CLX REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



The changes which have taken place in tlie forms of apparatus used 

 in this region are interesting. In earlj^ times the favorite means of 

 capture, especially for shad and alewives, ^Yas the seine. This is still 

 an important device, taking more fish than any other single form, and 

 the most extensive seine fiKsheries in the country for the fish named are 

 here carried on. After a time the gill net was brought into more 

 general use and began to increase in imi)ortance until finally it took 

 precedence over the seine in taking shad and one or two less valuable 

 fish. In the past decade the introduction of the X)ound net in great 

 numbers has been a very marked feature of the fisheries, and because 

 of its efficiency it has supiDlanted to a considerable extent both the 

 seine and the gill net, and will probably, within a short period, attain 

 even greater prominence. 



BOSTON AND GLOUCESTER, MASS. 



The studies of the fisheries tributary to these places, as mentioned 

 in the previous report of the division, have continued along the same 

 general lines already referred to. The importance of the fishing indus- 

 try of these cities warrants the small sums expended in keeping well 

 informed regarding the condition of the business and in maintaining 

 close relations with the fishermen and dealers. The inquiries here 

 made cover the operations of about seven-eighths of the offshore fishing 

 vessels of New England, are valuable adjuncts to the general investi- 

 gation of the fisheries, and afford an excellent basis for determining the 

 condition and resources of the great ocean fishing-grounds off" the New 

 England coast. 



In Boston Mr. E. F. Dimick has continued his efficient services as 

 local agent. He has obtained a record of each ves&el arriving from the 

 fishing-grounds, noting the kind, quantity, and value of the fish landed, 

 the particular grounds on which caught, and other useful and interest- 

 ing data concerning the fisheries. 



The fivsh trade of Boston is of greater magnitude than that of any 

 other city of the United States. The investigations have shown that 

 in the calendar year 1891 the quantity of fishery products there landed 

 by American fishing vessels was 69,915,088 pounds, mostly fresh, hav- 

 ing an approximate value to the fishermen of $1,840,330. This quantity 

 is in addition to very large receipts, chiefly from the provinces, over 

 regular rail and steamer lines. Tlie most important single product 

 brought into Boston by our fisliing vessels is the haddock, of which 

 33,800,197 pounds, valued at $824,132, were landed. Of the cod,- the 

 next prominent fish, 1(5,055,200 pounds were landed, having a value of 

 $547,851. Hake ranks next, the receipts being 12,347,730 pounds, 

 worth $108,817. Other fish deserving mention are halibut, cusk, pol- 

 lock, and mackerel. 



