400 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



latter date to April 10, six dealers have liaudled at New Berne alone no 

 less tbau 75,000 shad by actual count. In addition there are some six or 

 eight other dealers who probably, at a fair estimate, have handled 

 50,000 more, and if we take this number as indicating one-half the entire 

 catch, we would have, in round numbers, the sum of 250,000 tish as the 

 total catch in this vicinity for the period named." I am inclined to be- 

 lieve this a very moderate estimate for the Neuse, since many shad are 

 taken at Kinston, Goldsborough, Smith field, and other points on the 

 river of which no account has been made, and 1 have no doubt that 

 more than 500,000 shad are caught during the entire season in this river. 

 The price of shad has varied very little in the last ten years, the retail 

 l^rice being about 70 and the wholesale 40 cents per pair. From this 

 point shad are shipped in ice to all parts of the Southern States. 



Although herring are still very numerous in the vicinity of New Berne, 

 the general impression prevails that the supply has somewhat decreased 

 within a few years. These fish appear to enter the river in three 

 " washes," so called ; the first and largest of which takes place about 

 Easter Sunday. The largest single haul last year at the fishery of Mr. , 

 Parish was 29,800. He informs me that, at this date, he has taken at one 

 haul over 20,000. Mr. B. B. Lane states, with regard to herring, that the 

 six firms above alluded to have handled upward of 450,000 within the 

 past ten days, and that the other dealers have probably handled 250,000 ; 

 but that the total of these is but a small proportion of the whole num- 

 ber caught, as the citizens i)robably buy twice as many from the boat- 

 men. He thinks that a million and a half have been taken during the 

 period in question, and that a still greater number was taken in the 

 same length of time last year. The largest single haul of herring ever 

 made in this river was 41,000, by Mr. Brinsou. These fish are seen as 

 early as the middle of January, and disappear about the middle of May. 

 In April the spawn are well advanced, and there is no doubt the fish 

 run up the creeks and head- waters of rivers to deposit their eggs. The 

 price of herring varies very little. They command at wholesale $3.50, 

 and at retail, about $6, per 1,000. The prices are much lower than before 

 the war. 



Rock fish are quite numerous, and up to this time, about the 1st of 

 January, some 3,000 have been handled by the dealers. It is thought 

 they have decreased in numbers during the last five years. They are 

 taken during nearly the entire year. They sell at from 8 to 10 cents 

 lier pound. Drum have also decreased, but for what reason is not 

 known ; probably cold winters, in which they perish in great numbers, 

 may have an effect. At Kinston, on the iSTorth Carolina Railroad, some 

 twenty miles above New Berne, a few shad have been taken, but not a 

 sufficient number, however, to render their fishing remunerative. Seines 

 and drift-nets are used here. 



