FISHERIES OF THE MIDDLE ATLANTIC STATES. 
347 
CONDENSED STATISTICS. 
The statistical as])ect of the lisheries of the Middle .\tlaiitic States is shown in a 
general way in tlie following series of tables. These tabulations make it possible to 
ascertain at a glance the relative importance of thelishing industry in each State as 
compared with the entire region and with each of the other States, and are preliminary 
to the very detailed statistics which are afterwards presented. The general tables 
which are given pertain to the persons engaged; the ai»paratus, vessels, boats, etc., 
employed, and the quantity and value of the catch, viewed from several standpoints. 
It appears that of the 90,!I23 persons employed in the lishing industry of this 
region in 1891, 15,213 were vessel hshermen, 51,900 were shore and boat fishermen, 
2,500 were carriers of fishery products, and 18,301 were shore help, factory hands, etc. 
Considerably more than two-fifths of the fishery employes, viz, 39,911, wmre in Mary- 
land and nearly one-fourth, namely, 23,591, were in Virgiiua. The order of rank of 
the other States was New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. 
Persons cni/(i{/ed hi 1hc fisheries of the Middle Ailaniic Sfates. 
States. 
Yrsfiel 
tisliermen. 
Shore 
lisherinei). 
Trans- 
porters. ' 
Sliores- 
iiien. 1 
Total. 
New York 
2, 2-AO 
7.858 
00 ! 
2,042 
12. 246 
New .Jersey 
2, 017 
7, 880 
201 
532 
10. 03!) 
Peiiusylvaiiia 
348 
1, 031 
5 
289 
2, 273 
Delaware 
103 
1,653 
43 
431 
2. 230 
Mar viand (includinji District of'Colunibia) 
C, 802 
10, 807 
1,450 1 
11,735 
39, 944 
Virginia 
3, G03 
10, 008 
705 
3,275 
23, 591 
Total 
15,213 ■ 
54, 900 
2,500 i 
18,304 
90 923 
The money invested in this industry was $19,318,601, of which Maryland is credited 
with $7,100,718, New York with $5,283,200, Yii'ginia with $2,918,059, New Jersey with 
$2,107,865, Pennsylvania with $911,110, and Delaware rvith $208,082. The factors 
entering most cons])icuously into this large amount are vessels, boats, shore property, 
and working capital. 
No less than 3,109 vessels of over 5 tons register were engaged in the actual taking 
of fi.shery products, and 758 others were employed exclusively iu transporting the 
catch. This fleet was valued, Avith the outfits, at $1,701,818, and its tonnage Avas 08,711. 
Over 1,025 of the vessels were in Maryland and about 915 in Yirginia, the otlier four 
States having 1,350. 
Boats to the number of 32,821, valued at $1,889,1.38, exclusive of those constituting 
a part of the vessels’ equipment, Avere used. Of these 9,825 were iu Maryland, 9,217 
in Virginia, 6,227 in New York, 5,712 in New Jersey, and 1,783 in Pennsylvania and" 
DelaAvare. 
The various kinds of iiroperty used on shore in connection with the business, 
such as factories, fish-houses, reels, etc., had a value of $5,803,000. Maryland, owing 
chiefly to its extensive and numerous oyster-packing establishments, had the largest 
share in this amount, $2,110,327 being thus credited; New York folloAved, Avith 
$1,791,909, and A^irginia wdth $717,787. The working or cash capita) required to 
properly conduct the fishing industry Avas $5,1-10,955. This is a somewhat uncertain 
though very important item, which may be viewed iu several different Avays, and 
varies Avith the method of consideration. As here regarded, it is the amount of ready 
money which must be ke])t by fishery operators, wholesale purchasing agents, and 
factory OAviiers in order to meet the current demands for fish, Avages, materials, etc. 
