STATISTICAL REVIEW OF THE COAST FISHERIES. 345 
VIRGINIA. 
The tables for this State include all commercial fisheries excepting 
those of the James and Potomac Bivers. Nearly complete data, how- 
ever, have been obtained for these rivers and furnish a basis for the fol- 
lowing estimates, which are in addition to any figures in the tabulated 
statements: In 1888 the fisheries of these rivers gave employment to 
2,512 fishermen and $162,100 invested capital, and the value of products 
amounted to $555,610. 
Considered as a whole, there has been a decline since 1880 in the fish- 
eries of this State in the items of persons employed and value of catch, 
though the capital invested has increased. The decrease is almost en- 
tirely attributable to the falling oft' in the oyster industry. There has 
been a phenomenal increase in the pound-net fishery, particularly in 
the quantity of apparatus used. The catch of shad is much larger than 
formerly ; Virginia now takes precedence of all other States in the shad 
fishery, though in 1880 it ranked third. 
99. Table of persons employed. 
How engaged. 
1887. 
1888. 
On vessels fishing 
3,108 
882 
5, 397 
2, 154 
2, 969 
940 
6, 545 
2, 10 L 
Or| vessels transporting 
On boats 
On ah ore . _ _ _ . 
Total 
11, 541 
12, 615 
100. Table of apparatus ancl capital. 
Designation. 
1887. 
1888. 
No. . 
Value. 
No. 
Value. 
Vessels fishing* 
622 
$476, 234 
135, 695 
287, 750 
22, 475 
175, 225 
28, 800 
990 
584 
$432, 050 
128, 949 
307, 970 
25, 030 
203, 793 
26. 000 
1,140 
30 
30 
30, 704 
15, 497 
227, 015 
12, 465 
6, 195 
18, 390 
2,464 
+464, 203 
306, 300 
Outfit 
Vessels transporting 
281 
310 
Outfit 
Boats 
3, 926 
54 
7 
4, 486 
48 
9 
40 
2 
3, 174 
134 
991 
1, 890 
177 
Apparatus of capture — vessel fisheries: 
Purse seines 
Haul seines 
Bel pots 
Fyke nets 
Dredges and tongs 
3, 762 
130 
608 
1,781 
153 
35, 741 
13, 767 
164, 355 
12, 014 
5, 305 
18, 543 
1, 805 
+462, 957 
300, 300 
Apparatus of capture— shore fisheries : 
Seines 
Pound nets _ 
Gill nets 
Fyke nets 
Tongs and rakes -• 
Minor apparatus (lines, etc.) 
Shore property, factories etc ... _ 
Cash capital _ _ ... 
Total 
2, 141, 956 
2, 208, 225 
* Tonnage in 1887, 9,088.01 ; in 1888, 8,522.43. 
t Tonnage in 1887, 5,643.38; in 1888, 6,384.71. 
| Not including $26,400 in 1887, and $33,700 in 1888, value of menhaden factories temporarily idle. 
