636 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. 



APPARATUS AND METHODS OF OAPTUEE. 



Until a comparatively recent period haul-seines have been the principal means of capture 

 employed in the prosecution of the Albeuiarle fisheries. These were at first confined to the rivers, 

 but gradually fishing shores were established on the sound. The effect of this has been to dimin- 

 ish the catch of the river seines to such an extent as to render them unprofitable, unless operated 

 with small seines and crews involving correspondingly decreased expenditure of capital. 



By degrees stake-nets have been introduced and operated by men of small means ; these, how- 

 ever, are principally confined to the lower parts of the sound and to its minor tributaries. About 

 1870 pot-nets or Dutch-nets, as they are termed, were introduced. These have steadily increased 

 in number each year, much to the detriment of the seine fisheries, since, as in the case of stake 

 nets, but little capital is needed for their operation. 



At the time when the investigation of these fisheries was made these nets exceeded one hun- 

 dred in number, and a considerable proportion of the catch of shad was taken in them and the 

 stake-nets. 



One of the most striking features connected with the Albemarle fisheries is the vast size of 

 the seines operated. The largest of these has a length of 2,600 yards, and each sweep of the 

 seine garners the crop from 1,200 acres. The hauling of the seine is usually effected by steam 

 engines placed on the shore, these having been substituted for horse- power. In 1879 steamboats 

 were first used for laying out the seine and are now in quite general use. In this operation two 

 boats are used ; one carries the shore end, the other the sea end of the seine. The center of the 

 fishing-berth is marked by a stake with a bush tied to it, in order that it may be easily seen 

 from the shore. In laying out the seine the boats pull together for the center stake, whence they 

 separate, rowing in opposite directions and paying out the seine. The introduction of steam for 

 this purpose has added greatly to the promptness and facility of this operation, and has rendered 

 comparatively easy its accomplishment in all kinds of weather. The row-boat which carries the 

 shore end is towed to the center stake by the steamer. 



The magnitude of the work connected with the operation of one of these large seines is best 

 shown by the following statistics:* The length of the seine is 2,600 yards, the depth 12 yards ; 

 size of mesh in breast of seine inch, in the wings H inches. The value of the seine is $5,220; of 

 shore buildings, $2,500; of boats, $1,200; of engines, $1,800 ; of horses, $1,500. Total expenses for 

 this one seine during the season, $8,500. The number of tons of ice consumed in packing 300, aud 

 of the bushels of salt used in the preparation of fish for market 2,000. The number of men em- 

 ployed is 61, of women 15. In 1879 this fishery took 52,700 shad, 900,000 herring, 13,000 pounds of 

 rock, and 12,000 pounds of white perch. 



During the season of 1880 there were in operation at the head of the sound, aud immediately 

 within the mouths of the Eoauoke and Chowan Rivers, eleven large seines. In addition, a number 

 of smaller seines were operated, the seine fisheries on the Chowau extending a short distance 

 above the junction of the Notaway and the Meherrin. 



DISPOSITION OP THE CATCH. 



The fisheries of the Albemarle Sound reached their present importance through the exten- 

 sion of railroad aud water routes south from Norfolk, whereby an easy and rapid communication 

 with Northern markets was effected. The entire catch of shad, rock, and perch is shipped to 



*Tho fishing shore hero rlrnvd to is that known us " Suttou Beach," at the head of the Albemarle, owned and 

 operated by Dr. Gapehart, of Avoca. 



