482 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



There are about fifty nets on the river. I suppose during the season 

 they will catch about five hundred bushels. They are a nuisance to the 

 shad fishermen. 

 3G. None employed. 



39. Yes, more, in shad-nets, on flood-tide toward high water. 



40. More numerous with northeast wind. 



41. None. 



42. What few are caught are used for manure. 



43. None. 



I will here state that these fish have steadily increased in size and 

 numbers for the past five years. They are supposed to be much more 

 plentiful on the coast outside of the bar. 



78. Statement of Charles Koch, Jacksonville, Fla., January 15, 1874. 



1. Yellow-tail. 



2. In the waters of the Saint Mary's, Amelia, Bell River, and Cumber- 

 land Sound in greater numbers than other fish. 



3. Increased. 



5. No. 



6. In February the yellow-tail appear in large schools. 



7. They swim high in water only about 2 or 3 feet deep, and are only 

 known by their capture and by the movements of sea-birds. 



8. From the Atlantic Ocean, and they return by the ebb to the ocean. 



9. Regular. 



10. No nets are used; they are caught by hundreds with hook and 

 line. 



11. They come with the tide, and return to the ocean with the ebb. 



12. Oysterbanks and sandy ground, in clear water. 



13. From 3 to 5 feet ; as much as 12 feet from the surface. 



14. In water from 60 degrees and upward the fish are more solid and 

 fat. f. 



15. Appear on the breeding-grounds in companies, and are of every 

 size and age. 



16. Young fish are seen and caught from 4 to 9 inches long. 



17. Leave the coast in September by degrees. 



20. Small shrimp, sandbare, and barnacles. 



21. In the small creeks from March to the end of April. 



22. I find that these fish go in pairs. 



23. Yes. 



24. Sixty to 75 degrees. 



25. One to 2 feet near the bottom. 



26. The eggs sink to the bottom, and become attached to oysterbedis, 

 stones, grass, &c. 



28. The young fish are found in abundance in the small creeks. 



