New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-13
SECOND IN FISHERIES.
Ne7C- Y Ork Bids Fair to Lead Middle
atlantic States.

New-York thanks to the United States Fish Com
mission. now ranks second among the Middle At
lantic States In the value OF its fishery industry
being surpassed only by New-Jersey. Careful study
of the figures OF the fisheries OF New-YOrks shows
that since 1898 there has been Of about
10 per cent. the total value I'm that named year
amounting S.5451ss. and for the year 1sO1-the
last figures available-the total s3.s94270
The oyster industry yields about 50 per cent OF
the value Of the fisheries of NewYork. the product
in 1891 amounting to 176S,7i3 bushels OF market
oysters. and 544O75 bushels OF seed oysters to be
replanted the whole worth $g72.5D This industry
is now almost entirely dependent the growing OF
oysters on private areas, which few years ago
entirely barren and unproductive. In the
year the natural oyster reefs 20 which the
public resorted yielded only $3.50 bushels Of market
oysters and 33.S bushels of seed oysters. with a
valuation Of s20.1o4 little less than per cent
Of the total oyster product OF the State.
This seems TO assure that New-YOrk will out
strip her sister States In this Industry within very
few years. The natural advantages OF Maryland
and Virginia superior to those OF New-YOrk,
but these two States are not keeping pace with
the progress OF some others. The Oystermen OF
the Chesapeake Bay region place reliance IN nat
ural beds and restrictive measures. with atten-
ton 10 cultivation. while in Long Island Sound
active and direct methods are practised for In
cTeasing the supply and natural beds are but
small factor.
One OF the most interesting OF the recent develop
fnentS IN the oyster industry or NeW-NOrk - Jne
extensive planting Of seed oysters at the eastern
end of Long Island especially about GreenpOrt and
SouthOld This began ten years ago. and at present
about three hundred and fifty thousand bushels are
planted annually. the seed being obtained from
Long Island Sound. The oysters in these waters
grow very rapidly, hut. not fattenns readily. they
are taken up within year and again planted in
Great South Bay and elsewhere
new departure in the fishery industries Of New
York. and one which gives promise OF extensive
development. is the cultivation Of hard clans or
quahaugs. During the last three OF four years
many thousands Of bushels Of small clans have
been bedded on private areas on the south side
of Long Island. Comparatively few OF these were
marketed previous 1901; IN that year $3.50 bushels
sold for s255S5.
During the year covered by these returns the
scanop fishery at the eastern end OF Long Island
was in a prosperous condition yielding bush
els which sold for scO.s07. In 1895 the yield was
1903 Os3 bushels worth $40 $50 and In 1891 69565 bush
els worth s4s.s40. The scsIlOp yield in New-YOrk
1901 about equal 10 that OF all other States
combined
The bIuehsh now ranks first in value among the
food fishes OF New-YCrk State. the yield in 1901
being s.35O.502 pounds. worth A73.S6s These were
taken principally by line fishermen sailing from
New-York City. 617 men and forty-eight vessels
engaging in this fishery in 1901. and to LEES ex-
tent in gill nets. seines and pound nets operated
along the Long Island coast. Compared with lSss.
1t appears that there has been a decrease IN the
quantity of bluefsh taken and Increase In value,
the yield in 1885 being 11.z4f3S pounds. worth SSs7
167
Exclusive Of the oyster and clam industries. ana
the taking OF bluehsh and menhaden. the use or
pound nets is the most Important fishery In New
York The pound nets are set principally az the
eastern end OF Long Island. and TO much less
extent at the western end OF Great South Bay ana
of Gravesend. This fishery was more valuable
In 1901 than before. the 2S nets yielonS ooSOo
pounds Of fish. worth N64.51 -
The shad yield in New-Tork In 1901 shows
gratifying Increase 1885. indeed II was greater
than for any previous year for which returns are
available since 1SSS- .
IRE returns for most OF the minor species OF
fishes show a considerable increase during the last
Ave wears a result doubtless. OF the high cost or
meats Especially is this true OF eels which are
generally distributed throughout the waters OF
New-YOrk 49,, .
The high market value OF Holsters dur!1g recent
wears has resulted in great activity IN their cap
t,1re in the coastal waters OF NewYOrk. as well as
on other portions Of the Atlantic coast frequentei
nv these crlstaceans The catch, however. SHOWS
steady decline amounting in 1901 TO ls5SSs pounds
compared with 32.SS pounds IN 1855 ana SelV-o
pounds In 1887.