INTRODUCTORY NOTE. 



The following report on the fisheries of the Middle Atlantic States 

 has been prepared from data collected by agents of this Commission 

 in 1898 and 1899, the information relating to the year 1897, with sup- 

 plementary^ statistics on New York and New Jersey for 1898. 



The statistics presented for the various States of this region relate 

 wholly to the commercial fisheries of the coastal waters, in which are 

 included the lower sections of the coast rivers. The fisheries of the 

 interior waters have not been considered. 



The general results of this work have already been published in 

 Statistical Bulletins Nos. 11. and 13, and in the report of the Com- 

 missioner for 1899. 



The report has been prepared under the direction of Mr. C. H. 

 Townsend, assistant in charge of the division of fisheries. 



The inquiries in the field were made by agents of the division, as 

 follows: C. H. Stevenson in Maryland and New York; W. A. Wilcox 

 in Virginia; T. M. Cogswell in Virginia and Maryland; Ansley Hall 

 in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey; John N. Cobb in 

 Mar3^1and, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey; W. A. Roberts 

 in Virginia, Maryland, and New Jerse}^; and E. S. King in Maryland, 

 Delaware, and Pennsylvania. 



Mr. Townsend spent a few days in visiting certain fisheries in^ 

 New Jersey and New York, and Mr. J. B. Wilson was employed 

 temporarily in Virginia and New York. 



The field agents have assisted in the preparation of the statistical 

 tables and have made contributions to the explanatory notes relating 

 to the States canvassed by them. 



Geo. M. Bowers, Cominissioner. 



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