45 
object in the tide way—and for this reason I am inclined 
to think that so far as the alewives are concerned the 
pound net fishing instead of working any disadvantage 
is actually improving the condition of this fishery all 
the time 
The next species in order is the bluefish. The cen- 
sus of 1880 gives the total catch of this species for the 
entire coast at 14,707,000 pounds. The catch of 1892 
reaches nearly 16,000,000, being 1,250,000 pounds 
in excess of the catch of 1880. Considerigg the data 
by geographical sections we find that the decrease in 
this species in the New England States since 1880 has 
amounted to 4,223,000 pounds. The largest increase 
of 4,321,000 pounds is inthe Middle Atlantic States. 
The increase for the South Atlantic States is 602,000 
pounds; for the Gulf States 545,000 pounds, this be- 
ing a new fishery for that section. Whether the vast 
decrease in the New England States is to be attributed 
to the methods employed there or is the result of the 
larger and growing catch in the Middle and South At- 
lantic States, is a matter about which we cannot at 
present form a conclusive opinion. 
The cod fishery is prosecuted mainly in the New 
England and Midddle Atlantic States; there being, 
however, an important and growing fishery in the North 
Pacific. Considering the fishery as a whole, we find a 
falling off of 26,500,000 pounds in product as com- 
pared with 1880, the decline being the largest in the 
New England States. 
It is to be noted in connection with this fishery that 
the species is taken almost entirely, if not entirely, by 
hook and line, and the greater proportion in offshore 
waters. The deterioration cannot, therefore, in this case 
be attributed to any of the different forms'of apparatus 
that are used in our coast waters. 
In the case of the lobsters we find an increase of 
3,000,000 pounds in the product of 18¢2 as compared 
