340 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
MARYLAND. 
All of the commercial fisheries of the State, with the exception of 
those of the Potomac River, are included in these tables. Reliable 
figures show 777 persons to have been engaged in the fisheries of this 
omitted region in 1888. They had boats and apparatus valued at 
$70,890, and took products to the value of $320,24*, chiefly oysters and 
anadromous fish. These items do not enter into the tables. 
Maryland now, as in 1880, leads all other States in number of persons 
employed, showing an increase since that year of more than 5,000. It 
is next to Massachusetts in capital invested, and the fishing fleet is 
much larger than that of any other State ; but owing to the decadence 
in the oyster industry, the most important fishery in the State, the value 
of its products shows a considerable decline. In some fisheries there 
has been a gratifying increase, and in a few cases a remarkable ad- 
vance. One very striking instance of this kind is the pound-net fish- 
ery. In 1880 there were reported only 83 pound nets, but in 1888 there 
were 599 in operation, not including the Potomac River, where there 
were over 100 more. There has been a large advance in the yield of 
shad, nearly 2,000,000 pounds more being taken in 1888 than in 1880. 
Nevertheless, the State has lost rank in this branch ; in 1880 it headed 
the list, but now holds only fourth place. 
92. Table of persons employed. 
How engaged. 
1887. 
1888. 
On fishing vessels 
8,353 
1,118 
13, 825 
49 
8, 104 
8, 407 
1, 042 
14, 195 
51 
8, 256 
On transporting vessels ........................... ................. 
On fishing boats .......... ............ ....... .............................. 
Op transporting boats ... _ 
On shorn 
Total ...... 
31,449 
81, 951 
93. Table of apparatus and capital. 
Designation. 
1887. 
1888. 
Number. 
Value. 
Number. 
Value. 
Vessels fishing* 
Outfit ........ ....... ...... ...... 
1,310 
$1, 121, 620 
316, 664 
518, 970 
17, 065 
368, 042 
6, 050 
84, 538 
10, 500 
17 
1, 309 
$1,012, 785 
325, 495 
423, 580 
15, 230 
386, 039 
6, 200 
86, 387 
12, 200 
Vessels transporting t 
327 
309 
Outfit 
Ttonts fishing. ...... 
7, 517 
26 
3, 142 
21 
7, 751 
27 
Ttna.f.s transporting 
Apparatus of capture — vessel fisheries: 
rtrodaos tongs oto 
3, 179 
.24 
Spin p.s ... 
Hand lines 
51 
48 
15 
Apparatus of capture— shore fisheries: 
Dredges, tones, rakes, etc 
10, 095 
391 
52, 864 
36, 045 
2,210 
50, 105 
29, 052 
42, 098 
2, 625 
2,735 
1, 828 
5, 228 
1, 723, 826 
1, 950, 974 
10, 469 
430 
54, 953 
38, 755 
2, 095 
53, 700 
30, 887 
44, 494 
2, 775 
Pound nots .... 
Stake weirs 
179 
169 
Haul seines 
425 
455 
Dyke nets 
7, 333 
7, 089 
36 
7, 833 
Gill nets 
7, 460 
39 
Trammftl nots _ 
Eel pots 
2, 995 
3, 569 
3, 216 
1, 783 
5,228 
1,753, 659 
2, 029, 493 
Hand linos t.ra.wl linos t.rot linos oto 
Miscellaneous nets and minor apparatus 
3, 440 
3,789 
Shore property 
Cash capital 
Total 
6, 343, 056 
6, 288, 969 
* Tonnage in 1887, 23,659.10; in 1888, 23,242.98, f Tonnage in 1887, 10,569.52 ; in 1888, 10,2134$, 
