The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-01-18

advance over the preceding years. In
1855 there was a sharp falling off IN
the catch, and in 1899 still a further
drop; in 1900 and 1901 there was an
increase, but in 1902 a decline set in
which has continued till the present
time so that the catch in 1904 was
smaller than in any year since 1880.
for which there are available statis-
tics.
Here DR. Smith exhibited charts and
maps giving detailed information as TO
the location of all the shad seines,
pound nets and gill nets set in 1904,
and tables showing sections and
counties with figures showing the ex-
tent of the shad fishery in each county
and section. He also gave complete
and exhaustive statistics showing the
extent of the States shad fishery In
dustry progress, and its dangers.
Continuing, DR.. Smith said:
"Since 1880 the seine and gill net
have given place to the pound net,
which catches more than any other
kind of apparatus. In 1904 nearly
1000 were in use.
During the past ) years the gov
eminent has planted in the waters OF
North Carolina over 165, eco, 200 young
shad of which over $4,000. 900 have
gone into Albemarle Sound and tribu-
taries nearly 22,000,000 in Pamlico
waters These figures, While large,
are no larger than the conditions re-
ouire. and they have proved too small
70 maintain the supply. The welfare
of the F,denton hatchery and the Wei
fare of the shad fishery in North Car
DINA depend upon the ability OF GER
tain proportion of the run TO reach
the spawning grounds and there de-
posit their eggs naturally or have
a from them
Matched by a paternal government
The recent operations of the hatchery
have shown that it is impossible to
obtain that number of eggs which are
sufficient to maintain the shad supply;
and the number of shad that escape
the maze of nets and reach the spawn
ing grounds are not numerous enough
TO- keep up the run in the face of the
present extensive fishing and the an
nual increase in the quantity of net
ting used. A certain proportion of the
eggs are not fertiliZed: others are de-
stroyed by various physical conditions
and vast quantities are eaten by cat
fish. cells mInnowS and Otner fresh and
salt water fishes, and during the long
ocean life of the shad large percent
age of those that have survived up TO
that time must be consumed by
sharks, blue fish, and other predaceous
species which inhabit your coastai
waters.
Prom my examination of the
question of shad fishing in North Car
DINA, | am firmly of the opinion that
the present conditions are detrimental
to the interests of both fish and fish.
ermen. and that some action must be
taken if this valuable fish is to be pre-
served for future years and future gem
erations. 1t is not difficult matter to
wipe out a fishery-this has been done
in innumerable cases.
I'm the case of the shad fishery of
North Carolina the question is not,
Have pound nets. or sill nets. or
SCENES caught too many fishes, but
Has the fishery been conducted in Il
manner that is unnecessarily injurious
or destructive to the snadE ms lat-
ter question is to be answered affirm
atively. Under the conditions which
have recently arisen and which are
becoming more aggravated each year,
the shad is not receiVin~ fair play or
even decent consideration. Your fish
cry is now being maintained party at
the expense of your principal, ana IL
ought to be maintained wholly by
your interest. Bv principal ! mean
that number of adult shad whose eggs
must be laid and Matched in sufficient
quantities to meet all current demands
by man and losses by nature; and the
young which are Matched in your wat
ers each season are the interest.
THE shad catch in 1904 was 50
large wholly because of the large
amount of netting used. II you had
not drawn on your principal: II you
had caught no more Shad than the
supply could stand, that is. if over and
above your catch there had been left
enou n fish to lay enough eggs to give
you the necessary run in 1908, then
your catch in 1904 would have been
enormor~ -
In conclusion, Mr.. Smith said that
the government has always advocated,
the greatest freedom of fishing. and
he favored no speciai kind OF apparatus
but protection and preservation of the
fish were necessary, as the present
conditions. if continued would be di-
sastrous and end almost in the ex-
termination of Shad in North Caro-
lina's coastal waters.
AT the conclusion OF DR.. Smiths adj
dress questions were asked him by
members of the committees in fur
Their explanation of the bills provis-
ions.
Mr.. Arendell, of Carteret, objected
to the time provision. saying that it
would rebound greatly to the detri-
ment of Carteret's fishing industry.
Mr. Vann, of Chowan, assured Mr..
Arendell that this could be remedied
so as not to apr.y to Cartaret or to
the injury of Carterets fishing inter-
ests.
The committee was not fully ready
to vote on the bill, and as there We're
several other men interested on both
sides of the bill who desired to be
heard. and as the hour was growing
late, on motion the meeting was ad-
iourned until Wednesday, a week frolC
today. after the arrival of the after
noon Seaboard train, which will give
the men living in the Chowan section
sufficient time to appear before the
committee by leaving Edenton next
Wednesday morning.
\ Confederate Calendar.