174 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OP FISH AND FISHERIES. 



of boats in tins region was (5,691, valued at $276,860. The apparatus 

 of capture liad a value of $492,596, aud other accessory property 

 $531,290. 



Gill nets have been the most important form of apparatus emj>loyed, 

 and were valued at $243,482, pound nets ranking next in importance, 

 witli a value of $137,175. The value of seines is placed at $95,340, all 

 other forms of ai)paratus being of minor imi)ortance. 



The products of the fisheries amount to 80,390,405 pounds, with a 

 value of $1,833,155. The products of the fisheries of North Carolina 

 were valued at $1,310,017; those of South Carolina, $210,450; of Geor- 

 gia, $170,00'); and of eastern Florida, $136,077. The most important 

 item with respect to product is shad, which is valued at $478,784, 

 oysters ranking next, with a value of $384,934. ^iullet is third and is 

 valued at $115,465. Alewives and squeteague follow with values of 

 $118,124 and $112,578, respectively. 



Shad ajul oysters are by far the most imi)ortant products of the fish- 

 eries of North Carolina; oysters, whiting, shad, and sea bass of South 

 Carolina and Georgia, while in eastern Florida the leading fishery 

 products are shad, mullet, pompano, and squeteague. 



Since the last canvass of this region, which was in 1890, there has 

 been an increase in the fisheries of all these States except eastern 

 Florida. Taking the region as a whole, there has been an increase in 

 products of 13,205,847 pounds, having a value of $259,451. There has 

 been an increase in capital invested of $140,546. North Carolina is the 

 only State where the investment has decreased, the amount of this de- 

 crease being $25,529. Since 1890 the value of the yield of the more 

 important fishes, such as shad, mullet, and alewives, has been nearly 

 stationary, while that of oysters has increased about one-third. 



Table showing Ihe number and value of vessels, boats, apparatus, and shore properly 

 employed in the fisheries of the South Atlantic States hi, 1S07. 



' Shown in other apparatus. 



