FISHERIES OF THE MIDDLE ATLANTIC STATES. 
425 
FISHERIES OF VIRGINIA. 
Importance and prominent featvres of the industry . — In the item of persons 
employed, Virginia ranks second among the Middle Atlantic States, while in the 
matter of invested capital and value of products it occupies tlie third iiosition. 
Considering the entire country, the rank of Virginia as a tishing State, based on the 
value of the catch, is fifth. 
Virginia shares with Maryland the excellent pliysical advantages which have 
contrilnited so materially to the development of the fishing industry. The natural 
resources of the waters are very similar to those possessed by Maryland. Fishing 
operations are extensively carried on in Chesapeake Bay, in the two large sounds form- 
ing a part thereof— Tangier and Pocomoke — in the Potomac. Wicomico, Eaiipaliannock, 
York, and James rivers, which enter the western side of the Chesapeake, and in the 
ocean from those parts of the State above and below the entrance to the bay. 
The oyster fishery of Virginia overshadows all other branches and is more prom- 
inent than in any other State except Jlaryland. Yext in importance are the shad 
fisheiy, the menhaden fishery, the squeteague fishery, the alewife fishery, the blue- 
fish fishery, and the Spanish-mackerel fishery. In the catch of Spanish mackerel, 
menhaden, pompaiio, spots, and croakers, Virginia surpasses all the other States of 
this region. The shad fishery is next in importance to that of Maryland. Virginia 
ranks next to Maryland in the number of vessels engaged in the fishing industry 
and in the extent of the oyster-packing trade; while its meidiaden industry is more 
important than in any other State. The increase in the ponnd-net fishery in recent 
years constitutes one of the most xwoininent features of the industry, and no other 
coast State now has so many xtound nets. * 
Condensed statistics . — A summarized statistical presentation of the fisheries of 
Virginia is contained in the three following tables, relating to the years ISfiO and 
1891. 
Of the 23,595 persons engaged in tlie industry in the latter year, 3,003 were 
vessel fishermen, 16,027 were shore and boat fishermen, 705 were on vessels employed 
in transporting fishery products, and 3,200 were in the shore branches connected 
with the fisheries, such as oyster packing, the mauufactufe of menhaden oil and 
fertilizer, etc. 
The money value of the fishing iiroperty in Virginia in 1891 was $2,918,0.59. 
The factors in this amount were 913 vessels valued, with their outfits, at $939,130; 
9,217 boats, worth $163,722; apparatus to the value of .$300,511; shore property and 
cash capital, .$1,185,287. 
Of the total value of the fisheries, .$3,617,815 in 1891, -$2,521,318 accrued from 
the sale of oysters; shad were, worth .$207, .391; menhaden, .$197,523; squeteague, 
$124,615; alewives, .$93,905; bluefish, .$07,515, aiud Spanish mackerel, -$50,756. 
Persons emploxjtd in the fisheries of fl/yinia. 
How engaged. 
1890. 
1891. 
:i, C27 
15.718 
710 
2, 714 
3, G03 
16, 027 
705 
3, 200 
Total 
22. 769 
23, 595 
