42 
furnish as accurate a statistical presentation of the con- 
ditions of the fisheries as can be obtained with the 
means and resources at the command of the Fish 
Commission. 
By reference to this table you will find that in 
1892 the number of persons employed in all branches 
of the fisheries and related industries in all parts of the 
United States has increased 38.77 per cent. as compared 
with the number employed in 1888. The capital 
invested has increased 53.43 per cent. whilst the total 
value of the products of the fisheries has increased but 
17.14 per cent. This indicates in a general way that 
the fisheries in 1892, taken as a whole, have not been 
so productive in proportion to the number of persons 
employed and capital invested as they were in 1880 
We are, however, liable to err if we attempt to apply 
this general conclusion to the case of any particular 
fishery, though the general fact is broadly emphasized 
that our fisheries do not now yield the profitable return 
to individuals and to investments that they did in 1880. 
Referring to this same table and considering the sta- 
tistics of the fisheries by geographical divisions, we find 
that the fisheries of the New England States as a whole 
are practically unchanged since 1880. The number of 
persons employed is slightly less: the capital invested 
has been reduced less than one half of one per cent. 
while the value of the products has increased one half 
of one per cent. 
For the Middle Atlantic States we find the number 
of persons employed has increased 51 per cent.; the 
capital invested 53 per cent.; while the increased value 
of the products is only. 16; per cent. .For the South 
Atlantic States the number of persons employed has 
more than doubled, being 113 per cent.; the capital in- 
vested has increased 14 per cent.; while the value of 
the products rises to a little above 26 per cent. 
