278 



U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES 



SHAD AND ALEWIFE FISHERIES OF THE POTOMAC RIVER 



The catch of shad in the Potomac River in 1 93 1 amounted to 294,425 

 roes, and 331,074 bucks, having a combined weight of 2,061,036 

 pounds, and a total value to the fishermen of $193,505. The catch 

 of alewives for the same season amounted to 18,380,850 in number 

 with a total weight of 7,352,340 pounds, and a value to the fishermen 

 of $55,460. These figures indicate an increase of 243 per cent in the 

 weight and 97 per cent in the value of shad as compared with 1930 

 and 136 per cent in the weight and 12 per cent in the value of the 

 alewives. About 70 per cent of the shad were taken in pound nets, 

 nearly 30 per cent in gill nets, and the remainder incidentally with 

 haul seines. More than 99 per cent of the alewives were taken in 

 pound nets. The remainder were taken in gill nets and haul seines. 



Shad and alewife fisheries of the Potomac River, 1931 



TRADE IN FRESH, FROZEN, SMOKED, AND PACKAGED FISHERY PRODUCTS 

 IN WASHINGTON, D. C. 



The municipal fish wharf and market in Washington, D. C, is 

 located in the southwestern part of the city on an arm of the Potomac 

 River. At the present time 16 fishery firms have stalls in the market, 

 3 firms are in private buildings across the street, and 4 firms have 

 stalls in the new Center Market. Altogether the 23 above firms 

 employed 120 persons who received $89,542 in salaries and wages 

 during 1931. Of the total employees, 103 were regularly employed. 

 These firms conduct a wholesale and retail business, chiefly whole- 

 sale however. 



During the year 1931 the receipts of fresh and frozen fishery 

 products as received at the municipal wharf amounted to 9,305,465 



