The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1891-12-06
OYSTERS AND FISH.
Their Capture an Industry in Which
New jersey is Largely Interested.


In computing the fishing industry Of
New Jersey the products of her rivers are
never omitted. for while her sea coast i'm
dustry is large the river output or drag
out is not small. New Jersey ranks
third among fishing States, Of which
there are TWENTY-FIVE and the variety of
her fish and their qualify are the equal of
any. The latest statistics are those se-
cured by the United States Government
in 1883, but since that time she increase
has been slight. and the figures permit OF
an accurate estimate OF the States rank
among fishing States and the compare
tive value OF its catch
Since 1880 the fisheries of New Jersey
have increased little in capital invested,
but in number OF men employed the in
crease has been over 1000. The output
has increased wonderfully owing tn in-
provenent in the method employed No
product shows SO great an increase as
sturgeon and shad, notably the latter.
The sturgeon fishery yielded tenfold more
in 1888 than in 1885, Shad ia 1880 seemed
about to become extinct. Its haunts were
depleted and year by year the product
decreased until the United States Conn
missioner Of Fish aud Fisheries WAS APP
pealed to for relief.
JUST THINK OF THESE BONES.
In 1850 the New JERSEY shut fisheries
produced 10000 pounds Of the fish. valued
at s85, 900, and in 1883 the catch weighed
6.52l.447 pounds, valued at $780,, AL.
Tnls increase was due almost entirely 70
the artificial propagation. The advance
IN the STATES shellfish industry during
the eight years after 1880 placed it at the
head Of the fish producing States. An-
other branch In which New Jersey ranks
first Is the hook and line shore fishery.
a
duct OF this meihod. On the other hand,
the menhaden industry has markedly de-
clined. perhaps owing TO the laws against
the taking of this food fish. The value Of
this catch in 1880 was one half less than
in 1888. Crab fishing has declined about
one third in value and weight since 1850.
The length OF the coast line where fish
ing may be profitaply done is $50 miles.
This Is comparatively short, but the
States location is peculiarly favorable
for the fisherman. The total annual
value of the fisheries Is 81, 1876, $50. In the
number Of persons employed the state
ranks fifth, the total being In vessels. on
shore and in factories, 1916. In the
number Of vessels. the State ranks fifth.
55S, and in the number of boats third.
5.257. Its vessels are valued at $3.50 1856.
and its boats at .325. the former being
seventh in rank, ana the latter second.
THE MONEY INVESTED.
The materials used in the industry are
valued at 1884, S5. OF locations where
fishermen ply their work, Bridgefon
leads in the number of vessels employed,
291; Perth Amboy next, with 1853: Cam
dem. with 28: Great Egg Harbor. IL; Lit
tie Egg Harbor, z, and Burlington, l.
Great Egg Harbor leads in the number
of vessels transporting the product, "a
vessels: Perth Amboy second, II; Cam.
den, 12 Bridgeton, II. and Little Egg
Harbor. 10. In tho fishing vessels there
are ,727 men employed. of whom one
only is cnlore6; In the transportation
vessels. 2l3 men. of whom four are col
ured. Seven factories for the canning Of
menhaden fish are running continually,
and employ POP men.
New Jersey is included in the Middle
Atlantic States. and this group, New
York. New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Dela-
ware. Maryland and Virginia, is the
centre of the oyster fisheries OF the world.
and is first among the groups on this
continent. The Middle States represent
q shore line of about $500 miles, and in.
centres of great fishing actiyify:-Prin-
cess, Delaware and Chesapeake bays.
The latter is the most prolific fishing
ground OF like proportion in the
world. The fisheries OF these States gave
employment In 1883 to GGx04 persons. Of
whom IS, 22S were vessel fishermen. 49,
sos shore fishermen, and 12,473 shores
men. perpetrators and factory hands. The
eapital invested was s16,02S 6S6, of which
a. S43, 55S represented vessels, Sl,2l5.0s2
boats, 81, 282,079 apparatus OF capture,
IS, 6S7. 800 shore property and cash capital.
The yield of the fisheries was valued nc
$13. 749, S12 at first hand, and three fourths
of this amount WAS the value of oysters
and other mollusks.