CLVI REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



rrodncts — Coiitiimod. 



' 88,380 bushels. 



*31,488,591 in number. 



210,096,694 bushels. 



Not the least important point involved in tbe investigation of the 

 fisheries of this section is the question of their condition and mainte- 

 nance in view of the enormous annual drain on the supply of fishes 

 and other aquatic animals required to yield to the fishermen a yearly 

 income of over $10,000,000. 



Comparing the extent of the industry in 1891 with its extent in 1880, 

 it appears that a large increase has occurred in the number of persons 

 emijloyed in fishing and in the dependent shore branches. The number 

 of fishermen increased 12,336 in Maryland, 4,265 in Virginia; the num- 

 ber of shore employes increased 1,600 in Maryland and 462 in Virginia, 

 giving a combined increase in fishing population of 18,663 in these two 

 States. 



The aggregate number of vessels now employed is ajjparently some- 

 what less than in 1880; there has been an increase of 177 in Maryland 

 and a decrease of 502 in Virginia, giving a net decrease of 325. It may 

 be said, however, that only approximate figures for the oyster vessels 

 were obtained in 1880, and, in view of the increased number of oyster 

 vessel fishermen, it is probable that the vessel estimates were too large. 

 A large advance has occurred in the item of boats; 9,629 more of 

 these w^ere used in 1891 than in 1880, both States exhibiting a marked 

 increase; the value of the boats increased $564,042. Every important 

 form of fishing apparatus is now employed in larger quantities than in 

 1880; seines have increased from 293 to 756, gill nets from about 7,720 

 to 18,955, fyke nets and pots from 4,150 to 14,450, and pound nets and 

 weirs from 268 to 1,921. One of the most prominent features of the 

 fisheries is the enormous augmentation in the number of pound nets 

 employed and the tendency in certain localities to supplant the earlier 

 and less effective means of capture with this apparatus. The aggre- 

 gate investment in fishing property has increased in both States, 

 amounting to $1,123,285 in Maryland and $1,030,440 in Virginia. 



The foregoing increase in fishing population and fishing property 

 ])ropares us for a substantial advance in the results of the fisheries, 

 provided there has been no serious im])aiinient of the supply. The 



