McHUGH: MARINE FISHERIES OF DELAWARE 



Figure 31. — Commercial landings by 

 crab dredges in Delaware. 1932-77. and 

 numbers of units of gear licensed. 



Blue crab is highly variable in abundance in Dela- 

 ware, and can not be expected to support a steady 

 fishery. - 



Fyke Nets 



Fyke nets were much more important in Dela- 

 ware in the early days, reaching a low point in 

 1947, and fluctuating, more or less according to 

 the abundance of fishes later (Figure 32). A 

 low point in landings was reached in the 1940's, 



followed by peaks in 1955, 1964, and 1977, each at 

 lower levels. Species composition of the catch has 

 varied — catfish; white perch; American eel; sea 

 bass; striped bass; alewife; flounders; yellow 

 perch, Perca flavescens; and turtles making up 

 most of the catch at various times. 



Rakes 



Most of the catch by rakes has been hard clam. 

 Catches were insignificant in 1929 and 1930, and 



Figure 32.— Commercial landings by 

 fyke nets in Delaware. 1887-1977, and 

 numbers of units of gear licensed. 



I \\....>.<....'->^^,J^ 



90 1900 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 



YEAR 



597 



