REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. LI 



Two special reports have also been published, as follows : 



(17) A Mouograpb of the Seal Islands of Alaska. By Henry W. Elliott. 



4to, illustrated, pp. 172. An addition of this report with sub- 

 stitutions on pp. 102-100 was also issued as a Special Bulletin 

 of the Fish Commission, No. 176. 



(18) The Oyster Industry. By Ernest Ingersoll. 4to, illustrated, pp. 



252. 



The general results of the investigations from the statisticians' stand- 

 point may be briefly summarized as follows : 



In 1880 the number of persons employed in the fishery industries of 

 the United States was 131,426, of whom 101,684 were fishermen and 

 the remainder shoremen. The fishing fleet consisted of 6,605 vessels 

 (with a tonnage of 208,297.82) and 44,804 boats, and the total amount 

 invested was $37,955,349, distributed as follows ; Vessels, $9,357,282 ; 

 boats, $2,465,393; minor apparatus and outfits, $8,145,261; other capital, 

 including- shore property, $17,987,413. 



The value of the fisheries of the sea, the great rivers, and the great 

 lakes was placed at $43,046,053, and that of those in minor inland 

 waters at $1,500,000; in all, $44,546,053. These values were estimated 

 upon the basis of the prices of the products received by the jiroducers, 

 and if average wholesale prices had been considered the value would 

 have been much greater. In 1882 the yield of the fisheries was much 

 greater than in 1880, and prices, both "at first hand" and at wholesale, 

 were higher, so that a fair estimate at wholesale market rates would 

 place their value at the present time rather above than below the sum 

 of $100,000,000. 



The fisheries of the New England States are the most important. 

 They engage 37,043 men, 2,066 vessels, 14,787 boats, and yield products 

 to the value of $14,270,393. In this district the principal fishing ports 

 in order of importance are : Gloucester, Portland, Boston, Province- 

 town, and New Bedford, the latter being the center of the whale 

 fishery. 



Next to New England in imiDortance are the South Atlantic States, 

 employing 52,418 men, 3,014 vessels (the majority of which are small 

 and engaged in the shore and bay fisheries), 13,331 boats, and returning 

 products to the value of $9,602,737. 



Next are the Middle States, employing in the coast fisheries 14,981 

 men, 1,210 vessels, 8,293 boats, with products to the amount of 

 $8,676,579. 



Next are the Pacific States and Territories, with 16,803 men, 56 ves- 

 sels, 5,547 boats, and products to the amount of $7,484,750. The fish- 

 eries of the Great Lakes employ 5,052 men, 62 vessels, and 1,594 boats, 

 with products to the amount of $1,784,050. The Gulf States employ 

 5,131 men, 197 vessels, and 1,252 boats, yielding products to the value 

 of $545,584. 



