39-THE FISHERIES OF THE VIRGINIA COAST. 



BY J. T. WILKINS, JR., M. D., 

 Fish Commissioner of Virginia. 



Regarding the fisheries of the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic coast of Virginia, 

 the question of greatest importance to our fishermen is the appalling decline in the 

 number of the free migratory fishes that annually visit the waters of our State. 

 Years ago, as late even as 1800, with the simplest contrivances for their capture, it was 

 impossible to utilize all the fish caught. The markets of Baltimore, Norfolk, and 

 Richmond were abundantly supplied by the fishermen of these respective localities. 

 The only devices for the capture of fish up to that time and for several years after were 

 the haul seine and gill net. With the advent of railroads and the employment of ice, 

 more distant markets were reached, with the consequent demand for a larger supply 

 of fish. To meet this growing demand the fish pound was ingeniously devised, and for 

 several years thereafter but little effect upon the apparently inexhaustible resources of 

 the sea was to be observed, notwithstanding the fact that the pound nets, weirs, etc., 

 multiplied with marvelous rapidity. 



There were 102 fish pounds in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries in 1880, 

 412 in 1883, and 550 in 1888. In 1880 the estimated value of fish caught was $900,008; 

 in 1883, $1,258,570; in 1888, $1,205,000; in 1893 (estimated), $725,000, three- fourths 

 of which were shad. In 1885 the tide of an abundant catch reached its highest flood, 

 since which time, fluctuating year by year, the fortunes of the fishermen have 

 rapidly ebbed away, until to-day, in a large majority of eases, it is a losing venture to 

 engage in this industry. Our fishermen are finding their occupation gone, an occu- 

 pation that gave employment to 25,000 people and added largely to the taxable values 

 of the State. 



Is the fish pound responsible for this sad condition of affairs? There is such close 

 connection between the introduction and multiplication of this all-devouring fish pound 

 and the continually decreasing run of our pelagic fishes as to be at least suggestive. 

 Nothing in the shape of a fish that ever enters it comes forth again alive. Large and 

 small, old and young, the barren and the gravid fish— all are sacrificed to the blind 

 cupidity of their pursuers. 



If we assume that the pound net fishing continuing from the middle of February 

 to the first of October, and which it is almost a physical impossibility for fish to escape, 

 running the gauntlet from the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay to the fresh waters of all 

 its great rivers — if we assume that this is to be charged with the dire condition of our 



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