FISHERIES Ofr THE MIDDLE ATLANTIC STATES. 



51 



are used for seed, being taken with tongs. This feature of the indus- 

 try has become an important and remunerative business in many 

 places. Lanoka, Bayville, and Forked River furnish market oysters 

 from the natural beds. 



The total oyster output of New Jersey for 1905 showed a decrease 

 since 1901 of 40 per cent in quantity and 24 per cent in value. 



The Oysteh Fishery of New Jersey in 100-1. 



Clam. — From Perth Amboy south to Cape Ma} T and in Cape May 

 and Cumberland counties on the Delaware Bay side of the state, the 

 New Jersey coast produces large quantities of clams. The chief 

 hard-clam fisheries are carried on at Keyport, Port Monmouth, and 

 Belford, but in other counties, especially Atlantic, many persons 

 depend upon clamming for a livelihood, and from West Creek, Ocean 

 County, to Cape May it is the most important fishery industry next 

 to oyster planting. At Somers Point, Atlantic County, numbers of 

 men and boys come from inland places to dig for clams during the 

 summer season. There has been such a decline in the abundance of 

 this product at Keyport and Port Monmouth that vessel fishing has 

 been to a great extent abandoned, and only small gasoline and row 

 boats are now used. During the warm weather the fishermen often 

 lay aside their tongs and rakes and wade for the clams. 



In some localities clams brought from states farther south are 

 laid out in the local waters for a few weeks and then shipped to mar- 

 ket. They are said thus to acquire the flavor of the native clam and 

 to become more salable. 



Soft clams are not taken south of Point Pleasant, Ocean County, 

 and by far the most of the catch comes from Monmouth County. 

 Highlands and vicinity is the most productive region, and the majority 

 of the inhabitants are dependent upon this fishery. About one-third 

 of the catch is sold opened, the remainder in the shell. 



Surf clams are used chiefly for cod bait on trawl lines, the greatest 

 demand being at Atlantic City, which supports the largest trawling 



