386 GEOGRAPHICAL REVIEW OF THE FISHERIES. 



The ocean bed slopes rapidly downward, and a depth of 5 or 6 fathoms is reached within a 

 short distance of the shore. From this point the descent is very regular and gradual, and for 

 a considerable distance to seaward the bottom is a level plateau of sand, interrupted here and 

 there by small patches of rocks, and larger areas of clay and mud. 



NORTHERN NEW JERSEY As A SUMMER BESORT. The district, especially in its northern 

 portion, is one of the most popular resorts for invalids and pleasure-seekers in the entire country, 

 and during the summer mouths the beaches are lined with people from the larger cities of the 

 interior, who seek to avoid the sultry weather by coming to the seashore. Many of them have 

 bought laud and are building cottages along the shore, while a larger class take rooms at the 

 fashionable hotels that may be found at short intervals for miles along the coast. The region is 

 then one vast summer resort, and a large percentage of the resident population are employed in 

 catering to the wants of the visitors during their sojourn in the locality. Owing to the nearness 

 of New York and Philadelphia another class are extensively engaged in supplying these markets 

 with produce and fish. 



NORTHERN NEW JERSEY AS A FISHING DISTRICT. The natural advantages of the region as 

 a fishing district are perhaps a little above the average, but the fact of having good markets for 

 the catch and facilities for shipping are matters of much greater importance to the fishermen. 

 The fishermen of other regions find no difficulty in catching an abundance of fish, but they are so 

 far from the larger cities that it is often quite impossible to market their catch, while in other cases 

 the cost of transportation is so great as to make such a course unprofitable. Under such circum- 

 stances they are obliged to content themselves with supplying the home demand, which is often 

 quite limited. With the fishermen of this region the case is quite different, for fish can be put 

 upon the markets of New York or Philadelphia a few hours after they are taken from the water. 

 They are thus in excellent condition, and bring higher prices than those sent from a distance, 

 while the cost of transportation is proportionately less. The large local demand for the hotel and 

 cottage trade also tends to make the prosecution of the fisheries more profitable here than in other 

 districts. 



The fishing season begins early in May and continues till November, while a small number of 

 men fish for cod in winter. The fishing is chiefly in the salt water at the mouths of the various 

 bays and rivers, where many of the species congregate in considerable numbers in the spring, and 

 remain throughout the season for the purpose of feeding and spawning. The crabs and clams are 

 also most abundant in these localities, and a large number of men and boys devote the entire season 

 to their capture. Many of the species are also abundant along the outer shore; and along its 

 northern portion, or in that section lying between Sqnan River and Sandy Hook, an extensive 

 fishery has been developed. 



This coast fishing, as distinguished from that of the bays, is of two kinds. The first, called 

 ground or bottom fishery, is confined to the capture of such fishes as live and feed at the bottom. 

 These seem to have no special feeding grounds, but are distributed on all of the hard and rocky 

 spots, of which there are many scattered along the entire coast. The second is confined to the 

 migratory species living and feeding at or near the surface, and is of considerable importance. 



There is also another fishery extensively prosecuted by the fishermen of the region in the fresh 

 water at the head ot'Barnegat Bay during the winter months. R.ock (7?occs lincatiis) and perch 

 are the principal species taken. They are caught chiefly in haul-seines, a single draught of 

 several tons being occasionally made. 



Shrewsbury is one of the oldest oyster regions in the neighborhood of New York, and the 

 oysters from this region have always stood high in the markets. There are no natural beds here, 



