REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 53 
THE MIDDLE ATLANTIC STATES. 
The canvass of the statistics and methods of the fisheries of this 
important coast section was begun in the previous year. By reference 
to the report of the work of this division for 1891-92, it will be seen 
that the entire Chesapeake Basin and the adjoining ocean shores of 
Maryland and Virginia were then covered, leaving for future inquiry 
the States of New York, New Jersey, and those parts of Pennsylvania 
and Delaware not drained by the tributaries of the Chesapeake. The 
field work in this region began in August, 1892, and was the first under- 
taken in the fiscal year. The regular canvass was completed by April, 
but some special inquiries in the region were made as late as June, 
1893. 
The investigation of the fisheries of the entire State of New York 
was conducted by Mr. E. E. Race, with the exceptions to be noted later. 
The inquiry began at the eastern end of Long Island, included both 
shores of the island, was extended to Manhattan Island, Staten Island, 
and that part of the State on the north side of Long Island Sound, and 
embraced the Hudson River as far up as Stillwater, in Saratoga County, 
about 17 miles above Troy. In the vicinity of Greenport, at the east- 
ern end of Long Island, the writer codperated with Mr. Race for a short 
time in August. The collection of data showing the extent of the 
wholesale fish and oyster trades of New York City was undertaken by 
Mr. W. A. Wilcox, who also made a supplementary visit to a part of 
Westchester County. An important feature of the canvass of this 
State was the thorough investigation of the Hudson River to the limits 
0: commercial fishing. The fisheries of this river had never before 
been completely covered in the statistical inquiries of the Commission. 
Extensive shad, striped bass, perch, and other fisheries were found to 
exist in the upper river, and valuable notes concerning the occurrence 
of the Atlantic salmon were obtained. 
The coast and river fisheries of New Jersey were studied by Mr. Ans- 
ley Hall, Mr. E. E. Race, and the writer. The parts of the State visited 
by Mr. Hall included the New Jersey side of the Hudson River, the 
northern coast within Sandy Hook, the eastern coast betweeen Shark 
River and Cape May, and the shores of Delaware Bay. Mr. Race can- 
vassed the New Jersey shores of Delaware River from its mouth to 
Shawnee, in Monroe County, Pa., about 6 miles above Delaware Water 
Gap. The coast of Monmouth County, between Atlantic Highlands and 
Shark River, was visited by the writer, who, in addition to a regular 
canvass of the fishing industry, made a special study of the important 
pound-net fishery of that section. 
That part of Pennsylvania above Philadelphia bordering on the Dela- 
ware River was visited by Mr. Race, in conjunction with the canvass of 
the New Jersey side of the river. The remainder of the river front of 
the State was covered by Mr. C. H. Stevenson. 
The fisheries of Delaware prosecuted on the ocean side of the State 
and on Delaware River and Bay were investigated by Mr. Stevenson. 
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