STATISTICS OF THE FISHERIES OF THE SOUTH ATLANTIC 



STATES. 



GENERAL NOTES AND STATISTICS. 



The condition of the commercial fisheries of this region, as shown in 

 the following report, has not changed to any marked degree since 

 they were canvassed in 1890. Although there has been a general 

 increase in respect to persons employed, capital invested, and value of 

 products, the development of the fisheries is not yet proportionate to 

 the important fishery resources of the States considered. The region, 

 as a whole, with its numerous rivers and extensive sounds, is destined 

 to maintain greater fishery industries. 



The investigations were confined to the coastal waters and to the 

 lower courses of the rivers as far inland as commercial fisheries are 

 maintained. 



The table on pp. 176-177 gives general comparisons with former 

 canvasses made in 1880 and 1890. Comparisons in detail may be 

 made by consulting previous statistical i)ublications* of the United 

 States Fish Commission on this subject. 



The tables on pp. 174-175 show, by States, the condition of the fisheries 

 of the South Atlantic States in 1897. The capital invested in the fish- 

 eries of this region amounted to 11,828,832. Of this amount $1,218,459 

 is credited to North Carolina, $174,354 to South Carolina, $284,804 to 

 Georgia, and $151,155 to eastern Florida. 



The total number of persons emj^loyed was 17,185, of which number 

 14,449 were fishermen and 2,736 shoresmen. In the North Carolina 

 fisheries alone 12,045 were employed; in South Carolina, 2,139; and in 

 Georgia, 1,869. The fishermen of the eastern coast of Florida num- 

 bered 1,132. 



The total number of vessels employed was 243, having a tonnage of 

 2,790.83, and valued, with their outfit, at $200,280. The total number 



"* The Fishery Industries of the United States, section ii, Geographical Review of 

 the Fisheries for 1880. 



The Fishery Industries of the United States, section v, History and Methods of 

 the Fisheries. 



Report on the Fisheries of the South Atlantic States, by Hugh M. Smith, M. D. 

 Bull. U. S. Fish Com., 1891, pp. 267-356. 



The Fish and Fisheries of the Coastal Waters of Florida. U. S. Fish Commission 

 Report for 1896, pp. 263-342. 



Report on the Fisheries of Indian River, Florida. U. S. Fish Commission Report 

 for 1896, pp. 223-262. 



Notes on the Extent and Condition of the Alewife Fisheries of the United States 

 in 1896, by Hugh M. Smith. Report U. S. Fish Commission for 1898, pp. 31-43. 



The Shad Fisheries of the Atlantic Coast of the United States, by Charles H. 

 Stevenson. Report U. S. Fish Commission, 1898, pp. 101-269. 



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