Huntington independent. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1871-1874, 1873-05-15
The Fishers OF the South.

| United States Fish Commissionel
has been investigating in the States
of Virgins, North and South Caro-
lima, and Georgia in regard to tht
shad, herring, and rock fsherie:
with a view iuquiring into tht
alleged decrease OF these fish and the
bes, methods Of aud most favorable
localities for establishing Matching
houses for their artificial propagation.
He reports that he visited Rich
mond oh the Sd af April. Here be
says:
Visited the fish market, but found
only few Of the above mentioned
species of fish. The limited number
of shad for sale commanded price
beyond the means of most persons.
On inQuiring the cause Of this | learn
ed that but small number were now
caught in the James river, and that
for FIVE years past the supply had
been steadily decreasing at the rate
of probably ten per cent, annually,
that to such an extent had this de-
crease continued that but few fisher
men were willing to risk their llml-
ted capital in an occupation proml-
sing such meagre results. The cause
of the decrease was variou,ly stated.
Traps, filth from the sewers oi the
city, constant fishing, and the plying
of numerous steam vessels, are though
to drive the fish from their spawning
beds.
"The shad met with commanded
ready sale st from IS cents to 81 per
pair. At this time april - the
spawn was not within three weeks Of
of being ripe. The first shad of Feb
ruary. The fishermen generally ex-
pect the season TO close about the
last of May. Herring abOunded IN
this market. They were from Pam
lico and Albemarle sounds. The
price asked for them was from 81 to
So per 1000. Some rockfsh were
also seen which were taken near the
city; these brought from 0to III cents
per pound"
DR.. Yarrow found great decrease
in the quantity of fish caught at 9th
er points in Virginia, in parts of
North Carolina, and 10 Georgia. lie
comments severelp on the use oftraps
which cauture all the fish. His report
concludes as follows
"Prom Weldon I proceeded to
Norfolk, Va, where the story heard
so often within the past few d'y' re
gardiug the decrease 10 ,he supply ol
shad was repeated. Learning Of no
favorable localities in ihis neighbOr-
hood for the establishment of hatch
ing houses, I delayed only long
enough to enable me to collect speci-
mems of the food fishes Of the waters
contiguous to the city.
From testimony Of the individuals
l have mentioned, all more or less
directly interested in shajfshing, it
is very evident that the supply Of this
fsh has been steaCily d 9 casins, and
continues to decrease year by year
throughout southern waters; and
further, it is my sincere belief that
unless some means are employed to !
correct the state of affairs nov exis-
ting in the sections visitel, in a
short time our tables will no longer
be supplied with this delicate aud
highly-valuel fish, whose advent in
the spring is so eagerly anticipated.
"As localities for hatching-houses
[ have no hesitation in recommend |
ing Augusta, Ca, Newtern, n. c,
and Weldon, Y. c., since I am Of the
opinion that the ripe shad spawn can
be obtained in thc best possible con
di;ion fer propagation purposes al
these points. | wosld also recon-
mend that the Apalachicola, the Saw
annah, the Cape Fear, the Neuse, anr
the Roanoke rivers be restocked with
shad, close Communication being
made with all thesa streams by rail
road.
ain conclusion, l am happy in
being able to state that at every place
visited the greatest interest WAS mani
tested in the operations of the fish
Commission, while the hope was ex-
pressed on every hand that the enter
prise sboutto be iusngurated through
out the South and West in restock-
ing the southern waters with food
fishes might prove emiucntly success
fnl nlV-Rjrbnond DiSp0tcb.