456 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



No steps, thus far, have been taken by the authorities of iforth 

 Carolina to increase the abundance of tliis fish by artificial breed- 

 ing, although a few public-spirited gentlemen of jSTew Berne, N. C, 

 are trying to influence local legislation with a view to this laudable 

 object.* Legislation upon the subject of preserving the fish-supply has 

 received its full share of attention in the southern seaboard States, but 

 the law is practically a dead letter. 



No disease has ever been noticed prevailing as an epidemic, nor do 

 parasites as a rule infest shad ; although occasionally sea-lice are found 

 hanging near the gills. 



The only two methods of capturing shad in this locality are with draw 

 and gill-nets ; the former being from 150 to 500 yards long, 8 to 16 feet 

 deep, with a mesh of 2J inches ; the latter, 25 yards long, 12 feet deep, 

 with a 3-inch mesh. Although, undoubtedly, shad will bite at a hook 

 in some of the northern rivers, the experiment has never been properly 

 tried at Beaufort, to my knowledge. The average day's catch, in a fair 

 season, for 200 yards of net is about 30 fish, but frequentl^^ is much less. 

 The most favorable time of tide for fishing is low water, just at the time 

 the fish are moving least. 



The disposition made of this fish is as follows: but a small por- 

 tion of the catch is eaten on the spot, as they command high prices, 

 and it pays the fisherman better to dispose of them in the inland 

 towns. Probably three-fourths are thus disposed of. It is considered 

 the best food-fish that swims, and is eagerly sought for by all classes of 

 people in its fresh state, smoked, and salted. In warm weather, although 

 the flesh is fine and hard, after six hours decomposition rapidly ensues, 

 rendering it unfit for food. Shad have always commanded at this point 

 high prices, having been sold for 81.50 per pair, wholesale, although the 

 average price is about 50 cents. These rates are a little higher than be- 

 fore the war. The supply of shad is so small about Beaufort that none 

 are exported, the principal market being New Berne, N. C, and it is but 

 seldom that fishermen feel justified in making any extensive prepara- 

 tions for its capture, most of those secured being found in the so-called 

 herring-nets. 



In view of the facts given above, I would hardly feel justified in 

 recommending that any means should be taken to increase this fish in 

 Beaufort Harbor, its inlets, and sounds ; the geographical and natural 

 advantages not being such as would justify either the expense or trouble, 

 more particularly as the Neuse, which is not far distant, and communi- 

 cates with the Newport Kiver, has already been well stocked. 



Fort Macon, 



Beaufort Harbor, North Carolina, December 5, 1871. 



*Siuce the above was written the United States Fish Cornmissiouer, Professor Baird, 

 has thorouj^lily investigated the subject of the shad-supply of the southern rivers, and 

 in 1873 placed in these waters a large number of young shad, hatched at New Berne> 

 N. C, by Seth Green. 



