REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. CLVII 

 FISHERIES OF THE SOUTH ATLANTIC STATES IN 1897. 



Investigations of the fisheries of these States were carried on during 

 Marcli, April, and May, 1898, Mr. Wilcox canvassing Georgia and South 

 Carolina, and Messrs. Cogswell and Cobb North Carolina. The east 

 coast of Florida was covered by Mr. Cobb during tlie preceding autumn, 

 and data collected for the fiscal year 1807. The general results of the 

 work, as set forth in the following tables, show an increase in the fish- 

 eries since the last canvass, which was made in 1890. 



The number of persons engaged was 17,185, of whom 14,4:49 were 

 fishermen and 2,7.>G shoresmen. 



The capital invested ($1,828,832) is apportioned as follows: Vessels 

 and their outfits, $200,280; boats, $270,860; apparatus of capture, 

 $492,597 ; shore property and cash capital, $859,090. 



The products of the fisheries amounted to 80,300,465 pounds, with a 

 first value of $1,833,155. There has been an increase in the number of 

 persons employed of 1,184; in capital invested of $140,546; in products 

 of 13,205,847 pounds; and in value of products of $259,451. The shad 

 and oyster fisheries lead in the list of products, the former being valued 

 at $478,784 and the latter at $384,934. The fisheries of Xorth and South 

 Carolina and Georgia have increased to some extent, while those of the 

 east coast of Florida have decreased. The decrease in Florida has 

 been chietiy in the shad fishery, which has less than half the impor- 

 tance in yield and value which it had in 1890. This is said to be due 

 to the great spread of the water hyacinth in tlie St. Johns Eiver, which 

 prevents the use of seines. There has been an important increase in 

 the yield and value of shad and oysters in North Carolina and Georgia, 

 and of oysters in South Carolina. 



Xi(7nber of persons employed in the fisheries of the South Atlantic States in 1H97. 



Table shotviiuj the number and value of vessels, boats, apparatus, and shore property 

 employed in the fisheries of the South Atlantic States in 1897. 



