REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 



87 



South Atlantic States. — In the canvass of the shad fishery of the 

 South Athmtic States, the summarized results of whicli are shown 

 in the following table, the Bureau's agents covered all operations of 

 a commercial character, including the semiprofessional fishing in 

 the upper parts of many of the streams. The statistics therefore give 

 a complete exposition of the extent and condition of this important 

 branch. 



In North Carolina the shad has always been more abundant and 

 valuable than in all the other States of this region; and in 1910 the 

 fishery yielded the fishermen a larger sum than in any other year for 

 which statistics are available, although the catch was considerably 

 less than during several seasons 12 to 15 years before. Noteworthy 

 features of the North Carolina shad fishery are the large increase in 

 the use of pound nets and the decline in seines, the former apparatus 

 now taking more than half the product ; and the commendable legis- 

 lation which has given the shad in the northeastern parts of the State 

 a fair opportunity to reach the spawning grounds. 



The siiad fishery in South Carolina has increased slightly, but 

 the actual money returns to the fishermen are much larger than 

 formerly. In Georgia the figures for 1910 show a marked decline 

 m catch, which is not compensated for by the increased price. 



The shad fishery of Florida is practically confined to St. Johns 

 River, in which the run in 1910 was veiy much smaller than in re- 

 cent years, although the high prices commanded by the fish caught 

 there early in the season and shipped to the northern markets have 

 enabled the fishermen to conduct a rather successful business. 



Statistics of the Shad Fishery of the South Atlantic States, 1910. 



