FISHERIES OF THE MIDDLE ATLANTIC STATES. 



445 



meiitjs. Especially is this true of eels, which are o-encrally distributed 

 throug-hout the waters of New York. The yield in 1898 was 396,945 

 pounds, worth $27,517, and in 1901 it was 722,859 pounds, worth 

 $50,033. In the same time the yield of flounders increased from 

 876,083 pounds, worth $28,455, to 1.274,308 pounds, worth $49,949. 



The high market value of lobsters during- recent years has resulted 

 in g-reat activit}^ in their capture in the coastal waters of New York, 

 as well as on other portions of the Atlantic coast; but the catch has 

 declined from 381,020 pounds in 1897 and 332,378 pounds in 1898 to 

 183,539 pounds in 1901. The average catch per pot in 1897 was 81 

 pounds; in 1898, 59 pounds, and in 1901, 37 pounds. This decrease 

 occurred althoug'h the number of months in which the lobster fishery 

 is prosecuted has increased somewhat. 



Probablj" the most notewortli}^ change in the methods of the fisheries 

 of New York is the extensive adoption of auxiliary power in the 

 vessels and boats, which makes the work to a lar^-e extent independent 

 of weather conditions. Especially is this the case in oyster-culture 

 and in the pound-net fisheries. Gasoline and naphtha engines are the 

 popular forms adopted. These were introduced about ten years ago. 

 In 1901 35 boats, worth $30,720, and 55 vessels, worth $176,900, were 

 thus equipped. 



The following tables show the number of persons employed, the 

 amount of capital invested, and the quantity and value of the products 

 of the fisheries of New York in 1901: 



Number of persons employed. 



How engaged. No. 



On vessels fishing 3, 131 



On vessels transporting 455 



In shore or boat fisheries 5, 090 



Shoresmen 2, 888 



Total : 11,564 



Table of apparatus and capital. 



