Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-05-08
FISHING FOR MENHAOEN.
Complaints That Food Fish Are Also Taken
and Converted Into GuanO.
Norfolk IHndmarkl

(NorfOlk Landmark)
The menhaden fishery season in the
Chesapeake is just about to begin, and
large number Of steamers have left Bal
timore on their annual cruise. Menhaden
are caught in purse nets and are sold TO
fish factories. where oil and fertilizers
are made Of them. The Virginia facto-
ries number thirteen. There are three
each on Great Wicomico river and Dy-
mer's creek. two on Carriers creek, one
each on Indian creek. Pungoteague. Back
river, at Chincoteague. and at Wacha-
prague, the two latter being without
the bounds Of the Chesapeake on the
coast north OF Cape Charles.-Dispatch.
These people who make fish guano have
the privilege, under our laws, to catch
what are known as menhaden, little
salt fish, the mossbunker, not used for
food by men, and to carry them TO these
factories and convert them into guano
These factories are also along the New
York coast. There is great complaint in
New York, as there is in Virginia, that
these fishermen do not conform TO the
law. but come nearer the shores OF New
York Bay and OF Chesapeake Bay than
the law allows, and catch the food fish.
which furnish our chief table dellcacy in
season and so much sport for those who
practice the gentle art of angling. strong
protests have been made and Governor
OFerrall has been asked to protect our
shores from invasion by the use of the
oyster navy These fishermen are nice,
clever fellows, and they do not like to see
themselves prominently mentioned In this
way. They go down 10 the sea III ships.
and, as they say. catch only enough 1000
fish to furnish their table. They do not
La oil 10 GnNarnnr IL,
such an unfavorable light as volators of
LAW and of good sporting morals, so they
have gone to see him. The news of their
visit Is stated thus
MIR. George r. Squire, of Lancaster
county. representing the menhaden fisher
men, called upon the Governor yesterday
10 contradict the assertion made by the
people OF Norfolk county that his people
were destroying edible fish with their
purse-nets. Menhaden are used In making
fertilizer. Mr.. Squire says there Is SlW,-
600 invested in. and 1000 persons engaged
In the industry. He invited the Governor
TO visit the field of operations and make
an inspection, so as 10 satisfy himself
that the charge was unfounded. ms
the Governor consented 10 do, and VIII
20 over the ground in the State steamer
Chesapeake some time In June or
July"
FISH STORIES.
We hope the Governor will go. we
have had similar invitations TO WISH the
boats, and have ocular demonstration or
the absolute innocence and purity OF our
friends, the menhaden fishermen, but We
have not been able to accept. We are
perfectly willing to admit that not one
unlawful or improper thing would be
done while we or Governor OFerrall
might be on board or in sight. But what
would that prove? Men are SO mortal
so weak-even fishermen. They are not
all like little George Washington. How
are we to believe menhaden fisherman,
for example. who tells us he never caught
or sold fish Illegally, when our own eyes
have seen the boats near the shore with
their nets cast? When many OF our
citizens can testify to the same? How
can they make the Governor believe their
little innocent fish stories in the face Of
proof to the contrary?
Our people are very far from wishing
to be harsh even with a menhaden fish
ing-boat and crew. and would not UNI
justly send them TO the bottom. but they
are getting very weary of the conduct
which goes on in the plain view OF men.
and In as plain violation of Virginia laws.
They ask the Governor to use his in
huence to get the fishermen to obey the
statute. made and provided. He can
partake OF hogfish or a pompanO with
them, and at the same time not let them
mesmerize him into the belief that they
are free from guile and do not know how
to do wrong.