The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-10-05
FISH INDUSTRY IN
OLD VIRGINIA


In 1912 We shipped only LOO barrels
I attribute this to three primary
causes: first, that pound nets shorld
not be set so close that fish cannot
get By 10 their spawning grounds:
second. the mesh is too small and.
Mobjack and York Rivers are settin,:
their nets in forty feet of water. prac-
tically stopping up Mobjack Bay from
S. f. Bar Of Newport News % York
Spit. No nets should be set al . great
cr depth than twenty-five feet
Maryland The yield Of shad was
1890. 1l27.iS6 pounds OF i.7Si.S72
fish: 1900. 3.ill.lSl pounds or 171.T7O
fish; 1912. l.9l2.2io pounds. Or i7s,OG2
fish. oCnoniciaD.
North Carolina: The catch ot shad
was:
1905, a.si2,coo pounds, or ss5.5o6 fish:
1910, 5.iS4,SGS pounds. or I.296.2l7 fish:
1912. 1.25o.00G pounds or l.Sl2.500 fish.
Cno!liciaD.
In 1902 the amount Of fish taken
in North Carolina waters was 675s4,
"a pounds Of food fishes Ten years
later, l0l.422,coO pounds.
tNote the increase in North Caro-
lima waters compared with the de
crease in Virginia and Maryland
waters}
i.nws Must Re Enforced.
1t is fact that the States OF Nir-
ginia aad MARYLAND have not been able
To get together In the past TO make
and enforce laws that would properly
protec, and assure the perpetuation OF
the .:-hins industry in these waters.
Virginia enjoys m advantage in that
the shad, herring. and other migra-
tory fish entering Chesapeake Bay on
thcir annual run into fresh water
first come withir the jurisdiction OF
Virginia and remain there for some
time even when bound into MARYLAND
waters. These fish are attracted by
fresh water and hence are drawn To
the western shores Of the bay where
the principal streams discharge. These
shores are lined with nets that almost
prevent even a small number of these
fish from getting TO their natural
spawning grounds. foremost of which
are the Potomac and Susquehanna
Rivers.
one object OF this conference is TO
consider the l.inthicum bill. which
places all migratory fish under Fed
eral Jurisdiction. The fact that the
states Of Virginia and Maryland have
never agreed upon cooperative laws
protecting N" HSninS industry Is the
strongest argument why this bill
should become a law TIL" further fact
that the existing laws cannot be or
are not effectively enforced is still an
other point in favor OF the,biil.
study Of tho Fis1i.
Shad and herring arc dcfeucclcss
species but other valuable varieties
which are predatory are also getting
scarce. The striped bass, a real ma
l.,
great danger. In the past tons OF
these fish OF immature years, far too
small 10 kin. have been marketed or
caught and wasted. until the resources
arc reaching 4 low ebb.
The sturgeon is scarce now-in fact.
may he considered rare in some waters
owing to the shortsightcd greed OF
the caviar hunter and the apparent
Indifference OF the States. The only
salvation and the last resort to save
this valuable species is An absolutely
closed season for period of years.
Are the States In position to grant
this?
IT would seem strange if for the
sake OF few hundred dollars revenue
derived from the granting OF licenses
promiscuously 10 the net fishermen
regardless of the number set or the
consequences 10 the fish supply, al IN
he sacrificed. Restrictive lcEislation
that will adequately conserve the sup
ply is entirely compatible with active
fishing. and will. in time. lead 10 an
increased catch But little disturb
ance TO tho industry would ensue even
At the outset If. as the result OF new
co operative policy. the food fishes of
The chesapeake region were given even
the minimum degree OF recognition
that wisdom dictates.
Necessary Legislation.
III the prosecution OF any fishery the
first and most important consideration
should be TO make ii certain that
sufficient number Of spawning fish are
allowed to escape TO maintain the sup
ply. hut no such consitiera ton has
ever bccH observed in the fisheries OF
Chesapeake Bay and tributaries. where
tho object has been the Capture each
year of the maXi mum number Of fish
obtainable
Assuming a catch Of 100000 shad
in Il given wear one half OF that num-
Der would he females filled with spawn.
If only 10 per cent Of them arc NJ
lowed to escape the nets and reach
tho spawning grounds, over 2,000.00o,-
900 oEs would be laid. This output.
plus the work of the hatchcries would
go far 10 keep up the supply and the
result Woulu DC an lDcft1Stu cllc!t
in few years.
/, is not necessary now. e consider
details Of legislation that is demanded.
The important thing is To determine
whether n policy can be adopted which
Will meet the situation. Lines along
which Legislation should go are:
|. Close season. n. Sturgeon for a
number OF years. D. On all fishing.
Saturday sunset TO sunrise Monday
entire year.
.. Restriction of amount Of netting
in given area.
3. Keep clear the way to spawning
grounds.
4. Prevent avodable waste.
8. Allowing no food fish TO he caught
except for food purposes.
Penitentiary Poultry Yard
The Nnrth Carolina state prison has
brnnchcd out new lire. The Raleigh
Times says:
At tho states prison the fines, poultry
~ In hpr tyI