with the whites and are receiving pay for their labor or catch, this custom is not so strictly followed, if at all, but the total Indian consumption in British Columbia is estimated in the official statistics at a very high figure. CANNERIES. In that part of British Columbia here under consideration the can- ning industry seems always to have been confined to the Fraser River, for the reasons undoubtedly that it is the only place where the sockeye can be taken abundantly and where the other species of salmon may also be captured more readily than elsewhere. The first cannery on the Fraser was apparently built at Brownsville, opposite New Westmin- ster, about 1870 or 1871. It was removed to New Westminster in 1873 and one or more small ones in addition are said to have been in operation the same year, when the total output of canned goods was reported at about 390,000 pounds. The regular series of statistics for the British Columbian coast date from 1576, when there were 3 can- neries with a total pack of 511,056 pounds. In 1883 the number had increased to 12, but it fell off the following year to 6, and was the same in 1885. Since then, however, there has been a steady and rapid increase, their number amounting to 31 in 1895 and to 45 in 1898. Changes have taken place in the location of the canneries, which are interesting to note. The industry was formerly carried on more exten- sively in the upper part of the drift-net region, there having been at one time aS many as 4 canneries in the neighborhood of New West- minster, where now there isonly 1. The center of the canning business has worked down the river, as the fishing has been carried more and more in that direction. Ladner and Canoe Pass became the centers for a time, but it has now been transferred to Steveston, at the main entrance to the river, where in 1895 about one-half the total number of canneries was located. This place is now most centrally situated with regard to the more productive fisheries, having on one side those of the outer grounds and on the other those in the lower part of the river. In 1895 there were only 6 canneries above the village of Ladner, 15 at Steveston, the remainder being on the south bank from Ladner to Canoe Pass. The number of canneries on the Fraser River, together with the pack in each year since the beginning of the industry, is given in the statistical table for British Columbia. FISHERIES OF WASHINGTON AND BRITISH COLUMBIA. . 319 Outside of the Fraser River the principal cannery sites in British Columbia are on the Skeena River, where the business was started as early as 1875, and on the Naas River. There has been a small cannery at Alert Bay since 1880, drawing its supplies of sockeye from the Nimkish River, which empties on the adjacent coast of Vancouver Island, and 2 are located on Clayoquot Sound, western coast of Van- couver Islaud, one established in 1895, the other in 1896. Except during three years when the sockeye runs were very small, the Fraser River pack has exceeded, and generally very greatly, the combined pack of all the other canneries of the Province. The greater part of the canned salmon produced.in British Columbia has always been exported to England, being shipped by vessel, gener- ally in large lots. The remainder is divided between Australia, other foreign markets, and the Canadian trade. The canning industry is of more recent date in the Puget Sound region of Washington than in British Columbia, and is still less extensive, although during the past few years its growth has been very rapid. Not having the same river facilities as British Columbia, it is necessary to look more to the salt waters for its supplies, and in the matter of obtaining sockeye, the species most cherished for canning purposes, its advantages are considered not so good. It would thus appear as though Washington could never expect to produce as large a pack of the higher-priced fish as the Fraser River is capableof supplying, though it may prove otherwise, but of the inferior species Washington has sufficient abundance to permit as great an expansion of the business as the demands of trade are likely to warrant for some years to come. In 1895 there were only 6 canneries in operation on the Washington side of the line. The oldest establishment was started at Muckilteo in 1877, removed to Port Blakely about 1880, and subsequently to Seattle, where it is now located. The species put up are silver, hump- back, and dog salmon, together with a few quinnat when they can be obtained. In 1880, 15 hands were employed and the pack amounted to 10,000 cases, while in 1895 the pack reached 81,177 cases. At one time there were 4 canneries in the neighborhood of Seattle, but 3 of these are no longer in operation, although a new one was established there in 1897. The next oldest cannery still in existence is the one established in 1891 at Semiahmoo, at the eastern end of Boundary Bay, which, beginning with 1894, has been run in conjunction with the one built at Point Roberts in 1893. Both draw their supplies from the trap nets about that point, the most of which they control, and also, to some extent, at times from other nets in Boundary Bay. These 2 canneries, therefore, under present conditions are the most advantageously placed of all the canneries south of the boundary with regard to obtaining supplies of sockeye, and their attention is almost entirely confined to this species except in seasons when the run proves short. Some silver salmon, humpback, dog salmon, and quinnat have been put up at both of them, 320 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. A good-sized cannery was founded in 1894 at Friday Harbor, on the eastern side of San Juan Island, which is a convenient center for securing sockeye from the various fisheries about the San Juan group. Its supplies up to 1896 had been obtained chiefly by means of traps at the southern end of San Juan Island and from the Indian reef-netters, but apparently it has been found impossible to rely entirely upon the catch of that species. In 1895 a cannery was built at Port Angeles, with the expectation that a sufficient quantity of sockeye for its own use could be obtained in the Strait of Fuca, but all efforts to that end have met with failure, and it has been obliged to look elsewhere for its stock of that species. Some years ago a similar experiment was tried at Clallam, but it was soon abandoned. Thesixth cannery examined in 1895 was an experimental one of small size in Bellingham Bay, which expected to obtain its catch in the vicinity of the mouth of the Nooksack River. There were 11 canneries in operation in 1896; 12 in 1897, and 18 in 1898. The new ones were located mainly at Blaine, on Lummi Island, in Bellingham Bay, at Anacortes in Skagit Bay, and at Seattle. At Anacortes there were 3 canneries, all established in 1896, with the object of taking advantage of the run of sockeye belonging to the Skagit River. The pack in 1897 was exceedingly large, and to a very great extent consisted of sockeye, of which the run in that year, as elsewhere explained, seems to have been unprecedented. On the Fraser River the canning season is practically coincident with the period of the suckeye run. A few canneries nay start up in June in order to do something with the quinnat, and in those years when the supply of sockeye is inadequate for a full pack some establishments may continue operations during more or less of the silver salmon run. In Washington also little or nothing is done before the appearance of the sockeye, and while most of the canneries there would be satisfied to close with that species, could they obtain it in sufficient quantity, nearly all have been more dependent on other species than the Cana- dian canneries and are more likely to keep open later. The Seattle canneries, whose supplies are obtained outside the sockeye region, begin operations much later than the more northern canneries and continue them during the greater part of the fall. While the positions of trust in the several canneries are chiefly filled by whites, nearly all the labor, both in British Columbia and in Wash- ington, is performed by Chinese, who become exceedingly expert in every branch of the business and work rapidly. The secret of their employment to so great an extent is the cheap rates of compensation with which they are satisfied—a condition which practically excludes white labor, but without which it is difficult to see how the canning industry could now be maintained. It would, moreover, be impossible, under existing circumstances, to secure the amount of white labor required in the large canning districts, in view of the temporary nature of the work. In some of the canneries, especially on the Fraser River, FISHERIES OF WASHINGTON AND BRITISH COLUMBIA. 321 Indian women and children are employed to clean the fish after they have been eviscerated, being members, generally, of the families of the fishermen who are operating in the same neighborhood. It is important to note in this connection the amount of waste which occurs in the preparation of salmon for canning. In eutting off the heads, tails, and fins sufficient care is not always exercised, and much flesh suitable for canning too often goes with the refuse. This improvi- dence is largely owing to the abundance of fish, and it is scarcely to be expected that a remedy for it can be found while the supplies continue so prolific. The total loss in weight to the fish during this process, including the removal of the entrails, ranges from 25 to 50 per cent, and is probably seldom less than 50 to 40 per cent. The greater part of the waste is of course unavoidable, and the most that can be hoped for in this regard is that some use will soon be found for it. FISHERMEN’S PRICES. The prices which the fishermen receive for their catch depend upon the species and fluctuate in accordance with the supply and demand. They vary markedly in different parts of the same season as well as in different years. The matter is mostly regulated by the canneries during the period when they are in operation. When the quinnat first begin running on the Fraser River in the spring and are in greatest demand for the Eastern trade they may bring as much as from $1 to $1.25 apiece, but the price soon falls, reaching 75 cents and even less. The highest price which the British Columbian drift-netters obtain for sockeye is about 25 cents each, but this figure prevails only at the beginning of a season or during one in which the catch is small and causes a sharp competition among buyers. As the season advances and the fish become more abundant it may fall off to any figure as low as 15 and even 10 cents, while during summers when extraordinary runs occur 6 or 7 cents may be as much as a fisherman can expect to receive, and even then not all of bis fish may be wanted. In 1897 many were glad to get as high as 3 cents, and a large part of the catch was refused at any price. The customary range it price, however, is from 15 to 25 cents. At Point Roberts it is said that, except when sockeye are scarce, the cost of their capture by trap nets is much lower than the prices paid on the Fraser River, and it is probably the same elsewhere when fish are abundant. In this way the Washington canneries which obtain their supplies from this source are considered tc have a marked advan- tage over the Canadian. The sockeye taken in the reef nets at Point Roberts, Lummi Island, and the southern end of the San Juan Islands were bringing 10 and 15 cents apiece in 1894 and 1895, but the Indians are often paid no more than 5 to 8 cents for them. From 5 to 8 cents is a common price for silver salmon, while dog salmon range from 2 to 6 cents apiece. During the winter the steel- head bring about 3 to 4 cents a pound for the fresh markets, HC Gl 322 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. POLLUTIONS AND REFUSE. There seem at present to be no sources of pollution in this region which can be considered as positively detrimental to the fisheries in the salt water, and the same also appears to be mainly true as regards the rivers, except as to some localities of limited extent. This may be accounted for in greater part by the scarcity of large settlements and the generally low temperature of the water. Sawmills have been built on many of the rivers, on some of them quite extensively, and the large amount of refuse which they produce may, unless suitably cared for, be the cause of great and irreparable injury, as has been so strikingly illustrated on the rivers along the Atlantic coast. On the Fraser River the number of mills is not great, and the laws regarding the proper disposition of the sawdust are said to be quite generally observed. In Washington, while the throwing of sawdust into the streams is prohibited, it is reported that the regula- tions had not been well enforced, although some change may recently have taken place in that respect. Attention has been especially called to the Skagit River, on whose banks there are numerous shingle mills, from which a very large amount of refuse is allowed to enter the water. According to the statements from the fishermen in that region, this practice has caused a great deal of damage to the spawning-grounds of the salmon and has affected the fishery in other ways. The proper disposition of the offal produced in connection with can- ning operations presents a problem of very great importance for this region, especially as regards the Fraser River, where the industry is most extensive. The refuse from this source, consisting of the heads, fins, tails, and entrails, has as yet no market value and must be quickly disposed of. Its quantity is very great, equaling at the lowest calcu- lation more than one-fourth the total weight of the fish utilized, and at this rate amounting to from 650 to 3,800 tons annually on the Fraser River alone. In many cases it runs up to 40 and even 50 per cent. When it is further considered that the season lasts only from four to six weeks, and that the bulk of the fish comes in spurts, lasting only a - few days each, the difficulties of the situation can be fully realized. The generally prevalent custom is to allow the refuse in its fresh con- dition to drop into the water underneath or alongside of the cannery. As the water of this region, both at sea and in the rivers, has a rela- tively low temperature at all times, this practice is less open to objection than would be the case in a warmer climate. The Washington canneries are all located on the salt water in more or less exposed positions, where the tide generally runs strongly and the depth increases rapidly. The greater part of the refuse disappears at once and is never heard of, although in some places a certain propor- tion may be washed upon the shores. There is no reason to.believe FISHERIES OF WASHINGTON AND BRITISH COLUMBIA. 323 that it has anywhere been detrimental to the fishing interests, and in view of the sparsely settled condition of the coast in the vicinity of nearly all the canneries there seems to be little occasion for concern from a sanitary standpoint. The number of canneries must also for some time remain too few to make the disposition of their refuse a question to be handled by other than the local authorities. On the Fraser River the matter is more serious, as nearly all the canneries are located within a distance of 6 to 8 miles of the mouth of the river; yet even here there is no evidence that the offal has had any deleterious effect upon the run of salmon. That injury of that character is scarcely to be expected from this cause is indicated, moreover, by the still worse conditions produced each season about and immediately below the spawning-grounds by the floating masses of dead and decay- ing fishes through which the fresh arrivals continue their ascent, in no way checked by the foulness of the water. ‘The pollution in those places is strikingly in evidence, while in the region of the canneries there is generally little to be seen. The large volume of water in the lower part of the river, combined with the strong current and low temperature, tends to dissipate the offal, which mainly disappears as completely as in the sea. Itis a common local belief that much of it . is consumed by the small fishes which are reported to swarm about the cannery sites, but it is doubtful if they exert any appreciable influence in disposing of this immense amount of refuse. Sometimes, it is said, the offal is stirred up by the eddies so as to become caught in the drift nets when they are fished in shallow water, but such occurrences are evidently quite infrequent. From a sanitary point of view, however, the offal has proved a nuisance in some localities. This is not so at New Westminster, where no trou- ble from this source has been reported. The uppermost point at which complaint was made is Ladner, and the conditions are also often bad in the neighborhood of Steveston. In this region the offal is sometimes stranded by the current or retained by the eddies, so that when the tide is out it may become exposed on the bars and in places along the banks, emitting an exceedingly offensive odor. It is also drifted into some of the sloughs, and may thus be carried some distance inland, greatly to the annoyance of the farmers, who have often to depend upon the water from these places for domestic use. The local authorities at Ladner have been making strenuous efforts to abate the nuisance on the score of injury to the public health, but at last accounts they had not been entirely successful. Several expedients have been tried to obviate the trouble caused by the cannery refuse, but all have ended without definite result. The Canadian law forbids throwing it into the river, but as the enforcement of the regulation under existing circumstances seems to work injustice to the canneries, its operation has generally been suspended, with the expectation that some advantageous methed of disposing of the offal 324 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. would sooner or later be discovered. It was at one time insisted that unless disposed of for fertilizing purposes it be buried on shore, be carried out and dumped in the Gulf of Georgia, or be confined in cribs underneath the canneries; but none of these provisions continued long in force. When held in cribs a nuisance was created by the oily matter running from the mass of decaying fish, and the inclosures would often break open, allowing a part of their contents to escape. If retained in cribs or in scows, even for a short time, the refuse was rendered largely buoyant by the formation of gases in the putrid flesh, so that when deposited in the gulf much of it remained floating at the surface, and — with a flood tide and westerly wind would be drifted on the shore or even into the river mouth. The outside dumping-ground has now become one of the most important of the drift-net areas, and the inex- pediency of continuing its use for the former purpose is fully recognized. Could the refuse have been carried farther out into the middle of the gulf this trouble would have been mostly prevented, but at a greatly increased cost. Several attempts have been made to utilize the offal by converting it into fertilizer on a commercial basis, but as yet unsuccessfully. Its very oily nature makes the process difficult and expensive, and another serious trouble arises from the immense quantity required to be handled during the brief period of the fishery, necessitating extensive arrangements, the cost of which would scarcely be warranted by the shortuess of the season. While the offal is fresh it sinks at once and gives no trouble, except under the circumstances previously described. Until some positively better plan has been discovered, this seems, therefore, to be unques- tionably the preferable way of disposing of it, provided certain precau- tions are observed. It should be allowed to go into the river only where the water is sufficiently deep and the current strong enough to cause its dissipation. If these conditions do not exist at certain of the cannery sites, then the offal there produced should be carried else- where for deposition. A study of the conditions is called for in all localities where canneries are in operation, and the gravity of the question presented by this subject warrants extreme measures to pre- serve the cleanliness of the river for the sake of the general health and appearances. As regards the salmon, however, the continuance of their runs seems to be in no danger from any of the circumstances con- nected with the offal problem. The fact that fresh offal ‘sinks to the bottom gives color to the complaints made in some other regions where bottom fisheries are carried on, but with the salmon, which keep above the bottom and are supposed not to be influenced in their passage by the conditions it displays, the case is very different. FISHERIES OF WASHINGTON AND BRITISH COLUMBIA. 325 REGULATIONS AFFECTING THE SALMON. FISHERY. WASHINGTON. The laws of 1890 and 1893, which were in force at the time of the investigation by Dr. Wakeham and the writer in 1895, contained a few excellent measures, but their application being limited by a decision of the court to Puget Sound in its restricted sense, the more northern waters of the State were practically left without regulations. It is understood that this unfortunate condition has been remedied, and sub- sequent acts of the State legislature, passed in 1897 and in 1899, have introduced many very stringent and commendable regulations regard- ing the manner of fishing and the localities where the different methods may beused. There is still lacking, however, an adequate close-season law. The latest regulations did not come to the attention of the writer until after the completion of this paper, a fact which will serve to explain the omission of fuller reference to them in the appropriate places. The measures now in force relating specially to the preserva- tion of the salmon in the Puget Sound region are briefly summarized below, the year in which each act was passed being also given: All that part of tide waters emptying into the Strait of Fuca, and the bays, inlets, streams, and estuaries thereof, shall be known and designated as Puget Sound. (1890.)- The use of pound nets, traps, weirs, fish wheels, and other fixed appliances, purse nets, drag and other seines, set and drift gill nets is permitted in the waters of Puget Sound and its tributaries as provided below. (1897.) All fishing by nets and fixed appliances is subject to license, a separate license being required for each piece of apparatus. Licenses are issued only to citizens of the United States who are residents of Washington. Each person, firm, or corpora- tion is entitled to only three licenses. (1897.) The use of pound nets, traps, weirs, fish wheels, and other fixed appliances, except set lines, for the purpose of catching salmon, is prohibited in all rivers flowing into Puget Sound and outside of said rivers within 3 miles of their mouths; also in Deception Pass or within one-half mile of its western entrance, and in any other salt waters of the State at a greater depth than 65 feet at low tide. (1897.) It is unlawful to use any purse net or other like seine within 3 miles and drag seine within 1 mile from the mouth of any river flowing into Puget Sound or within said rivers. (1899.) No seine location the title to which is in the State shall occupy a greater space than twice the length of the seine covered by the license. (1899.) No lead of any pound net, trap, fish wheel, or other fixed appliance for the catch- ing of salmon in Puget Sound shall exceed 2,500 feet in length. There shall be an end passageway of at least 600 feet and a lateral passageway of at least 2,400 feet between all pound nets, traps, weirs, or other fixed appliances. (1897.) Between all set gill nets there shall be a lateral passageway of at least 300 feet and an end passageway of 30 feet. (1899.) No fishing appliance or device of any kind located or used upon any streams or rivers shall, either by a lead or any parts of said appliance, occupy more than one- third the width of such streams or rivers. (1899.) The meshes in all pound nets, traps, weirs, fish wheels, or other fixed appliances for the capture of salmon shall measure not less than 3 inches in extension. (1897.) 326 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. It is unlawful to take or fish for salmon by any means except angling above tide water in any of the following rivers: Nooksack, Skagit (up to the town of Hamil- ton), Stillaguamish, Snohomish, White, Nesqually, and Skokomish. (1899.) Whenever the Fish Commissioner shall consider that the protection of the food- fishes mentioned in this act (March 13, 1899) shall require it, he may close to fishing any stream or river in this State emptying into Puget Sound, etc. (1899.) All dams or other obstructions in streams where food-fish are wont to ascend shall be provided with fishways approved by the Fish Commissioner, and it is unlawful to take any food-fish within 100 yards of any such fishway. (1893.) Throwing into the water any substance deleterious to fish, including the waste from sawmills, and the use of explosives for killing fish are prohibited. (1890, 1891.) It is unlawful to take salmon in any of the tributaries of Puget Sound during April and from October 15 to November 15 in each year. (1899. ) All young salmon measuring 10 inches long or less which may be taken by any means except hook and line in either Puget Sound or any of its tributaries shall be returned alive to the water. (1893.) Indians residing in the State may take salmon or other fish by any means at any time for the use of themselves and their families. (1899.) All moneys collected for licenses and fines under provisions of the fisheries acts shall be turned into the State treasury and placed in the fish-hatchery fund. (1897.) BRITISH COLUMBIA. Following is an abstract of the more essential regulations regarding salmon fishing in the Fraser River district, which went into effect May -1, 1894, together with such amendments as have since been ordered: Commercial fishing is restricted to the use of drift gill nets not exceeding 150 fathoms in length, and to tidal waters, the upper limit of which on the Fraser River is placed at the mouth of the Sumas River. The drift nets for quinnat salmon shall have not less than 73-inch mesh, and can be used only from March 1 to September 15. (By order of June 19, 1897, the limita- tion upon the size of the mesh of the quinnat nets was reduced to 7 inches, mainly with the object of adjusting them to the capture of the steelhead and silver salmon.) The drift nets for other kinds of salmon shall have not less than 52-inch mesh, and can be used only from July 1 to August 25, and again from September 25 to October 31. All commercial fishing for salmon is prohibited weekly from 6 a. m. Saturday to 6 p.m. Sunday, and annually from September 16 to 25, and from November 1 to March 1. Drift nets shall be kept at least 250 yards apart, and shall not be used so as to obstruct more than one-third the width of the river. Above tidal waters the only net fishing permitted is the use of dip nets by the Indians to provide food for themselves and their families. The Indians, however, are required to respect the spawning-grounds of salmon and the close seasons. Fishing can be carried on only under license, except in the case of Indians fish- ing to supply their own wants. Commercial licenses to fish for salmon are granted only to bona fide fishermen who are British subjects and residents of British Columbia, or to any company, firm, or person dealing in salmon when each member of such company or firm or such person is a British subject. Fishermen are entitled to 1 license each; dealers in fresh, frozen, salted, cured, or smoked salmon for domestic or foreign trade are entitled to 7 licenses each; can- neries are entitled to 20 licenses each. (Canneries were restricted to 10 licenses each by orders of August 3, 1898, and March 29, 1899.) Every farmer or settler actually residing on his lands or with his family, being a British subject, is entitled to 1 ‘‘domestic” license, which gives him the privilege FISHERIES OF WASHINGTON AND BRITISH COLUMBIA. 9327 of fishing for his own use in any of the waters of British Columbia, subject to cer- tain restrictions as to nets, prescribed limits, spawning-grounds, and close seasons. The capture and retention of any salmon under 3 pounds in weight is prohibited. The use of firearms, explosives, spears, torches, or other lights to kill fish is pro- hibited. ; No deleterious substances are allowed to be thrown into or to enter the water where they would be prejudicial to the fisheries. Under this category is included fish offal, the throwing of which into the Fraser River is prohibited by regulation. Its disposal is provided for in the Fisheries Act as follows: That it may be buried ashore beyond high-water mark, and that at establishments situated inside of the mouths of rivers for carrying on deep-sea fisheries the same may be dropped into perforated boxes or inclosures built upon the beach or under stage heads, in such manner as to prevent the same from being floated or drifted into the stream, or may be disposed of in such other manner as any fishery officer prescribes. Fishways shall be provided at every dam, slide, or other obstruction across or in any stream where the Minister of Marine and Fisheries determines 1t to be necessary for the public interest. STATISTICS. Salmon catch of the Puget Sound district of the State of Washington. (Compiled from the reports of the United States Fish Commission and the State Fish Commissioner of Washington. | | ] Years. | Quinnat. | Sockeye. Silver. earn. Dog. | Steelhead. | Total. Pounds. Pounds. Pounds. | Pounds. Pounds. | Pounds. | Pounds. SSR ee ae sess ein - tells ees sca Weiereteteesceen alias clermceis a ci\ tere ayers oie \Wersefeetsniaz dallas Setelaaiesece 2, 036, 250 188 OSes earls | CREPE Bem eeee cae 1, 388, 495 | 283, 042 | 366, 117 | 90, 570 2, 224, 452 URE ae cee ABP OB Se | eemem coae= TOS 822! sces eee toe ae 854, 973 172, 460 2, 253, 438 NSO Sees Se53 202, 675 | 522, 760 1, 414.010 | 715, 061 965, 911 209, 320 4, 029, 737 OO Oye Soe ceSc=s 285, 748 PL OPS | SER GEN || ae ea cocoec 2, 691, 425 261, 142 5, 349, 444 SOB Sete (= ais | 1,405,047 | 6,532,207 9,100,675 | 2,269,766 4,578,540 | 1,965,552 | 25, 851, 787 NBOG cea cece ee lseemaneadadd |Sse2eeSecndec| hoeseeapanos Hees cnessase |Sobeosedcces be clses saatazs | *15, 000, 000 TO cei ce codsn oe BCBS Sn Ee ote BOn Gee Soeor Maen teeny Ane mornirsa: se (Si eekemscues leeeseiesecene | 42,725, 000 UV eye coal eee ae ea ea Sees [Ese hage sees Seek, SAO ha ee Ld Ge rae 32, 213, 000 _ Note.—The figures for 1896, 1897, and 1898 are based upon the returns given in the reports of the State fish commissioner, and are only approximate. Those for 1896 are probably in error, being evidently too low. Salmon cannery pack of the Puget Sound district of the State of Washington. [Compiled from the reports of the United States Fish Commission and the State Fish Commissioner of Washington. ] No. of | + * | <5 | ‘ Years. lcanneries.| @uinnat. | Sockeye. Silver. Humpbaels Dog. | Total. | | Pounds. | Pounds. | Pounds. | Pounds. Pounds. Pounds. Ie Oa dennaAaaanase 2 ABHG4S) |e saceeeeee| 486, 192 | 182, 592 | 74, 448 758, 880 SOQ See hee b ste Sec 1 B3984 roee antes 238; 944 |... =.= sees 200, 112 443, 040 IE PA seroseadaone 1 24, 816 360, 000 381, 504 | 367, 056 201, 024 1, 334, 400 NSO 2 eae eas se 2 5, 616 | 192, 000 489984) |e. oo. Sco uis 1, 051, 728 1, 739, 328 Tift ee eee 3 | 7,600 | 2,296, 896 566, 976 | 841, 440 546, 240 4, 309, 152 tb ty ee ene ee tL Noeoacupoedica | 2, 005, 488 1, 076, 064 | * 434,352 | 1, 063, 296 4, 579, 200 S95) Sass eS 5 74,016 | 3,126,864 | 2,441,520 | 1,134,384 | 1, 861, 680 8, 638, 464 Ie igeeseacone- oes 11 | 647, 760 | COPA |! sp, Win Pl) eo eraaaasane | 1,274, 400 8, 391, 872 NBO Toe seins one aeons 12 | 456,000 | 14,978,304 | 4,411,200 | 2,748,864 | 1,118,880 | 23, 713, 248 ISOBME oes eater 18 | 537, 600 | 12, 096,000 | 4, 732, 800 | Bane mete cisieies | 1,848,200 | 19, 209, 600 * These figures are given in the tables of the United States Fish Commission (Report for 1896, p. 581), although no humpback salmon could have been taken that year. 328 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Statistics of the British Columbia salmon fishery of the Fraser River, Gulf of Georgia, and Strait of Juan de Fuca. [Compiled from the annual reports of the Department of Marine and Fisheries of Canada.] uantity No. of Total r | Output of | of salmon Year. drift-net | length of No. of canned | sold fresh, cote a licenses. driftnets.|\C@@2°°S:| salmon. | salted. and|™°” smoked Yards. Pounds. Pounds. Pounds. ASTG: cen sata bmtaavbyaleiniewe ais Sine ecicl s ahd | ateioee craves arene eis 3 511, 056 96, 200 777, 608 Siete cose tee emic sae a oo mln ae ate 285 > 44,040 5) 3, 090, 576 690, 200 4, 810, 968 ih yf: BUA ae a nan eRe epee eS 449 | 114,580 8| 5,044,880} 1,010,200] 7,736, 707 MOTO epee elec mee eo mimtalalaininiola el =letminye = 304 65, 600 Uf 2, 423, 520 157, 300 3, 388, 660 Tih Use S538 65 S58 oddeede saa scaa so 274 105, 240 Ti 2, 023, 440 413, 580 3, 111, 500 Sey aie mic etal tata alee am i lata 396 | 124, 400 8 6, 840, 768 2, 306, 200 11, 427, 224 Tb Sep sOonnS LOn ere Eooueonootc 666 205, 600 13 9, 561, 972 878, 200 13, 627, 496 ib is cc SHER an COSC e OSU MC ERe ORAS RS 764 215, 780 12 5, 265, 648 1, 170, 600 8,191, 464 BRA ee ck eererceinae ceo sec eee mene! 702 | 21,770 6 1, 844, 976 1, 720, 560 4, 180. 528 UU). ais Bae AtO> SP nO noSe eS Sona 655 | 189, 200 6 4, 301, 616 2, 395, 600 8, 131, 088 IS Ses Ae oeaecopecnorco sneasorc 734 | 232,920 11 4, 758, 576 842, 350 7, 187, 118 Cy RE Ae Se SADR AGLOnO Spon soto oO 935 | 350,850 12 6, 182, 688 1, 954, 600 10, 198, 184 LE ee er en een Pe ee oe 282, 520 12 3. 677, 568 2, 375, 400 7. 278, 824 ASB On ose naicces Cases ectinse = ten) oe ceseeses 254, 200 16 | 14,789,856 | 2,620,700 | 22, 340, 508 VEO ee etek n= Sameer es Ses soenselinets\= aetateete | 298, 880 17 | 11, 742, 600 1, 898, 100 17, 554, 900 Tih Se oe eS Aer eee se onetocsears | 244,810 221 8,527,552 | 2,117,153 | 13, 487).222 ROO Berets sete aie ate ae oe asl ciiainctomia eeay ee 252, 580 22 4,277,552 | 2,893, 309 8, 596, 712 TAS Sacco t Acie cece seaside ene nsec san aioe 455, 900 26 | 22, 763,580 | 4,197,700 34, 548, 873 OMA crc owaticcccnmiceesees oo- Semen xeekemnas 503, 900 28 | 17,451,172 | 2,190, 500 25, 458. 729 BQ Datomeme ce cnn a ninnce ccs ko eaisle a eels scmertaas 528, 000 31 | 20,780,170 | 1,871, 992 29, 578, 885 TOV 22 See Be As eee ae AE eee Rocio asns 803, 800 35 | 18, 016,544 1, 249, 695 | 2d, 271, 754 TES pS Se ie Ne Se ee ees Serer see, = years | 709, 400 43 | 42,197, 516 2,777, 669 | 59,041, 024 TC hee eae BS See age bo d| coecon ee eee cee eens 08 (600,000 |-2-4 Senos | aren ak ee | | | Nore.—This table is based upon the reports of the inspector of fisheries for British Columbia as published in the annual reports of the Department of Marine and Fisheries of Canada. No data are available for determining the part taken by the hook-and-line fishery in the salt waters. In comput- ing the total annual catch, the figures for which are only approximate at best, an allowance of one-fourth in weight is made for waste in the preparation of the canned salmon. A barrel of cured salmon is reckoned at 200 pounds, and fresh salmon have been estimated to average 10 pounds each where the records show the number marketed instead of the weight. ‘Chis total catch relates almost exclusively to the salmon utilized in trade, both foreign and domestic, although some part of the fresh salmon may have been taken by the catcher to supply his own wants. The quantity of salmon caught and used by the Indians is said to be very large, generally much exceeding the amount secured for market, though undoubtedly consisting in greater part of inferior species. Exact figures are not obtainable, but in 1886 or previously the quantity was estimated at 25,000,000 pounds annually, and these figures or their money equivalent were repeated in the official reports for several subsequent years. They were afterwards discontinued, however, as having too little foundation in fact. . FISHERIES OF WASHINGTON AND BRITISH COLUMBIA. 329 SUMMARY. In the account that has gone before, the conditions presented by this region are Shown to be, from a fishery standpoint, both varied and per- plexing—varied as to its natural features and resources, and perplexing in the division of its waters between two distinct countries. A long, deep, and rugged arm of the sea, fed by many mountain streams, invites a host of fishes from the ocean to seek shelter, food, and spawning- grounds. So closely does it resemble the outer coast in the purity, salinity, and coolness of its waters, that its fishes are identical, while the character of its surroundings greatly increases the opportunities for their capture. Among the useful species which enter here are several of anadromous habit, which occur in extreme abundance, being represented by one form or another throughout nearly the entire year. It is doubtful ifany other known region of no greater size affords so rich an assemblage of aquatic products or offers so many inducements for remunerative employment in their pursuit. Toretain these benefits, so important for the region, will require the exercise of a wise fore- thought by those in power, as well as the accomplishment of a still more difficult task, the securing of harmonious action by the two nations whose interests are made inseparable through the extent to which the more prominent fishes cross the boundary line. As regards the salt waters the resources seem to be about equally divided between the two countries, but Canada has much the greater advantage in the matter of rivers, notin point of numbers, perhaps, but in the possession of the Fraser system, one of the most extensive resorts of salmon in the world. While no marked decrease in the abundance of any species, except in two or three instances, has so far been positively recorded, experience teaches that in waters such as these a decrease is certain to appear unless due precautions are taken to prevent it, and they should be both timely and effective. Some of the open-sea fisheries in the North Atlantic Ocean have been prosecuted for centuries without apparently diminishing the supply, but the number of these is comparatively small. As a rule, man’s influence has been felt, its extent varying with the natural limitations upon the movements of the fishes which are sought, the perfection of the fishing methods, and the persistence with which the latter are employed. The more restricted a fish’s habitat, the smaller the sheet of water or the narrower the river, the more readily, in general, may the species be caught out. In conformity also with the same conditions are generally the opportunities for organizing systems of protection which shall be adequate to insure the perpetuity of each fishery. A thorough regulation of the fisheries does not, however, imply a return to primitive or inferior methods of capture. ‘There can be no 330 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. reason for prohibiting the more perfect kinds of apparatus which are not actually vicious in their effects, provided the quantity of fish allowed to be taken is properly restricted. In the competition which pervades all industries it would indeed be unwise to require adherence to old-time practices, whereby the price of fish would be proportionally increased above that of other classes of our food supply. It is to be recalled in this connection that the fishery products of a country are, as a rule, the property of the public as represented by the state or sovereign, despite the very prevalent idea that they belong solely to those who seek them. The fishermen rank practically as ten- ants, at some times paying for their privileges, at others not, when their status is more like that of a squatter on the public lands. Consid- ering the ignorance or indifference with which the matter has always been treated by the people and the fishermen alike, it is not surprising that most of the older fisheries within restricted areas have been so greatly despoiled, and that newly discovered ones should be looked upon more for the opportunities for speculation they afford than as resources which can and should be made lasting. The trouble arises chiefly from the fact that, except in a few respects, water territory can not be managed in the same manner as the land, in regard to which the individual is held primarily responsible in the economy of government. The land, for instance, is customarily divided up and passes under private control for such purposes as those of agri- culture and mining. Crops are sown and harvested and rock products are extracted as suits the needs or pleasure of the possessor of the ground. The extent to which his industry is carried requires the dictates of no other law than that of self-preservation or advancement. Should he be neglectful or wasteful it redounds to his own injury, while with thrift and care his returns may be many times increased. If he fails in his obligations to himself the community as such is not supposed to suffer. With regard to the fisheries it is very different. While certain sedentary products of the sea, such as oysters, may be farmed out, so to speak, and small ponds and streams may be treated as individual belongings, the great bulk of aquatic animals is not subject to private management. Most fishes, and especially those of much commercial value, are wanderers, whose confinement within artificial barriers is impossible. Thus, were the fisherman to plant, his crops would be shared by all alike; he could neither inclose them nor define them, nor _ would his personal efforts be of any avail in promoting the general welfare. The fisheries must, therefore, be administered upon by the state as a common holding, and the laws relating to them must not only regulate the behavior of those who participate, but also limit and define the extent and manner of their participation. This is entirely in line with the state control of waters for all other purposes, such as navigation, and in conformity with the customs of all nations. FISHERIES OF WASHINGTON AND BRITISH COLUMBIA. 331 It is, of course, to be understood that these remarks do not apply to extraterritorial waters, which are generally conceded to be outside the jurisdiction of any country, although several countries may unite in concerted action for their protection. And, furthermore, it is to be remembered that the Federal Government of the United States has not heretofore concerned itself with the regulation of the fisheries, except in some special cases, leaving to the individual States the entire control of such matters. In the region to which this paper relates there may still be time to give the fisheries the full benefits of a wise protection before any of its branches shall have been appreciably impaired, but action should not be long deferred, as a decrease once begun is hard to check. The urgency of the matter is emphasized by the fact that elsewhere fish- eries of the same character as the more important ones here have been among the first to suffer from indiscretion, and it is not to be expected that this region will furnish an exception to the rule. Of the regula- tions already in existence some are excellent, but as a whole, and more especially in Washington, they still fail to meet certain most essential requirements. In view of the fact that only a few branches of fishing are immediately concerned, however, not many additional laws are necessary at present, but it is very important to begin upon a course of procedure that shall be logical, and consequently effective. It is not suggested to carry the restrictions to a point where they would be either oppressive or unjust, but chiefly to establish a proper system of limitations before the strain upon the local resources shall become too great. Unfortunately there is little definite information as a basis for legis- lative action, though possibly sufficient for the time in the directions where most urgency exists. It is, therefore, of the greatest importance to institute without delay a detailed and comprehensive investigation of the fishery products of the region with reference to their natural history and the extent to which their pursuit may safely be carried. The laws governing their capture can be perfected only in proportion to the sum of knowledge derived from such studies, which will also serve the further purpose of making these resources better known and of indicating new channels for their development. Before passing to the special considerations which follow, it may be well to explain, what seems not generally to be understood even by many of the older fishermen, that the inland salt waters of this region are entirely divided between the two adjoining countries, leaving no intervening high sea open unrestrictedly to all comers. From the mainland at Point Roberts the boundary line extends due west partly across the Gulf of Georgia, and thence midway through the Canal de Haro and the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the ocean. The United States on one side of this line and Canada on the other have each complete jurisdiction over its share, whether navigation, the fisheries, or other subject is concerned. 332 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. For convenience of discussion, the useful fishes of the region may be arbitrarily classed in three groups: First, those which exclusively inhabit the salt water; second, those which belong entirely to the fresh water; and, third, those whose habit causes them to make periodic migrations between the sea and the rivers. The salt-water fishes present the greatest number and diversity of forms, but only a few now figure at all prominently in the catch, and the majority may be regarded rather in light of a reserve stock, which will be drawn upon more and more with the increase of local popu- lation. In only one direction, probably, has the fishery progressed sufficiently to give cause for concern, and as a whole the resources of the group, so far as can be judged, may be considered as in good con- dition. The halibut is at present the most important of the marine species, chiefly because of the large demand for it in eastern markets. It has always been a favorite food with the Indians and one of their principal objects of pursuit, but there is no reason to suppose that its abundance was in any way affected until long after the advent of the whites. The rapidly growing trade recently inaugurated, however, has caused a heavy drain upon the different grounds tributary to the region, and while the large shippers depend almost entirely upon the outer and more extensive sources of supply, yet the inner grounds have had to stand a more active fishery than before; and as they are small, scattered, and relatively few in number, have quickly felt the effects of overfishing, a very appreciable decrease being reported. A remedy will be difficult to find, owing to the indefinite character of the fishery, but some restriction should undoubtedly be placed upon the quantity of fish taken. Attention should also be given to the oysters, of which the supply can readily be increased and the quality improved by artificial culti- vation. The fisheries for crabs and shrimps, and possibly for clams likewise, need supervision, the crustaceans being especially subject to depletion. The purely fresh-water fishes are of very much less importance than either of the other groups. Among them are no species of extensive commercial value, but their protection is particularly desirable in the interest of local markets and sport fishing. International action is scarcely called for, however, unless it be to provide jointly for the enforcement of regulations to prevent illegal shipments’ across the border. In considering this group, the fact should not be lost sight of that the trout are among the worst enemies of young salmon, and that, in a region whose industrial prosperity is so largely dependent upon the salmon fishery, it would be unwise to jeopardize the latter for the sake of the trout. The third group consists of the anadromous fishes, whose most con- spicuous members are the salmons. The sturgeon also occupies a prom- inent place, the eulachon is locally important, and the Atlantic shad seems destined to gain a foothold. While it may yet be too early to FISHERIES OF WASHINGTON AND BRITISH COLUMBIA. 333 take action regarding the species last named, the protection of the eulachon is of sufficient moment to be made the subject of inquiry. While the supply of sturgeon is presumably still intact, this bulky fish, whose value is so greatly enhanced by its caviar, has been the first to suffer in each new fishery of which it has formed a part, and its early elimination from each as a prominent factor has been the rule. Attention here has been so closely concentrated upon the salmon, and the difficulties in the way of marketing the sturgeon have been so great, that the latter has been little fished for until within a few years. Its abundance, however, and the readiness with which it may be cap- tured in both the fresh and salt water presage for it an extensive fishery, which has already taken form on the Fraser River and pos- sibly elsewhere. In the salt water it is mainly caught incidentally in connection with the salmon, but with better means of disposing of the catch it is certain to be sought for specially. The protection of the sturgeon may, in a measure, be secured by pro- hibiting the capture and sale of any but the mature sizes, by making reservations of the spawning-grounds, by instituting close seasons, and by restricting the amount of fishing. The Washington law of 1897 makes a close season from March 1 to November 1 and forbids the use of young sturgeon less than 4 feet in length. In British Columbia there is a general close season from June 1 to July 15 and a weekly close time corresponding with that for the salmon. Fishing is limited to the use of gill nets, drift nets, and baited hooks, the nets being not longer than 300 fathoms and having not less than a 12-inch mesh. They can not be set less than 250 yards apart. Not more than 6 hooks can be attached to each fishing line, and sturgeon under 4 feet long must be returned alive to the water. The salmons, much more than any other fishes, demand immediate and serious consideration, as they constitute by far the most prominent fishery resource of the region and furnish the bulk of all its fishing. Without them the fisheries here would never have attracted special attention, and should they ever meet with the mishaps which seem elsewhere to have been the inevitable result of civilizing influences this industry must certainly become of comparatively slight importance. Not all the other species combined could nearly take their place as a source of local revenue. The quantity of salmou which frequents these waters is beyond eal- culation, and seems even to be so great as to challenge human ingenuity to affect itin any way; but upon reverting to the conditions that existed in the northern Atlantic rivers less than a century ago we are led to recognize the omnipotence of man in this direction at least. The destruction there, to be sure, was due only in part to overfishing, but to-day the demands are much greater and the fishing engines more powerful. The catch need not reach the consumer immediately, but may be stored awaiting his pleasure or a rise in prices, and may be shipped, without injury, to the remotest quarters of the world. Such activity in 334 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. the salmon fishery as now pervades this region, in common with the Columbia River and the Alaskan coast, was not dreamed of a few decades ago, and its effects are not measurable by the older standards. In this particular locality the growth of the industry has recently been much accelerated, and with the experience now acquired an increase in the catch from year to year is readily assured and will as manifestly be demanded. The question is, Where will it end? The circumstances have been so unusual that time alone can solve the problem. There appears so far to have been no appreciable decrease in any of the species, but, however abundant each may be, it seems impossible that this condition could continue long. The situation presented by the salmon fishery is briefly as follows: Six species of the group occur in this region, all edible and of commer- cial value, but graded for the market in accordance with the quality, the color, and the firmness of their flesh. The quinnat and the steel- head are preferred for the fresh trade and the sockeye for canning. The silver salmon, the humpback, and the dog salmon are utilized in various ways, but whether fresh, salted, or canned they constitute an inferior grade and generally sell at a lower price. With the variety and abundance of its salmon the region combines physical characteristics which greatly increase its importance as a pro- ducing district. Its rivers, instead of emptying on an open and exposed coast, have between them and the ocean a large and quiet sea, with many long channels, through which the fish must pass in the journey to their spawning-grounds. The advantages of this intermediate body are two-fold, in that it greatly enlarges the fishing area and brings the fish of every species in striking distance while still in the salt water, when their condition is certain to be good. With these unusual opportu- nities for following up the schools the necessity for adequate regulations must be manifest to all. The more important forms are naturally most actively and persistently sought after, leaving the others somewhat in reserve, but not to such an extent as the general accounts might lead one to suppose. The silver, humpback, and dog saimon are all employed for canning on the United States side, and throughout most of Puget Sound proper they are the only species which can be secured in suffi- cient quantity for that purpose. Any system of protective regulations should therefore contemplate providing for the welfare of the entire salmon group; but with some species there is much greater urgency for action than with others. Among the salmon, and in fact among all the fishes of the region, the sockeye occupies the place of most prominence. While it holds this position primarily by virtue of: the deep color and excellent can- ning quality of its flesh, its importance is equally due to its exceeding abundance, greater in most years than that of any other species in the localities it frequents, to its regular and well-defined movements, and to its relatively early season, which insures the passage of most of the schools past the fishing-grounds quite well in advance of the spawning FISHERIES OF WASHINGTON AND BRITISH COLUMBIA. 335 period. The principal disadvantage under which the species labors arises from the fact that its spawning-grounds are almost entirely restricted to two rivers, and in greater part to one, the Fraser. After entering through the Strait of Juan de Fuca its course is so well known and its presence so readily detected in many favorable localities that it is compelled to run the gauntlet of a very active and persistent fishery, which is stimulated by both local and international rivalry. While the movement of the species may not continue over five or six weeks, the amount and effectiveness of the apparatus employed for its capture more than counterbalance the shortness of the season. Every year adds new fishing stations and increases the quantity of nets about the older ones at a rate that threatens overfishing at an early period. While the main body of the sockeye passes north through the two channels on either side of the San Juan Islands, no noteworthy fishing sites had been discovered south of Lummi Island at the last report. The next and by far the best of the Washington grounds are about Point Roberts, the principal trap-net locality, where the question of greatest interest is to determine what proportion of the fish moving about the point strike within the range of the long strings of nets. The Canadian fishery is concentrated in the discolored water of the Fraser River from above New Westminster to some distance off the delta, where the conditions are such, moreover, that the entire run of sockeye might be practically wiped out by an extreme multiplication of the drift nets. In fact, in its possession of the Fraser River British Columbia controls the main situation as regards this species, having within its power the means of inflicting an incalculable amount of harm; while, on the other hand, the preservation of the sockeye requires the concerted action of both countries. The conditions are more serious in regard to the run of sockeye which passes through Skagit Bay and into the river of the same name than with the northern run. This is chiefly due to the narrow and shal- low character of the bay, which permits the arrangement of a close network of apparatus, and judging from late accounts the fishery there is being pushed with great persistency and with little thought of the future. Any and all kinds of nets may be employed, which, in a restricted area, is a great misfortune, and in other ways the laws are also quite inadequate. The feature of periodicity in the relative size of the annual runs of sockeye is of great interest, and its causes have given rise to much con- jecture. Should its origin have been due, as some suppose, to local influences affecting the species at its spawning-grounds, it would point to a source of menace in that connection, but time has shown that there is little occasion for anxiety on that score, and if the efforts now being made to equalize the runs through artificial propagation turn out sue- cessfully, all such natural dangers will be minimized. A much more important phenomenon is the great mortality which affects nearly all salmon at spawning time, and in the case of some 336 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. species seems to work an almost total destruction, the sockeye being one of the heaviest sufferers in this respect. This mortality has a prac- tical significance in that if none of the ascending fish are to return again to the sea there is no occasion for protecting them with the object of saving any for subsequent fishing seasons, and all that need be done is to assure a sufficient run past the nets to provide for the requisite amount of spawning. With the information now at hand, however, no measure can be set upon the quantity that should reach the spawning-grounds, and for some time at least, if not forever, the question must remain entirely problematical, the only safe course to pursue being to allow the widest margin possible, The quinnat has not the same position here that it holds on the Columbia River, in consequence of its being apparently less abundant and also because of the large proportion of off-colored fish, which has made its pursuit less active than would otherwise have been the case. Nevertheless it ranks as the most important species for the fresh market, for which purpose it is principally used, its employment for canning during the season when it is chiefly taken being made impracticable by the high prices which then prevail. The introduction of stock from the Columbia River, with the object of securing a larger run of the deeper-colored fish, was contemplated by the Canadian government some years ago, but the plans were never carried out. The experiment would have been watched with keen interest, in view of the problem involved as to whether the lighter coloring of so many individuals is simply due to local influences which might also affect the imported fish. The rapid growth of the fresh trade is strongly stimulating the fishery for the quinnat, and its welfare should be carefully looked after in the salt water and the smaller streains, as well as in the larger rivers where its pursuit is naturally most extensive. The steelhead is also chiefly utilized in a fresh condition, the fishery being mainly a winter one in the lakes and rivers, although catches are made at other seasons and to some extent in the salt waters. Its pre- daceous tendencies and supposed habit of feeding on the young salmon of other species have been suggested as sufficient reasons for denying it all protection, but it would be exceedingly unwise to act upon this proposition until its life-history has become better known. In British Columbia the general provision against winter fishing for any of the salmon has interfered with but not wholly prevented the capture of this species at that time of year. The circumstances show the necessity for regulating its fishery on a different basis from the other forms. Of the remaining members of the group the silver salmon is the most important and is the oue most likely to be drawn upon in making up a shortage in the cannery pack of sockeye. It is most extensively utilized south of the boundary line, where the principal catches are obtained by means of purse seines in the salt water. It is also taken FISHERIES OF WASHINGTON AND BRITISH COLUMBIA. 337 in the trap nets, when left out late enough in the season, and by other methods. While the humpback, whose appearance is strangely confined to alter- nate years, and the dog salmon have a lower standing than the fore- going, yet they are of sufficiently good quality to entitle them to a high rank among the food-fishes of the region. Both are canned to some extent in Washington. The humpbacks are taken in large quantities in connection with the later runs of sockeye, especially in the trap-net fishery, when they are customarily discarded, but not until after they are dead, causing an extensive waste. The dog salmon seem recently to be meeting with increased favor. Their condition is said to be excellent as long as they remain in the salt water, which is for a considerable period after their first appear- ance, and they are now being utilized in connection with the fresh trade. The silver, humpback, and dog salmon, like the quinnat, spread to all parts of the inclosed sea and enter most streams, even those of small size. With this wide range of spawning-ground, their chances of survival are much greater than with the sockeye, while the extensive area over which they must be sought in the open-water fishery gives them an additional advantage. The activity of their pursuit, however, is certain to increase, and should there ever be a decided falling off in the supply of sockeye it would be greatly stimulated. It will be observed, therefore, that while the requirements of the sockeye have already been ascertained with some degree of definite- ness, much uncertainty exists as to the amount of protection that should be accorded the other species at the present time. The problem they present is more complex as a whole and will require more study to unravel the details, but there is no reason to suppose that it may not be as satisfactorily dealt with. None of these species, unless it be the quinnat and steelhead, seems to be in immediate danger, and if the ordinary precautions which should be taken in regard to any salmon fishery, such as safe-guarding their spawning, be immediately enforced, detailed regulations in respect to other matters can possibly await further investigations, if not too long delayed. The primary requisite in the protection of salmon is that they shall have such freedom of access to their spawning-grounds as will insure the perpetuation of the species without decrease. This provided for, it makes little difference, as regards the welfare of the species, how or where the fishery is carried on. It is unfortunately impossible to determine what proportion of any run of fish may safely be taken, and it would probably be impracticable to utilize that information were it obtainable. While theoretically any disturbance of the natural supply might be expected to cause a decrease, experience teaches that a certain amount may be removed each year without appreciable effeet, as instanced by the large Indian fishery in this region, which has been going on from time immemorial. Between F C 99 —22 . ‘ 338 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. the practices of the Indians and those of the modern fishermen, however, the difference is very great, and it is with the latter that we have now to.deal.* Commercial fishing for salmon has become extensive in this region only within a comparatively short period, but while in Canada it has been practically restricted to drift-netting, in Washington nearly every form of apparatus known to be adapted to the purpose has already come into use. Trap nets were the latest to be introduced, but are now recognized as the most effective kind in salt water. Purse seines came next before the traps, and are probably to be considered as only second to them in importance. Still older are the drag seines and gill nets, the latter employed in both the salt and fresh water. Hook-and-line fishing is one of the minor salt-water methods, applicable only to the capture of the quinnat and silver salmon, but much of the local supply during some seasons is obtained by this means. The Indians still use their reef nets along the route of the sockeye, and their spéars and dip nets in the upper river courses, where at times they also build a small and rude form of weir. Wheels have been tried in one place, but they seem unlikely to gain a foothold here. While in principle there can be no objection to the employment of all the legitimate forms of apparatus, the Canadian system has the greater advantage from the standpoint of protection, in that a much simpler code of regulations suffices. It is to be borne in mind, however, that the Washington fishery is prosecuted under greater diversity of conditions, and to restrict it along a single line would mean its curtailment many fold,.an extreme measure which would not be justifiable. * Since this paper was prepared we have received a copy of the report of the State fish commissioner of Washington for 1898, from which are taken the following extracts regarding the salmon fishery for 1898 and the supposed evidences of a decrease in certain streams. Should the statements concerning decreases be well founded the necessity for decisive action by the authorities of Washington is more pressing than the evidence in the possession of the writer had led him to suppose: ‘‘The report from the district of Puget Sound shows a still more marked decrease in the output in the salmon fisheries than does that of the Columbia River. The enormous run of Fraser River salmon during the season of 1897 increased the annual output of this district toa remarkable degree. * ~ * The run of other classes of salmon for the season of 1897, with the exception of the Fraser River fish, was not materially larger than in former years. The decrease in the output of the past season is entirely in the early runs of salmon. The fall varieties show an increased catch over the year 1897. The increased fall output was largely due to the shortage of the spring catch and energetic work on the part of the fishermen and canneries to make up for the spring shortage by a large pack of the fall varieties. * * * The numerous streams tributary to Puget Sound have in years gone by teemed with what seemed to be an inexhaustible supply of salmon, and © while in a number of these streams the supply does not seem to have diminished materially, in many of them there has been a wonderful decline, so much so that complaints during this season, and even during the season of 1897, when there was a phenomenal run of sockeye salmon on the sound, have come to us from different localities in which a great decrease of the run of fish on certain streams has been noted. During the season we have examined some 14 different rivers tributary to the sound, with a view to better understanding the conditions prevailing with regard to the run of fish, and also for locations available for the establishment of hatcheries. In every instance, from the people and fishermen living along the streams, has come the complaint of remarkable decrease in the run of salmon. While this may be attributed to some extent to an off year, yet we find that during the season of 1897 very much the same conditions prevailed in many localities.” FISHERIES OF WASHINGTON AND BRITISH COLUMBIA. 339 Except for a small amount of hook-and-line-fishing in the salt water, drift gill nets are the only appliances allowed in the commercial fishery for salmon in this part of British Columbia. Their use is, moreover, almost entirely confined to the lower tidal portion of the Fraser River and that part of the Gulf of Georgia immediately adjacent to its mouths, where the salmon runs are very much more extensive than elsewhere, and where the discolored water effectually hides the twine during most of the open season. Although there is room for the expansion of this fishery to an almost unlimited extent, and certainly to the imminent danger of exhausting its resources—a condition which might apply, however, to any effective method adapted to the same surroundings—yet the simplicity resulting from the use of only a single kind of net makes the system most amenable to regulative measures and one greatly to be preferred. For the drift net, as compared with the trap and purse seine, the benefit is also claimed of dividing the fishery among the greatest number of fishermen, thus providing a means for preventing a monopoly of the work by the larger operators. Experience has shown the necessity for only two kinds of these nets, distinguished solely by the size of the mesh—a larger one for the quin- nat and a smaller one for the sockeye and other species of correspond- ing size. The former may be employed without interfering with the smaller salmon, the latter without taking the larger forms, and thus an opportunity is afforded for treating the two groups apart, for closing the fishery for one while the other remains in season. The length of the net in both classes is limited by law to 150 fathoms, and the depth, by custom, to about 50 meshes. These dimensions are reasonable and convenient for handling by the small boats employed in their tse. Formerly a limitation was placed upon the total number permissible in the Fraser River district, which up to 1891 never exceeded 500. Then all restrictions of this character were removed, and every bona- fide fisherman who was a British subject and a resident became entitled to a license. Canners and dealers could obtain from 7 to 20 licenses apiece, though the limit to canneries was reduced in 1898 to 10. The effect of this modification of the law was felt at once, for in 1892 the number of nets increased to 721, and in 1893 to 1,072, in 1894 to 1,666, and in 1895 to 1,733. In the last-mentioned year the total length of the combined nets amounted to 528,000 yards, while in 1896 it had reached 800,000 yards. The principal weakness in the Canadian regulations is in regard to this provision, which practically admits of an unlimited extension of the fishery. The claim is not here made that the number of nets has already become excessive, though possibly it has, but extreme watchfulness is necessary to keep the quantity within proper bounds. A part of the recent great increase in the nets is ascribed to the hard times prevailing in connection with other pursuits which has led to an influx of many inexperienced fishermen, whose catch is said to have been relatively small. The power exerted by the large amount of netting is strikingly illustrated in the year of big runs of sockeye, 340 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. when the catch becomes enormous and sometimes far exceeds the capacity of all the establishments—including the canneries—concerned in preparing the fish for market. Considering the shortness of the season, the size of the fishery is all the more remarkable. The manner of using the nets on the Fraser River is also subject to certain regulations. They must not, for instance, obstruct more than one-third the width of the river and must be kept at least 250 yards apart. These measures are designed to maintain an open passageway for the salmon, in which they are protective, and also—the latter one at least—to prevent one fisherman from interfering with another. In principle they are correct, and they would also be good in practice, except that it has not been found possible to carry them out effectively, especially since the nets have become so numerous. Moving continu- ously as they do, they are to a large extent uncontrollable, while the tendency to concentrate the fishing over a small area near the river mouths leads to some crowding. In some places the river channel is not large enough to leave two-thirds of its width free when the net is placed, and again it is entirely possible to alternate the nets so as to virtually negative the intent of the law. Although gill nets were among the earlier appliances utilized in Washington, they have never been employed there as extensively or systematically as in British Columbia. They are used in both fresh ana salt water, either set or drifting, as suits the pleasure of the fishermen, and are subject only to restrictions governing their distance apart and the width of the river which they may occupy. In certain places, as in Skagit Bay and River, they have become a prominent feature, and their number may be expected to increase. In Skagit Bay competition with the trap nets has engendered an intensely bitter feeling, leading to a strenuous though ineffectual effort on the part of the gill-netters to secure the abolition of the larger nets. The use of trap nets is prohibited in British Columbian waters, except in the upper part of Boundary Bay, where the fish taken are headed toward the neighboring traps across the line. Within the past few years these nets have become a prominent feature in Washington, where they rank as the most effective apparatus employed in the salt water. Their introduction had special reference to the sockeye, which had. previously been mainly fished for in sheltered places along the shores with seines and gill nets. They met with very indifferent suc- cess at first, but experience soon dictated the necessary changes in construction and position to insure good catches. The earliest trials were made at Point Roberts, which has proved to be by far the most profitable location for their use, and where their number has always exceeded the total number elsewhere. The other principal fishing- grounds are near Village Point, on the outer side of Lummi Island, the southern end of San Juan Island, and Skagit Bay, all lying in the pathway of the sockeye runs. FISHERIES OF WASHINGTON AND BRITISH COLUMBIA. 341 In the protection of this species, the one most urgently requiring such attention, the trap nets, therefore, figure most conspicuously and the importance of fixing their proper limitations will very readily be appreciated. With suitable restrictions upon the manner of their employment, the greatest danger lies in the tendency to multiply their number unduly, and in this direction there is reason to fear that much harm may soon be done. The trap nets are mostly located in exposed positions, where it is necessary to construct them of unusual strength, but in spite of this precaution they seldom last a single season without repair. They are consequently expensive to build and operate, which places them beyond the means of the ordinary fishermen, and are in fact almost exclusively run by the canneries or directly for them. In size they generally much exceed the pound nets of the Great Lakes, after which they were originally patterned, and, with the improvements recently introduced, are certain of securing large catches whenever the sockeye are abundant. Thus perfected, they have greatly cheapened the cost of capture and produced a sharp competition with the gill-net interests on» the Fraser River as well as in Skagit Bay. The efforts made by the gill-netters in the latter locality to secure the prohibition of trap-net fishing throughout the Puget Sound region had apparently no reference to the preservation of the salmon, but seem to have been directed solely against the larger fisheries, to which the great pros- perity of the region in recent years has undoubtedly been chiefly due. The number of trap nets that might safely be allowed in connection with the sockeye fishery depends upon information not yet available. It was not supposed that there were too many in 1895, when they were last studied, but a very large increase has taken place since then and the limit of safety may have been passed. The danger is most immi- nent in Skagit Bay, where the run of sockeye is much smaller than toward the Fraser River, and where the opportunities for establishing trap nets are exceptionally good. In this narrow and shallow area these devices, supplemented by other forms of apparatus, may readily be so multiplied as practically to barricade the way toward the river, preventing not only the sockeye but the silver salmon as well from reaching their spawning-grounds, and virtually breaking up the runs in this locality. If, as claimed, scarcely any young salmon are ever taken in the traps, the question of the size of mesh is not material, unless it be in the interest of other and smaller fishes which may be caught in the same connection, but regarding which we have received no positive informa- tion. The mesh should certainly not measure less than 3 inches in the crib and 6 inches in the leaders. A somewhat larger size could prob- ably be employed without detriment to the salmon catch, but floating seaweed is abundant in the region and the larger the openings the more readily these weeds become attached to the net, weighing it down and closing the meshes. The size of the crib is of practically little impor- 342. REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. tance compared with the length of the leader and the scope of the wings, by which the capacity of the net is chiefly to be measured, because however large the crib may be it will only receive the fish which are directed toward its opening. Two thousand feet is as great a length aS Should ever be allowed for the leader, and in some locations this would be excessive. It may also be found advisable to limit the size of the wings, for they are practically only adjuncts of the leader and of great effectiveness. But however important it is to restrict the size of the nets, it is still more important to regulate their arrangement or relations to one another when several are fished in the same place. It is a common practice in many localities to join such nets in a string of from two up, according to the width of bottom suited to the purpose. Pound nets on Lake Erie have been thus combined to cover a distance of even 8 or 10 miles without a single break. The longest string in the Puget Sound region in 1895 consisted of three nets at Point Roberts, which extended off from the beach somewhat over a mile. The effect of this arrangement is evident. Over the width which the string occupies substantially every salmon coming toward it is destined to become entrapped. There is little chance for any to escape and a very poor showing for succeeding traps near at hand. Again, though they be not in strings, they may so alternate in position that the salmon which pass one net strike directly against the leader of another. Thus the interests of the fishery demand, where a number of nets are operated near together, that their distribution be so fixed as to permit a fair proportion of the salmon to work their way from among them. Other- wise, with the rapid multiplication of traps which is going on, a time may come when the progress of the salmon will be so barred at inter- vals as to prevent their ever reaching the Fraser or Skagit rivers. This at least applies to the fish which skirt the shores, and it seems reasonable to suppose that a large shar€ do so at one point or another. In any event, it would be quite injudicious to subject too large a pro- portion of the fish to capture at any single place. The matter may be definitely regulated by statute as regards the strings, but in respect to the alternating arrangement a consideration of local conditions may be required in each case. ; The opportunities are few for a lineal arrangement on the Washing- ton coast, and it is doubtful if any string could be advantageously extended beyond the distance given for the long line off Point Roberts. It was suggested by the Joint Fisheries Commission in 1896, however, that the proper limit has there been exceeded, and that no more than two nets, with leaders not over 2,000 feet long in each, should be allowed in any string. Between the two nets, moreover, there should be an opening, a means of escape for a part of the salmon, and a passageway for boats. Its minimum width in the regulations submitted was placed at 100 feet. It would be better to make it 500 or 600 feet. And it was further provided that the inner end of any leader should never come into FISHERIES OF WASHINGTON AND BRITISH COLUMBIA. 343 a less depth than 1 fathom at low tide. Laterally successive nets should be separated by at least 2,500 feet, approximately half a mile. The greater the distance in this respect the less are the evils to be expected ~ from any alternating arrangement. By the act of 1897 the legislature of Washington recognized the jus- tice of these requirements. Besides prohibiting the use of trap nets and other fixed appliances in rivers or within 3 miles of their mouths, as well as in Deception Pass and in water of greater depth than 65 feet, this law limits the length of leaders to 2,500 feet and provides for an end passageway between all traps of at least 600 feet and a lateral passageway of at least 2,400 feet. The purse seines, though very unlike the trap nets, are nevertheless to be classed with them as having great individual scope and requiring a considerable outlay for their operation. They are chiefly fished in the upper part of Puget Sound for the later-running species, especially the silver salmon, of which they take enormous quantities. Elsewhere they are not much utilized, and in connection with the sockeye fishery they cut no figure, although sometimes set in the neighborhood of the traps at Point Roberts. The purse-seine fishery has not been sufficiently studied to determine how far it should be restricted, but the important part played by these nets in the removal of salmon from the salt water and the almost certain future increase in their number make it desirable that the subject be thoroughly considered. Their use is now prohibited within 3 miles of the mouth of any river. The drag seine was one of the earliest appliances, if not the first, employed in this region for taking salmon, and its use has been con- tinued and increased. The fishery by this means, however, is mostly scattered and irregular, being mainly conducted on a small scale in different places to meet local wants. In some localities more exten- sive operations are carried on, as about the mouths of the larger rivers at the period when the salmon begin to enter, and in certain parts of Puget Sound to supply the canneries with fall fish. Some fishery experts regard the drag seine with unqualified disfavor under all con- ditions, but this universal condemnation is far from merited. While they may possibly be hauled surreptitiously rather more easily than most other kinds of nets, within proper limitations their use is quite as legitimate, and to abolish them here would be to deprive the inhabitants of thinly settled shores of one of their most ready means of securing food. They are not now permitted to be hauled in any river or within a mile of its mouth outside. The primitive reef nets which well answered the requirements of the Indians, although now used for commercial purposes, are rapidly going out of use, and before many years they will doubtless cease to figure among the methods of the region. With an exceedingly limited scope at the best, no occasion exists for giving them consideration in connec- tion with any scheme of regulations. 344 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Only the quinnat and silver salmon take the bait in salt water and are fished for by hook and line, and this occurs on altogether too small a scale to merit attention from the standpoint of legislation. In fresh water the steelhead is the only species which might be caught in the- same manner, but we are not informed to what extent it is so obtained, if at all. The well-known practice of spearing salmon in the upper, shallow waters of a river, long followed by the Indians, has also been taken up by the whites, and in some sections is extensively resorted to by both for domestic purposes, as well as for making local sales among the settlers. With salmon as abundant as they are at present, the danger from this source is much less than on the salmon rivers in the east, where this method is enjoined. In at least some localities, however, the practice should be limited and possibly forbidden, this being espe- cially the case with reference to those streams in which the sockeye and quinnat spawn. It is also generally so near the spawning time before this method becomes effective that the fish so taken are not in the best condition for food, being unsuited for canning or the market trade.* Fishing has always been one of the chief occupations of the Indians, one of their principal means of securing food. Though of the wilder- ness, a8 the salmon themselves, and making use of crude appliances, their catches have nevertheless been large, and yet have seemed to produce no appreciable effect upon the abundance of the supply. Thus the advent of the whites found the fishery stock intact, so far as can be told. The Indians have greatly diminished; of the remnants many have been changed by civilization into commercial fishermen, employ- ing for that purpose the old-time reef nets, gill nets, seines, and hooks and lines, to all of which reference has just been made. Those which still hold to the primitive methods of fishing for their own needs, chiefly in the upper parts of rivers, are comparatively few. Their apparatus consists of spears, dip nets, and weirs, the last being a crude form of trap, which, though not extensively employed, can be so placed as practically to bar the entrance to important spawning grounds. The spear has already been discussed; the dip net occupies a relatively inconspicuous position from the standpoint of its catch. While under the original conditions the use of these several methods to the fullest extent required by the Indians may have caused no harm, with the heavy market fishery now in progress it may be necessary to impose some limitations. The steady drain near the mouths of the principal rivers,makes it important that those salmon which reach the upper waters should be interfered with as little as possible. The use * By the act of March 13, 1899, it is made unlawful to fish for salmon by any means except angling above tide water in the Nooksack, Skagit (up to the town of Hamil- ton), Stillaguamish, Snohomish, White, Nesqually, and Skokomish rivers. The State fish commissioner may also close to fishing any stream or river of Washington emptying into Puget Sound whenever he shall consider that the protection of its food-tishes require it. FISHERIES OF WASHINGTON AND BRITISH COLUMBIA. 345 of the weir at least should be entirely prohibited, as has been done in British Columbia. It is important to note in this connection that the Indians have been guaranteed certain treaty rights which should be respected. They are fast yielding to civilization; their power for harm is already infinitesimal when compared with the whites, and seems likely soon to cease altogether. In Washington no restrictions are put upon the Indians in fishing to supply their own needs. In British Columbia they are permitted to take salmon for their own use by their customary methods, aside from the weirs, at any time and anywhere except on the spawning-grounds. In respect to the last provision many violations are reported and require attention. In all commercial fishing they are subject to the same regulations as the whites. While suitable regulations as to the character and manner of using the different kinds of apparatus might be expected to provide for the escape of a sufficient number of fish to cover all the requirements for spawning, yet in practice, and this holds true especially with the sal- mon, it has been found essential to supplement the restrictions already referred to by a total cessation of fishing during more or less of the period when the fish are running. The laws of Canada seem quite ample in this respect, but in Washington the matter has not been fairly treated. Although the need of such regulations may not appear important while the supply of salmon continues large, yet we can not question the benetits already derived from the measures of this kind enforced on the Fraser River, and urge their early adoption elsewhere as one of the surest means of maintaining the supply of the choicer species. The most suitable periods for the close times and their proper dura- tion give rise in this region to questions of some perplexity. Had we to deal with only a single species, or at the most with two differing so much in size and season as the quinnat and the sockeye, there would be little trouble in reaching a satisfactory arrangement, but with six species appearing at successively later periods and yet overlapping, sometimes quite markedly, in their runs, many difficulties are presented. The time most commonly selected for the salmon is toward the close of the run, when it has the additional advantage of preventing their capture and sale when they are in the least acceptable condition for food. Doubt has often been expressed as to whether this protection of the later-running fish is of any benefit to the earlier runs of succeeding years, on the supposition that salmon run at the same time and to pre- cisely the same places as their progenitors, but until these questions have been more positively decided there seems to be no reason why the customary practice should not continue. In British Columbia the subject is very much simplified by the facts that the commercial fishery is directed mainly toward the quinnat and sockeye and is restricted to a single method. The larger mesh of the quinnat drift nets can be used through the sockeye season without 346 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. interfering with the latter species, and the reverse is true with regard to the smaller mesh adapted to the sockeye. Thus a close season may be arranged for one species while fishing for the other still goes on. According to the existing Canadian regulations the smaller-meshed nets must be withheld from the water from August 25 until Septem- ber 25 of each year, when the sockeye have ceased running and only later species can be taken. From October 31, again, until July 1 of the following year their employment is entirely prohibited. Between August 25 and September 25 protection is afforded the latter half of the humpback run and the early part of the silver salmon run, while the dog salmon, being still plentiful after October 31, enjoys the benefit of the long close season, which continues through the winter. The open season for the large-meshed nets is from March 1 to September 15, and thus only the very beginning and the closing part of the quinnat runs are free of any interference from the nets. In Washington the variety of apparatus makes the adjustment of close times quite difficult to docide. The trap net is omnivorous, taking whatever comes its way, but being generally utilized only for the sock- eye, it has commonly had little relation to other species. The drag and purse seines, while better adapted for some species than for others, can be considered as selective only as their use may be directed toward the schools of one variety or another, and are mainly employed in the ~ late summer and the fall. When the sockeye run is small the trap nets. may be continued in place for the purpose of taking other species, and | the rapid increase in the fishery will doubtless tend to their employment during a greater part of the year than has heretofore been customary. Just how a close-time measure should be framed so as to benefit all the species under these complex conditions is a matter requiring further and careful study, especially as the main part of the fishery is so essentially a salt-water one. It is to be assumed that such a scheme is practicable and it is further to be hoped that steps may soon be taken toward its realization, but in the meantime the interests of the sockeye and quinnat. should not be allowed to suffer. Close seasons could readily be arranged for each of those species in both the salt and fresh waters and they should at once be instituted. Washington has no close-time regulations whatsoever applicable to the salt water. On the rivers fishing is stopped during April and again from October 1 to November 15.* Only the quinnat could be benefited by this first close season, and the silver and dog salmon by the second. The latter part of both the sockeye and quinnat runs should certainly be protected by regulations fully as comprehensive as those in force in British Columbia, and it would be better if the close time for the quinnat should begin at even an earlier date than there. Some of the difficulties presented by the annual close times may be overcome by the introduction of shorter periods of rest at intervals * By act of 1899 the latter close season extends from October 15 to November 15. of] FISHERIES OF WASHINGTON AND BRITISH COLUMBIA. 347 during the salmon season. This measure is not suggested as a substi- tute for the other, but as supplemental to it and of great additional benefit. It is provided for in British Columbia, where all net fishing is stopped by law during the thirty-six hours from 6 a. m. on Saturday to 6 p.m. on Sunday of every week. The special advantages of this weekly close time are several. It assures the ascent to their spawning- erounds of fish of the same species at different periods during the entire season, thus meeting the objection raised against the fall close time as protective only of the later runs. There is likely to be consid- erable variation in the duration of the season, which, in the case of the sockeye at least, may end before the date appointed for the fall close time. The weekly periods make up for this discrepancy and also afford fishermen a regular period of rest from their work, which in the case of those who are in the regular employ of large establishments is not unwelcome, especially if it falls mainly upon Sunday, as is customary. The extension of such a regulation to the waters of the State of Washington, so far as this can be done advisedly, is strongly to be recommended. The measure is most important in respect to the sock- eye, and its utility is most evident on the rivers, where the salmon are pressing rapidly toward their spawning-grounds. In even the salt waters the sockeye move so quickly along their defined course that a weekly close time in their interest should be favorably regarded. ‘The inner salt waters are to them apparently almost a continuation of the rivers in which their spawning-grounds occur. A period of thirty-six hours may be too short to permit the fish some distance out in the sea to pass the upper limit of the nets, and it may, upon further inquiry, be found advisable to begin the close time somewhat earlier in the salt water, but even should it for the present be made uniform throughout, it is scarcely to be doubted that the relative number of fish that reach the spawning-grounds would be increased. There is some question as to the benefits to be gained by other species through a measure of this kind, as most of them at least remain in the inner sea for a longer time than the sockeye, and some for quite a period, as in the case of the quinnat. They should undoubtedly be so protected in the rivers and about the mouths of the rivers. The close-time question with reference to the steelhead requires to be considered apart from the other species, in consequence of the fact that its movements and spawning take place at quite a different season. The growing demand for the species and the opportunities for its capture in the fresh water during a long period make it very important that its welfare be not neglected from this standpoint. In a new region, where existing conditions have favored so bounteous a supply of salmon, it is quite unnecessary to consider for the present whether their ascent is anywhere impeded by natural obstructions. The introduction of fishways or the clearing away of barriers might in some localities open up new spawning-grounds, and such measures may 348 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. in time be called for, but the gain would scarcely. be realized while the salmon remain as abundant as they are, and the expenditure required would be considerable. Of artificial impediments, aside from the nets, there appear to be few . in any of the fresh waters, and, in fact, no complaints of such have reached the writer. The building of dams in the pathway of the fish should be prevented as far as possible, and if any are allowed they should have openings of ample size to permit the passage of the immense schools which ascend these streams. On many of the Atlantic rivers much harm has been done the salmon by the rubbish from saw- mills passing into the water, a practice which has been followed here to some extent. The prohibition against it in British Columbia is said to be enforced, but in Washington and especially on the Skagit River, if the reports be true, the sawdust and other refuse have been dumped into the water so extensively in places as to threaten serious injury. As this material can readily be disposed of on land by burning or otherwise, there is no excuse for continuing the custom. There seem at present to be no sources of general pollution, such as the drainage from large communities, which need to be considered from a fishery standpoint, but they are likely to appear with the increase of population. The same is true regarding obnoxious waste products from extensive factories except in one particular, resulting from the fisheries themselves. This exception is furnished by the sal- mon canneries in consequence of the immense amount of offal which they produce and which is customarily thrown into the water. In Washington the canneries are all located on salt water and their offal gives no trouble, as it disappears quickly and entirely. It is different on the Fraser River, where the many canneries are mostly collected near its mouth. Several measures looking toward the disposition of waste materials without detriment to any interest have been adopted by the Canadian government, but none has long been enforced, the remedies being ineffectual in some cases and impracticable in others. Offal carried out to the gulf and dumped off the mouths of the river is liable to be washed ashore, while its manufacture into oil and fertilizer on a large seale has heretofore proved unsuccessful. The old practice of allowing it to fall into the water of the river in a fresh condition as fast as it is produced has, as a whole, given the best results, and is the one quite universally pursued, and there is no specific evidence that it has been detrimental to the welfare of the salmon; nor except in a few localities has there been complaint that it was injurious to the health of the community. When thrown into the current fresh the offal seems to be quickly dissipated, and it produces a nuisance only when placed in quiet, shallow water or in eddies, which tend to retain it along the shores or to carry it into the adjacent sloughs. If held long enough for decomposition to set in, it tends to float at the surface. Pending FISHERIES OF WASHINGTON AND BRITISH COLUMBIA. 349 the discovery of some better way it seems advisable to sanction the present practice under due restrictions, the fishery officers being empow- ered to prevent its’ deposition wherever it would be prejudicial. The fishermen of this region are quite alive to the benefits of fish- culture, and many of them, in fact, have so strong a faith in its efficacy as to lead them to magnify its possibilities and to conclude that through its agency the necessity for any regulations may be dispensed with. They argue that if the eggs be secured in sufficient quantities and the proportion of survivals be as great as claimed by some fish-culturists, why sbould not the supply of fish be capable of maintenance and even of unlimited increase by this means alone? There is no evidence, however, that would warrant us in anticipating so large a measure of success either here or elsewhere, and the time of unrestricted fishing is undoubtedly as far distant now as ever. The artificial propagation of the sockeye was started on the Fraser River in 1884, and since 1887 the number of fry and advanced eges planted yearly has ranged from 2,400,000 to something over 6,000,000. Its primary object was to equalize the annual runs of that species, to make them larger during the off years. The abundance of fish during the past few seasons has been very commonly ascribed to this © .use, the quantity having apparently become greater in all years. While it is to be hoped that there is some foundation for this explanation of the increase, it is well to bear in mind that the annual output of fry, espe- cially after allowing for the inevitable mortality among them, has been much smaller than the annual catch of adult-fish, and scarcely sufficient to make itself felt to anything like the extent noted within so short a period. On the Skagit River fish-culture began in 1896-97 with an output of 5,500,000 sockeye fry ; in 1898, 6,000,000 were planted, while the number of eggs collected in the fall of 1898 was 7,500,000, The opportunities for collecting the eggs on this stream are exceptionally good, but it is still too early to expect results. The quinnat offers a much more interesting field for experimentation than the sockeye in the direction of improving the color and quality of its flesh by the introduction of fry from the Columbia River—a project suggested some years ago, but never carried into effect. While the success of such a measure could only be determined by actual trial, it seems to be worth the effort, and the transplanting presents no difficulties that could not readily be overcome. Anincrease in the abundance of the species is also called for. A great waste of salmon occurs in connection both with canning operations and with the fishery, which may be expected to continue as long as fish are plentiful. Lacking an incentive to economize in the preparation of the catch, little pains are taken by the cannery opera- tives to cut closely in removing the heads and fins, and much edible meat is thus lost. The exercise of greater care would add to the expense of canning without material gain under existing circumstances, 350 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. but in time much of these rejected parts will come to have a value. The more serious waste, however, results from overfishing in years of great plenty, as in the case of the sockeye on the Fraser River, where in some years the catch is much larger than can be handled. Immense quantities are thrown away, prices fall, and the independent fishermen lose heavily, while the canners and dealers who control the market can so regulate the catch by their own boats as to keep it within the proper bounds. The impulse to increase the amount of fishing in the good years is quite natural, but it would seem as though the number of nets allowed might be adjusted to suit the conditions of each season, were the requisite discretionary powers conferred upon some local authority. The matter can not be remedied through the medium of an inflexible law, and decisive action may need to be taken after the season has fairly opened. As the sockeye catch has seldom, if ever, been equal to the demand in the waters of Washington, it is improbable that there has ever been a serious, if any, waste of this species south of the boundary. While the traps may secure exceedingly large catches at times, the methods of keeping the fish alive have prevented loss, except perhaps in some cases where they have had to be transported a considerable distance by scows. The discarding of the humpbacks taken in the traps with the sockeye after removal from the water causes much destruction of that form, which seems at present to be unavoidable. DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW GENERA AND SPECIES OF FISHES FROM PUERTO RICO. By BaRTON WARREN EVERMANN AND MILLARD CALEB MARSH. In December, 1898, the Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries sent the Fish Commission steamer Fish Hawk to Puerto Rico for the purpose of making investigations regarding the aquatic life of that island. The investigations extended over a period of two months. The island was circumnavigated and work was done at practically all places where safe anchorages are found, and several trips were made by mem- bers of the scientific staff to points in the interior of the island, where the fresh-water streams were examined. The itinerary of the vessel when working about the island was, briefly, as follows: Jan. 2 to 17, at and about San Juan. - Feb. 6, running a line of dredgings between St. Jan. 18, at Aguadilla. Thomas and Vieques Island. Jan. 19 to 24, at and about Mayagiiez. Feb. 7, at Isabe] Segunda, Vieques Island. Jan. 25, at Ensenada del Boqueron. Feb. 8, dredging between Vieques and Culebra Jan. 26 and 27, about Puerto Real. islands. Jan. 28 and 29, in Guanica Bay. Feb. 9 to 12, about Culebra Island. Jan. 30 to Feb. 2, at Ponce. Feb. 13 to 15, about Hucares. Feb. 3 and 4, at Arroyo. Feb. 16 to 18, about Fajardo. Feb. 5, at St. Thomas. Feb. 19, at St. Thomas, coaling. Feb. 20 to 22, at San Juan. Land trips to the fresh-water streams of the island were made by one or more members of the party as follows: _ Jan. 8 to 10, to Caguas, where collecting wasdone Jan. 29, from Guanica, via Yauco, to Ponce. in the Rio Grande and the Rio de Caguita. Feb. 2 and 3, 1rom Ponce, via Coamo, Aibonito, Jan. 12, to Bayamon, where the Bayamon River Cayey, and Guayama, to Arroyo. was examined. Feb. 16, from Hucares, via Ceiba, to Fajardo. Jan. 15 and 16, to Arecibo. Feb. 18 to 21, from Fajardo, via El Yunque Moun- Jan. 22 and 23, from Mayagiiez to Aguadilla. tain, Rio Grande, and La Carolina, to San Juan. Large collections of fishes, mollusks, crustaceans, and other aquatic animals were made. These are now being studied by specialists in the various groups and the results will be published in the detailed report upon the work of the expedition, which is now in preparation and which will soon be ready for publication. Among the fishes obtained are 3 new genera and at least 20 new species, of which preliminary descriptions are given in the present paper. In the detailed report upon the investigations of the Fish Hawk in Puerto Rico will be found illustrations of most of these species. 351 352 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 1. Lycodontis jordani Evermann & Marsh, new species. Head 7 in total length; depth about 14; eye 8in head; snout 5; gape 2.2; inter- _ orbital a little less than snout. Teeth uniserial, strong, sharp, not close-set, all entire and without basal lobes; tail considerably longer than rest of body; gill- opening smaller than eye; snout rather pointed, lower jaw the shorter, the mouth capable of being completely closed. Dorsal fin high, much higher than anal; nasal tube long, about 3 in eye. Color: Tawny ochraceous, paler below; upper jaw gray; iris blue; longitudinal brown stripes on side of head in front of gill-opening; head and body covered with numerous small, round, white spots, those on head smallest; a series of larger ones along upper part of side, and 1 or 2 irregular series of large ones on side of belly; between these on the middle of side the spots are smaller; dorsal with an irregular series of small white spots along the base,and another series of about 16 much larger, more quadrate spots of same color along edge of fin, some of the spots cutting the border, whichis black; anal similarly spotted and with black border. In alcohol the general color is grayish-black, yellowish below, the tawny ochraceous or yellow becoming darker, almost black, and the white spots on body becoming yellowish. This species seems to be related to L. obscuratus (Poey), but differs markedly from it in color. Only the type (No. 49358, U.S. N. M. ),a specimen about 15 inches long, was obtained. This was collected at Mayagiiez, January 20, 1899. Named for Dr. David Starr Jordan. 2. Stolephorus gilberti Evermann & Marsh, new species. Head 3.25; depth 3.4; eye 4; snout 6; maxillary 1.7; mandible 1.7; interorbital 4.9; D. 15; A.23; pectoral 2.1; ventral 3.5; caudal 1.3; scales 42-9. Body comparatively deep and strongly compressed, the belly trenchant, without serrations; snout thick, much projecting; maxillary reaching nearly to root of man- dible, scarcely serrate; eye moderate; tip of lower jaw reaching vertical from front of eye; distance from lower posterior angle of cheek to vertical from posterior mar- gin of opercle much less than from same poiut to eye; dorsal inserted far in advance of anal, just behind insertion of ventrals, midway between anterior edge of eye and base of caudal. Color in spirits: Back ligbt olivaceous with dark punctulations; rest of body below a line from shoulder to upper base of caudal silvery; faint traces of golden behind eye; no lateral band. This species is very close to Stolephorus garmani, differing chiefly in the much smaller eye, the more uniform color of the back, the somewhat more sharply com- pressed belly, and the more nearly entire maxillary. One specimen, the type (No. 49359, U. S. N. M.), 4.5 inches long, collected at Palo Seco, near San Juan, January 13, 1899, associated with S. productus, with which species both S. gilberti and S. gar- mani Evermann & Marsh are allied. Named for Dr. Charles Henry Gilbert, of Stanford University. 3. Stolephorus garmani Evermann & Marsh, new species. Head 3.2; depth 3.3; eye 3.5; snout 5.5; maxillary 1.7; mandible 1.7; interorb- ital 5; D. 14; A. 23; pectoral 2; ventral 3.5; caudal 1.3; scales 42-9. . Body comparatively deep and strongly compressed; the belly not strongly trench- ant, without serrulations; snout thick, much projecting; maxillary reaching nearly to root of mandible, very finely and weakly serrate; eye large; tip of lower jaw reaching vertical from front of eye; distance from lower posterior angle of cheek to vertical from posterior margin of opercle much less than from same point to eye; dorsal inserted far in advance of anal, just behind insertion of ventrals, midway between anterior edge of pupil and base of caudal. Color in spirits: Back dark near the median line, below this somewhat reddish; rest of body below a line from shoulder to upper base of caudal silvery; some golden on snout and behind eye; no lateral band. This species has a general resemblance to Stolephorus productus, but is unquestion- ably distinct from it; the anal is much shorter and inserted farther back, the body NEW GENERA AND SPECIES OF FISHES FROM PUERTO RICO. 353 is deeper, the eye larger, and the snout longer. It is very close to Stolephorus gil- berti Evermann & Marsh, differing chiefly in the larger eye, in the color of the back, and the somewhat less sharply compressed belly. One specimen, the type (No. 49360, U.S. N.M.), 4.5 inches long, collected at Puerto Real, January 27, 1899. Named for Prof. Samuel Garman, of the Museum of Comparative Zoology. 4. Prionodes baldwini Evermann & Marsh, new species. Head 2.5; depth 3.2; eye 4; snout 4.6; maxillary 2.4; mandible 2; interorbital 7; D. x, 12; A. 1,7; pectoral 1.4; ventral 1.3; caudal 1.7; scales 4-42-12. Body elongate, moderately compressed, not elevated, covered with ctenoid scales; dorsal and ventral outlines alike; head moderate, pointed, naked above and below; eye large, greater than length of snout, high in position; mouth terminal, slightly oblique, the maxillary reaching middle of eye or somewhat beyond; gillrakers short, 6 developed on lower limb; teeth small, conical, and sharp, on vomer and palatines and in several series in each jaw, with weak canines in front and a few canine-like teeth on middle of side of lower jaw; cheek with about 7 rows of scales; preopercle finely serrate; opercle ending in 3 sharp, flat spines, the middle one largest, a membranous pointed flap projecting beyond; fins all naked, the dorsal continuous, with a slight emargination, the spines slender and pungent, the first 4 or 5 graduated, the rest subequal, 3.2 in head, lower than the soft rays which are contained about 2.5 in head; anal fin short, the second spine longest and strongest, 3 in head, the soft part high, the fifth or sixth ray longest, reaching almost to front of anal, 2 in head; ventral with second ray produced, reaching vent; caudal truncate, or with middle rays very slightly shorter, making the margin slightly concave. Color in life: Dorsal half of head and trunk and all of caudal peduncle scarlet, ventral portion pale blue, almost white; a yellow longitudinal band, nearly as wide as pupil, from preopercular margin straight across opercle and along body to lateral line under last dorsalrays; 4 quadrate or oblong black blotches just under this band, the first about under middle of spinous dorsal, second under last spines, third under first rays, fourth under last rays; from each of the first three of these blotches a square, well-defined yellow shade extends downward to belly or base of anal, a simi- lar one from base of pectoral to ventral; 4 smaller black blotches at base of caudal, two others, somewhat larger than the last, just in front of them on caudal peduncle; a row of 9 black, round dots on each side at base of dorsal fin, the first one smallest, opposite membrane of first spine, the other 8 separated somewhat obscurely into pairs, the first pair under middle spines, second under last spines, third under first rays, fourth under last rays; 2 or 3 very small black dots on upper edge of caudal peduncle; 2 or 3 more in front of dorsal on median line, each accompanied by a similar one on either side; in some specimens a few scattering ones on top of head behind eyes, sometimes regularly arranged; a few dark-brown spots behind eye; various dark markings on side of head, without very definite pattern, but usually 2 oblique stripes on cheek, a heavy black blotch on interopercle and 2 on the ramus of the mandible, which, with their fellows of the other side, make distinct cross- bars on lower side of head usually extending across maxillary; chin and lower part of opercle with dark spots; lateral line white, with a few broken spots, compara- tively faint, just below it; iris red, with an inner ring of white surrounding the pupil; spinous dorsal pale, the edge of the membrane black, this color bordered below with faint yellow; soft dorsal pale, spotted throughout with light orange, with a marginal band of the same, outside of which is a very narrow pale-blue edge; ventral very pale-blue, the produced ray somewhat yellow; anal pale-blue with some light orange on last rays; pectoral and caudal uniform pale-reddish, unmarked. In spirits all the red and yellow markings disappear, the dark persists, and addi- tional markings are brought out, as follows: Along the anterior and upper part of trunk and crossing the lateral line are dark-brown vertical bars, diffuse and running together, or separated and broken into round or quadrate blotches; in the middle part of the course of the yellow longitudinal band appears a row of very small black points; spots on soft dorsal dusky; dark mottlings on caudal; upper and lower base of pectoral, and sometimes axil, dusky. F C 99-23 354 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH .AND FISHERIES, A beautiful and strongly marked species; 2 specimens dredged and 33 others, ranging in size from 0.55 to 2 inches, caught in the tangle, off Culebra and Vieques islands, from coral bottom, in depths of 15 and 16 fathoms; the type (No. 49361, U°S. N. M.), 2inches long, taken in the tangle at Fish Hawk station 6093, off Culebra . Island, 5.25 miles southwest of Culebritas light-house, February 8, 1899, in 15 fathoms. This species is named for Mr. Albertus H. Baldwin, the artist of the expedition, in recognition of his excellent drawings and paintings of American fishes. 5. Calamus kendalli Evermann & Marsh, new species. ‘‘Pluma.” Head 3.1; depth 2.1; eye 3.5; snout 1.5; maxillary 2.4; interorbital 3.5; preorb- ital 2.1; D. >Giis 1 BYP AS 111, 10; pectoral ike entra 1.8; caudal 1.3; scales 7-53-16, Body deep, back strongly elevated, more so than in C. hajonitiae, but less than in C. calamus or C. proridens, the anterior profile a nearly regular curve, lacking the abrupt nuchal elevation of those species; eye large, larger than in C. proridens; 7 or 8 rows of scales on cheek; teeth about as in C. proridens; molars in 2 or more rows on sides, those of inner row much the largest, those in front becoming more numer- ous and merging into cardiform teeth, the most anterior of which, in each jaw, are somewhat enlarged; in front of upper jaw are 2 much enlarged antrorse canines, curved slightly upward; highest dorsal spine 2.7 in head, second anal spine 4.6. Color in spirits: Silvery, sides with bluish longitudinal lines following the rows of scales, plainest above; a pale-blue line bordering the orbit below; some blue lines on preorbital, not evidently reticulated and not as numerous as in C. proridens ; iris yellow; otherwise as in C. proridens, to which this species is very close. Type No. 49362, U. S. N. M., 10.5 inches long, collected at Mayagiiez, January 20, 1899; 2 others, Bick 8.5 juclias long, from Mayagiiez and Arroyo, are more ierided (depth 2.3 and 2.45 in length), but not differing in any other character. Named for’ Dr. William Converse Kendall, scientific assistant, U.S. Fish Com- mission. 6. Doratonotus decoris Evermann & Marsh, new species. Head 2.6; depth 3.4; eye 4; snout 3.5; maxillary 4; interorbital 4.6; D. 1x, 10; A. 11,9; pectoral 1.6; ventral 2.2; caudal 1.6; scales 1-26-6. Body moderately elon- gate, compressed throughout; the back a little elevated, the caudal peduncle deep and rather long; dorsal and ventral outlines nearly alike, the dorsal somewhat more strongly arched; anterior profile not trenchant, almost straight from snout to front of dorsal, very slightly convex in front of dorsal and very slightly concave between eye and tip of snout; head pointed, interorbital space broad and flat; eye large, high in position, middle of pupil nearer tip of snout than end of opercle; snout long, somewhat longer than diameter of eye, moderately produced, the lips broad in front, characteristically labroid; mouth not large, the maxillary not reaching front of orbit, the jaws equal, armed with strong sharp teeth, about 4 canines in front of upper jaw, 2 in front of lower; teeth on sides of jaws also canine-like, smaller than those in front, but not distinctly different from them; afew smaller teeth behind the main row of large ones; vomer and palatines toothless; soft dorsal and anal each with a basal sheath of about two rows of large scales, that of dorsal extending over half the fin or more, that of anal lower, the fins otherwise naked; dorsal fin continuous, with a slieslbonr notch, the spines slender and pungent, the second longer than the first, the following ones graduated to the fifth, which is shortest, thence ° increasing in length to the ninth, which is longest, 2.3 in head; soft dorsal with its middle rays highest, 2.2 in head; anal with three Siendes, sharp, graduated spines, the third longest, 2.2 in head; the soft part similar to soft dorsal, longest rays 2.3 in head; pectoral large, symmetrical, of 11 rays, the middle ones longest, reaching past tip of ventral nearly to vent; ventral moderate, pointed, reaching half way to vent; caudal rounded; scales large, cycloid, the lateral line on second row below the dorsal, interrupted near the end of dorsal and beginning again on the row below, on caudal peduncle. Color in life: Body chiefly green, darker green on back, lighter below; lower parts of head and breast light yellow; a broad white bar from eye obliquely across NEW GENERA AND SPECIES OF FISHES FROM PUERTO RICO. 355 cheek and opercle, bordered above by an undulating maroon line and below by a similar, but fainter line; a brown bar from eye to snout; 4 dusky spots near base of dorsal extending as fainter shades downward and slightly forward to or beyond lat- eral line, 1 from in front of dorsal, 2 under spinous dorsal, and 1 under soft rays; short pale-blue bars or spots on breast and about pectoral; iris blue, a pinkish bor- der surrounding pupil; dorsal greenish, the soft part with yellow shade, a pale-blue edging to the whole fin, a maroon border to the green color posteriorly just inside the pale-blue edge, a small dark spot on membrane between seventh and eighth rays and a blue spot on membrane of first spine; anal colored like soft dorsal, the maroon border extending from first spine to last ray inside the pale edging, the dark spot between sixth and seventh rays; ventral green near base, pale blue out- wardly, the green color bordered by maroon spots; pectoral plain, pale green; caudal very pale transparent blue, a wedge-shaped maroon spot on the 2 upper rays near tip and a corresponding one on the 2 lower rays, the base of the wedge on outer ray; base of caudal with a pale undulate vertical bar bordered in front by a black line. In spirits, pale green, the maroon markings faintly persistent, becoming dusky. One specimen, the type (No. 49363, U.S. N. M.) 1.45 inches long, taken in the seine at Ponce, January 30, 1899. Decoris, beautiful. 7. Sicydium caguitz Evermann & Marsh, new species. Head 4.4; depth 4.8; eye 5.75; snout 2.5; maxillary 2; mandible 2.75; interorbital width 3; preorbital 3.5; D. vi-1,10; A.1,9; scales 83-25; longest dorsal spine 1.5 in head, longest ray 2; longest anal spine 2 in head, longest ray 2; pectoral 1.1; ventral disc 1.75; caudal 1. Body rather stout, heavy forward; head large, broad; mouth large, its width 1.5 in head; lips very thick; maxillary not greatly produced; teeth simple, flexible; a median cleft in upper lip; pectoral somewhat shorter than head; dorsal spines without filaments, the longest about 1.5 in depth of body; space between dorsals about equal to orbit; soft rays of dorsal and anal scarcely reaching base of caudal; ventrals united, forming a cup-shaped disc, only about two-fifths posterior edge free from belly; caudal rounded. Scales very small, ctenoid, densely covering entire body except a broad strip on belly; posterior portion of nape wi th very fine scales; entire head naked. Color: Dark brown or olivaceous on head, sides, and back; under parts pale; fins all pale, the anal with a narrow darkish margin; caudal somewhat dark; no dark vertical bars on body and none at base of pectoral; no H-shaped figure at base of caudal. This species is close to S. plwmieri, from which it differs chiefly in the color, the more complete squamation, the shorter pectoral, and the non-filamentous character of the dorsal spines. A single specimen (type No. 49364, U. S. N. M.), 3.63 inches long, obtained in the Rio de Caguita at Caguas, January 9, 1899. 8. Gobius bayamonensis Evermann & Marsh, new species. Head 4.8; depth 6.4; eye 5; snout 3.2; maxillary 1.8; mandible 1.9; interorbital 7.6; preorbital 4.6; scales 71-19, about 29 before dorsal; D. 1v-14, the longest spine about 0.7 in head, the longest ray 1.5; A. 15, the longest ray 1.5; pectoral 1.1; ventrals 1.1; caudal very long and pointed. Body very long and slender; head long; caudal peduncle long; mouth very large, oblique; maxillary long, reaching past posterior border of orbit. Color as in G. oceanicus, which this species closely resembles. The smaller (71 instead of 63 to 65), almost cycloid scales, the longer head, larger mouth, longer maxillary, and the longer and more slender body are differences which we can not Teconcile with the descriptions of that species or with the numerous specimens of it which we have from Puerto Rico. This description is based on a single specimen 9 inches in length, No. 49365, U.S. N. M., bought in the San Juan market, January 14. It probably came from near the mouth of Bayamon River at Palo Seco, for which stream the species is named. 356 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 9. Bollmannia boqueronensis Evermann & Marsh, new species. Head 4; depth 5.5; eye 3.5; snout 4.4; maxillary 2.2; mandible 2.5; interorbital width 3 in eye; preorbital 6; scales 27-8; D. v11-13, the Jongest spine 1.5 in head, the longest ray 1.2; A. 12, the longest ray 1.25 in head; pectoral 1; ventrals 1.1; caudal 0.4. Body long, slender, tapering; head short; snout blunt; mouth large, oblique; jaws subequal, maxillary reaching posteri#r border of Saat: isthmus narrow, the gill-openings reaching forward to elon preopercle; eyes large, high, close together, the interorbital very narrow and without median keel; no fleshy process on inner edge of shoulder girdle; teeth on jaws in narrow bands, those of outer series some- what enlarged; opercle short, about 3 in head. Il ins moderate; origin of spinous dorsal slightly behind base of pectoral, its spines 7 in number, not filamentous; interspace between dorsals less than diameter of eye; soft rays of dorsal and anal reaching, when depressed, beyond base of caudal; caudal long and pointed, as in Gobius oceanicus; pectoral pointed, reaching beyond origin of anal; ventral disc moderate, free from belly, the longest rays barely reaching origin of anal. Scales very large, weakly ctenoid; nape, cheeks, and breast scaled, the scales somewhat smaller than on body, about 9 scales before the dorsal. Color: Pale olivaceous or straw color, back and upper part of head with profuse fine dark punctulations; under parts pale, breast somewhat dusky; dorsal fins barred with white and dark, a large jet-black ocellus on posterior part of spinous dorsal; other fins pale, the ventral dise somewhat dusky in front. Length, 2.75 inches. Known only from the type and 4 cotypes dredged by the ish Hawk at station 6074, off Puerto Real, in 8.5 fathoms, January 25, 1899. Type No 49366, U. S. N. M. This interesting little fish belongs to a genus hitherto known only from the Pacific, from which 4 species have been described, the type species (DB. chlamydes Jordan) from the coast of Colombia, and three others (B. ocellata Gilbert, B. macropoma Gilbert, and 2B. stigmatura Gilbert) from the Gulf of California. Named from Ensenada del Boqueron, near which the type was obtained. 10. Microgobius meeki Evermann & Marsh, new species. Head 3.75; depth 6; eye 3.5; snout 5.5; interorbital 7; preorbital 7; maxillary 2; mandible 1.5; scales 55-12; D. vui-17; A. 16. Body slender, greatly compressed, tapering regularly from pectorals to caudal head moderately heavy, interorbital space very narrow; eye large, high; mouth lene, oblique; maxillary reaching posterior border of pauite lower jaw projecting ; teeth in bands in each jaw, the outer series greatly enlarged and strongly recurved, those of lower jaw largest; isthmus rather narrow, the gill-openings continuing forward. Body densely scaled, the scales strongly ctenoid, those anteriorly somewhat reduced; nape, breast, and entire head naked. Origin of spinous dorsal from snout 3.5 in length; dorsals very close together; spines of first dorsal filamentous, exceed- ing head in length; soft dorsal and anal long, their bases about equal, about 2.5 in body, their last rays reaching past base of caudal when depressed; caudal pointed, its longest rays about equal to head; pectoral about equal to head, reaching origin of anal; ventrals united, almost reaching origin of anal. Color: Light-olivaceous, dusted over uniformly with fine dark punctulations; a large dark shoulder-spot between the base of pectoral and origin of spinous dorsal; a few indistinct dark areas on side of head; lower jaw dark at tip; an obscure dark blotch at base of caudal; fins all rather pale except ventrals, which are dark, per- haps bluish in life; caudal somewhat dusky; anal dark-edged. Length 1.5 inches. This species seems related to VW. eulepis Eigenmann & Eigenmann, described from Fortress Monroe, Va., but differs in the smaller and strongly ctenoid scales, greatly compressed body, and in the coloration. Described from a single specimen, 1.5 inches in length (No. 49367, U. 8. N. M.), collected at Fish Hawk station 6087, in 15.25 fathoms, between Culebra and Vieques islands. Named for Dr. S. E. Meek, assistant curator of zoology, Field Columbian Museum. NEW GENERA AND SPECIES OF FISHES FROM PUERTO RICO. 357 = GILLIAS Evermann & Marsh, new genus. Gillias Fvermann & Marsh, new genus of Blenniida (jordani). Body short and stout, tapering rapidly from the short, broad head to the short, compressed caudal peduncle; scales large, rough-ctenoid; lateral line complete, or nearly so, broken under last spines of middle dorsal; a broad, double-pointed ten- tacle above eye; dorsal fin divided into 3 parts, the first of 3 short spines, the second of 11 longer spines, and the third of 7 rays. This genus is closely related to Enneanectes Jordan & Evermann, from which it differs in the presence of the orbital tentacle, the more complete development of the lateral line, and the larger scales. Named for Dr. Theodore Gill. 11. Gillias jordani Evermann & Marsh, new species. Head 3.5; depth 4.3; eye 2.5; snout 3.5; maxillary 2.4; mandible 1.9; scales 2-30-7; D. 111-x11-7; A. 01, 15; longest dorsal spine 1.8 in head, longest ray 1.6; longest anal ray 2.3; pectoral 0.8; ventral 1.3; caudal 1.3. Body short and stout, tapering rapidly to the short, compressed caudal peduncle; head short; snout short, blunt, concave in front of eyes; mouth small, slightly oblique, jaws equal; eye large, high up, interorbital width very narrow; a broad bifid orbital tentacle, none on nape. Scales very large and rough-ctenoid; opercles and entire head rough; lateral line nearly complete, beginning immediately above base of pectoral at upper end of gill-opening and extending parallel with back to posterior part of middle dorsal fin (or for 12 scales) where there is a break, the line dropping down 3 scales, then continuing with one or two interruptions to base of caudal; belly and breast scaled; dorsals 3, the first of 3 short, flexible spines, close to the second, which has 12 longer, rather stiffer, spines, separated from the third by a space one-third diameter of eye; anal long and low, the membranes deeply notched between the rays; pectoral of 15 rays, broad and short, reaching posterior end of second dorsal; ventral 2, slender. Color in aleohol: Brown, body crossed by 4 broad blackish bars, one at the origin of second dorsal, one under last spines of same fin, the third between second and third dorsals, and the fourth under third dorsal; an inky-black bar across caudal peduncle at base of caudal fin; head and under parts rusty; fins all barred with light and dark; caudal with a narrow light bar at base, then a black one, then a broader white one, followed by a much broader dark bar containing some white areas, the fin finally tipped with white. Two specimens of this well-marked and interesting species were obtained, the type, 1.5 inches long (No. 49368, U. S. N. M.), taken on the Cardona Light-House Reef, at Ponce, February 1, 1899, and another specimen of about the same size taken at the same place the preceding day. Named for Dr. David Starr Jordan. 12. Malacoctenus culebrzee Evermann & Marsh, new species. Head 3.35; depth 5; eye 4.2; snout4.5; maxillary 2.2; mandible1.8; interorbital 6.5; scales 2-35-11; D. xx1, 8; A. 11, 18; pectoral 1.3; ventral 1.3; caudal 1.4, Body slender, compressed; head rather long, pointed, upper profileconvex; mouth large, the maxillary nearly reaching posterior border of orbit; lips thick, jaws equal; teeth very small, conical, a single row in each jaw; a single nasal, ocular, and nuchal filament; dorsal fin moderately high, originating above the origin of lateral line, a shallow notch in front of last two dorsal spines, the membrane free from caudal; anal origin under about tenth dorsal spine; caudal somewhat pointed; pectoral large, reaching anal; ventrals moderate, not reaching anus, of two rays, no spine evident; lateral line distinct throughout, running high anteriorly, where it is slightly curved, turning abruptly downward over the origin of anal, thence median to base of caudal. ‘Color in spirits: Body everywhere mottled with dark brown, in somewhat regu- larly arranged blotches, a series of about nine of these at the base of dorsal, barely extending upon the fin; a similar series of much smaller ones at base of anal, not 358 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. evident on all specimens; below the series at base of dorsal are two other series of the same blotches less deep in color and not so well defined, extending the length of body and sometimes forming, with the upper series, more or less broken vertical bars; between the blotches a lighter shade of brown is interwoven with pale streaks of ground color; head nearly pale below, save some dark on chin and isthmus; two wide streaks from eye across cheek; opercle dark brown; top of head with the color of body; Jips with brown and pale stripes; posterior half of maxillary pale; dorsal rather dark; caudal uniform gray or faintly barred; anal similar to dorsal in color; the rays with pale tips forming a white edge; pectoral like caudal; ventrals pale. A rather plainly marked species of different aspect from other Puerto Rican species of Malacoctenus, but not differing widely in any important character. It seems most closely related to M. lugubris. Three specimens of about the same size; the type, No. 49369, U.S. N. M., 1.38 inches in length, from the reefs outside the harbor of Culebra, February 9, 1899. 13. Malacoctenus moorei Evermann & Marsh, new species. Head 3.6; depth 3.7; eye 3.5; snout 3.4; maxillary 4.5; mandible 4.5; Mmteror- bital 4; scales 3-45-5; D. xxi, 11; A. 1, 20; pectoral 1 in head; ventral 1.2; caudal 1.2; longest dorsal spine 1.5; ray 1.2; longest anal ray 1.5. Body short, rather stout, compressed; head short, snout short, but pointed; mouth rather small, little oblique, the gape scarcely reaching orbit; teeth in each jaw ina single series; gill-membranes broadly united across the eee eye small, interor- bital space wide; dorsal outline rising abruptly to above eye, thence oad curved to origin of dorsal fin, and from there nearly straight to base of caudal fin; ventral outline regularly convex. Color in alcohol: Light olivaceous, the body crossed by about 9 or 10 dark broad ver- tical bars, which extend upon dorsal fin, these usually broadest above, the pale inter- spaces therefore broadest on lower half of body; the fourth from last is a narrowalark line, the one following it is a double spot, the next narrow and indistinct, the last, at base of caudal, more distinct, followed by 3small irregular whitegspots ; top of head brown; side of head with fine punctulations; a dark line running forward from eye, a dark spot below eye, 2 or 3 dark blotches on anterior edge of opercle; under sur- face of head crossed by 3 or 4 irregular, indistinct dark lines; caudal and anal with fine dusky punctulations; pectoral and ventrals pale. This species is close to MW. gilli, from which it may be distinguished by the larger dorsal and anal fins, the greater depth, wider interorbital, and the coloration. Known only from one specimen, 1.4 inches long, type No. 49370, U. 8. N. M., col- lected at Culebra Island, February 11, 1899. Named for Dr. H. F. Moore, naturalist on the U. 8. Fish Commission steamer Albatross. 14. Malacoctenus puertoricensis Evermann & Marsh, new species. Head 3.4; depth 3.4; eye 4; snout 3.5; maxillary 3.4; mandible 2.6; interorbital 7; preorbital 8; scales rales 8. ’D. SK, LOS VACga LO) ob. 4; Vez aC. les Body ehork stout, compressed ; hea rather jong Cnn long and pointed; sien small, little oblique, the maxillary scarcely eatin front of orbit; teeth in a sin- gle row in each jaw; gill-membranes broadly united, free from the isthmus; eyes high up, interorbital narrow; caudal peduncle short, compressed, its least depth about 3in head. Fins rather large; origin of dorsal over upper end of gill-opening, first spine slightly shorter than second, which is somewhat longer than the third, whose length is about 2.2 in head; no notch behind third and fourth spines, all the spines from third to fifteenth being about equal in length, the sixteenth and seven- teenth being somewhat shorter, the remaining three progressively longer; soft dor- sal higher, its longest ray about 1.7 in head; longest anal ray 1.7; pectoral broad, 1.25 in head, reaching anal; ventral barely reaching origin of anal; a pair of slender ocular cirri, a small supraocular one, a short, slender, nasal cirrus and a few very slender ones at the nape} scales large, not crowded anteriorly; lateral line well arched above the pectoral. NEW GENERA AND SPECIES OF FISHES FROM PUERTO RICO. 359 Color in alcohol: Brown, much spotted and vermiculated with darker; top of head brown, sides and under parts pale, crossed by about 5 broad, irregular brown bars; side of body with about 5 or 6 broad, dark crossbars, broader than the paler interspaces, broadest and darkest above and extending upon dorsal fin; under parts of body paler, more speckled; spinous dorsal with numerous small brown specks, a large black ocellus on base of 3 anterior spines, and a larger one on base of last 4 dorsal spines, being chiefly on body; soft dorsal, caudal, and anal each crossed by several series of small brownspots; pectoral and ventrals pale, the pectoral with a few brown spots at base. The above description from the type, a female, 2.5 inches long, No. 49371, U.S. N. M., obtained at Hucares, February 14. Three female cotypes gotten at Fajardo, February 17, and one at Culebra, February 9, agree closely with the type; 2 of these, however, show faint traces of narrow horizontal lines along lower part of side. A male, 2.5 inches long, from Culebra, February 11, taken as one of the cotypes, may be described as follows: Head 3.5; depth 3.7; eye 3.8; snout 3.2; maxillary 3.1; mandible 2.4; interorbital7; preorbital6.2; scales 345-9; D. xx, 10; A.11,19; P.14; V.2; C.18; longest dorsal spine 2 in head, longest ray 1.4; longest anal ray 1.5; pec- toral 1; ventral 1.1; caudal 1.1. Color in alcohol, tolerably uniform brown; cross- bars on side very faint; longitudinal lines more evident than in the female; throat and under parts of head mottled with white and light brown; fins less speckled than in female, the soft dorsal and anal pale, almost without spots. Another male, 2.25 inches long, from Culebra, February 11, agrees with the large specimen just described, except that the crossbars on body are more distinct. This species most closely resembles M. bimaculatus Steindachner, from which it differs in the larger head, greater depth, smaller mouth, narrower interorbital, and in the color. The tips of the anal rays are not white, the soft dorsal is spotted like the caudal and anal, and there are no white spots on base of pectoral, as is said to be the case in WM, bimaculatus. The collection contains 7 specimens of this species, as indicated above. AUCHENISTIUS Evermann & Marsh, new genus. Auchenistius Evermann & Marsh, new genus of Blenniidae (stahli). This genus has the form of Auchenopterus and suggests that genus strongly. It differs in the absence of a lateral line, in the much smaller scales, in the absence of a notch at the front of the dorsal fin, and in the union of the membrane of the anal fin with that of the caudal. AUXNHYV, nape; iGrzor, sail or fin. 15. Auchenistius stahli Evermann & Marsh, new species. Head 5; depth 6.5; eyes 4.8; snout 6; maxillary 2.8; scales about 58, about 12 in transverse series; D. XLI or XLII; A. I, 23 or 24; pectoral 2.5; ventral 2.2; caudal 1.3. Body elongate, somewhat compressed, especially posteriorly, the dorsal and ven- tral outlines alike; head small, upper profile straight and descending; snout mod- erate, pointed; mouth large, the maxillary reaching to or beyond middle of eye; the jaws equal, heavy and projecting; teeth in lower jaw conical, short and strong, slightly recurved, in one row; teeth in upper jaw similar to those in lower, but a small patch of smaller teeth in front of jaw behind the main row; teeth on vomer; gill-membranes joined to the isthmus; nostrils with short tubes, a single flap above each eye and one on each side of nape; dorsal fin long, of spines only; last four spines somewhat longer than the preceding, forming a shallow notch, a feature lacking in the other examples; anal origin about midway between tip of snout and tip of caudal, the fin similar to dorsal in shape, but somewhat lower; membrane of dorsal and anal joined to caudal; caudal small, pointed; pectoral small, of 8 rays; ventral small, of 2 rays. 360 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Color in spirits: Body everywhere with a very slight yellowish tinge, in some specimens a faded gray; one specimen has traces of 10 or 12 dark crossbars; fins all pale, in one case with the dorsal and anal dark-edged. The type, 1.2 inches long, No. 49372, U. S. N. M., from Ponce, February 1, 1899; 13 cotypes, 8 from the coral and alge on the reefs at mouth of Culebra harbor, February 11, and 5 from Puerto Real. Named for Dr. A. Stahl, of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, who, under many difficulties put in his way by Spanish authorities, made considerable collections of natural-history objects of Puerto Rico. 16. Auchenopterus albicaudus Evermann & Marsh, new species. Head 3.2; depth 4; eye 4; snout 4.1; maxillary 2.2; mandible 1.6; interorbital 5.38; D. xxx,1; A.u,17; pectoral 1.4; ventral 1.5; caudal 1.6; branchiostegals 6; scales 1-34-6. Body rather short, compressed; dorsal outline not elevated; head moderate, not broad; snout short, pointed; mouth large, oblique, maxillary extending to below middle of eye; lips broad, prominent; a band of conical teeth on each jaw, thoseon side somewhat enlarged and recurved; a patch of teeth on vomer, none on palatines; gill-membranes broadly united, free from isthmus; eye large, high up; nasal, supra- _ ocular, and nuchal regions with fringed tuft-like cirri; a considerable notch between fourth and fifth dorsal spines, but not reaching base of membrane; longest anterior spine scarcely as long as those of the posterior portion; scales large, reduced anteriorly; lateral line anteriorly separated from the dorsal fin by only one scale; head naked. Color: Uniform dark brown on head and body, no dark crossbars; dorsal brown, mottled with lighter, narrowly edged with white; a black spot upon anterior 3 or 4 spines and a large black ocellus upon posterior portion of fin between twenty-second and twenty-fourth spines; anal rather darker, with narrow white edge; caudal peduncle black, the fin abruptly white at base, the entire fin being clear white, entirely without specks; pectoral black at base, then barred with white and dark; ventral black at base, the outer two-thirds barred with black and white. This species seems to be related to the Pacific Coast species, dAuchenopterus integ- ripinnis, which it closely resembles, but differs from that species in the larger scales, the deeper body, and the coloration. One specimen, 1.5 inches long, from Arroyo, February 4, 1899. Type No. 49373, U.S. N. M. Albus, white; cauda, tail. 17. Auchenopterus rubescens Evermann & Marsh, new species. Head 3.4; depth5; eye 5; snout 3.8; maxillary 2.6; interorbital 5.8; scales 2-32-8; D. xxx, 1; A. 11, 18; pectoral 1.5; ventral 2; caudal 1.4. Body slender and compressed; head moderate, somewhat compressed above; snout pointed; mouth moderate, the jaws equal, the maxillary about reaching front of pupil; lips, especially the upper, prominent; teeth small, conical, and sharp, in both jaws, in a numerous patch on front of upper jaw, fewer on sides; in lower jaw less numerous in front, a long single row of somewhat stronger teeth on sides; eye not large; a small nasal flap, and a3 or 4 branched tentacle over eye and one at nape; seales rather large and regularly arranged; dorsal fin with a notch behind third spine, and with one unbranched soft ray at its end, the membrane joined to caudal; origin of anal under eleventh dorsal spine; lateral line as usual in Auchenopterus. Color in spirits: Everywhere a nearly uniform faded pink, save breast and lower side of head, which are paler; a small, inconspicuous dark round spot on dorsal fin, ~ at twenty-third and twenty-fourth spines, a little nearer base than margin, and made up of very small black punctulations; indications of a yellow tinge on front of dorsal and base of anal in life; fins otherwise all pale. The type, No. 49374, U. S. N. M., 1.3 inches in length, the only specimen, from Puerto Real, January 27, 1899. Rubescens, reddening. NEW GENERA AND SPECIES OF FISHES FROM PUERTO RICO. 361 18. Auchenopterus cingulatus Evermann & Marsh, new species. Head 3; depth 4.4; eye 5; snout 4.2; maxillary 2.2; interorbital 6; scales 2-29-7; D. 1v-xxIv, the longest spines 3 in head; A. I, 16, the longest ray 2.25 in head; pectoral 1.3; ventral 1.8; caudal 1.6. Body rather long and slender, strongly compressed; head large, little compressed; snout moderately sharp; mouth large, maxillary reaching posterior border of eye, the lips heavy, the jaws subequal or the lower very slightly projecting; teeth conical and sharp, in more than one row in each jaw, most numerous in front; a patch on vomer; a nasal filament, a 3 or 4-branched supraocular tentacle, and a 4-branched nuchal tentacle, the branches of the latter each with a dark dot on their anterior surface. Dorsal origi- nating over edge of preopercle, of spines only, the second slightly longer than first; second, third, and fourth graduated, the fourth comparatively short, thus forming a notch partly separating the first 4 spines from rest of fin; dorsal membrane joined low with caudal; anal free from caudal, about as high as dorsal, its thirteenth and fourteenth rays longest; first anal spine under tenth or eleventh dorsal spine; caudal rounded, shorter than head, of about 13 rays; pectoral large, reaching anal, of 12 rays; ventrals moderate, of 2 rays, the spine not evident. Lateral line run- ning high to eleventh dorsal spine, here abruptly decurved two rows of scales, thence median to base of caudal. Color in spirits: Body and head pale yellow; body with 4 heavy dark-brown vertical bars, each about 4 rows of scales wide, extending on the vertical fins; membrane of anterior dorsal spines, opercle, occipital, and scapular region, blotched with the same color; a dark bar backward and downward from eye across cheek, rather more than one-half width of eye; top of head between and behind eyes darkened; preorbital, maxillary, lips, and under part of head thickly punctulate with dark; dorsal and anal barred with the extensions of the wide dark body bars, and with the alternating narrower pale interspaces; caudal mottled or irregularly barred with grayish, its base with the plain pale-yellow ground color which is sharply separated from rest of fin by a curved dark line; posterior half of pecto- rals with dark bars formed of dots on the rays, the first bar plainest; basal half of pectoral pale; ventral with basal portion dark, the rest barred like pectoral. A pretty and strongly marked blenny; fourspecimens obtained from the coral reefs at Ponce, and one at Puerto Real. The type, No. 49375, U.S. N. M., from Ponce, is 0.8 inches long, and none of the cotypes exceeds 1 inch. Cingulatus, banded, from the conspicuous vertical bars. 19. Auchenopterus fajardo Evermann & Marsh, new species. Head 3.25; depth 4.8; eye 4.2; snout 4.8; maxillary 1.7; mandible 1.5; interor- bital 5.5; scales 2-37-8; D. xxIx, 1, the longest spine 2.3 in head; A. 11, 17; pec- toral 1.4; ventral 1.7; caudal 1.4. Body elongate, strongly compressed posteriorly; head moderate, little compressed; mouth large, the long and slender maxillary reach- ing beyond the posterior border of orbit; jaws subequal; teeth of upper jaw con- ical and sharp, in a patch in front, becoming one row posteriorly ; teeth in lower jaw similar, but fewer and weaker; yvomerine teeth in two series. Nasal, ocular, and nuchal tentacles present, all but the nasal about 5-branched. Dorsal origin over edge of preopercle, the first 4 spines graduated, the fourth shortest, thus forming a notch; dorsal ending with an unbranched soft ray, the joints visible under a strong lens; membrane of dorsal joined low to caudal; anal origin under eleventh dorsal spine and the decurved portion of lateral line; pectoral reaching past front of anal; ventral moderate, of 3 rays, the innermost shorter and slenderer. Color in spirits: Body and head light reddish, becoming a little paler posteriorly; body with traces of 6 or 8 dark vertical bars extending on the fins, their margins ill-defined; breast pale, 2 dark reddish bars downward and backward from eye across upper and lower edge of cheek to opercle; maxillary blotched with dark; upper lip and tips of both jaws dark; lower part of head spotted with dark; a row of about 5 small dark spots on edge of preopercle; iris pink; dorsal and anal fins gray, except for the extensions of the dark bars of the body and a few white spots 862 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. on the dorsal; a distinct ovellus on the twenty-second, twenty-third, and twenty- fourth dorsal spines and their membranes; base of caudal gray, like the ground color of dorsal and anal; posterior part of caudal with gray mottlings on the rays only, this portion separated from the basal part by a space without pigment on rays or membrane, making a distinct vertical bar; pectorals and ventrals mottled. A handsomely-colored blenny, of which the collection contains but one specimen, the type, No. 49376, U. 8. N. M., 1.63 inches long, taken at Fajardo, February 17, 1899. Named for Fajardo, the type locality. CORALLIOZETUS Evermann & Marsh, new genus. Coralliozetus Evermann & Marsh, new genus of Blenniide (cardone). Body slender and strongly compressed, without scales; head large, subcylindrical, bluntly pointed; mouth large; teeth not hooked, about eight eularged conical] ones in front of each jaw, smaller ones behind; vomer with teeth; dorsal fin with a notch between- the rays and spines, the membrane connected with caudal; caudal fin rounded; pectoral large, ventrals small and inserted slightly in advance of pec- torals. Astrongly marked genus, conspicuous in appearance by its heavy head and thin body, probably related to Ophioblennius, from which it is technically separated by the absence of hooked canine teeth, the convex caudal, and the entire absence ot a lateral line. xopaddror, coral; Cyréw, to seek. 20. Coralliozetus cardonz Evermann & Marsh, new species. Head 4; depth 5.6; eye 5; snout 4; maxillary 2; D. xvi, 11; A. 21; pectoral 1.3; ventral 1.8; caudal 1.4. Body scaleless, slender, much compressed; head large and heavy, not compressed nor depressed; snout very short and blunt; mouth large, horizontal, low in position, the maxillary reaching far beyond the eye; eyes small, close together, placed high and well forward; teeth conical, in a patch on the front of each jaw, an outer row of about 8 teeth (4 on aside) in each jaw, much enlarged; a single row of smaller teeth on sides of each jaw; teeth on vomer; a small flap at the nostril and two short filaments above eye, one much the smaller; no appendages at the nape. Dorsal fin long and high, of slender, flexible spines, and longer, soft rays, a notch between the soft and spinous portions; anal longer and lower than soft dorsal; anal and dorsal free from caudal; caudalrounded; pectoral large, wide as body, reaching anal or beyond; ventral small, inserted before pectoral, of 3 rays, the innermost very slender. Color in spirits: Body dark red, much paler in one specimen; head everywhere bluish-black, this color dusted upon the body, particularly on the anterior portion; a pale-gray bar downward and backward across cheek; fins pale, except ventrals and front of dorsal, which have color of head; a row of small rosy spots along bases of anal rays, seemingly in the flesh; sometimes a similar fainter row along base of dorsal. Three specimens, from 0.87 to 1 inch in length, taken on the coral reefs at Ponce on three successive days; the type, No. 49377, U.S. N. M., 1 inch long, collected February 1, 1899. : Named for Cardona, a little islet off Playa de Ponce, on the reef of which the type was collected. ’ PLATE 17. (To face page 363.) Report U. S. F. C. 1899. adk, adh} ‘AZIS [RANIRU URY} loyBvoIs ANYss ‘uUBUUaAZ SISNAIMONANIXVW SNYSLdOYGVH ‘OzIS [BINGRU 9OTMI INOQV ‘uuewiang |SENVNASENY VWOLSOSHLA DESCRIPTIONS OF TWO NEW SPECIES OF DARTERS FROM LAKE MAXINKUCKEE, INDIANA. By BARTON WARREN EVERMANN, Ichthyologist of the United States Fish Commission. During the summer and fall of 1899 the writer was engaged, under the direction of the Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries, in making a physical and biological survey of Lake Maxinkuckee, Indiana. While carrying on these investigations particular attention was, of course, paid to the fishes found in the lake. Careful studies were made of the abundance, distribution, feeding habits, and rate of growth of the more important species, and sufficient collections were made to supply data for cataloguing the species of fishes, mollusks, and crustaceans inhabiting the lake. Among the fishes obtained are two species of darters which appear to be new. As it is the intention to continue the study of this lake during another season, and as the detailed report upon the investigations will not be published until next year, it has been thought advisable to publish the descriptions of these new species in advance of the general report. Lake Maxinkuckee is in the southwest corner of Marshall County, Ind., on the Logansport and Terre Haute railroad, 32 miles north of Logansport. It is about 2.75 miles long, from north to south, 1.75 miles wide, and is quite regular in outline. Like all the lakes of north- ern Indiana, it is of glacial origin. Its greatest depth, so far as known, is 86 feet. The bottom is of compact sand and gravel near the shore, then a wide bed of marl, and soft mud in the deeper parts. There are only one or two short reaches near the shore where the bottom is soft. The water is relatively pure and clear. The bottom temperature in summer is 47° to 50° F., while the surface gets as.warm as 77° to 80°. The lake is well supplied with aquatic vegetation, Chara, Potamoge- ton, Myriophyllum, Ceratophyllum, Nitella, Vallisneria, and Scirpus being abundant. At least 10 species of Potamogeton and 2 species of Scirpus are found. Chara is abundant, great beds of it covering the bottom in many places from near shore out to a depth of 12 or 15 feet. The catchment basin of the lake is small. The tributary streams comprise one very small brook at the south end, a somewhat larger one at the southeast corner, and three small ones upon the east and north- east sides. They are short and sluggish and vary but little in size ‘at any time. The total inflow from them is but a few gallons per minute. 363 364 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. The more important of these streams are the one at the southeast corner, popularly known as ‘the inlet,” one near the middle of the east side, and one at the northeast corner, known as “Culver Inlet.” The stream on the east has been called Aubeenaubee Creek, from the” Pottawattoinie chief of that name who once owned the land on the east side of the lake. From this small creek the specimens of the new species were obtained. Aubeenaubee Creek rises in a small marsh and flows through a low, level meadow or prairie region. It is about 2 miles long, 4 feet wide, and averages only 3 to 6 inches deep, with deeper holes at intervals. Throughout most of its length the stream is over- hung by bushes and briars and is full of sticks and brush. The bed and banks are of black mud with a mixture of sand. In some places the ground is quite boggy. The mid-day temperature of the water in this stream in summer is about 72°. The fishes in Aubeenaubee Creek differ almost wholly from those in the lake proper, a fact illustrating clearly the importance of even slight differences in geographic location if accompanied by stable environ mental differences. The principal fishes in this creek are Semotilus atromaculatus, Campostoma anomalum, Umbra limi, Lucius vermiculatus, Notropis cornutus, and young Micropterus salmoides. Craw-fishes were abundant. The two darters described as new both occur in Aubeenaubee Creek, and nowhere else, so far as known. The nearest relative of the first of these species (Hadropterus maxinkuckiensis) is H, scierus which, though not occurring in Lake Maxinkuckee, is found in Yellow River, of the Kankakee drainage, only a few miles north, and also in the Tippecanoe River at Delong, some 5 miles south of the lake, and into which the outlet of Lake Maxinkuckee flows. The other darter (Ztheostoma aubeenaubei) here described is given full. . specific rank, though further investigation may show that its characters possess only subspecific value. It is evidently derived from LE. iowa, which is found in many of the streams of western Indiana and is some- what abundant in Lake Maxinkuckee, but is not known to occur in Aubeenaubee Creek. Etheostoma iowa, in extending its range from its original center of distribution, in all probability found its way into Lake Maxinkuckee from the Tippecanoe River. Having once become established in the lake, individuals sooner or later began entering its tributary streams. Some of the individuals entering Aubeenaubee Creek, finding the con- ditions easy, remained and bred there, and thus a creek colony was established. It is altogether probable that for some years, possibly many, individuals from the colony would occasionally return to the lake and interbreed with individuals that had never left the lake. And the reverse would also take place—individuals from the lake would prob- ably continue for many years to invade the domain of the creek colony and interbreed with its members. Under such conditions those of the colony going farthest toward the head of the creek were probably DARTERS FROM LAKE MAXINKUCKEE. 365 sooner freed from the influence of the lake and, breeding only among themselves, were modified most rapidly by the new environment. In time they became so well differentiated as to be readily distinguishable from the parent form in the lake. But during the continuance of the migrations and countermigrations between the lake and the stream, there would be found in the lower part of the stream and in the lake about its mouth the progeny of the individuals from the lake and creek which had interbred. These would possess characters more or less intermediate between the parent species (Etheostoma iowe) and the derived form inhabiting the creek. So long as these intermediate forms continued to exist the form found in the creek would be only an incipient species, and as such it would be a subspecies of H. iowe, and would receive a trinomial name. But if, in course of time, invasions of one habitat by individuals from the other should cease, then the intergrading forms would, through interbreeding with the extreme forms, be gradually absorbed by them and finally dis- appear altogether. In the creek would then be found a form differing clearly and constantly from the lake form and without any connecting forms. Under these circumstances the form in the creek, as well as that in the lake, must rank as a distinct species. This is the present condition, so far as our investigations have enabled us to determine. There is no difficulty in distinguishing individuals taken in the lake from those found in the creek, and neither form seems to invade the habitat of the other. Large collections were made, not only of the fishes inhabiting the lake, but also of those in the creek. The latter was carefully seined twice from its source to its mouth, and not a single example of H. iowe or any form showing intergrada- tion was seen. Similarly careful investigations were made in the lake without discovering any individuals of the creek form or any showing intergradation. Whether further collecting will discover connecting forms can not, of course, be stated. The small size of the creek and of the lake, and their close geographic relation, render it almost certain that individuals of the one form would occasionally invade the habitat of the other, and vice versa. While the environment of the creek is markedly different from that of the lake, it is improbable that a change from one to the other would prove disastrous to the individuals con- cerned. Some of such individuals would, it seems, be able to survive, and some would probably interbreed with individuals of the other form whose habitat they had invaded. This was quite likely the condition in the beginning, and the creek form, so long as it remained connected with the parent species by the intergrading forms resulting from such interbreedings, would be a subspecies of the parent species. But, as already stated, no such connecting forms have yet been found, and the torm inhabiting the creek is a distinct species. There is one other condition worth considering. Let us suppose, after the creek colony had become well established, and for many gen- erations had not intermingled in any way with the parent species in 366 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. the lake, that the habits of one or the other, or both, should change somewhat and that they should again begin to invade each other’s habitat, and to interbreed. However rarely this might occur, no one will deny its possibility. The result of this interbreeding would be the appearance of individuals possessing morphological characters more or less intermediate between the lake and the creek forms. In other words, individuals would be found showing that the two forms intergrade and placing them again in the relation of species and sub- species. If we could know this to have been their history, however, we would certainly not place them in the relation of species and subspecies. We would regard them as two distinct species, and the individuals which seem to show intergradation we would call hybrids, which they really are. But we can rarely, if ever, know that such has been the history. So long as intergradations are found connecting the two forms, the one last discovered must be regarded as a subspecies of the other, but in the present case no intergradations seem to exist, and the relation is that of two distinct species. Hadropterus maxinkuckiensis Evermann, new species. x Head 3.75; depth 6; eye 4.5; snout 4.2; maxillary 3.25; mandible 2.75; interorb- ital 6; pectoral 1.3; ventral 1.4; D. xiv, 13; A. 11, 9; scales 7-62-10. Body rather long, slender, and subterete; caudal peduncle somewhat compressed, its least width one-half its least depth; head rather long, snout pointed; mouth rather large, somewhat oblique, maxillary reaching anterior edge of pupil; lower jaw included; eye rather large, slightly above axis of body; interorbital moderately wide, nearly flat; gill-membranes free from each other and from the isthmus; opercle with a rather long flap and stout spine; premaxillaries not protractile; fins rather large; distance from origin of spinous dorsal to tip of snout slightly greater than base of spinous dorsal, or nearly twice base of soft dorsal; longest dorsal spine 2.75 in head; soft dorsal higher than spinous portion, 2.25 in head, the free edge gently curved; origin of anal under that of soft dorsal, its base 1.9 in head; caudal slightly emarginate. Scales firm and strongly ctenoid; lateral line complete and straight, beginning over opercular spine; top of head and an oblong area on nape naked; space in front of spinous dorsal with small embedded scales; opercle with about seven rows of scales; cheek with a fewsmallembedded scales; breast naked, except two or three par- tially embedded scales on median line; one large scale between ventrals; belly naked anteriorly, but with about 10 enlarged, stellate scales posteriorly; space between ventrals broad, equal to width of base of ventral; preopercle smooth. Color in life essentially as in H. scierus; mottled and vermiculated with light and dark brown, or blackish, the middle line of back with about 9 large, roundish, dark, confluent areas, each surrounded by a wavy, whitish line; middle of side with about 7 large confluent dark spots, the anterior two largest and longest, the third small, the fourth large, and the remaining three progressively smaller; under parts yellowish white; top of head dark; a narrow whitish line around upper posterior part of orbit; a broad black line downward from eye; upper part of preopercle and nearly whole opercle dark, each dusted on lower part; cheek dusted with fine dark specks; an irregular pale area at anterior end of lateral line; spinous dorsal ashy, membrane of the first three spines black on middle portion, the other membranes dark, but less distinctly so; tips of last few spines dark; soft dorsal light brownish or grayish, crossed near the base by a series of dark spots and above by two series of whitish spots; caudal spotted with white and brown; anal white, dusted with brownish; ventrals whitish, with fine dark dustings; pectoral whitish, yellowish at base, followed by alternating series of dusky and whitish spots. DARTERS FROM LAKE MAXINKUCKEE. 367 This species differs from H. scierus chiefly in the much larger mouth, the longer maxillary, the larger scales, the fewer scales on the opercle and cheek, the free gill- membranes, the smooth preopercle, and closer approximation of the dorsal fins. One example, 3.5 inches long, taken in Aubeenaubee Creek, the eastern inlet of Lake Maxinkuckee, about half a mile from the lake, August 4, 1899. Type No. 49378, U.S.N.M. Evermann & Scovell, collectors, Etheostoma aubeenaubei Evermann, new species. Head 3.6; depth 5; eye 4; snout 5; maxillary 3; interorbital 5; D. x-11; A.11,8; scales 4-58 to 63-9, 8 to 24 pores. Body rather elongate, not much compressed except posteriorly ; head rather short; snout short, somewhat decurved; mouth moderate, slightly oblique, lower jaw in- cluded, maxillary reaching past front of orbit; eye rather small, above axis of body; premaxillaries not protractile; gill-membranes free from the isthmus and each other. Fins not large, the dorsals usually distinctly but narrowly separated, sometimes scarcely separate; origin of spinous dorsal one-third distance from tip of snout to base of caudal; outline of spinous dorsal gently rounded, the longest spine about 3 in head; longest dorsal ray about 2; first anal spine longer, and slightly stronger than second, 3 to 3.5 in head; longest anal ray about 2; pectoral short, about 1.3 in head; ventrals close together, about 2 in head; caudal rounded, 1.5 in head. Scales rather small, rough-ctenoid; lateral line incomplete, usually developed on only 8 to 24 scales at anterior end; cheek usually naked, or with a few small, more or less embedded scales; opercle usually about half-scaled, sometimes with but few scales; breast always naked; belly with ordinary scales; nape usually densely and regularly scaled, occasionally some scales embedded; preopercle entire; opercular flap mod- erate, broad; opercular spine rather small; no humeral spot or process, Color in life, greenish brown above, side with about 12 or 13 vertical, dark blotches, separated by pale orange-red areas of similar size; another series of similar but smaller orange blotches along lower part of side anterior to anal fin; under parts whitish; caudal peduncle grayish; head dark above; opercle and cheek dark, with greenish shade; a dark line downward from eye; snout grayish; spinous dorsal with a narrow dark border, below which is a broad orange band, then a broad but irregular dark band near base of fin; soft dorsal and caudal barred with white and grayish, the latter in spots on the rays; anal and ventrals without markings; pec- toral somewhat dusky. This species is close to H. iowa, from which it is evidently descended, and from which it differs in the almost naked cheek, the less complete scaling of the opercle, the somewhat longer maxillary, more oblique mouth, much closer approximation of the dorsal fins, and the coloration. Many examples, each about 2 inches long, taken in Aubeenanbee Creek, the east inlet of Lake Maxinkuckee, August 4 and 23, and on other days in August and Sep- tember, 1899. Type No. 49379, U.S.N.M.. Evermann & Scovell, collectors. Report U. S. F.C. 1899. (To face page 369.) PLATE 18. Common Sturgeon. ACIPENSER STURIO Linnzus. THE STURGEON FISHERY OF DELAWARE RIVER AND BAY. By JOHN N. Coss, J Agent of the United States Fish Commission. The great decline in the catch of sturgeon in American waters has attracted the earnest attention of all who are interested ip the fisheries. This decline has not been peculiar to the American fisheries, but is noted in nearly all countries in which sturgeou fishing is prosecuted. The principal sturgeon fisheries of the United States are in Delaware Bay and River, the Great Lakes, South Carolina, and Columbia River, The Delaware fishery, of which the present paper treats, exceeds all others. Itis carried on from Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey, although the interests of Pennsylvania are very slight. Both the common sturgeon (Acipenser sturio Linnzus) and the short- nosed sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostris Le Sueur) are found in the Dela- ware River, but only the former is put to any commercial use there. It attains a large size, a length of 10 feet being not uncommon. A. brevirostris rarely exceeds 3 feet in length, and therefore is not gilled in the large-meshed nets used. Some are probably taken at the shore seine fisheries along the river and in the shad gill nets. HISTORY OF THE FISHERY. The earliest settlers to this country were especially struck at the immense numbers of sturgeon seen in the Delaware, and their letters to the home folks in England and Germany contain frequent refereiuces testifying to their wonderment. Mr. William E. Meehan, in “ Fish, Fishing, and Fisheries of Pennsylvania,”* writes as follows: William Penn made special note of this fish. Peter Kalm speaks of it, and others tell of its capture and great size. Until comparatively a few years ago sturgeons were still plentiful. Men not yet 60 years old say that even after they had passed their majority it was not an uncommon sight to see several sturgeon during a single trip between Camden and Philadelphia, jumping in the river. . Mr. Samuel Williams, a resident of Burlington, N. J., now in his eighty-fourth year, says that when he was a boy on one occasion he went with his father on a shad-fishing * trip in the lower Delaware and during it he saw thousands of this huge fish. Once on this trip his father and companions were compelled to take their nets in with great speed in order to save them from utter destruction; as it was, many fathoms were badly torn by this fish. The sturgeon passed their boats in such vast numbers that in a little while the occupants had killed and secured eleven. This was as many as they could take home and, as the run continued, they slew many more on the principle that it was a fish not only of scarcely any value, but was actually a nuisance in the river on account of the damage caused the nets. * Report of the State [Penna.] Commissioners of Fisheries for the years 1892, 1893, 1894, pp. 257-392. 1895. F.C. 99: 24 369 310 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Mr. Larzalere states that when he was a young man one night he, with a number of young men and women, went rowing on the Delaware intwo boats. While proceed- ing up the river only a few feet apart a large sturgeon, 6 or 7 feet long, jumped from the water and nearly capsized one of the boats, and the occupants were thoroughly drenched and frightened. The same gentleman also stated that William Stockton, the father of the Rev. Thomas H. Stockton, for a space chaplain of the House of Representatives at Washington, was at one time out boating when a large sturgeon actually jumped into the boat and was secured, Mr. John Fennimore related the following: “Many years ago there was a little steamboat which plied the Delaware above Philadelphia called the Sally. On each side, near her bows, were two large round windows, which, in the summer time, were often open. One day when the Sally was on one of its trips up the river, a large sturgeon in jumping made such a leap that it passed clear through one of these windows and landed in the vessel, where it was killed.” Stories like the foregoing are quite common and many of them are well authenti- cated, and they serve as nothing else can to illustrate how numerous this species of fish were in the Delaware River, for until recent years the sturgeon seemed to be little esteemed by the people living along this great stream. Nearly all the old fishermen say that in their boyhood days few ate sturgeon except the colored people, though occasionally a family would fry a few steaks and serve them with cream. The roe was considered worthless except as bait with which to catch eels and perch or to feed to the hogs. From 3 to 4 cents a pound were the best prices that could be obtained retail tor the meat, and it was not often that more than 25 or 30 cents could be had for a whole fish. Mr. John Fennimore made a practice of fishing for sturgeon with nets at Dunks Ferry, now Bristol, in the latter part of the twenties and until about 1835. Mr. Van- schiver and Mr. McElroy, two other fishermen of that neighborhood, also carried on the same business. They used a 12-inch mesh and drew their nets over the bar near the Pennsylvania side, a favorite spot for the sturgeon. Sometimes 25 or 30 were taken at a single haul. The fish brought very little money, however, seldom more than 30 cents apiece, and sometimes as low as 12} cents. Mr. Williams says that a favorite method with many fishermen of catching sturgeon in the month of August, prior to 1835, was with the harpoon, and that the favorite spot for this method was about Dutch Island, near Bordentown. The exact time when the fishery for sturgeon was taken up to any considerable extent is doubtful. Mr. Benedict Blohm, of Penns Grove, N.J., was undoubtedly one of the earliest to engage in the business with gill nets, and was the first to put up caviar, which he did about the year 1853. For a number of years the business struggled along, owing to the low price received for caviar and the prejudice prevailing against the use of the flesh. After 1870 the business expanded very rapidly. Previous to the use of special gill nets for sturgeon many were taken in the shore seine fisheries, 117 being obtained in one haul of the Fancy Hill Fishery in Gloucester County in the early seventies. Very little use was made of these for a long time; but, as people began to develop a taste for the sturgeon flesh, the fish was sold to peddlers, who dressed them and peddled the meat throughout the surrounding country. Of late years, however, but few are taken in the seines. The smoking of sturgeon flesh was begun on a small scale in New York City about 1857, and later in Philadelphia. This has caused a fairly steady demand for the flesh at a remunerative price, and has been a large factor in the great development of the industry. STURGEON FISHERY OF DELAWARE RIVER AND BAY. 371 The first person to engage in the business in Pennsylvania waters with gill nets was Mr. Henry Schacht, of Chester, in 1873. He located first on Ridley Creek, whence he removed to Chester Creek. A few years later he purchased Monas Island, opposite Chester. Here, by means of piles, he built a pen in which he could keep the fish alive until the market price was satisfactory. SEASON, ABUNDANCE OF FISH, ETC. The fishing season usually begins the early part of April and closes about the middle of June, depending on the run of fish—sometimes closing earlier, and again, if fish are plentiful, continuing until the end of the legal season, June 30. The movements of the fish during the season are thus described by Professor Ryder :* As the season advances the spawning schools move upward from the salt waters of the Delaware Bay, and in the neighborhood of Fort Delaware and Delaware City, 45 miles south of Philadelphia, where they pass into brackish or nearly fresh water. From this point southward 20 miles, and northward as many more, it is probable that a large part of the spawning now occurs. Those that escape the meshes of the hundreds of sturgeon nets which are every day stretched across their spawning- grounds go farther north to get rid of their burdens of ova. The upward movements of the school seem to be affected to some extent by a rise of the prevalent temperature of the water and air, thus making the fishery for the time more profitable. Conversely, a decline in the prevailing temperature is often apparently followed by a diminution jn the numbers of fish on their way up the river, and a cold, late season retards the appearance of the fish from the salt waters farther south. A very rainy season, which has caused an unusually abundant flow of fresh water down the river, also interferes with their early appearance in the waters above Delaware City. This is supposed to be due to the fact that the water becomes fresh farther south than usual where the schools then remain to dis- charge their spawn. ‘The fishing season at Delaware City is at its height during the months of May and June, but fish are caught during the summer and autumn and until as late as September and October. There has been an almost continuous decrease in the number of sturgeon taken by the fishermen for some years back. One of the best methods of showing this is from the average number of fish taken in each gill net per season. The following information from the reports of the U. 8. Fish Commission and from the statements of leading fish- ermen and dealers will doubtless prove instructive: In 1890 the average catch of sturgeon per net was 60; in 1891 it was about 55; in 1892, 43; in 1893, 32; in 1894, 26; in 1895, 32; in 1896, 27; in 1897, 20; in 1898 it was only 14, while in 1899 it dropped as low as 8 fish to the net. The table following shows the catch of sturgeon for the years 1890, 1891, 1892,-and 1897 for all three States and the catch for New Jersey alone in 1898. Pennsylvania and Delaware were not canvassed for 1898. The weights are for round fish, or just as taken from the water, and the value of the caviar is included. *The sturgeon and sturgeon industries of the eastern coast of the United States, with an account of experime:ts bearing upon sturgeon culture, by John A. Ryder. Bull. U. S. Fish Comm. for 1888, pp. 231-328. 372 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Table showing the catch of sturgeon on the Delaware River and Bay for the years 1890, 1891, 1892, 1897, and 1898. 1890. “1891, 1892. 1897. +1898. State and county. | — Lbs. |Value.| Lbs. |Value.|} Lbs. | Value.| Lbs. |Value.| Lbs. |Value. Pennsylvania— BUCKS heee~ 2 58,650) $810) 52,700 $640) 60,180; $728 985 tH Raaaeso ee ae TL pe Asse SSecdtione Godase.c deongescrletnossc els ISSO) OSS ae 8, 960 CAVE arm aeeeieie ele eee ete Total ....-.- ~~ 58,650/ 810! 52, 700/ 640, 60,180| 728) 9,945 260!.........]....... Delaware— a fie Hilts: i ; Neweastle . 995, 600} 24, 950/1, 074, 450) 27,068) 877,680) 21,953) 312,300) 22, 713).........|....... NEON Ee Sacer, 306,000) 4,400} 230,350) 3,380) 173,910) 2,557; 143, 100)-11, 005|.-....-..|....... (SiG <3 Sea Bee eee sad. 54 Eee! Sas eee 17, 850) 032) 5.25 sc oe) eee Mitt sc 5 1, 301 301, 600, 29, 350|1, 304, 800 30, 448 1, 051, 590| 24,510, 467, 250| 34,750|.........|...---- New Jersey— 7 ae r sl hetad Burlington THEM Het Mello daanecos socacee [Acaccicoscl Hnoostel hoddcokad|sccacse *300 8 *510 $24 Gite ertoe beet ee lacie: See lerde pete teianinss acme nisi |= bales toe | einec mere *1, 000 25 * 450 12 Salem.t....-..- 3, 179, 575) 78, 217|3, 067, 740) 75, 800/2, 738, 455) 56, 153)1, 301, 226) 57,473) 873,750! 62, 503 Cumberland ..| 483, 350) 11, 283) 428,700! 9,662) 390,125] 7,310) 547,915 27,493) 381, 530} 31, 605 ADO EMUBY o5 bn lem is eee ree ee eg ioeRcinm ol ana =in - 12, 750 255; 100,90 4,431 42,075) 2,128 Doatale-- 22. . 3, lees 925) 89, 150 3, 3, 496, 440 85, 362, 3, 141, 330 63, 718 1s 1,951, 421 89, 430 1, 298, 315] 96, 272 Grand total - 5, 023, 175 119, 61 610 4, 4, 853, 940 116, 450 4, 253, 100} 88, 956 2, 428, 616 124, 440 pnoweast Sonate | | * Taken incidentally in seines. + Pennsylvania and Delaware were not canvassed for 1898. The best method of improving the condition of this fishery is by arti- ficial propagation. In 1888 Prof. John A. Ryder, after an exhaustive investigation, under the auspices of-the United States Fish Commis- sion, conclusively proved that this work was feasible if spawn could be secured in the proper condition; yet little, if anything, has been done in this direction. Mr. L. G. Harron, under the auspices of the Com- mission, took up the work at Delaware City, Del., in 1899, but unfor- tunately he was unable to secure any ripe fish, so his efforts came to naught. The difficulty is in getting the ripe spawn and milt at the same time. The soft spawn is the only kind that can be used by the fish-culturist; as this can not be utilized by the fishermen in making caviar, they would readily turn over to the Commission all that they get. Some seasons, however, there seems to be very little of this kind of spawn to be had. The New Jersey fishermen say that ripe spawners are generally caught around Benny’s buoy, about 6 miles below Bay- side, between the 10th and 17th of May. The buck sturgeon are usually about a day or two behind. The Cohansey River empties into the bay near here, and it is probable that the fresh water from the river causes more favorable conditions for the spawning of fish. The proper protection of the “‘mammoses” or young sturgeon would benefit the sturgeon fishery. For some years past these have been destroyed by the shad gill-netters and other fishermen on the river and bay merely because they injure the nets by their struggles. These young sturgeon are very common as far up the river as the Trenton Falls, and in 1898, 100 of them were captured in a shore fishery near Newhope, Pa., but itis unusual to find them that far up theriver. There is quite a widespread belief among the fishermen that the ‘‘mammoses” are not yoRus sturgeon, or, at least, are not the young of the common Report U.S F.C. 1898. (To face page 372.) PLATE 19. CARCASSES OF STURGEON READY FOR SHIPMENT AT BAYSIDE, N. J. LANDING A STURGEON ON THE WHARF AT BAYSIDE, N. J STURGEON FISHERY OF DELAWARE RIVER AND BAY. 373 sturgeon, A. sturio. This belief probably arises from a considerable difference in appearance which exists between the full-grown A. stwrio and its young. In some instances the fishermen may have mistaken A. brevirostris, the short-nosed sturgeon, for the young of A. sturio. In 1891 the State of New Jersey passed the following law protecting the “‘mammoses,” or young sturgeon: d Be it enacted by the senate and general assembly of the State of New Jersey, That it shall not be lawful for any person or persons to cast, draw, set, anchor, drift, or stake any gilling net, or any other device or appliances of any kind whatsoever, for the purpose of catching fish commonly called or known as mammose (which are young sturgeon under 3 feet in length) in the waters of the Delaware Bay, river, and their tributaries, within the jurisdiction of the State of New Jersey; and any person or persons fishing with gilling nets, drift nets, shore, seine nets, or any kind of nets, devices, or appliances whatever in the Delaware Bay, river, or their tributaries, within the jurisdiction of the above-named State, who, on lifting, draw- ing, taking up, removing, or underrunning any of said nets, devices, or appliances, shall find young sturgeon or mammose under 3 feet in length entangled or caught therein, shall immediately, with care and with the least possible injury to the fish, disentangle and let loose the same and transmit the fish to the water without vio- lence. Any person or persons violating any provisions of this section, or having in their possession young sturgeon or mammose under 3 feet in length, either for con- sumption or for sale, or who is known willfully to destroy the same, for so offending shall, on conviction thereof, be punished with a fine of $10 for each and every fish so caught, sold, or destroyed, and in default of paying such fine, on being convicted thereof, to be imprisoned in the county jail for 30 days. A few years later the State of Delaware adopted practically the same — law, but as Pennsylvania has not yet taken action on this subject the law has so far had very little beneficial effeet on the fishery. FISHING-GROUNDS, FISHERMEN, ETC. The fishing-grounds on the New Jersey side are located between Cape Shore and Fishing Creek, in Cape May County, and Penns Grove, in Salem County, the principal fishing being near Bayside. The more important fishing-camps are at Cape Shore, the mouths of Fishing Creek and Cohansey River, Bayside, and the mouths of Alloways and Hope creeks. .25--=4 1, 838 312, 300 187, 380 5, 638 3414 46, 103 $17, 075 Kent te cae so-ececceeese 795 143, 100 85, 860 2,905 162 21, 870 8, 100 SUSROm Coe. Ce enue coe 66 11, 850 7,110 471 11 1, 506 561 :. | | —$—$—— | ——— otal csc ceces aces 2, 699 467, 250 280, 350 9, 014 5143 69, 479 25, 736 New Jersey: rasa ime be > Burlington..........--- *2 300 200 Camden B 1, 000 668 SPLIT e soon noseseecss= 1, 301, 226 495, 806 ; Gumberland::2-2.-c-5-- 2, 145 547, 915 243, 925 6, 240 4724 63, 760 21, 253 Cape mM ayn oa. aeee== i= 396 100, 980 31, 750 1, 587 52 7, 020 2, 844 Motaloesae tee eee eee 7,601 | 1,951, 421 772,349 | 24,498] 1,4833| 198, 495 65, 002 Grand total-s-scoccce. 10,363 | 2,428,616 | 1, 058, 666 33, 702 | 1,948 262, 974 90, 738 * Taken incidentally in seines. During the season of 1898 the New Jersey fishermen caught 5,060 sturgeon, valued at $19,375, while they prepared 1,067 kegs of caviar, As the fisheries of Delaware and Pennsylvania were not canvassed for the year 1898 it is impossible to show the catch valued at $76,861. for those States. It is estimated by a leading dealer that during the season of 1899, only 700 kegs of caviar were put up by all the Delaware Bay aad River fishermen. Report U. S. F, C. 1899. (To face page 380.) PLATE 21. CUTTING OUT THE ROE OF A STURGEON. THE REFUSE OF THE STURGEON. NSD xX. Page Abramis crysoleucas bosci -.------.-------- 52 AhudetdutedechiwitrOnSs<-—4----6-4-se——-=< 83 axa Seceeseaeeeaa eee cs 83 Acanthocybium solandri-.-..--.--.........- 66 PACHIT ONS L ASC LY ODLS eet ae arate eae eee iaieinini 98 TAGGED Se Ses eSaosSnecuScoHeSseOe 97 in Baus pers enssismiaccicew sicccisis sre 97 FACIPODNEEr DIOVILOSULIS. 2-6-2 --5--seen0 50, 369 SLUT On nee ate tee ieioe see 369 Adhesion of Eggs, Prevention of ..----.- LXXVI AGInIg MmUlitasciabus a2... - <-occce cee oe se 59 ELON SUES DARIN Beles eee ae ae ne wie iee 50 Agassiz, Alexander. .....---=-..------- CXXXTX PACFOSIA MU DU Ayo sensaaee seaisceet ares acicc CXXVII A guadilla, Fishery Trade of .-......-.-.--- 14, 22 POL Meee sale eee nico me tase amis sae ia'a laine saiais 74 AMES sonemencobecdesuses Sas pONEEOSGOnSe ee 61 JN GER GING) sé acoseaqeenseese oD cO0eee. 53 Alabama BISRGLiCs =. .<..--css----< sees ee 81 IBakervAcB ac cesee reer ec een ees eee CXXXIII Baker Laker .2.2 2 s2c6-.ssa- XXIX, XXXIX, 269 IIE Gece A Besta sabe Roe nooo Soescocee ne se 61, 62 Baldrige Wu. Miens oe oc = aeeceeee eens XXXVII Baldwin Ay Ho Jocee cases aanceeee CXXXIII Palistes' CarOlMOnsis -.-- 2 =cee ssc! eeee ese 86 MOULLALE sce eee ceedeemeecmtnrc sc 86 Hancrott, Lramks Wiss. ccsaseoseecesee. CXXXTX ‘BandedpPickerel! > 222522 cssac cc casecsieetisae 58 Harper Gossesasecceaaewases ceca asics CXXXIX IBANDELO cance cena sceecas seme se seeeecios se 85 Banvud a saSessce ee ater ce eccee cess eemaeee ees 65 Barbulifer:conthwmcusssa--2-s2--ss==sesenss 91 Bardeen Gedy seas cces cetet ase ece seas OD.2:.9 Bie Barlow; Joli sso 222 52iscscce seccccecr CXxXxXIx Barnd Gor Skate mcs re. see aq oe seem n oie ea 49 BarTracudan Chess. scsessccaon ona eselesee ne 65 artlettsSP~sh--- cecca< cannes sss544ee sence eee 48 Brook Trout Propagation...--.. XIV, XX XVII, limbatust::-a--ssesseeeeceseee 48 XXXVIII, XLIV, LXVIII, LXX, MALDELt =e --5--e se" 27 (OBIIM IBD Ds se nesGoossaasocese Asesseo nausea se 3 | Central Station, Report on.....--..------. LXII (CARI GND Se sSeqonespodqosacodeneaascncos = 73 Shad-Hatching at........- LXI (Chile aT Rese Stn a ha eee 73 | Centrarchus macropterus -...-..-.----.-..- 70 (Chikg Ibi. Sane oosenosnoeSbenod. XXXVIII | Centropomus undecimalis.-.....-.....----- 73 Caribe aeessesen ceca sche ance mater septe de. 76 | Centropristes ocyurus .......-........----- 75 Calamus arctifrons-..--.-.-.-...--....5---- 79 philadelphicus)2-- eens--5—5 75 Pa] ONBI Olas e-em cee seco aes 79 Stratus -- ses semescmer sess 75 calamus .--.-- apaoseososonsasneccse 79 | Cephalacanthus volitans...........-.--.-.- 89 LRG GEM E apnea pacacadcesouneEdas= BL || (Cep@sccessaccane cope eseccbasesecastosasaoos+ 66 [PEWENGS, coooosneoccaussoncaseransoce 79 | Chenobryttus gulosus......-.--------.---- 70 - LOMO SUS seseeeseeeacseine sac eee 79 | Cheetodipterus faber..-.....-...--...2..-.- 85 ORNew) IEBES = sooss sodcosoceeceossese Soe See eee eee ae eee een ae ater 76 Flat-fish Propagation. --.-. XIII, XXXVI, LVIL Wlier)...25 sscase2 feds cease eee eee 70 Florida, Fisheries of Eastern...-.......-- 218-227 Fishes, Check-list of..........---. 35-103 1S Ur) qe en ericr SOE ROSE SOOO sDcacocscacs 95 Pipe-fishy c.sc.ccas «owes oeiemeeeiniet 63 Mlounders; Lhe:.22s6cn-s25s0-ccceeeaaeeeee 96 Fly-fishing for Steelhead Salmon..-..--...-. 291 Bilyang-f Shes. oases cee MOGoOSoCOScOnSoS 62 WhyanesROb iM seseee es aaa eee eae eee 89 Food-Fishes and Fishing Grounds, Report on Inquiry respecting.... CXIX-— CXLVI of Plorida.s-.-ccecs- soa eee 47 Propagation (of 2e..sseseee XI-XX Propagation and Distribution Offe eee aie ane XXXV-CXVIII |) Hoed-forHish===.se-nt XLV, XLVII, LI, LXIX Carpiused'asie-pes-no-eee see LXV, LXVIII, LXXXVI Herring Roe canned for .... LXIT in A. guar see see LXV Food of Quinnat Salmon.. -...........-.... 281 A US 13 Me socom ae coc RCOme- Meo SoreasosctS 86 Hort Gaston Staion’ == <= soeeeeee = eee ee XI Wraser Rivers... 22632555 earees cate cee 256, 269 Canning Season.........--... 320 Regulations for using Nets.- 340 Silver salmonin- =o. -eseees 286 Free Transportation .....-..-.-- XX, LEXXVII Freezing Salmon......---.--...------.----- 317 Freight Rates in Porto Rico. --....... ee 8 lieben chvA ne elas sa~ cam seep eae 85 (Gage hfe ose e oc Seseonacmecocansesscc+ 78 Market of New Orleans -------.--..- 147 Fresh-fish Business of Porto Rico.......--. 15-29 Trade: of Mississippi--...-=e-= 143 Fresh-water Fishes in Central Station Aquarium ..-.--.. LXVI of Hloridaea-e- tase 45 Friday Harbor Salmon Cannery.-....-.-.-- 320 Vrigate Mackerel) ------<-- ~~~ oo ee

osicee soe esos 3) || Hammerhead Sharkseeesas 2-2-4 s.seee ese 48 (CHiNSS LEONA po moogecodaSSDSOCP Or eeeDOEagsae 79 | Hard Crabs canned in Mississippi..-.....-. 142 Grave, Caswell .-.-..2.-.-..-- (OXEXENCEXG ORT ||! Mardheadbasstese-cesacseacsecues sane memes 61, 64 (Gray Gruntiicescssaseeeeeeeeeer see ec scecce ie | MELareitt. O:Wiatconenie- oes cee e eee (OD:O10'0 DX Grayling Distribution’ ——.2------.-.5.2---=-- CX || sHarperiulals- -secasetsa-cocke eee eee ees 83 Propagation......----. EXT PNGROXGV LE ee arron: 1a. Gioe sania ss esdee sees eee CXXXIX Kendall Wr Cos. s-4ssn-s XXII, CXTX, CX XII Kendall, W. C., Check-list of Florida Fishes 35-103 Key West Method of handling Fish --.----- 46 RGN figh) ose seeks See ce ecee a ae eee eee 58 gO ny) OR Pe a Sansa sic OTT DOD OS CXLVIL Keno fishce ee ces o= ase eee see eee eet 66, 82 Kings of the Mullets...-.......-..-.--.---- 72 Kerguelen Island Seal Fishery. @ys-------- CL Reinsch, Pace. =) eee aes phases eee eee CXXV Kirtlandia laciniata ......-...---...-. CXXXIII Wit LAS eee wlele lee ainttalo etree tet 64 Kootenay Lake ........-.---.....- XXII, CXXVI Key phosus sectatrix o.- ae. see ee 81 Labidesthes sicculus.......-....--....---.- 64 Labor in Salmon Canneries ..-..----.------ 320 Labrisomus nuchipinnis..-..-.--.-------.- 93 Lachnolaimus maximus.....--.....-------- 83 Lactophrys tricornis..-.....----.----.------ 86 TT Sapper ecb scrsac Scssmac 86 iri Meter ee ees sees eee eee 86 ady sts Ni) eee ene = eee ne eee eee 55, 83 Lzemonema melanurum .-.-...-.------------ 95 Lagocephalus levigatus ....-...--.-------- 87 Lagodon rhomboides--....-..<....-..---..- 79 Makevlroubesse: <2 -n sae ee ee ee XLIV Distribution of .....--.-----..- Cx Eggs hatched at Lake Vincent. LI in Rocky Mountain Regions... XCI Propagation qwe cede: eee XII, XXXVI, LXXVIL Lake Erie, Biological Survey of...-....--- CxIx ampPsennG El. 320552 aeeee ee aes XXXVIIT on Baird Station .....----- XCVI Battle Creek Station. XCVUI INDEX. 389 Page. | Page. Lampanyctus lacerta.....--......-....-.... 57 | Lucania ommata ..... Sseaecoscone Secnesenee 59 Lampreys---.--------------------.--------- 48 PATVA .--..---22-2-0.eee-neee------ 59 HeAMCeleES wel NOaeee =e peer ee aah eeleieeia o's = = 48 venusta ..... ROOD AROCOROKOnaCeESncic 59 Wandlocked salmon ss-aa- s-\cn0ocecnce ve naa MVE | hucinsiamericanus=...--eese seer e eee ee 58 XXXVI, XLII, XLIV reticulatus) 7o.s2----s2-= seer ee CXIII, 58 Distribution of .......- CII Vermiculatns sa: oscee sas eee 364 Measurements of-.... Ro Vile ond t&' Cori. s. scat access seeeeee eee 12 PGK EOE pee cencetonc @XSEXSET |) eycodontisifunebris) .-2-2-22s=sse2-e eae 54 iWeightioficss--s.-22- XLVI Jordani'scc <2 52 S2ecceecce nese 352 ane SUAp POL ej. e= sc -- ares amnesia ue MOLINE Ae se ceaes eee seers 54 quanitern=shes' £2-.-c- cose sce ses ose eee nese ce 57 Ocellatus Sse aca cece sane seen 54 Large-mouthed Black Bass ......--.------- 72 | Lynnhaven River Oyster Experiments... XXIII Leary, J. L., on San Marcos Station .... LXXXV | Lyosphera globosa .....-....:......---.--- 88 IL GESURITIG oS SerSeacnoobSGorconeronooraTascod 60), Machetes ==2s2h-2-<2 cts neice eect oame eee 66 iheather-fisht--- <5. 2-- se RESUS SEeUEOaD SG Mackerel cea apo es pecoocssessesce 66 MHeT HREM ACK Ot sess ee cess as See sez ee aici s 67,86 | Mackerel landed at Boston.-..........----- CLIV Leadville Station, Report on ......-.- LXXxIx Gloucesters-a-----eeee CLVI Leiostomus xanthurus --.-..-------.-...---- 82 Propagation at Woods Hole.... LVIII se PISOSLOUSIOSSCUS=- =) ~ == 2 -nn oseo ese ee 50 EEG beso magcaconnaesennaceocad 67 Platestomus- c=. -5.2s2e=- 0 s=1 50 Scarcity lOf-e- sees se eee eee Ix bRISteC NMS pean aman ncaa al 50 Sharks osemcieee soeinene mee eee 49 MepoMiNs aaPiGOs a. - eea eae eeeen aa 71 asediimb ortoiRico es -=) eee 5 megalotis ........-- pare Less 71 WORMS Gt cossssoasbosece Choy TATU LG CLS Serta avatars aterm atari stcis ior Tis) Madregall .22-25c acacia csccseuseesneceseees 67 palliduswess- sos eeeciseaaceetee ss 71 | Maggots used for Fish Food ..-.--..-..---- LI Lepophidium cervinum ....--.------------- Oa Mia dae so aae sacs een etc eee ence aoe 49 PLOPUNGOTMM) = os +—-- scea= 94 | Maine, Biological Investigations in-.-...-.-. XXII Leptocephalus caudilimbatus ........-.---- 53 | Malacoctenus culebre ..........-.--------- 357 Wietharchus;veluter=<--s22s-e= 25-2 5-s ese 53 WMIACLOPUS= a= se ee eee ele 93 LLeuciscus balteatus --.---------------- CXxXVII MOOVEL esc e seas eee 358 Library of Fish Commission... XX XTI-X XXIII puertoricensise--s--2 24+ —=-s5- 358 Licenses for Fishing in Porto Rico .:...-.. 15) || _Malade Rivers Uittahsss-s-scs2>- 2-2 -s- ce 223 Salmon Fishery ....-..--...-.- 33 Mammoses, or Young Sturgeon ...-....-. 372,373 BL Bier wats ces avcimenae see Peseseoesioscaaw ca as 86 | Manchester Station, Report on--...--- LXXXIII Maja Colorad a tose slaaeewte ene cose ee 86 | Mangrove Snapper------=-----..csss622-=s6 76 ein ant dis POAT. ete teem we als iatetisieie 96 | Manila Fishermen in Louisiana..........-. 148 AATIGOMS Hd WAM tases at CREXEKIONS CT Manta birostrisei.- =| 5 e- aoe ase eeee ee eae 56 ong-eared! Sunfish: -s--een- acess acsacce es 71 in North Carolina ............--. 202 Long Island Coast, Fishes of......-.-.- (ODIOIONI OE ANG WBE 5 Jeabercnnersccseescocesecnccocoa: 64 MONE NOSE Gameer ee reeree a a seseesae aoe 50 HIGH GIE) coon ssonasesupuosescSnonose 64 Lophogobius cyprinoides ......-..--...-..- 90 [Denise see peoccdeeesoeecrocede 64 Lopholatilus chamezleonticeps --.-.------ CXXX | Menticirrhus americanus ...-.--..-..-.---. 82 Biota maculosa.s-22-----06255- CXXITI, CXXVI littorallis5-<-sscsc sae 82 Louisiana Fisheries........-...-.---.---- 145-159 Saxatilis)- ssq0eceee--easemeeet 82 IPipe-fishsscence esas atone at ee 63 | Microgadus proximus...-.......-----..--.. 262 Love, F. R......- pale maieetatee XXXVIUI-XXXIX | Microgobius gulosus................ weuutee 91 390 Page. Mitrorobius Meeks - == -s<)44sseeeee eee 356 §halassints.sse-e eee ease 91 Micropogon undulatus..............:.---.. 82 Micropterus dolomieu......---.--.----- CXXIII salmoides -==-2-> -eessseee- = 72, 364 Middle Atlantic States, Fisheries of..---- ChE Migrations of Sock-eye Salmon...-..-.--- 264-272 WINN eee secosraosabeconedonc LXXVIL IMENNOWAleces ces aac oes enc cen eee eee 51 Minytrema melanops-......------.....----- 51 Mississippi HISHeVICS) 2 --2-meas=eeese = 135-144 Mississippi River, Mussels of .------- CXxVIII IMnSSISOMOL RIVEr.t-3- cc esos cee ames amass XII econ cans VW vase cers serene enmeete as LI iG ea GY VGN Seaaneeaeeer ao neeceeanneaace 80 Wi Ray pee dW Oe ee gece neseeon conc BUR SSecer 80, 81 Mola MO cto o-- sata eerie ae smatcew ae an 88 Molhenisialabipinnaseo=n-aes 25 snes 61 MOT ACANTHUSICHIAINS sce asc seamless = 86 DISPIGUS) -- = cee eee ea 86 _ Monolene sessilicanda ....-.--------------- 97 Monroe Piers, Mich -............ LXXI, LXXII1 MIGNTORS WiiWii c nasa cmcce (ns eae noes XIV MiGOn-Sh = -ssacsetaoce cence acces peace 68 WIG Gy sel 3 Es] ee oe eo (to Rees w XXII, CXXIV, CXXXI, CXXXIIT, CXXXV Moore, H. F., on Introducing Marine Ani- mals into Waters ef Great Salt Lake... 229-250 WIRES WEAN Be) Aeon eneiaces+b scncenecocecce 54 IMGTONG BMIETICAN As o~ 22 = onleinianielnia'e 1 CXXIII Mortality of Red-fish :-.--.-.-----.. <<--.- 279 Sock-eye after Spawning .---. 277 INEOR ODD io isaac eset nek aemian = ane ie XXVII Movements of Dog Salmon ...--.-.----.---- 289 Mowat: homass =... 2-55-e5c-. ss 272, 276, 277, 279 Ming occas = aan See aaes Soren eee ces 51 PNM fi 8 Ny mio le antes esac ce ei=ein celia eatin mele 50 Mud Shad reared as Food for Bass ... LXX XVI IW fafor hey OL ae My open ape corescosncossoce 65 SY TE ene eee SIO OOD ace GOCCE 64 DAUM AAT ATS ere estes elas alee clea ela 65 PMI CHOOONiss st. catceiae) oe soe ae eat 65 Mullet Fishery of Eastern Florida-..-....-- 220 North Carolina ..-......- 178 South Atlantic States.... 174 IS UDA IG) SS Scena corpo see oe Teo coscce 64 Mallos vie shus ose ae aaa CXXXIII, 66 Museum of Comparative Zoology..----- XXXIII | Mussels, Fresh-water, Manufacture of But- tons trom) Shells Of 53. eee 94 | Oil and Fertilizer from Sturgeon. ..-.--.--- 377 | Okeechobee Cat-fish. .......--..--.---.-...- 51 Oligoplises’saurus 2. <2 - escee cee eeseeeeee 67 Omaha Exposition.........----...-- XXXII, XLI Oncorhynchus gorbuscha..-.......-..------ 288 ie) Reeeeor edo ne cecuecaTas 289 (cisgtehysteee =. ese eer 285 Nerka. Acs 28. asi sae CXxXVvI tschawytscha....-.-.-=.--- . 280 Open Season for Sock-eye Salmon..-.--...- 271 Ophichthus gomesii -.-- .22-.een-«0s0=--=—= 54 INDEX. 391 Page. Page. Ophichthus guttifer.......-.--------------- OS) ||P atbeny Williams. ss5-kcsaeeee eee eeeee CX XE Ocellating ss amet seeeme ae = er atl= O47) |-PearleRaymond eoeeesaseeeeeeeeeeeeee © XEXNGENS TOULG PINUS te ae ein eee seein 53? |, Pearson, (L.\Giac-. 2s Soe sisesens cacao ate CXLIII Ophidiongpheaa as arecis sai eal oie = or ole - 94" |/-Bele cic Seal Industrysn--ses-sseeeeee eee CL holbrookii...--. .-5.------------ -- 94 | Pembroke Creek, Shad Eggs from......-.-- LIX Ophiodon elongatus ...--. .---..----------- 262 | Perca flavescens ...---.------ CX XII, CXXVIE Opisthognathus lonchurum .........------- 91!) Perches) Wh. < ses :ecesenc se eae 72 macrognathum ....-..----- Dt) PP erch-mouihyBresm ease eee ean eee eee eeeeee 70 Opisthonema oglinum............---------- 56 Péridinium socheseee fess 4- Sse ee oe CXLIL Opsopeeodus bollmani.....--.-------------- 52 | Periodicity of Salmon Runs.-..--.-.--.---- 274, 335 oscullus Pzducaseseskeeee eee 52))|sPeristediontoraciloss-e-seseeee re eeee eee eres 89 (OEE MIRE. PENNS conc gsebaconnsnoosaecnodee U2) GROG Se soseenono sea soormnosonesoaGeseeccc 66 UDI Soarogsns nocd secosossasncaanase 92.) Petit N6gre.. S2ce)- batt a sotee ee eee seni ee 75 Orthopristes chrysopterus ...-...-.---.---- 78 | Petrometopon cruentatus.-.........-.------ 73 Ortmann’ AY Hiss 2 a cesaneissss oles ee or CXXXIX coronatus..------ 73 Osmerus mordax--.-----.------2--s----- CXXII | Petromyzon marinus.-.............-------- 48 thaleichthys.;---....---.......---- 2OLN | PNODE esac ose oc 5a- cee ci esesee melee eeeeet 75 Otophidium omostigma ......-------------- 94 | Physical Features of PugetSound Region.. 254 Otnynbercaprinus esc. a= eee ele =n (4) Jeimne@o ileal ants) So5sqnq coseecoscccosedcsss 95 Over-fishing for'Salmoni i=). =. .-c5-—- 350 | Pickled Fish in Porto Rico).-.-..---.-:-.-- 4 Oyster-canning Industry of South Carolina. 209 Herring from Holland and Norway x InEMGSSISSIP Pie === =p see = 141 Pieters; Ais. ccsecsac science ce oseeneeas CxIx Oyster-fattening Experiments.. XXIII, CXXXE | Pig-fish .........-....2..--¢ cee. e eee ener == 78 Oyster Fishery, Methods of ......-..-.----- VALE Seiemiy Sun=fishes) ses -- see eee en eee eee 70 Fisheries of North Carolina -.---- 177,179 | Pike Perch, Distribution of .....--.- saQgRaE CxXII South Atlantic States. 174 Propagabion eaeee eee eeeeeeeee XII ; Eastern Florida -..-.. 220, 227 LI, LIT, LXXIV, LXXX GeOr olde aes eremie lee 210) | MPikes;andybickerels acesee ane set aie oleae 58 GuilfiStates=ocee=---e= UG |) JENS HEIN, cosoce sacocadsoanscopan sacsesnagssec 79 WOUISIAM Asses e == =2e === Hey || Vey AEH Seceoc Ss sop Son ceoToecasebogssacosce 62, 63 Middle Atlantic States CLIX | Pirate Perches ..-.....--------------------- 64 Mississippi ----=----2-« Ieehe |) Dita Mh Koes sass seman ooooSaocoss5aseolec sas 270 United States..--. ViIT-VILE | Platophrys lunatus ----.--.-..------------- 96 Western Florida...-.-- 127 | ocellatats = cece. ec eeeee eee 96 Industry, Decrease in.....-.------ ORV (|) Plume? soos cceecset: --b occa nse eee ace eee 354 of Alabama ..-...----.... 1540 POP OniaS | CLONIIS eee eee eee ee 82 MUSSISSID Dooce eres 142 | Point Roberts Salmon Fishery .-.-.....----- 293 North Carolina.....--. 203" | MROison Cat-Hshins pees === =e eee eee eeee 51 San FranciscoBay. XXV,CL | Pollock, Distribution of .......-.:--.--- CXVIII TUES oSoogcesseenseoos 160 landed at Boston....-..--.-.----- CLIV Oysters in Porto Rico...---....------...... 23 Gloucester ---------.. =.= CLV IMMA SOU peecosobemonaccceTae 263 Propagationies=-e asa -ieee eee XITIL Pacific Salmon, Death after Spawning ...--. 278 | Pollutions and Refuse, Influence on Salmon IMT 5 5255 Cnosconseteence xX TNS) So-oanososeoccse soobeeeagssccc 322-324 7 Natural History of.... CXXXVI | Polydactylus octonemus..-....-..--..------ 65 LRGs (Eel Bo sesooessneseesodessenouaesoe 79 WAG SIN CUS eee ale el el= ela itelala 65 Pala yaiblossee tao: --s8- ce seete sacs ceeceesiee 12 | Pomacanthus arcuatus.......-.----..------ 85 Pal OMe baleeee mise =e = ee ene emia el om =a 68 DEG an basocndssonobssedooscc 85 JPGnenPPNOMO) - 5555 s2co9 soe seco oEmoSoSeesaac 69 | Pomatomus saltatrix.-....-..2.--------.--- 69 LORIN. Seo soos se secon snoseooseoanaasare 69 | Pomolobus estivalis .......-..--.--.---.-.. 55 Pan-American Exposition.......-..------ XXXI ChrrySochloriseesse. =e se ae 55 Pane Cais sect scenery ree assetia cs sk ss 90 | MediOCriswesee--ee eee eee eee eee 55 Paralepis coregonoides.....-.-.-..--------- 57 pseudoharengus .....--...------ 55 Paralichthys albiguttus ............-.-.--. 96 | Pomoxis sparoides -.----.----.---.----.---- 70 Centatus meneeee =) ca 26-2 = 96 | Pompano Fishery of Eastern Florida -..--- 220 Squamilentus --.-.-.......... 96 | PompanoS......-...------------+----0+-5--5 67 POMPOM ooo co ccenecoueceuseomesooudas CXX | Pompon....----.----------------2-2-------- 78 JPATRE IG sem poacses sso0kornbesacico Soc SOUDEDHOE 85 | Ponce, Fishery Trade of .........-.--.----- 7-9 Parexoceetes mesogaster-..---......--7.--- 62 Wocalebisheries of ss.c...=--—-<=—-- 16-17 LRT DBs cos caqano soho aso Go oRaQoSAUOUSHGOBOE 77 | Pontinus longispinis-.-...-......---------- 88 AP x Ode OpAUG Over eems ie eee wei a.5'<"= 2\5 lo = TO) DeOayaoaes ses seeqccoasonoe soyooaeerodesscor 79 anker, Georgiev eesaaa(ta (sales sc all CXXXIX | Porichthys porosissimus.-.-.........------- 92 Parrotstishes nO ss.s2 6 cose ee mics: cles ote = 5 Bae i Porkefightancn. cals ts sae nt eee ae Sel oe eee 78 BER en Ye lesrate ayeten ercteie Ceeea a oc e ea Neotel Me pe clanemie 85 | Porto Real, Local Fisheries of........-----. 23 Patillas River, Fisheries of..-............-- 25 | Porto Rican Fisheries .......-----.--. CXLVIII 392 Page. Porto Rico, Description of new Fishes... 351-362 Exploration of... XX VI, CX XXIII Fishery Trade and Local Fish- GiaGrhO} lessee or osc esconece 1-34 Statistics of Fisheries......-... 29-33 Port Townsend Halibut Fishery. -...------ 259 Portuguese man-of-war fish -.-.-..--------- 69 Prawns in Puget Sound.-..-:-.-------------- 263 IPTONUSH CsI cle nee eeeatecmemecesse CxXxxIx Preparation of Fishery Products. ..-... CXLVII Preservation of Caviar..-.-.-..-- Sse 378 Priacanthus arenatus .-----.-----.------- — 7 Pribilof Seal Rookeries ....-.-.--. XXV, CXLIX IETIONOGES DALGW AT mee tere ee ale 353 PRC be researc eee eee 75 IPTIOnOUUs aan S a a- 2c oes ene eae ee 89 GENS" cas eiadaericemornocatosees 89 ophryas --.--.: Soseesocdssehodae = 89 ROSE le pose SE SCE CO nOe Asoc seS050+ 88 BCitUlNG esl onetep te seme Sees 88 RUE eso See sbabaceececsos tone 89 SLI DUNS ee nse aeeiae see eer 89 IERAS HIS POCHIUAG HS ocala mala nian enn sem eereiier 49 Tei ghia tchas AS hd BG ene npcemceercoecis = atoc 106, 172 Hromicrops eubttatus---.--.22--2-e-ee se o= 74 Propagation and Distribution of Food- UG ee seer XXXV-CXVIII of Food-fishes-.......---..- XI-XX | of Salmon in Fraser River.-.. 272 | IPTOMORLGOE 0 Ga soe eae batsman ele elaine 235 | Pseudopriacanthus altus.-..--------------- 76 Pseudocarus guacamaia.........-.--------- 85 IPferophinyme DIStriOsesess< oc seesos senses 98 Pteroplatea maclura ...-....-.---.2...---.- 50 Ptychocheilus oregonensis.--. CX XVI, CX XVII Publications of Commission... XX XII-X XXIII on Fisheries of South Atlantic SLO Se erpaanesecodesase 173 Fisheries of Gulf States... 107 TG bee abi ease Se sso nssechsosases-5555 83 TERE es BeBe apes sonq sa no0s Deep OSBaae 83 IPE 6 Seo cece eneceignesatio sce se sash5ss- 87 Puget Sound Salmon Catch, Statistics of. .327-328 | Silver Salmon in...........--- 286 | Punta Santiago, Local Fisheries of ......-.- 25-26 Purse Seines for Salmon.........-.--.----- 311 used in North Carolina...-.... 190 Put-in-Bay Station, Report on...-.-...--. LXxI Querimana gyrans.---..-.--..-.-..---------- 65 Quincy Station, Report on..-..--.-..-. LXXXII Quinnat Salmon, at Craig Brook....-..--. XLVII St. Johnsbury ..--. XLVIII Wytheville ........ LXVIII Color of flesh......-....--. 283 Distribution of ....-.-..-. CII Export to Eastern Cities of United States.......- 284 Hood. of. tastess---seeeee se 281 Mabitswisoeesases= sme. 280 in Wraser River-....--.-.. 257 Puget Sound region.. 280-285 Number of Eggs -..-.---. 282 preferred for Shipping res hi eeneelearete coc 317 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Page. Quinnat Salmon, Propagation...........--- xa, XXXV, XCIII-C, 282 Size in Fraser River..---- 283 Sport, Fishing for --...--. 285 Rab bit-fish! ssa seee act eee once eee 87 Rabirn bia: ssa. fees ls ctetawecccse sae q7 Race, E. E., Report on Green Lake Station XLIII Rachycentron canadus......-......---..--- 69 Railroads, free transportation by. XX, LXX XVII Rainbow-Lrout:--o5--5 cease eee XLVIII, LXXIX, LXXXV, LXXXIX, XC at Craig: Brook == -seece. = XLVII Erwin Station.-...-..-.-- LXxX Wytheville Station... LX VII Distribution of ........ CIII-CV Raja ep lanveria, soos -e sees ssa se eee eee 49 leVis\asseeculeasstocte sees oo oeee 49 OTMAtRA~Secan esas So ine ee nate sere 49 Rand, Herbert Wicsse-cee. cote ee eee CxXxxIx Rascacio:. xc! Heb ee ces Sosa ce cee eee 88 Rathbun, Richard, on Fisheries in waters of Washington and British Columbia-.--. 251-350 Ravenel; Wi. dei 2. 22s ose 2 eee se ceeeee XXXTI Report on Propagation and Distribution of Food- fishes. =...-- XXXV-CXVIII Razor-fish-=2.62 2255222 cce ea oe eae eee 84 Redpbréast Bream 2os-ess2-o-cooeeeaeeeeeeee 71 Red Dram sec 2222 Sees eee meee eeeeene 81 Red-fish, Death after aerate tee eens 279 Uniformity, of Sizes.--e.e-sse-4 279 Red: Goat-fish) --«-s 222 sescss sess ee eee eee 66 Red Grouporwiccs ona sece seer se=e ieee 74 Red Hind sa.22 2.52. 27302220 ssaateneecceeeees 73, 74 Red-mouth Grantie--seseco-- scene eee 78 REGIE OLD Yi 22s seeeae ee oe ee eens eae eee 79 Red Rock Lakete--n--s-s<----6---e=> XIV, XCII Red Snappers. -o- see 2s eee 76 Wishery of Texas -<-.-- scence 160 Fishery of Western Florida.. 215 Reef nets tor Salmon: 222--.25-seere = ease 313 - Reese, AlbertiM 225-2522 ose aeeeeee ee CXXXELE Regulation of Salmon Fisheries in British Colombia ses o= see een eee eee eee er 326 Regulation of Salmon Fishery in State of Washino tons csses-=ce==--eeee= =e eee 325 Reighard J acope a. esse cece ee eer dS. ALOD.4 B-€ Remora TEMOLa <1 s en ale ewan 91 Requiem Sharks ao--esseeese= =e eae eee 48 Rhinichthys dulcis............--.--<- CXXVII Rhinobatus lentiginosus-.-.---.----------- a |) Rhinoptera bonasus:-=----->---+-.s=se===— 50 Rhomboplites aurorubens..--..-.-..-------- ett itl Rhombus partesnes-os. --2 sce - eee a eee 70 iMacanthus .--.-\sses— sees 70 TB, cage one ccoesee sobs soccossssscer 82 R10) Grande wo ceme sae = ac = se see ene ee aia 22 Rissola marginata ..........--c00 See Bache 94 River Fisheries of United States in 1899... VII TRO PYG Nee Ss on.> pocmanoodoendedeccdocsoechonaqccn 52 1G coscedascos] oe ee ae eee eee 73 IROberts Wi A ve= ssc sscsse6= eee eases CXLVILI Roccus lineatus=<.-s2ss-seseeeeee eee Sees ear Rock Bass, Distribution of .....-----..-. CXVII INDEX. 393 Page. Page. Rock Bass, Propagation.... LX VIII, LX XXIV, | San Juan, Fishery Trade of...........-..-.- 9-11 LXXXIx local Hisheries\ofseas-se-eeeseee 16 Rock-fishes Bho s.. nc sccasscescre cence css 73, 88 Tsland's\\2 5.33 eos oe Cae oe eee 254 FROCK ae Hn geese aicailstslaiae saa cicie sis s/a i= = 73 | San Marcos Station, Report on.--...-. LXXXV RON COIDaANe Oteeaeea tee eee nace sess =e 77 | San Pedro River, Ariz..-..-. Saisie CNG oli, COKERGVE RORCOsriser emacs sacle See seta aine cincoete aie C8) Sapolenec ocioss scntee ceenc selene sea eeeneeee 92 Ro tifenstesssee sins secs se ccisnacsoseetiace~ sss OXERS | “Sarda sardant cc sos.-sses-ssc-5 oe eeeee 66 RowungePompanOs =. osc soe eee seceseeeane 6900), Sardinaienc sc. c22ssgsedeceeeees semen teens 55 Rowland Ra on cs csceeseceacceclecec cence: @xexe)|\'Sardina de:spanay-seress eee ee eee eeeee 55 RU Oretishn ee. = oe on slem icon eeisaataeiseaaleeeiss SE (Sardine y.5252-jonses b ceemengeemnceose ee oeeee 262 VUNNON ao. sas sence donaeecessinceesace = 67,680 a Sardinellashumeralise.-cc.ceseeeeeeeeereeee 56 Runs of Humpback Salmon .......-.--.---- 288 msacropihalmaye sees es=s ee eee 55 Quinnat Salmon .....-.....--..-.. 281 Sardinga,. ss 4ssc6o-8ssos acetone 55 Silver Salmone--sseces 2 --4eo5o-— 206, Sardines; Hrench on. s-c5-45-4esnee aes x Sock-eye Salmon..-........-...-.- 264-272 | Sargent, Porter E.........-......----.- CXXxIxX Sock-eye Salmon in Fraser River. 270 | Sargo ...---..-.-----.02s-2--2-s--e0seeen--- 80 Rutter, Cloudsley.--...----- CXEXGV iT CXEXEXGV TE 5 Saucer-eye Porgy, 32. 222-- 549-55 eee eee 79 Ryder, John A., on Artificial Propagation SaAnerhoti, Weibeode kee ss ecm eee 9.90.4 F 2:0 FINE Oh SHUN SOONG ees cciscieeeassSaeceseecoe Si Ae MSADTOMS <<< «,s<5 nates eee eee scence 67 Ryder, John A.,on Movements of Sturgeon Sauries) Theat accoss.ocesescet ciesieeeae eee 62 ine elawaretRivierta2cnssacceme so cse ete SULS | MS@w-lSHOS) . conse cle eoeewee, beeen eee ee 49 Rypticus| bistrispinus...-.....-..------.<.- 75 | Sawmills, Influence on Salmon Fisheries. 322, 348 SaponaCeuseeeeeesaceea eee = sein TOD | SCAG. 35 ciceia messes Vecimetcceseeceneesennceees 67 Sabanita, Local Fisheries of.--..-.......--. 19) {| (Seam p; - 25-5 sesesocecesactenecs Gyosmetessteer 74 SaDAlen ee COle- scan dsacnccasescosaclecssce 122) Searns: bollmamnil.-2..-= sec. s52 eee: sea 84 Sabine Lake Fisheries .......---------.---- 163 COeruleus).- --s2 cases aeee sen seen 85 SAG AaIAl Decne se eee eo aeac ne ea tatoo ela 58 Groicensi8: = =< - cesses a=ess-loe= = 84 Sacramento River Basin...--.......-. CXXVIII @VCLMaN Mae see eee eee at 84 Salmon Investigations XXIII | Schacht, Henry .........--.--------.--..--- 371 SACI a aoe eee ences ae aotcliae sninete cnatare XE | Schilbeodesigyrinug: --2. 2-5. 29-2 oseeme- 51 Satis Neto teal = aeietesierieetcinier clay-ie 67 leptacanthusya--.6- a -- see = 51 Nallot’si Choice seseeerss cae cene sceseeeeeeats Ti) || Solna bi Gres (CGA coscmossoncdcossassossdosc XOXEKT Salamander, Blind ....-..-....-....-- LXXXVII | Schoolmaster ........-...-.-.-.------------ 76 SaLOM Beene selene isnine acne eaeaae Sacer. so : 80) | Sciznops ocellatus_-...--..-5...-..--.------ 81 Salmo) clarkitiesss- 22 s-ao-i-1- CXEXGV CO XOXV AE, || ‘Scofield Na B= | <5 | SERPENT NEN? Sapceoeseodsccosesrosonoaacdans 48 Salt-water Fishes in Central Station Aqua- Seal Rookeries of PribilofIslands. XXV, CXLIX TITS sebogc0QCsERebe VE | Sea-otter Kishery; <.- 2-5-2 ---5-sceces XXV, CLI ot Mloridapen..t-.5-ic5= 2 46 in buy et SOund een sens see eee 263 Salvelinus fontinalis .......... CXXIIT, CXLIV | Sea-trout Fishery of Gulf States.........-.. 108 parkele cass. a5 CXXVI, CXXVII | Seattle Salmon Market ................-.--- 317 sand! Darter! so. sec acocssshescosoessaesesce: (2m eSebarorlsake Basin sos seee sees se ee aeeee CXXxI Star-cazerss Chess. ccs see sa acces ss 92 | Sebastodes (Rock-fish) ....-........-------- 262 San Francisco Fisheries............... XOX; Olly’ |i Selene voOmer ss cm awacceaceccese cee eeeraeee 68 394 | Smith, J. A Page. Semiahmoo Salmon Cannery ...-..--------- 319 Semotilus atromaculatus...----.-.--.------ 364 Serpeant-fish -2-=5--222-c2s-----------0—= === 69 Sergeant-fishes, The.......--------.-------- 69, 73 Soriolattalentan ssecesneseicane eee aeiieatelors 67 PASCIAbas ees e ee see = ee oe sm 67 falandiese-: 222 s0- sees = nee osnaese == 67 TIVOMA ates eee eee anata a memioe a ae 67 ZOU = see Sees eee eee mete 67 carolinensis! ==-s-¢2=-==s6s~ === 67 Setarches parmatus .....------.------------ 88 Shad-culture ..--..-... XIV, XXXVII, LX, LXII Wistinibuconwor -s.2s2 se seee- sees ee Cl Fisheries of South Atlantic States.... 174 Eastern Florida....-....-- 220 | Georgiai-=s--o2--=-2-25-=- 216 North Carolina-.....--. 177-181 South Carolina.-.--.....-. 204 St. Johns River -.......--- 225 Fry at Washington Fish-ponds ....- LXIV INCU Pet MOUNT -soseeaaestecaae ee 262 Varigtionsiof S2s-s-...-0-----—- CXxXxXIV Shark Suckers 22-25 ---s2--eee 268 Hatchery on Baker River 269 in Fraser River...----.=- 269 Pith River. ema etee ete 270 Skagit River.......... 268 Migrationiof -<--2--- << 264-272 Mortality after Spawning 277 of Puget Sound .......-..- 264 Periodicityin Abundance. 274 Propagation of....-.-.--- 272 Solenomya velum..-..........----------- CXLIII South Atlantic States, Publications relating to Fisheries of .--. 173 Fisheries of ....- CXLVII, 171-227 South Carolina, Fisheries of..-...--.----. 204-209 Southern Hlounderissscessee-e==-—-e eee 96 Southern! Panter see. cece ce. =a ee eee 87 Southern Sting Ray.---.--2<..--.--.-s---~n0 50 Spade-fish..--- =< -.ee e enone 85 Spanish Mackerel............../.-..--.-..- 66 Sparisoma distinctum.......--.-.--..-.----- &4 AAVESCOUS: 2-2 em o\ciae eine aera 84 hoplomystax......-------------- 84 THUPHODIOS seaalaie ate seaeeiee areas 84 Ky SHEOC OM oases sae ee eee 84 Spawning-places of Humpback Salmon.-.. 288 Spawning Season of Silver Salmon ---.----. 286 Spearfish, S. Dak., Station at .-....-.---. SEXGVLL: Spears used in Salmon Fisheries. ..---.---- Poole Species, new, from Florida Localities. ----- 99-103 Speckled Hind.....-..-.-.c0ce.--2-e0eees-- 73 INDEX. 395 Page Page. Spheroides maculatus. .-..----------------- SY) || Sires aH Eee sep oepoptecesteeoscodostee 57 nephelus -..-..-.---.----------- 87 | Stone, Livingston, Report on Cape Vincent spengleri......-...------------- 87 STP UDG oon ercisSar seas sceosSescasncs LI testudineus ..--..-.--------- ene 87 | Stop-nets used in Florida Fisheries ---.---- 118 Sphyrena barracuda.--.....-- oSsqeS S558 55 65 | Strait of Georgia------..---- -2--5.2----2-.- 254 guachancho .....--.---.--------- (5) || aS imine ed iad faeececoooceoe eooceecosoassacs CxXx Sphyrna tiburo ........-....--------------- 48 on Put-in Bay Station-.--. LXXT WINING wo ose se acisaa\~ === ini 49 | Strawberry Bass, Distribution of....---. CXVIL Spiny Lobsters in Porto Rico -.----.-------- 18 | Streptococcus pyogenes .....--------.---- CXLV Sponge Fishery of Gulf States.-.-.----.----- TOSM eS uciped AT CHO V yess. tate ete ee 56 Western Florida-.--.----- 12 6:P Sboipede Bass) ssese esos eee eee era 73 Sport Fishing for Quinnat Salmon..-..----.- 285 Fishery of North Carolina .--. 178 Silver Salmon ..-.-------- By | Shige (eh Wg se eosensoosscoseaossesess 89 SiR oars SeeesnacHecobor don ecesearoceeESsas S0FS2) | urone. Olivers) .-—s. es === === ===——-= ae CXXXIX Spotted Cat..... SEHR SDE CES aceReSepouemcsees 5) Storeeon as O00). -- sce. aes 370 Mewelishsces sccece CExtiie | Xaphiusigladios: -2.--sscsssas=se eee seeeree 67 Wholesale Fish Trade of Alabama .......- 134 | Xyrichthys psittacus ...........5....------ 84 ° Charleston ..-.-- 209m i Xeyrulla sj Ossie ass 2 saeco wee ne eee eeeee 84 Georgia --.--<..- 215 | Xystzma cinereum .................-....-- 81 MESES Gooonnsoode 16OR eVellows An Sele cees mac ensesenee aes ae eee 85 WWAICORUWiccAtsececsicene cei cece eres CXEXSKT Ss Se Vellow Caticecccacccecoscecee ance cane eneeee 51 CXLVII, CXLVIII, 172 | Yellow-finned Grouper...-...............-. 73, 74 Wilcox, W.A., on the Foreign Fishery Mellow Gruonteemecaa--eee menses “SebocoreS 77 Trade'and Local Fisheries of PortoRico. 1-34 | Yellow Jack ..--.--..---..0.s--sescecccccen 68 Willamette River Station for collecting Yellow Perch, Distribution of ..........-.- CXiII Steelhead Trout Eggs...........-----.---. eXGIe | SViell Ow-tallle cee me = stace oe tee ieee eee ae T7 Williams, Samuel, on Sturgeon in Delaware Moung) R.iC oo sseccacaieoseeecisesseeeeaeeees CXEX RIVET .ccccccccccccccevcccsscessennes-nes= BOO) s| OWING 6e1C Olsen lcislemeialsrelals ciopcacsoododocenas 14 O ” e “7 , oe ; ; 1 eM ore: a eres Ae: je