COMMERCIAL FISH AND FISHERIES. 65 



COMMERCIAL FISH AND FISHERIES. 



FRANK X. CLARK. 



The fisheries of Michigan are no inconsiderable part of its wealth ; to 

 foster and develop them that its inhabitants may have a desirable, whole- 

 some, and cheap food, is well worthy the consideration of its people. 



That the subject is a growing one, cannot be denied, and is further 

 borne out by the interest your society is giving the question. 



I was requested by one of your members to address this session on 

 the value of the fisheries of the Great Lakes in Michigan waters; their 

 decrease and causes, and what means were being taken to replenish the 

 stock. (Remarks.) 



The value of the fisherv products for the vears 1899, 1900, and 1901, 

 was respectively, |936,453.0T, |881,002.40, and |1,133,839.8G. The total 

 investment in visable property for the same years was respectively, |1,- 

 252,782, 11,237,120, and $1,466,502. The total catch in pounds of fish 

 for the same period was 38,431,954, 34,011,105, and 38,259,905. This 

 represents the total fishery products of all kinds from Michigan waters. 



That a decrease in the catch of whitefish for the eleven years prior to 

 1902 was very marked can be readilv seen bv an examination of table 

 No. 1: 



TABLE KG. 1. 



1891 8,110,387 



1892 6,347,535 



1893 5,345,800 



1894 4,469,755 



1895 3,335,187 



1896 3,783,634 



1897 4,639,014 



1898 4,101,920 



1899 3,640,574 



1900 3,460,280 



1901 4,173,395 



In passing it might be well to state that through the courtesy of the 

 Michigan Fish Commission, I am enabled to give the reports of the 

 products of the Michigan fisheries for the eleven years previous to 1902. 



For comparison, I have deemed it expedient to take into considera- 

 tion but two of the principal fishes, viz. : whitefish and lake trout. 



The decrease in the catch of whitefish continued from year to year, until 

 1895, when the low point was reached. (Remarks.) 



Your attention is next called to table No. 2 for the catch of lake trout 

 in Michigan waters. In this table it will also be noted the low point was 

 reached in 1895 : 

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