FISHEEY INDUSTRIES OF THE UNITED STATES, 1924 



361 



cent. These figures were used as a basis for converting the salt fish 

 to a fresh-fish basis throughout the comparisons. The statistics on 

 oysters, clams, and scallops are given in pounds and represent the 

 meat or edible portion only. 



Certain species of importance occurring in all of the South Atlantic 

 States have been assembled in the first of the following tables. It is 

 interesting to note that of the seven fishery products listed, only 

 shrimp have shown a continuously increased production during years 

 for which statistics are available. This product has increased from 

 comparative insignificance in 1897 to a commodity of first importance 

 in 1923, its production in the latter year exceeding 23,000,000 pounds, 

 as compared with about 600,000 pounds in 1897. The production 

 of oysters reached its peak in 1908, when nearly 30,000,000 pounds 

 were reported; in 1918 the production had dropped below 6,000,000 

 pounds, and in 1923 it increased again to over 11,000,000 pounds, 

 which is approximately one-third of the maximum production 

 recorded. Of the fishes, shad is probably of most interest. In 1897 

 this species showed the greatest yield — over 11,000,000 pounds. 

 Since ttien the decline was continuous until 1918 and 1923, when about 

 3,000,000 pounds were reported. The production of alewives, 

 amounting to 22,000,000 pounds in 1890, dropped to less than 

 14,000,000 pounds in 1908, increased again to 18,000,000 pounds in 

 1918, and then decreased to 10,000,000 pounds in 1923. This is the 

 lowest production on record and is less than one-half of the peak 

 production. Mullet, one of the staple food fishes of the South, 

 reached its maximum production of 16,000,000 pounds in 1902, and 

 the catch has since declined continuously, until in 1923 its produc- 

 tion totaled less than 9,000,000 pounds. Squeteagues and drum at- 

 tained their maximum production in 1908 and have since shown a 

 distinct reduction in yield. It is apparent that the most important 

 food fishes of the South Atlantic States are being caught in alarm- 

 ingly smaller quantities in the recent years than in the earlier years 

 of the fishery. Reference to tables showing the yield of certain 

 species in each of the States also reveals a strikingly lower production 

 of many of the more important fishes in recent years as compared 

 with the previous years. 



The following tables give comparative statistics of the yield of 

 certain fishery products in the South Atlantic States in various years, 

 1889 to 1923. 



Comparative statistics of the yield of certain fishery products of the South Atlantic 

 States in various years, 1889 to 192S 



Year 



1889 

 1890 

 1897 

 1902 

 1908 

 1918 

 1923 



Alewives 



Pounds 

 19, 389, 254 

 22. 174, 325 

 20, 906, 968 

 15,601,672 

 13, 782, 000 

 18, 057, 523 

 10, 050, 922 



Drum, red 

 and black 



Pounds 



1, 038, 197 



745, 605 



846, 683 



583. 394 



1,421,000 



1,007,311 



460, 437 



Mullet 



Pounds 

 5. 990, 867 

 7, 065, 944 

 7, 281, 722 

 16, 034, 101 

 15, 489, 200 

 11,986,343 

 8, 667, 412 



Shad 



Pounds 



8, 387, 428 



9, 432, 029 

 11, 268, 343 



9, 849. 338 

 8, 572, 000 

 2, 888, 644 

 3, 190, 666 



Squeteague 

 or "sea 

 trout" 



Shrimp 



Pounds 

 2, 460, 950 

 2, 613, 584 

 3, 824, 770 

 5, 050, 419 

 8, 628, 000 

 5, 105, 329 

 5, 258, 047 



Pounds 



743, 640 



744, 025 



627, 221 



3, 810, 641 



5, 697, 000 



15,656,903 



23, 705, 901 



Oysters 



Pounds 

 8, 895, 572 

 8, 344, 805 

 11,285,268 

 22, 719, 074 

 29, 973, 000 

 5, 871, 376 

 11,172,336 



