FISHERIES OF THE MIDDLE ATLANTIC STATES. 
373 
and working capital. The value of the products was $1,000,1232. Of this sum the 
oyster yield constituted $003,755. The only other objects worthy of inention were 
shad, worth $33,457, and sturgeon, worth $7,310. 
iSText in importance to Cumberland is Monmouth County, which has varied fishing 
interests, and in respect to its food-fish fisheries is one of the most xirominent sections 
on the Atlantic seaboard. It has a frontage on the ocean and also on Sandy Hook 
Bay, and includes all that [lart of the iTew Jersey coast north of Manasquan and east 
of Keyiiort. In the years 1890 and 1891 the number of fishermen and value of the 
catch were greater than in any other county. In 1892, 1,981 persons w'ere einjiloyed, 
of Avhom 1,534 w'ere sliore fishermen. The decrease of over 400 xiersons, as conqiared 
wTfh the previous year, wms almost entirely due to the very disastrous lire which visited 
Seabright, the x>rincipal fishing center, in the latter iiart of 1891, causing many line 
fishermen to leave that community and seek employment elsewhere or engage in 
other occupations. The aggregate investment was $572,003. Vessels to the number 
of 132 were operated; these Avere valued at $147,405. The 1,119 small boats used had 
a value of $07,640. The most valuable ax)XAaratus emi)loyed Avere pound nets, 48 of 
which were worth $07,540. All other apparatus had a value of onl^^ $34,538. 
The catch in IMoumouth County consisted of a large Amriety of wafer lAroducts. 
Oysters had a value of $220,804, hard clams $183,071, bluefish $130,053, S(pteteague 
$103,049, sea bass $01,034, crabs $37,308, soft clams $32,780, menhaden $30,702, and 
other xu’oducts $105,732, the Avhole being worth $911,853 to the fishermen. In 1890 
and 1891 the fishermen received $1,059,229 and $1,092,440, respecti\"ely, for their catch. 
Tlie decline imlicated from 1891 to 1892 Avas due })rinci[)ally to the smaller number of 
fishermen engaged in line fishing, and Avas made iqA largely of bluefish and sea bass; 
there AAvas also, hoAvever, a diminished yiehl of menhaden, oysters, and soft clams, 
Avhile the catch of squeteague was much larger. 
Each of the counties of Atlantic, Ocean, and Salem has OA^er 1,000 x)ersons engaged 
in the fishing industry, over $180,000 iuA^ested, and xu’oducts Avorth OA^er $250,000. 
Burlington, Camden, and Cape May counties also Inum important fisheries. 
The folloAcing tables, relating to the years 1890, 1891, and 1892, xAresent detailed 
statistics for each county: 
Stalemeiit bij coiuiiifs of the number of persons emptoycd in the fisheries of New Jersey. 
Coimties. 
In vessel fisheries. 
In shore fisheries. 
On transporting 
vessels. 
On shore, in fac- 
tories, etc. 
Total. 
1890. 
1891. 
1892. 
1890. 
1891. 
1892. 
1890. 
1891. 
1892. 
1890. ' 1891. 
1892. 
1890. 
1891. 
1892. 
Atlantic 
79 
77 
flO 
1,013 
1,035 
967 
43 
46 
42 
61 02 
61 
1, 196 
1,220 
1, 160 
121 
112 
114 
! 
121 
112 
114 
Burlington . . . 
30 
43 
917 
911 
630 
17 
19 
2 
31 1 43 
12 
995 
1,016 
644 
149 
ICO 
164 
170 
174 
173 
12 
15 
1 
334 
346 
Cape May 
63 
69 
83 
587 
672 
734 
16 
18 
19 
8 i 8 
10 
674 
767 
840 
1, 269 
1 357 
1,481 
187 
201 
245 
239 i 260 
279 
1 695 
1 818 
2, 005 
25 26 
26 
25 
26 
26 
- 
5 
174 
170 
167 
179 
170 
172 
Hudson 
.10 
8 
8 
182 
1.85 
181 
2 
4 
4 
5 5 
0 
199 
202 
199 
Hun 1 0 r (1 0 n 
81 
81 
78 
81 
81 
78 
53 
49 
50 
53 
49 
50 
r 
.> 
282 
266 
279 
16 
16 
16 
303 
284 
205 
Monmouth . . . 
270 
287 
278 
1, 9.58 
1, 942 
1, 534 
54 
72 
61 
151 1 116 
108 
2.433 
2,417 
1,981 
Ocean 
13 
14 
18 
682 
094 
998 
18 
14 
35 
6 6 
30 
719 
728 
1, 111 
1, 305 
1, 307 
1, 309 
1, 305 
1, 307 
1, 309 
' 
110 
90 
101 
6 6 
4 
116 
96 
105 
Total . . . 
1,893 
2, 017 
2, 157 
7, 822 
7, 889 
7,560 
181 
201 
194 
532 532 
536 
10. 428 
10, 639 
10, 447 
