STATISTICS OF THE FISHERIES OF THE MIDDLE ATLANTIC 



STATES. 



GENERAL NOTES AND STATISTICS. 



The number of persons engaged in the coast fisheries of the Middle 

 Atlantic States in 1897 was 95,316. Of this number, 73,169 were 

 fishermen and 22,147 shoresmen. The States which had the greatest 

 number of persons employed in their fisheries were Maryland and 

 Virginia, the former having 42,812 and the latter 28,277. New Jersey 

 comes third, with 12,494, followed by New York with 7,443, Delaware 

 with 2,392, and Pennsylvania with 1,898. Since the general canvass of 

 the fisheries of this region in 1891 there has been an increase in the 

 number of persons employed of 5,808. This increase has taken place 

 in four of the States here considered, while in two States there 

 have been decreases. The largest increase has occurred in Virginia, 

 amounting to 4,682 persons. 



The capital invested in the fisheries of the region amounted to $15,- 

 188,6;15. In Maryland the investment was $5,821,610; in Virginia, 

 $2,891,536; in New Jersey, $2,371,253; in New York, $2,094,869; in 

 Pennsylvania, $1,601,528, and in Delaware, $407,819. As compared 

 with the year 1891 the capital invested in the fisheries is shown to 

 have increased $787,807, the increase being largest in New York. 



The number of vessels employed was 3,874, having a tonnage of 

 58,315 tons, and a value, with their outfits, of $4,167,469. The boats 

 employed in the shore fisheries numbered 32,290, and were valued, with 

 accessory scows and floats, at $1,875,965. The apparatus of capture 

 was valued at $1,515,723. The value of shore property and cash 

 capital was $7,629,458. 



The products of the fisheries, aggregating 594,172,210 pounds, were 

 valued at $14,324,463. This amount is apportioned as follows: Mary- 

 land, $3,617,306; New Jersey, $3,614,434; New York, $3,391,595; 

 Virginia, $3,179,498; Pennsylvania, $269,507, and Delaware, $252,123. 

 The oyster fishery, which is the most important in this region, was 

 valued at $8,866,829. The shad fishery ranks next in importance, being 

 valued at $981,246. The clam fishery was valued at $937,872. Other 

 important species were blue-fish, valued at $581,563; menhaden, at 

 $473,359; squeteague, at $380,371; crabs, at $337,264, and alewives, 



at $229,983. 



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