19G BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION 
number of boxes. In 1886 George 0. Daniels’s purse-net yielded 
34,000 pounds of fish, and in 1887 only 1,000 pounds. 
CAUSE OF FAILURE OF SEASON. 
Though nearly all engaged lost their work for two months, and some 
money besides, every one, without exception, declared that there was 
no decrease in the run of fish, but. a mere absence of “ top bait ” or young 
menhaden. The rock were feeding on “ bottom bait,” croakers, spots, 
young trout, etc., contrary to custom, and fishermen were unable to lo- 
cate the schools so as to lay nets around them. In 1886, and other reg- 
ular seasons, a dozen schools could often be sighted at onetime, but the 
“ slicks” or “signs” in 1887 were very infrequent and were generally 
deceptive, as they came from the bottom and appeared on the surface 
at long distances from the true source. In support of argument they 
stated that whenever it was calm or smooth enough to fish outside, 
near the ocean inlets, drag-nets caught an abundance, proving that 
there was no decrease in the species, but for inside work there was no 
guide, gulls and slicks being alike unreliable. In the spring season of 
1887 a very large number were caught in the Hettrick pounds near 
Pear Tree point (above), and in May of the same season L. R. Tibet 
caught outside the inlets, with 80 fathoms of seine, at one haul, 4,000 
pounds of 5 to 60 pounds weight each. 
I could find no fishermen, among 20 consulted, who would admit that 
the species was at all on the decrease, all maintaining with a uniformity 
that strengthened their statements that the fish were just as plenty 
now as fifteen years ago, notwithstanding that the fishery reached 
present proportions within three years of its establishment, and has 
been steadily kept up to its present volume. Two, Messrs. Godwin and 
Etheridge, claimed that it would be a benefit if they could exhaust the 
stock, as the shad and herring fishery would be greatly enhanced. They 
and all others admitted that the rock fish frequented these waters for the 
sole purpose of eating the millions of small fry which were collecting in 
the lower sounds prior to leaving fresh water for the sea. They spoke 
of the rock as a “ popping” or “ snapping ” species. 
There is no doubt that a smaller number of the species is caught by 
the shad and herring fishermen in the spring time on the Albemarle 
and other waters above, as my 1887 shad statistical report shows. 
There seems really to be no diminution but rather a transfer of the catch 
from the upper area in the spring months to the lower in the tall 
months. The only objectionable feature in the transfer, in a commer- 
cial way, so far as could be learned in a rather brief examination, is the 
lower price realized for the fish caught in autumn. If any considerable 
number of unmarketable fish are caught at Eoanoke Island and de 
stroyed or wasted, I was unable to learn anything of it by numerous 
inquiries. Great improvement is going on among the people of Eoanoke 
Island, and this industry has doubtless been a contributor of some im- 
