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In his deposition to Professor Baird, August 3, 1871, Capt. Nathanael Smith, an aged Newport fisherman, gave the following testimony: "Menhaden are decreasing too. In 1819 I saw a school of menhaden out at sea, when I was going to Portland, that was two miles wide and forty miles long. I sailed through them. We were out of sight of land. They appeared to be all heading southwest. There were no fish near them. I have seen a school on this coast three miles long. I think they spawn in April and May."*

Dr. DeKay, in his "Natural History of New York," says of this fish that, "although it is seldom eaten, as it is dry, without flavor, and full of bones, yet it is one of the most valuable fish found in our waters. They appear on the shores of Long Island about the beginning of June, in immense schools; and as they frequently swim with a part of the head above or near the surface of the water, they are readily seen and captured. They are commonly sold on the spot at the rate of $2 the wagon-load, containing about 1,000 fish. The largest haul I remember to have heard of was through the surf at Bridgehampton, at the east end of the island. Eighty-four wagon-loads, or, in other words, 84,000, of these fish were taken at a single haul."

Mr. George H. Cook, writing in 1857, thus speaks of the abundance of menhaden on the coast of New Jersey:

"The moss-bouker (the Alosa menhaden, or Clupea menhaden), or, as it is sometimes called, bony-fish, menhaden, and other rames, is an abundant fish in all the waters of this part of the State. It is frequently seen in immense shoals, fairly blackening the water for many miles. It is easily caught, and in large quantities at once. Mr. John Stikes, sen., of Beesley's Point, with his brother, some years since, caught, in a ninety-fathom net, thirty two-horse wagon-loads, at four hauls, taking fourteen of the loads at a single haul. Last summer, in a trip through the sounds from Beesley's Point to Cape Island, we passed through water filled with these fishes. Many of them swam so near the surface that their back fins projected above it; and the appearance of the water was entirely changed by the slight ripple they made In moving. They were most abundant then in the vicinity of Hereford inlet; but they are found near all the shores; and the only limit to the amount which can be taken is in the ability to take care of them when caught. Sixty wagon-loads, of at least 2,500, fish each, were taken at. one haul in Raritan Bay this season."

17.—ABUNDANCE IN THE PRESENT.

On the coast of Maine.

104. Mr. W. H. Sargent considers the pogy the most numerous fish on the coast of Maine. Their capture affects their abundance in the coves and rivers and along the shore, though not outside. In 1873, Friend & Co., * Report of the Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries, 1871-72, p. 21.

of Brooklin, took 25,000 barrels; Allen & Co., 15,000; others in the vicinity, 85,000. In 1874, about 15,000 were taken, the larger portion by Friend & Co. Between 1863 and 1868, some years 500,000 barrels have been taken. In 1877, Mr. Sargent estimates the total catch in his district at 100,000 pounds, or less than 400 barrels. Mr. J. C. Condon states that the fish are quite abundant about Belfast, Me.; 2,000 barrels were taken in the Belfast customs district in 1873; 3,000 in 1874. Seining does not appear to diminish their number. According to Mr. R. A. Friend, the pogies are much more numerous about Brooklin, Me., than any other fish; their numbers are not apparently diminished. About 14,000 barrels were taken in that vicinity in 1873, and 23,000 in 1874.

Mr. John Grant writes that, though pogies are more numerous about Matinicus Rock than any other fish except the herring, their numbers are decidedly diminished, probably on account of their wholesale capture.

Mrs. B. Humphrey states that at Manhegin Island these fish are more numerous than any other, but that seining has greatly affected their abundance.

Captain Coombs, of Esterbrook, who fishes for the Brightmans at Round Pond, Bristol, Me., recently caught with his seine, at one haul, 1,300 barrels of menhaden, and saved 1,179 barrels, made and valued as follows: Thirty tons scrap, at $10 per ton, $300; 3,650 gallons of oil, at 60 cents per gallon, $2,190; total, $2,490.*

At Sargentsville, Me., according to Mr. W. G. Sargent, 1,500 barrels of pogies were captured, in 1877, by Herrick & Bayard's boats. These were taken to the factories in the adjoining township of Brooklin.

Capt. Frank A. Chadwick, of New Harbor, Me., states that seven purse-seines are used in that vicinity, which catch an average of 15,000 barrels of menhaden annually, and a total amount of 125,000 barrels.

Mr. William P. Sprague, of North Isleborough, Me., writes that pogies are extremely abundant in that vicinity. A fleet of menhaden steamers, some twenty in number, has fished much here.

Mr. Lewis McDonald, of North Haven, Me., estimates the catch of menhaden for 1877 at 400 barrels.

The number of fish taken about Booth Bay and Bristol is given in the report of the Maine Oil and Guano Association, cited elsewhere. Mr. Sartell thinks that the fish are driven away by the seines. Mr. Kenniston and Mr. Brightman think that there is no perceptible diminution, as they continue by far the most numerous species. Mr. Washington Oliver thinks that they have been diminished by the fisheries about Booth Bay.

Mr. Kenniston states that in the town of Booth Bay, in 1873, 152,000 barrels were taken by five factories, as follows: Kenniston, Cobb & Co., 17,000; Gallup & Holmes, 17,000; Gallup & Manchester, 25,000; Suffolk Oil Works, 48,000; Atlantic Oil Works, 45,000. In 1872 the aggregate reached 110,000 barrels; in 1871, with six factories, about 95,000; in

* Boston Semi-Weekly Advertiser, August 27, 1872.

1870, less than 75,000; while in 1866, the first year of the work, only about 35,000 barrels were taken. Judson Tarr & Co. think that they are more plenty than ever before, but not so numerous inshore.

Mr. Edward E. Race, of East Booth Bay, Me., reports, November 5, 1877, the total catch for the season in that vicinity at 156,000 barrels, or 51,948,000 fish.

Mr. W. A. Abbe, manager of the Pemaquid Oil Company, states that the season of 1877 was a poor one, both in the number and quality of the fish taken. The company's fleet of five steamers took during the season over 61,000 barrels (20,000,000 of fish), yielding about 127,000 gallons of oil and 1,800 tons of guano. The fishing began off Gloucester, thence extended to the coast of Maine, and ended off Provincetown.

Some of the steamers fished for other parties after the close of the Provincetown season off Newport and Sandy Hook, but the catch was insignificant. The three steamers owned by Edward T. Deblois took, in 1877, on the coast of Maine, 26,649 barrels (9,000,000 of fish).

Mr. George Devoll, of Fall River, Mass., fishing in 1877 for the Narragansett and Atlantic Oil Works in Maine, caught from his steamer, the Chance Shot, about 12,000 barrels of menhaden.

In 1877, Gallup & Holmes took 52,000 barrels of fish on the coast of Maine and at Provincetown, besides 8,000 barrels caught and sold further west. These fish yielded 120,000 gallons of oil and 1,500 tons of guano.

On the coast of New Hampshire.

105. Mr. Chandler Martin, of Whale's-Back Light, near Portsmouth, N. H., in his communication of February 23, 1874, reported that the fish were diminished January 9, 1875; he writes that they were more abundant in 1874 than for ten years previous, and that they are probably not affected by the fisheries.

Mr. Winslow P. Eayrs, of Nashua, N. H., calls attention to the rapid diminution of the pogies in that vicinity, attributing it to the extensive operations of the oil-factories and to the pollution of the waters by the refuse dye-stuffs and chemicals from the factories. *

On the coast of Massachusetts.

106. Mr. W. W. Marshall estimates the catch of gill-nets at Rockport, 1877, at 1,000 barrels. The fisheries at Newburyport are described below.

According to Mr. Babson the pogies are more numerous about Cape Ann than any other fish except herring and mackerel. He thinks they have decreased somewhat during the past ten years and keep more off the shore. Statistics of capture are given elsewhere.

* Report of the Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries for 1871-72, p. 136.

About Marblehead, Mass., says Mr. Dodge, they are greatly dimin ished and are less numerous than most other species.

Mr. Horatio Babson states that the value of the catch of menhaden off Gloucester in 1876 was nearly $800,000. Mr. George W. Plumer estimates $750,000 for the New England coast. George Norwood estimates its value at from $300,000 to $500,000.

Capt. Charles C. Pettingell estimates the number taken in Salem Harbor at 2,000 barrels. This is probably below the actual figure.

Mr. Horace M. Merchant, of Lanesville, Mass., estimates the catch in that vicinity at 750 barrels. They are taken mostly by gill-nets, 300 of which are in use, and are sold for bait.

Mr. J. G. Pond, of Provincetown, estimates 1,000 barrels for that port. At Plymouth, Mass., according to Mr. Thomas Loring, the menhaden are very few and are diminishing.

About Wellfleet, Mass., states Mr. Dill, the number is greatly dimin ished on account of the bluefish; they are not so numerous as the mackerel; the capture for the past eight years (in 1873) has been about $500 worth a year. In 1874 about 6,000 barrels were taken in the bay. Fishing does not appear to diminish their numbers.

Capt. Hanson Graham and Capt. Zephaniah P. Lanman estimate the catch of Wellfleet for 1877 at 20 barrels. This is far too small.

Capt. Henry E. Hatch, of North Eastham, Mass., states that many menhaden are taken in the pounds of that neighborhood.

Capt. Solomon Dinnel, of East Orleans, thinks that 100 barrels are taken in the gill-nets belonging in that town.

At Provincetown and Truro, Mass., according to Mr. David F. Loring, the fish are greatly diminished; they are more numerous than any other fish in late April and May. Only 1,000 to 2,000 barrels were taken in 1873.

At Chatham they are more numerous than any other fish, though they do not enter the bay so plentifully as in former years. From 3,000 to 5,000 barrels have been taken annually for the past six years. Captain Hardy does not think that their abundance is affected by the fisheries.

Mr. Kenney states that at Nantucket pogies are the most numerous fish. They vary in abundance from year to year but for the past ten years, as a whole, their numbers remain about the same. Fishing does not affect them. On the other hand Capt. S. H. Winslow, line fisherman, testifies: "The menhaden are very scarce now (July 19, 1871), and I think we shall lose them too very soon, because they are using them up for oil.* In this month and from the 20th of June the ocean used to appear to be literally covered with menhaden. Now there are not a quarter as many as there used to be. People think they are plenty because by using a purse-net one or two hundred fathoms long they can purse several hundred barrels at a haul."

* Report of United States Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries, 1871-72, p. 46.

N. B. Tower, of Cohasset, states that menhaden are taken in the weirs located in that town. Mr. A. J. Hathaway estimates the annual catch

at 10 barrels.

John W. Cook, of South Dartmouth, estimates the catch for 1877 at 30,000 barrels or 9,990,000 fish.

Warren A. Gifford, of Dartmouth, puts the catch of that town at 465 barrels.

Capt. Darius F. Weekes, of South Harwich, reports "thousands of barrels."

Capt. Remark Chase, of West Harwich, who sets a small weir for shad, herring, and pogies, reports about 2,000 barrels of the latter.

At South Westport, according to Capt. John W. Gifford, there are five seines 120 fathoms long and 20 feet deep used in the capture of menhaden. Their average annual catch is about 300 barrels. Mr. Gifford thinks that 1,500 barrels are taken annually in Westport.

Capt. Eldad Gill, of North Eastham, estimates the catch for that place at three or four barrels.

Mr. Alonzo F. Lathrop, of Hyannis, Mass., thinks that the number of pogies is increasing, though it was not so great in 1873 as in 1874 or the preceding years. They are quite as numerous as other fish, and are not perceptibly affected by fishing. Alexander Crowell testified June 29, 1871, that menhaden were more scarce.

*

At Edgartown, Mass., and about Martha's Vineyard, they are more numerous than any other species. Five thousand barrels were taken in 1873 by the pounds; 10,000 in 1872. Fishing is not thought to affect their abundance. According to Mr. Marchant and Mr. Luce, they are not more or less abundant than they were ten years ago.

In the weir at Menemsha Bight, owned by Jason Luce & Co., the number of barrels of menhaden taken in 1869 (April 4 to June 7) was 1,590; in 1870 (April 14 to June 8), 1,375; in 1871 (April 14 to June 9), 3,200; in 1872, 3,800.

At a conference on the subject of fisheries at Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard, September 27, 1871, Captain Rease, acting as spokesman for a number of other fishermen, gave the following testimony:

"The law ought to be uniform. One reason why the pounds were not stopped by the legislature of Massachusetts was, that the Provincetown people made a statement that they could not fit out their vessels with bait unless they had pounds to catch it for them.

"Question. Could they?

"Answer. How did they do it before? They had the same facilities then as now. They used to send to Nova Scotia for bait; now they use only menhaden and herring for bait. Menhaden are getting scarce. The harbor used to be full when I was a boy; but it is a rare thing to find auy here now, because they are caught up. They don't catch them at Saughkonet Rocks as they used to. If they keep on catching them up

* Report of United States Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries, 1871-72, p. 49.

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