(3(38 GEOGRAPHICAL REVIEW OF THE FISHERIES. 



The fisheries, unlike those of Verinillion, are controlled by a large number of firms, each of which 

 owns a few nets. In 1879 there were ten firms engaged in the fishing business, employing together 

 about thirty-two men. Besides the professional fishermen, most of the firms living near the shore 

 own a few gill-nets and take what fish they need for their own use, carrying on the fishery for only 

 a few days in the best part of the season. The majority of the professional fishermen, as well as 

 of the owners of the nets, are Germans. As a rule, the assistants are not employed for more than 

 six months in each year. 



The only form of apparatus in use is the pound net ; about thirty-nine of these were in use in 

 1879, being set at different points along the shore. There are three gill-uetters from Erie who fish 

 in this vicinity at certain seasons, but, besides the farmers already mentioned, there are no persons 

 who make a regular business of gill-netting. The nets and boats employed in 1879, together with 

 the accessories, were valued by the owners at about $22,700. 



The grounds of this section are chiefly noted for the abundance of blue pike. In 1879 .about 

 1,300 half-barrels of them were prepared for market ; herring are also very abundant, the catch in 

 1879 being sufficient to fill about 2,600 half-barrels, when salted. The amount of other varieties 

 taken in 1879, exclusive of sturgeon, was not less than 185,000 pounds. All of that amount was 

 sold in the vicinity of the fisheries. The salt fish was sent to Huron and Cleveland. In addition 

 to the amounts already mentioned, about 3,000 sturgeon, weighing not less than 50,000 pounds, 

 were taken and sent to Sandusky to be smoked. 



No disasters have occurred in this vicinity since the origin of the fisheries. 



The general impression among the fishermen seems to be that there has been a great decrease 

 among whitefish during the last decade. Ten years ago not half as many nets were in use as are 

 now employed, but a much larger quantity of fish was taken. The decrease of other species is 

 said to be imperceptible, some even claiming that the blue pike and the herring have increased. 

 About eight or nine years ago the prices of all kinds of fish, except whitefish, were nearly double 

 the present prices. 



DOVER BAY. These fisheries are not very extensive. The nets are scattered along six or 

 seven miles of shore. During 1879 about twenty men were employed by the five firms who owned 

 and managed the fisheries. The hired men are usually engaged for not more than six mouths in 

 each year. Most of the assistants and owners are Germans. All of the net owners are also 

 farmers, who carry on the double occupation of fishing and fanning. The fishing business is said 

 to have been quite profitable, and many of those engaged are in good circumstances. 



Pound-nets are the only form of apparatus employed. In 1879 there were about twelve of 

 these nets in use, varying in depth from 20 to 40 feet. No gill-nets are now in use at Dover Bay. 

 They were experimented with some few years ago, but proved unprofitable. 



The grade of fish taken at Dover Bay is poor; most of them are classed as "soft fish." The 

 yield in 1879 was a little more than 300,000 pounds, the greater proportion of which was sent to 

 Cleveland, although the wholesale dealers there care very little about handling it. 



Pounds have been in use in this locality since the year 1802, but it has been only within the 

 last eight or nine years that the fishery has met with much success. There has always been more 

 or less difficulty experienced in keeping the nets in place on account of the exposed nature of 

 the shore. By better management, within later years, however, this evil seems to have been erad- 

 icated. The boats now employed are larger and of better model than those formerly in use, and 

 are usually propelled by sails instead of by oars. 



CLEVELAND. The fishery trade of Cleveland, in proportion to the population of the city, is 



