Semi-weekly herald., 1912-12-09

ing industries equip and man vessels
which go far beyond the confines of
their own waters. In the inland terri
tory, the Great Lakes as well as the
numerous rivers, offer variety of
fresh water fish food. Along the
southern coasts, in addition to the
piscatorial supplies found upon their
own borders, the fishing trade is ex-
tending to the West Indian islands and
is coming to include sponges, coral,
pearls and other articles of CONNER
cial value aside from the regular fish
food products.
The total value of the fish products
produced in the United States last
year approximated $60,000,0O0 in val
uee, aside from the articles manufac-
turcd from them which last consti-
tutes the basis Of number of grow
ing industries. There are 6,333 large
vessels and about 10000 small boats
engaged in fishing, the value of this
eoripment alone amounting to S25,-
100000 This, with the apparatus of
capture, accessory property and cash
capital brings the total Of the equip
ment of the fisheries Industries in the
country to almost S60,0O0,OOO, ssich
is about equivalent to the annual
value of the products. About four
iIfths of the value of the products is
from the sale water fisheries. The
1. &,
sippi river and tributaries, the Great
Lakes and minor interior waters.
The most valuable food fish is not
fish but shell fish. 1t is the oy-
ster. The annual oyster crop is now
worth more than $20,000,000. The oy-
ster is found most abundantly along
the coast of the middle Atlantic states,
the New England states coming sec
ond the Gulf states third and the Pa
cific coast fourth in the production of
this popular bivalve. Next to the oy-
ster in value is the cod which is pro-
duced most extensively in the New
England fisheries, although it is also
supplied in smaller quantities by the
fisheries of the middle Atlantic and
Pacific coast.
About 100000 persons are engaged
in the fishing industries in this coun-
try in addition to large number of
men and women engaged in canning
ad packing the fish which is being
preserved for future use. 1t is diff
cult to estimate correctly the number
of persons engaged in canning fish
because it varies in different seasons.
In a number of establishments can
ming oysters and other fish products,
the same force is employed in the
winter which is engaged in canning
fruit and vegetables during the sum-
mer. The girls who pare peaches or
tomatoes in their season can easily
shuck oysters during the winter and
the economy of this utilization of the
same plant for both vegetables and
fish is an Important advantage.
The real work of catching the fish
has many dangerous features, and yet
it is one that appeals to thousands of
strong, healthy men who are willing
to run risks for the sake of the free
dom and outdoor life it provides.
There has been fearful loss of life
connected with the deep sea fishing in
the past. In single decade around
Gloucester, Mass, as many as 1,253
| men and 147 vessels have been lost at
sea. One reason of this loss of life
has been the shallowness of the dories
which carry the travis. Often these
dc ries, which hold from one 10 five
men, become separated from the YES
sci to which they belong and the men
drift around in the open sea and per-
ish from lack of food and fresh wa
ter. There has been great change
ir fishing methods during the past
few years, however, and every pre-
caution is taken to check the loss of
life. The dories are built deeper 50
they will not upset so readily and
they are kept stocked with certain
amount of food and water.
One of the newer developments of
the fishing industry along the Amer
| can coast is the trawl-net which has
been used extensively in Europe for
some time. 1t is opposed by the line
! fishermen of New England upon the
ground that it depletes the fisheiies
by indiscriminate capture of many
| understood fish. The matter was
brought before congress at its last
| session by the introduction of d law
prohibiting the landing of trawl-
caught fish upon American shores.
There was lengthy hearing of both
sides of the question before the house
committee on merchant marine and
| fisheries after which it was referred
| by a joint resolution of the house and
| the senate for federal investig ation,
which should supply the neccssary
facts upon which intelligent legisla-
tion might be based
Within the past quarter of CEN
tury great attention has been given by
| all civilized nations of the economic
advantages to be derived from great
err care and study of the fish products