FISHERIES OF THE SOUTH ATLANTIC STATES. 181 



consisting of salt-water varieties. On the rivers mentioned skim nets, 

 drift gill nets, and small seines are used, taking shad, alewives, and 

 other species. 



In Duplin County fishing is carried on in the Northeast Eiver by- 

 means of gill nets and haul seines. 



The fisheries of Sampson County give employment to 190 persons 

 during the fishing season, who, as a rule, reside near the Black River 

 and its tributaries. Skim nets, drift gill nets, and haul seines are the 

 forms of apparatus in general use. 



The only important stream in Bladen County is the Cape Fear River, 

 whose fisheries gave employment to loG persons during the fishing 

 season. The apparatus in use consists of skim nets and drift gill nets 

 used in the taking of shad. 



In New Hanover County fishing is carried on in the inlets and the 

 ocean. From Topsail Inlet to Hewletts Creek 21 small seines are 

 fished in the sounds, the catch consisting of mullet and other varieties 

 of salt water fish. At Ocean View 4 seines, whose principal catch is 

 mullet, are fished at the following-named points: One at Ocean View 

 Beach in the ocean and three at Masouboro Inlet. Seines are also used 

 at Queens and Rich Inlets and in the ocean, taking mullet and other 

 species of fish. Near Masouboro Inlet 10 shrimp seines are operated, 

 their catch amounting to 3,600 bushels of shrimp, valued at $5,700. 

 A fishery for sturgeon on the Cape Fear River employed 50 men using 

 25 drift nets. The catch of sturgeon numbered G25, with a weight of 

 93,750 pounds, and a value of $2,812. From the roe of these sturgeon 

 89 kegs of caviar were manufactured, valued at $4,539. 



One hundred and one drift gill nets for shad were employed in the 

 river above and below the city of Wilmington, the catch aggregating 

 236,781 pounds, with a value of $13,706. In point of value the shad 

 surpasses all other fishery products in New Hanover County with the 

 exception of the oyster. In Myrtle Grove Sound and its tributary 

 creeks oysters are taken in considerable quantities by hand-picking and 

 tonging. They are sold opened, retailing at 50 cents per gallon. The 

 catch consisted of 64,000 bushels, or 56,000 gallons opened, valued at 

 $28,000. In addition to the oysters 18,000 bushels of clams were taken. 



Fishing with hook and line in the ocean is largely followed, the boats 

 resorting to the vicinity of the submerged rocks that fringe the coast, 

 and the fishery is locally known as "rock fishing." Large quantities 

 of choice salt-water varieties are taken, finding a ready market. There 

 is also a summer fishery with lines in Cape Fear River. The total line 

 catch amounted to 529,040 pounds, with a value of $17,209. 



In Brunswick County 14 large seines are operated, principally in the 

 ocean. Ten small seines, averaging about 250 feet, are fished in the 

 inlets, taking mullet chiefly. Drop gill nets are employed at Southport 

 and vicinity for croakers, spots, etc. A small number of terrapin and 

 turtle seines are in use. The seiues average 100 yards, with a depth of 



