FISHERIES OF THE SOUTH ATLANTIC STATES. 
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white perch (. Morone americana) reaches the southern limit of its abundance in North 
Carolina, and in Albemarle Sound is an important food-fish. The migratory fishes, 
as shad, alewives, and striped bass, of which enormous bodies annually visit the 
region, are taken in large quantities in the lowlands. In the upper courses of most 
of the rivers, the most important commercial fishes are the suckers and sunfishes, 
besides the anadromous species mentioned, which often extend their migrations far up 
the streams. 
The reptilian resources of this region comprise a number of valuable animals 
inhabiting the salt, brackish, and fresh waters. Three marine turtles occur ; the most 
important of these is the green turtle ( Chelonia mydas), which is valued for its eggs and 
the oil they yield, as well as for its flesh, which is highly esteemed. The other turtles 
are the loggerhead turtle (Thalassochelys caretta ), which has little food value and is 
chiefly important for its eggs and the oil which is extracted from the flesh and eggs, 
and the hawkbill or tortoise-shell turtle ( Eretmoclielys imbricata ), the shell of which 
constitutes its greatest value, the flesh and eggs being similar to those of the logger- 
head. The snapping turtle ( Chelydra serpentina ) is found throughout the fresh waters 
of this region, but is not taken in large numbers for market, although it is a favorite 
article of food for home consumption. Foremost among the animals of this class is the 
diamond-back terrapin (. Malaclemmys palustris), which is the most important reptilian 
product of these States, and is here taken in larger quantities than elsewhere in the 
United States, with the exception of the Chesapeake Bay region. Other terrapins of 
some commercial importance are the yellow-bellied terrapin ( Pseudemys scabra) and 
the Florida cooter ( Pseudemys concinna ). One of the pond tortoises, locally called the 
“chicken tortoise” (Chrysemys reticulata), also has some economic value. The alliga- 
tor ( Alligator mississippiensis ) is found in all the South Atlantic States, but is scarce 
in the more northern parts of the region and is the object of an established industry 
only in Florida. 
During the colder months, large numbers of porpoises congregate south of Cape 
Hatteras, where they are captured by means of large seines; this fishery is more 
important in North Carolina than in any other State, and nowhere else is the seine 
used for taking porpoises. Other cetaceans occur off this coast at times, but they are 
not now captured by the fishermen of this region. 
The only mollusk which has up to this time attained commercial prominence is 
the oyster (Ostrea virginica). This occurs in every State; is, next to the shad, the 
most important single fishery product of the region, and is doubtless destined, in the 
near future, to occupy a much more prominent position among the food resources of 
these States, as a result of the increased attention it is receiving from the general 
government, State legislatures, economists, and cultivators. The round or hard clam 
or quahog ( Venus mercenaria) is found in some abundance in parts of this region and 
is taken in small quantities in North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. The only other 
mollusk which has become an object of fishery is the scallop ( Pecten irradians), of 
which limited quantities are secured in North Carolina. 
Among crustaceans the shrimp are the most important representatives occurring 
on the South Atlantic coast. Two species (. Penceus setiferus and P. brasiliensis) are 
taken in large numbers throughout the region, the small individuals often being 
denominated shrimp, while the larger examples are called prawn. The shrimps here 
reach a larger size than on the coast of the New England and Middle States and 
F. C. B. 1891—18 
