234 



FISHERIES OF THE UNITED STATES, 1908. 



Flatfish and flounders. — These are important food 

 fishes and the total value of the catch shows an in- 

 crease for each year, as indicated by the following tabu- 

 lar statement, although the quantity has fluctuated: 



1 Not reported separately. 



Menhaden. — Owing to the irregular appearance of 

 this fish in great numbers in coastal waters and the 

 adverse weather conditions, there is great variation in 

 the catch for different years, as the tabular statement 

 in the next column shows. 



The catch in 1908 shows a heavy increase over that 

 in 1898 and subsequent years, although it did not 

 reach the proportions attained in 1889 and 1880. 

 Practically all of the catch is consumed in the oil and 

 fertilizer industries. The average values are com- 

 paratively steady, ranging from a minimum of $4.84 

 per ton of 2,000 pounds for 1898 to a maximum of 

 $6.46 in 1880, the mean of the averages being $5.42 

 per ton, or substantially the same as the average for 

 1908. 



Table 1.— RHODE ISLAND— FISHERY PRODUCTS: 1908. 



i Includes apparatus, with catch, as follows: Dredges, tongs, and rakes, 8,767,000 pounds, valued at $1,008,000: eel and lobster pots, 1,670,000 pounds, valued at $163,000: 

 harpoons and spears, 325,000 pounds, valued at $19,000; beam trawls, 496,000 pounds, valued at $14,000; and minor apparatus, 282,000 pounds, valued at $39 000 

 - Less than $100. s 1,223,000 bushels. < 3,000 bushels. s 2.500 bushels. a 100 bushels. ^ 500 gallons 



