NEW JERSEY: NORTHERN COAST. 389 



extend from one-half to C miles from the shore. Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix} constitute about 

 four-fifths of the entire catch, the only other species taken in any numbers being bonito (Sarda 

 mcditcrranca) and Spanish mackerel (Scombcromorus maculatus). The "still- fishermen" also fish 

 with hook and line occasionally for "bottom-fish," and with gill-nets for other species. The total 

 catch of these fishermen amounts to $800 to the boat during the season. 



THE POUND-NET FISHEKY. Pound-nets were introduced into the region by Mr. George 

 Snediker, of Graveseud, Long Island, about 1855. The first used, being of small size, were set 

 in Sandy Hook Bay for protection from the ocean storms. They did not come into general use till 

 about 1873, when it is said they were first extensively used on the outer beach. With the excep- 

 tion of one fished during a part of the seasons of 1878 and 1879 near Barnegat Inlet, and small 

 ones in the Shrewsbury Rivers, the pound fishery has been confined to the vicinity of Sandy Hook. 

 In 1879 there were six pound-nets between Long Branch and Sandy Hook, stocking an average 

 of $10,000 each, and clearing fully $7,000 apiece on fish taken during the season. In 1880 there 

 were eleven pound-nets in the same section, and two smaller ones in Sandy Hook Bay. These outer 

 pounds averaged about $8,000 each, and cleared $5,500, the best one having a gross stock of nearly 

 $12,000. The pounds are set in May and fished regularly when the weather is suitable till Novem- 

 ber. Placing the gross stock at $8,000, the catch of each pound, according to reliable estimate, 

 would be as follows : Weakfish (Cynoscion regale), $4,800; Spanish mackerel (S. maculatus), $1,200; 

 butter-fish (Stromateus triacanihus), $700; bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix), $500; sheepshead 

 (Diplodus probatocephalus), $300; bouito (Sarda mediterranca), $125; shad (Clupca sapidissima), 

 $55; other species, $300. 



THE GILL-NET FISHERY. Gill-nets were formerly used almost exclusively for the capture of 

 bluefish in this region, and are now largely used for that purpose, but they are also extensively 

 used for Spanish mackerel, and, to a limited extent, in the rivers and bays for weakfish and other 

 species. Between Sandy Hook and Squan River, nets of 3 to 4 inch mesh, 100 fathoms in length, 

 are extensively used at a distance from the shore between August and November. These were 

 formerly "set straight" and caught only bluefish. Later they were used as sweep-nets for Spanish 

 mackerel with indifferent success. About 1873 it was accidentally learned that by having sharp 

 angles in the net Spanish mackerel could be readily taken. This led to various experiments, which 

 Jiave resulted in an extensive fishery. The nets are now set in a manner similar to that on which 

 the pound net is constructed. Two nets are set together, one taking the place of the leader, while 

 the other is set in various shapes as a pocket for the fish. The nets are held in position by anchors 

 and lines. The more common "sets" are known as the square-set, t set, and harpoon-set. A gang 

 of two nets fished in this way has stocked $1,092 between August and November. The average 

 stock for the nets north of Long Branch is about $400 for each gang, one half of the money being 

 for Spanish mackerel and the remainder about equally divided between blucfish and weakfish. 

 Between Long Branch and Squan River the nets are more commonly " set-straights." A fisherman 

 iu this locality with two nets usually stocks about $250, of which $150 are for bluefish and the 

 balance for Spanish mackerel and weakfish in equal proportion. 



At Waretown nets of 31-inch mesh, 25 fathoms in length, are extensively used. These are 

 usually anchored at one end and allowed to swing with the tide. One man fishes four of them and 

 stocks from $200 to $L'50 in a season, three-fourths of the entire catch being bluefish. 



At different points along the bays and rivers, especially in the Shrewsbury Rivers, small gill- 

 nets are used for catching weakfish and other species for local supply, but the business is unim- 

 portant. 



