THE SEA FISHERIES OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA. 19 



however, the possibility of the exhaustion of tbe fisheries is to be con- 

 sidered and remedies applied in the way of protection, artificial propa- 

 gation, &c. 



I do not refer in this to the proceeds of rivers connected with the 

 ocean and supplied with anadromous fish, such as salmon, shad, ale- 

 wives, &c. These are simply pathways for certain forms of sea fish, 

 which enter them for the purpose of spawning and return to the sea 

 again, thus coming within most convenient reach of human energy in 

 their capture. 



Apart from the illustrations already presented of such fisheries in the 

 United States ; I may refer to the fisheries of the Volga, which is con- 

 nected with the Caspian Sea. Here, according to Von der Schultz, an 

 enormous number of pounds are annually captured. 



For the artificial culture of fish in fresh water it is probable that the 

 carp and tench are most profitable, as furnishing the greatest yield in 

 pounds, and even in values, for a given outlay; and as these are herbiv- 

 orous fish, thriving in waters not suited to most other species, there is 

 reason to anticipate that a great advantage will result to the United 

 States from the measures now in progress by the U. S. Fish Commission 

 to multiply them, especially as the climate and waters of this country 

 appear eminently adapted to their condition. 



The agency of the sea fisheries is also of importance to the welfare 

 of a nation otherwise than merely in the actual yield of food obtained, 

 or of other articles of necessity or luxury. The influence of a sea-fish- 

 ing life in rendering men bold, self-reliant, hardy adventurers is well 

 known, and the infusion into the general population of such an element 

 is of great importance. The pursuit of sea-fishing has an important 

 and very valuable influence in training men for a sea-faring life gener- 

 ally, there being but little practical difference between the fitting out 

 of a vessel for a distant sea fishery and taking the same or another ves- 

 sel for an extended voyage to various points of the globe in the inter, 

 est of commerce. It is from the hardy population of the fishermen that 

 the merchant marine derives essentially its material, while the armed 

 vessels of governments depend more indirectly upon the same source 

 for manning their ships. It is for this reason that in all maritime na- 

 tions the fishing population is looked to as a source of strength and 

 protection, supplying, as it does, an element absolutely necessary to 

 the well-being of the country, and in many instances bounties and priv- 

 ileges have been extended to increase the inducements to enter upon 

 and prosecute the sea-fisheries. The life of the fisherman is, of course, 

 not one of ease; he is exposed to dangers and hardships which to' a 

 landsman would appear appalling, but which are taken by the fisher- 

 man in the regular way of his duty. There is, however, no class ot 

 community more liable to peril than the fishermen, their dangers being 

 proportioned in a great degree to their enterprise. Of the fishing pop- 

 ulation of the United States, that of Cape Ann may be considered as 

 eminently typical of the bold and resolute sailor, and every year the 



