366 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
The early history of the pound-net fishery on this coast is interesting. It is 
recorded * that pound nets were first introduced into this region about 1855, by Mr. 
George Snediker, of Gravesend, Long Island. The first nets were of small size, and 
were set in Sandy Hook Bay for protection from storms. It was not until 1873 that 
pound nets came into general use, and it was about that year that they were first 
operated on the outer shore. 
Twenty-three pound nets, located between Mantoloking on the south and Galilee 
on the north, were in use in 1892. Twelve nets were operated in 1891, 7 in 1890, and 
8 in 1889. The principal increase in the later years has been in the region south of 
Asbury Park. Most of the nets are set singly or in twos, but at Galilee in 1892 there 
were two stands containing three nets each. The nets have an average value of about 
$2,500, and require the services of 7 to 9 men. The 23 nets operated in 1892 had an 
aggregate value of $57,140; the 33 boats used were worth $5,545 ; the accessory and 
shore property required to conduct the fishery was valued at $20, 8H ; and 167 fish- 
ermen found employment. 
In 1889 the 8 nets took fish worth $51,625 ; the following year 7 nets stocked 
$50,141; the value of the catch in 12 nets in 1891 was $84,927; and in 1892 $169,949 
accrued from the yield of 23 nets. These sums represent the gross value of the fish as 
received by the fishermen. The quantities and values of each of the prominent fishes 
taken in 1891 and 1892 are shown in the table. The great abundance and importance 
of the weakfish are well illustrated, about two-thirds of the proceeds from the pound- 
net fishery representing this fish. The next important species are Spanish mackerel, 
flounders, butter-fish, sea bass, bluefish, sheepshead, shad, bonito, and mackerel. 
Products of the pound-net fishery of the Northern Coast of Neiv Jersey in 1891 and 1892 
Species. 
1891. 
1892. 
Pounds. 
Value. 
Pounds. 
Value. 
Albacore 
1,176 
$40 
4,010 
$136 
Blackfish 
12, 437 
261 
4, 435 
91 
Bluefish 
75, 999 
2, 847 
99, 313 
3, 898 
Bonito 
54, 733 
2, 141 
68, 318 
2, 737 
Butter-fish 
110, 052 
2, 721 
256, 142 
7, 231 
Cero 
847 
38 
3, 610 
172 
2, 294 
64 
4, 659 
110 
Flounders 
177, 267 
3, 961 
513| 247 
10, 814 
Kingfish . 
2, 247 
278 
2, 503 
366 
25, 017 
2, 304 
22, 307 
2, 660 
Menhaden 
28, 510 
74 
37, 665 
113 
Sea bass 
29, 188 
946 
142, 715 
5, 947 
Scup 
12, 982 
311 
36, 900 
1,125 
46, 863 
3, 208 
Sheepshead 
17 j 240 
2 , 629 
25, 737 
3, 774 
Spanish mackerel 
33,781 
4, 525 
71, 663 
9, 767 
Spot 
1, 080 
21 
3, 482 
39 
Sturgeon 
11,430 
204 
35, 312 
729 
W eakfish 
2, 694, 299 
59, 326 
5, 446, 390 
116, 377 
Miscellaneous 
23, 501 
414 
40, 878 
655 
Total 
3, 344, 048 
84, 927 
6, 866, 149 
169, 949 
As bearing on the abundance or scarcity of fish, the following averages possess 
considerable interest. Assuming that there is only a limited supply of fish on this 
part of the coast each year and that a given number of nets take a certain quantity of 
fish, it might be supposed that a very marked increase in the number of nets operated 
The Fisheries and Fishery Industries of the United States, section ii, p. 389. 
