The daily gazette., 1881-06-18
From the N. Y, sea World
The sturgeon Fishery OF the United
i4g TYag4 ss i 4 States

In our last issue we published very
interesting communication from MT.
William Haaker, of this city, upon tie
failure OF the sturgeon fishery In this
country. As Mr.. Haaker has had an
experience In the catching and handling
OF sturgeon that dates back for years his
Judgment should carry with it some
weight. Smoked sturgeon twenty FIVE
years age was thing unheard of In this
country; In fact 1t has been but the few
years that Its sales have increased, until
at the present time II Is the leading fish
sought for, so great is the demand.-
Cauidre, which Is made from the roe of
the sturgeon, is very valuable. 1t is
much sought for in our markets, as we'll
as by our friends across the water, and
while the demand for both these articles
Is rapidly increasing, the supply 10 al
most exhausted, and unless some meas-
ures are adopted looking TO its restora-
ton, the fish will be totally & xtermina-
ted. They ere now taken by fishermen
who 90 from stream 10 stream in their
quest for these fish. To be more expli-
cit, the fishermen follow them up In the
rivers of Georgia and South Carolina
during the mouths Of January, Febru-
ary, March and April. They are caught
In the Delaware River In April, MAY
and part Of June, after which time not
enough are taken 10 make 1t pay, and
this Ia the only river in which they are
not entirely exterininated. n
Some few years since large quantities
were taken III the rivers of Maine, but
now none or not enough are taken to
pay the expenses incurred In their cap
lure. Occasionally they are caught in
the Hudson, Connecjcut and other riv-
ers. They are taken IN the St. John
River in the Dominion OF Canada and
ip the Great Lakes. In the st. John riy-
er the season opens about June 18th,
continuing until the Isl Of September,
aud the Canadian fishermen receive not
less than $25, 900 for the catch from our
fishermen, all for the reason that proper
protection 10 not afforded this valuable
fish IN our States lying on The Atlantic.
The sturgeon is au exceedingly prolific
aud hardy hsh, those of the Delaware
River containing on average fifty pounds
OF roe, and has great commercial value
that Is constantly augmenting. The
United States Fish Commissioner as
well as Fish Commissioners of the diff
ierent States should look into this mat.
ter The amount of smoked sturgeon
annually consumed IN New York city
alone is not less than one and half
million pound.
IL Is evident that some restrictions
should be placed upon the catch of these
fish and close time should he estab-
lisbed In the different States In Georgia
and South Carolina these fish should be
caught only during the months Of Janu-
ary, February, March and April, and in
the States Of Penasy lvanla and Maryland
only during April, May aud June, and
al no time should the net used be of less
than 13-inch mesh, that The smaller
fish be allowed TO pass nnmolested and
grow TO large proportions. The Cana-
dian govern nent prohibits ths taking OF
sturgeon fiom Septemb r to May I,but
it would be Of more advantage were the
close time from October to June adopted
by Canada and Maine. or the 50O, 900
pounds of cduiare manufactured in this
city 90 per cent. is exported aud com
mands quick sale.