622 



HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. 



7. THE STURGEON TRADE OF SAVANNAH. 



From the different inlets of the Georgia coast and from the Satilla River, the Altamaha, the 

 Ogeechee, the Savannah, and the Cohambec rivers a considerable number of sturgeon find their 

 way to the Savannah market. Here they ate dressed, packed in ice, and shipped by steamer to 

 New York. The roe, also, after some preliminary process here, is shipped to New York to be con- 

 verted into caviare. 



The sturgeon are taken iu drift nets of 12-inch mesh, No. 40 cotton twine. The length of net 

 varies from 80 to 150 fathoms, and is from IS to 26 meshes deep. The length and depth vary with 

 the width and depth of the river in which they are to be used. Two men and boats are necessary 

 for each net. The cost of a fishing outfit is on an average $130. Where the fishing is done by 

 hired crews the men receive from $25 to $40 per month. Where the fishing is on shares the party 

 furnishing outfit receives one-third of the proceeds, and the outfit is returned, but the nets are not 

 serviceable more than one season. 



The fishing begins first on the Satilla. In 1880 the camps were established on the 6th of 

 February, but the season did not fairly open until the 18th. 



The sturgeon as taken are either penned or tied out in the water and kept alive until a ship- 

 ment is made up, when they are killed, disemboweled, heads and tails cut off, and shipped to Sa- 

 vannah. Here they are skinned, the backbones taken out, packed in ice, and forwarded to New 

 York, and sold at a price of 6 or 8 cents per pound. 



The species of sturgeon which is the object of this fishery is the Acipenser oxyrhyncus, or 

 sharp-nose sturgeon. 



The average weight, gross, of the sturgeons brought to Savannah is about 150 pounds. The 

 average weight, net, is 65 pounds. The largest size seen by Mr. Hudson, one of the principal 

 dealers here, weighed 250 pounds. 



The fishing equipments in use during the season of 1880 were as follows: 



These nets are not confined to one river or locality ; these now being fished in the Satilla, later 

 in the season will be transferred to the Savannah or rivers farther east and north. 



According to the best estimates which I can make, the average catch per net may be put at 

 one hundred, which gives 15,000 pounds gross and 6,500 pounds net weight to each fishing outfit. 



Of the roe, we have an average of fifteen sturgeon to the keg of 125 pounds, which gives seven 

 kegs of roe to each fishing outfit. I have not learned that there is any use made of the offal. It 

 could, of course, be used in the preparation of oil. 



We have the following statistical summary of the product and value of the sturgeon trade of 

 Savannah and of the men and capital engaged in it: 



Number of fishing equipments engaged 48 



Value of same $6, 240 



Number of men employed 709 



Average number of sturgeon to net 100 



