FISHERIES OF THE SOUTH ATLANTIC STATES. 
283 
Albemarle Sound and tributaries. — This sound has the distinction of being the 
largest coastal body of fresh water in the world. Its extreme length from east to 
west is 60 miles, and its maximum width is 15 miles, the average being 6 or 8 miles; 
it therefore contains about 450 square miles. The water is normally quite fresh, but 
during periods of excessively dry weather it becomes salt or brackish, especially at 
its eastern end, where it drains into Roanoke and Croatan sounds. Of all the North 
Carolina sounds this is the most important from a fishery standpoint; and it is 
probable that there are few bodies of water of similar size in the world having more 
extensive fisheries. The importance is due to the fact that (1) the region is annually 
visited by enormous bodies of shad, alewives, striped bass, and other desirable 
economic species, and (2) the natural conditions permit the employment of seines, 
pound nets, gill nets, and other devices iu almost limitless numbers. It is especially 
remarkable for its level bottom and uniform depth of water, and the absence of strong 
currents and tides, except those of infrequent occurrence resulting from gales. Bight 
rivers enter the sound, four on the north, two on the west, and two on the south, in 
nearly all of which more or less extensive fisheries are carried on. The Chowan and 
Roanoke rivers, which flow into the western end of the sound, are among the longest 
and most important in the State, and have large fisheries in the portion adjacent to 
their mouths. The North, Pasquotank, Little, and Perquimans rivers on the north 
and the Scuppernong and Alligator rivers on the south are short, wide streams, the 
most important, as regards fisheries, being the Pasquotank and Alligator. 
Roanolce and Croatan sounds. — These lie to the south of the eastern end of Albe- 
marle Sound and extend parallel with the coast; they are separated by Roanoke 
Island. Roanoke Sound lies to the east of the island, and is 8 miles long and 1£ to 2 
miles wide. It is very shallow throughout its length, except in a narrow channel 
which skirts the shore of the island. Croatan Sound has the same length as Roanoke 
Sound, but is 2 to 4 miles wide and is much deeper. Most of the drainage from Albe- 
marle Sound passes through it. The combined area of these bodies of water is about 
75 miles. Important gill-net and other fisheries are prosecuted in these sounds. The 
southern extremities contain small deposits of native oysters, and the area probably 
suitable for oyster culture and planting is about 9,000 acres. 
Pamlico Sound and tributaries . — With the exception of Long Island Sound, this 
is the largest sound ou the Atlantic coast of the United States. It is about 75 miles 
long and from 10 to 30 miles wide, the area being about 1,860 square miles. On the 
north it communicates with Albemarle Sound through Roanoke and Croatan sounds, 
and much of the water of Albemarle Sound finds entrance into the ocean through 
it; on the south it joins Core Sound. The general depth is 15 to 20 feet. The sound 
is separated from the sea by long, narrow strips of saudy land, called the “ Banks,” 
through which the water of the sound finds exit at New, Hatteras, and Ocracoke 
inlets. The land known as the “ Banks” consists chiefly of low, desolate, barren sand 
hills, Avith occasional patches of scrubby vegetation. The inhabitants now depend 
for their livelihood almost entirely on fishing, oystering, and clamming, although iu 
earlier times the region was the home of a class who made their living from the wrecks 
which were numerous on this coast. Two important rivers, the Pamlico and the 
Neuse, enter the sound from the west, their mouths being broad estuaries in which 
considerable fishing is done. 
