354 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
FISHERIES OF NEW YORK. 
General features of the fisheries . — lu the value of its fisheries New York ranks 
second among the iStates of the Middle Atlantic region and third in the entire country, 
being surpassed only by Maryland and Massachusetts. 
Owing chiefly to the large coastal population, the iiroximity of the best markets, 
and the ready demand for nearly all forms of water products, there is probably no 
State whose fishery resources are more fully utilized than New York. Fishing is 
systematically prosecuted along all the shores of the State bordering on salt water 
and is also extensive in the Hudson Eiver. 
Tlie fisheries which give special in-omiuence to the State are those for fish and 
other animals inhabiting the rivers and inshore waters. The vessel fisheries in the 
open ocean, while very important, are practically restricted to the taking of menhaden 
with seines and bluefish and cod with lines. Chief among the products are oysters, hard 
clams, soft clams, scallops, shad, squeteague, and eels in addition to those mentioned. 
The lU'oducts in the value of which New York surpasses the other States of this 
region are scallops (which are taken only in this State), soft clams, hard clams, lobsters, 
butter-fish, eels, flounders, menhaden, and scrip. In salt water the cultivation and 
taking of oysters is by far the most prominent branch of the fisheries, while in the 
fresh waters the capture of shad is the pi iucipal fishery. 
Statistical summary , — Condensed statistics of the commercial fisheries of New York 
as they existed in the years 1889, 1890, and 1891 are shown in the following series of 
tables, relating respectively to tlie irersons employed, the capital invested, and the 
products. 
Tlie fishing population of this State in 1891 was 12,240, an increase of somewhat 
more than 1,000 as compared with 1889. Vessel fishing engaged the attention of 2,250 
persons, shore and boat fishing was participated in by 7,8.58 persons, shore fishery 
industries gave employment to 2,042 persons, and the transporting trade was con- 
ducted by 96 persons. 
The investment in the fisheries of this State in 1891 was $5,283,200, or $705,977 
more than in the second preceding year, thus compensating for the increase in the fish- 
ing population. The details of the investment are shown in the table, which indicates 
the items in which the changes have occurred during the three years. 
In 1891 the yield of the fisheries of this State was 170,885,022 pounds, valued at 
$4,817,369. While the quantity of the catch was less than in 1889 or 1890, the value 
was considerably greater, owing to a larger catch of products rvith a relatively high 
valuation per pound. 
Persons employed in the fisheries of Xew York. 
How engaged. 
1889. 
1890. 
1891. 
2,071 
7,312 
122 
1, 715 
2, 181 
7, 710 
no 
1,904 
2, 250 
7, S5s 
96 
2, 042 
Total - 
11,220 
11,911 
12, 240 
