84 



FISHERIES OF THE UNITED STATES, 1908. 



Buffalo fish. — In 1908 the buffalo-fish catch repre- 

 sented 21 per cent of the total value of products, 

 compared with 31 per cent in 1899. The product of 

 this species has decreased slightly in quantity and 

 still more in value. The gain over 1894, however, is 

 substantial, as is shown by the following tabular 

 statement: 



Catfish,— Catfish contributed 16 per cent of the 

 total value of products in 1908, as compared with 

 approximately 25 per cent in 1899. Although the 

 catch has increased since 1899, the value has decreased. 

 The following tabular statement gives the product for 

 1894, 1899, and 1908: 



Other leading -products. — In 1908 the value of the 

 black bass caught, $20,000, formed 10 per cent of the 

 entire value of the fishery products of the state, the 

 quantity being much larger than in 1899, when its 

 value was $10,000. The catch of crappie in 1908 

 was approximately 25 per cent heavier than in 1899, 

 but of about the same value. The total catch of 

 fresh-water drum has increased one-third in quantity 

 and one-seventh in value since 1899. 



ARKANSAS— FISHERY PRODUCTS: 1908. 



i Includes apparatus, with catch, as follows: Crowfoot dredges, 8,060,000 pounds, valued at $70,000; firearms, 19,000 pounds, valued at $2,900; harpoons spears etc., 

 00 pounds, valued at $1,600; dip nets and traps, 6,000 pounds, valued at $200. *■>*•>■ 



20,000 



2 Less than $100. 

 a Seven skins. 



CALIFORNIA. 



In the value of products from fisheries, California 

 ranked second among the Pacific coast states both at 

 the canvass of 1904 and at that of 1908. Sea fishing is 

 carried on along practically the entire coast line of the 

 state, but the river or inland fisheries are confined 

 almost exclusively to the rivers flowing into San Fran- 

 cisco Bay, the largest and most productive of which is 



the Sacramento. Humboldt Bay is next in impor- 

 tance as a fishing ground, the salmon catch being the 

 principal product. The following tabular statement 

 gives a summary of the industry for 1908: 



Number of persona employed 4, 129 



Capital: 



Vessels and boats, including outfit $1, 066, 000 



Apparatus of capture 502,000 



Shore and accessory property and cash 91, 000 



Value of products i | 970, 000 



