FISHERY BULLETIN: VOL 79, NO. 4 



harvesting did not begin again until 1948 (Figure 

 33). Catches rose to a peak in 1953 at 215 t (about 

 474,000 lb), fell off to almost nothing by 1955, 

 followed by an all-time high in 1956 of >300 t 

 (683,000 lb). Subsequently, they have fallen off to 

 9t(<20,000 1b)byl977. 



CONCLUSIONS 



This history of the Delaware fisheries illus- 

 trates clearly the transient nature of marine re- 

 sources generally in the Middle Atlantic Bight 

 region, especially when effective controls on fish- 

 ing are lacking. All of the major species in the 

 region, with the possible exception of surf clam, 

 are freshwater, anadromous, or coastal migratory 

 species, and all have shown major fluctuations 

 in abundance or availability. All are much less 

 abundant in the region than formerly, and in 

 nearly every case this can be attributed to over- 

 fishing. This, and the great variability in the 

 supply of many of the major species, has led to 

 a decline in the commercial fisheries, and a 

 gradual takeover by recreational fishermen. 

 Several major fisheries, e.g., purse seine, surf 

 clam dredge, haul seine, otter trawl, and pound 

 net fisheries, have ceased altogether. 



Degradation of the coastal environment also 

 has taken a toll, although this cannot be docu- 

 mented clearly. However, it is fairly clear 

 that dams and pollution of coastal streams have 

 affected spawning of anadromous species, and 

 these have suffered most. Mitigation of pollution 

 and clearing of obstructions from waterways 

 should improve the situation. 



The future is uncertain. Many of the species 

 cannot be helped very much unless cooperation 

 with other states is improved. This is underway 

 through the State-Federal Fishery Management 

 Board, but it is too early yet to tell how much this 

 will improve the situation. Menhaden is unlikely 

 to come back unless effective steps can be taken to 

 increase mesh size or otherwise reduce the catch of 

 small fishes in Virginia and North Carolina. Even 

 if that unlikely alternative is accomplished, it 

 probably would be difficult or impossible to 

 reestablish a reduction plant because environ- 

 mental laws in Delaware would prevent it. Weak- 

 fish was the principal mainstay of the food fish 

 industries in Delaware, and its present value to 

 recreational fishermen in the State makes it un- 

 likely that a commercial fishery will start again. 

 The other species are even less likely to support 

 major commercial fisheries. 



Figure 33. — Commercial landings 

 by rakes in Delaware, 1929-77, and 

 numbers of units of gear licensed. 



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1900 



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