218 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



the otber co-tenants and owners of the fish in the waters of the State, 

 not engaged in trap-Jishwg, whether the raanner in which the privileges 

 lieretofore allowed these fishermen have been managed, is for the in- 

 terest of the State and the people at large; whether it is most bene- 

 ficial that an immense amount of fish, taken in about seventeen days — 

 ivhile in spawn — and in such quantities that the major part must he sent 

 to foreign marlcets or used for manure^ and our own markets for the few 

 weeks overstocked and at low prices, and at a time when such food is 

 not so much desired as afterward, when none can be had, and the price 

 of fish becomes exorbitant, or that our markets, relying upon other 

 fish until about the first of June, shall be supplied for the rest of the 

 summer and fall, five months at least, with these fish at reasonable 

 l)riccs. 



On the one hand, while the trappers are reaping the harvest, or rather 

 taking the crop when at its least value, a large number of men, fisher- 

 men by trade, some from choice, many from necessity, poor, disabled from 

 other labor, relying for their daily food for themselves and families in a 

 great measure upon fishing — besides those who fish for amusement, and 

 to this end give employment to a large number of boatmen — are de- 

 prived of their just and lawful rights and privileges in consequence of 

 this general destruction. The number of men engaged in this river- 

 fishing was estimated at 800, as their daily avocation, ten or twelve years 

 ago. 



On the other hand, if these fish are allowed to come up the river as 

 formerly, they will come to the market at the right season in abundance, 

 and from the competition that will naturally arise the price will be kept 

 low. 



A larger number will be enabled to pursue fishing with the prospect 

 of a fair remuneration for their labor. The poor man can be supplied 

 with a wholesome and cheap food. The boatman will ply his boat for 

 fares, cheerfully paid by persons in pursuit of health and pleasure, who 

 will employ him with the certainty of finding good fishing. The regu- 

 lar fisherman can earn his $2 to $4 per day, and the State will be 

 richer by at least $200,000 per annum more than what is received by 

 trapping. 



Those who are benefited by trapping are about 216 fishermen, wiio, 

 taking the value of the fish caught last season at $40,000, 20,000 barrels, 

 at $2 per barrel, receive two- thirds, or about $124 each on the average; 

 next, the owners of the traps, of which there are about 24 according to 

 Mr. Benjamin Tallman's statement, among whom is to be divided the 

 one-third, or $13,333, giving $444 to each trap. 



This sum of $444, according to the estimate already given as to the 

 cost and depreciation of the twine, &c., if correct, is not sufficient to 

 cover the loss, and these owners, if this is all the benefit derived by 

 them from it, ought to be obliged to the legislature, if it will prohibit 

 this fishing. 



But the fact is, as has before been shown, that it is the buyers and 

 shippers of these fish that derive the great gain, and it is for this reason 

 they are so particularly anxious to have it continue. 



The low j)rice of scup would create a ready market and relieve the 

 <lemand for other artic^les of food, as demand, in a great degree, regu- 

 lates their i>rices. In a short time, the supply being the same, the seller 

 would find it necessary to redu(;e his prices, and all food would be 

 affected and brought within the means of those who are now restricted 

 by their narrow incomes. 



As a matter of political economy, it is for the welfare and general in- 



