244 



FISHERIES OF THE UNITED STATES, 1908. 



Principal species. — The value of the catch of buffalo 

 fish formed 20 per cent of the value of all fishery- 

 products. The quantity of buffalo fish caught de- 

 creased from 862,000 pounds in 1899 to 704,000 pounds 

 in 1908, or 18 per cent, while the value increased from 

 $19,000 to 122,000, or 19 per cent. Only 15 per cent 

 of the value reported for this fish is credited to the 

 Cumberland and Tennessee Kivers, much the larger 

 part representing the value of product from the Mis- 

 sissippi Eiver and its tributaries. 



Catfish ranked second in importance, with a value 

 but little less than that reported for buffalo fish. 

 The catch of catfish decreased in quantity and in 

 value between 1899 and 1908. 



The mussel-shell and pearl industry was carried on 

 only on the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers. 

 Although this branch of the state's fisheries was not 

 introduced into Tennessee until after 1899, it has 

 developed rapidly, the product for 1908 amounting to 

 2,170,000 pounds, valued at $14,000. Of the total 

 value, $9,400 represented the value of the mussel shells 

 and $4,200 that of the pearls and slugs. 



The catch of black bass increased from 142,000 

 pounds, valued at $8,700, in 1899, to 177,000 pounds, 

 valued at $13,000, in 1908. Practically all of this 

 product in 1908, 174,000 pounds, was caught in Reel- 

 foot Lake. 



Of the fresh-water drum reported, 50 per cent of 

 the total weight and 79 per cent of the total value 

 were credited to the Cumberland and Tennessee 

 Rivers. This species shows a large decrease in quan- 

 tity and a small decrease in value, the catch in 

 1899 being 311,000 pounds, valued at $11,000, and 

 that in 1908 amounting to 204,000 pounds, valued at 

 $9,500. 



The German-carp product increased in quantity and 

 value between 1899 and 1908 in Tennessee, as in most 

 of the other states of the Mississippi Valley. A large 

 quantity, representing 91 per cent of the weight and 

 80 per cent of the value of the German carp reported 

 for this state, was caught in the Mississippi River dis- 

 trict. The catch of crappie has also increased in quan- 

 tity and in value while that of paddlefish has decreased 

 in quantity but increased in value since 1899. 



Table 1.— TENNESSEE— FISHERY PRODUCTS: 1908. 



i Includes apparatus, with catch, as follows: Crowfoot dredges, etc., 2,170,000 pounds, valued at $14,000; pound nets, 74,000 pounds, valued at $2,400; and shrimp traps, 

 1,700 pounds, valued at $200. 

 2 Less than $100. 



