148 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [32] 



about the 1st of April have spawn in them, but have none when they 

 return in October. 



The following is the report of Captain Jacob Almy, fisherman expert,- 

 viz: 



On Sunday, August 6, I interviewed Mr. Church and Messrs. Brown 

 & Brightmau, the only two firms doing business in ISTarragansett Bay. 

 Mr. Church made the following statement : "Mackerel and menhaden 

 make their appearance on this coast about the same time, from the 1st 

 to the middle of May. The menhaden coming first travel much faster 

 than those appearing afterwards. They are caught from the shore to 

 30 miles at sea. Our last year's catch by 8 gangs was 140,000 barrels. 

 The average of oil to the barrel of fish was If gallons. Our entire catch 

 this year to date is 90,000 barrels. The average yield of oil this year 

 is § of a gallon to the barrel of fish. I believe that menhaden do not 

 spawn until the months of December and January j when leaving here 

 they are full of spawn. I believe it would be safe to offer one dollar 

 each for every menhaden found in the spring containing ripe spawn." 



Messrs. Brown & Brightman stated as follows : 



" We have caught up to date this year 39,000 barrels of menhaden with 

 an average of | of a gallon of oil to the barrel of fish. Last year's catch 

 was 23,000 barrels with an average of If gallons of oil to the barrel. 



We use seines 200 fathoms long with 2J to 2| inch mesh, which only 

 last one year. We employ twelve men to a seine and run five gangs. 

 I believe that the food-fishes caught with the menhaden would not be 

 enough to supply the men taking them with fresh fish to eat. Warm 

 southerly winds are the best for taking menhaden. I believe that very a 

 few if any of these fish spawn here. They have large spawn in them 

 when they leave here in the fall, and have none when they return in the 

 spring. We have no idea what they eat, but believe that they feed 

 sometimes from the bottom and sometimes from the surface. We can- 

 not suggest any better method of taking them." 



This vessel left IsTewiDort on thfe morning of the 7th instant, and pro- 

 ceeded to sea. At 9.45 Brenton's Eeef bore abeam, course SW. ^ W 

 We saw between Point Judith and Block Island a fishing steamer stand 

 ing to the eastward, i^robably making for New Bedford. At 12.30 p 

 m. changed course to NNW. and ran 9^ miles, then to S. by W. and 

 ran 24 miles, then to I^. ^ W. and at sunset anchored oflt'Montauk Point 

 We saw two fishing steamers off the point. After anchoring I boarded 

 two smacks engaged in taking sea bass. 



Oapt. A. H. Tuttle, of the vessel Louise, from Greenport, made th 

 following statement : 



" I have formerly been engaged in the menhaden business. The; 

 come to the coast from the 15th of April to the 10th of May. The firs 

 fish that make their appearance are usually larger than those which fol 

 low. The second run are those which stop and school in the bays an 

 inland waters. Their food is a very small marine insect, which appeari 



