218 REPORTT^I^OMMISSTONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



tlio otlier co-tenants nml owners of the tisli in the waters of tlie State, 

 not eng<if/ed in trap-fishing, whetlier tlie manner in w^hich the privileges 

 heretofore allowed these tishermen have been managed, is for the in- 

 terest of the State and the people at large; whether it is most beue- 

 jfieial that an ininiense amount of fisli, taken in about seventeen days — 

 1 chile in spawn — and -in such quantities that the major part must be sent 

 to foreifjn markets or used for manure, and our own markets for the few 

 weeks overstocked and at low prices, and at a time when such food is 

 not so much desired as afterward, when none can be had, and the price 

 of fish becomes exorbitant, or that our markets, relying upon other 

 fish until about the first of June, shall be supplied for the rest of the 

 sumau^r and fall, five months at least, with these fish at reasonable 

 l)ric('S. 



On the one hand, while the trappers are reaping the harvest, or rather 

 taking the crop when at its least value, a large number of men, fisher- 

 men by trade, some from choice, many from necessity, poor, disabled fi'om 

 other labor, relying for their daily food for themselves and families in a 

 great measure upon fishing — besides those who fish for amusement, and 

 to this end give employment to a large number of boatmen — are de- 

 prived of their Just and lawful rights and privileges in consequence of 

 this general destruction. The nuiu!)er of uumi engaged in this river- 

 fishing v;as estiiiuited at 801), as their daily avocation, ten or twelve years 

 ago. 



On the other hand, if these fish are allowed to come up the river as 

 formerly, they will come to the market at the right season in abundance, 

 and from the competition that will naturally arise the price will be kept 

 low. 



A larger number will be enabled to pursue fishing with the prospect 

 of a fair remuneration for their labor. The poor man can be supplied 

 with a wholesome and cheap food. The boatman will ply his boat for 

 fares, cheerfully ])aid l)y persons in pursuit of health and pleasure, w^ho 

 will employ liim with tiie certainty of finding good fishing. The regu- 

 lar fisherman can earn his $2 to $-L per day, and the State will be 

 richer by at least $200,01)0 per annum more than what is received by 

 trapj)i?ig. 



Tiiose who are benefited by trapping are about 216 fishermen, who, 

 ticking the value of the fish caught last season at $40,000, 20,000 barrels, 

 at $2 })er barrel, receive two-thirds, or about $124 each on the average; 

 next, the owners of the traps, of wliich there are about 24 according to 

 Mr. Benjamin Tallmati's stateiiient, among whom is to be divided the 

 oue-thii'd, or $13,333, giving $444 to each trap. 



This sum of $444, according to the estimate already given as to the 

 cost and depreciation of the twine, &c., if correct, is not sufficient to 

 cover the loss, and . these owners, if this is all the benefit derived by 

 them from it, ought to be obliged to the legislature, if it will prohibit 

 this fishing. 



But the fact is, as has before been shown, that it is the buyers and 

 .shippers of these fish that derive tlie great gain, and it is for this reason 

 tiU'v are so particularly anxious to have it continue. 



The low price of scup vvould create a ready market and relieve the 

 demand for other articles of food, as demand, in a great degree, regu- 

 lates their [U'ices. In a short time, the supply being the same, the seller 

 would find it necessary to reduce his prices, and all food would be 

 affected and brought within the means of those who are now restricted 

 by their narrow incomes. 



As a matter of political ecdnomy, it is for the welfare and general in- 



