V. 



THE COAST OF CONNECTICUT AND ITS FISHERIES. 



A. GENERAL REVIEW OF CONNECTICUT AND ITS FISHERIES. 



103. THE COAST TOWNS, AND IMPOETANCE OF THE FISHING 1NDUSTEY. 



DESCRIPTION AND STATISTICS. The coast line of tbe State of Connecticut, including the 

 numerous small indentations, is from 150 to 175 miles in extent. The water adjacent to the coast 

 abounds at certain seasons of the year with various species of fish, the more important species being 

 menhaden and shad, while oysters and other shell-fish are more or less abundant. The fisheries 

 of the State include the seal and whale fisheries of Stoningtou and New London, the menhaden 

 fishery carried on by a large fleet of vessels that sell their catch to factories along the coast, the 

 shad fishery of the Connecticut Eiver, and the oyster fishery, which is especially important in 

 the vicinity of New Haven. 



The number of men employed as fishermen or shoremen in the State is 3,151 ; the amount of 

 capital invested is $1,421,020; and the value of the products is $1,456,866 ; as may be seen by the 

 accompanying tabulated statements. 



In the eastern part of the State the most important fishing town is New London, which is the 

 principal food -fish producing port south of Cape Cod. Noajik is an important place for the cod 

 and lobster fisheries, and several fish weirs or traps are set by Noank fishermen at the Elizabeth 

 Isles, in Massachusetts. 



The oyster industry in the State employs 1,006 persons and $361,200 capital, and the value 

 of the product is $672,875. In the menhaden fishery the number of persons employed is 631, the 

 capital invested is $392,370, and the value of the product is $256,205. The Antarctic sea-elephant 

 and fur-seal fishery and the whale fishery of Stoniugtou and New London employ large capital 

 and nearly 400 men. The products of these fisheries for 1880 is valued at $143,899. 



SUMMATION OF THE FISHERIES OF CONNECTICUT FOR 1880. The following statements show 

 the number of persons employed, the amount of capital invested, and the quantities and values 

 of the various products: 



Summary statement of persons employed and capital invested. 



a In menhaden factories, $139,000 ; in other fishery industries, $318,850. 



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