44 



FISHES AND FISHERY METHODS 



In the Atlantic oyster industry, large suction dredges are commonly 

 employed. The oysters are removed from the bottom and brought to the 

 surface by suction applied to the dredge head. 



Perhaps one of the most unique methods is that employed to harvest 

 abalone and sponges. These animals are taken by hard-hat or skin divers. 



Figure 4.1. Dredges. (Dumont and Sundstrnw, U.S. Fish and WildJifc 

 Service.) 



A. Oyster dredge 



B. Scallop dredge 



C. Hydraulic or jet dredge 



D. Hydraulic oyster dredge 



When removed from the bottom, the sponges or abalones are placed into 

 baskets and hauled to the surface by fishermen aboard the tending boat. 



Traps and Barriers 



A wide variety of traps and pots is used to capture fishes. Capture 

 generally depends upon attracting fish or shellfish to pots by means of 

 bait or by leading fish into an enclosure. Pots are used in the West Coast 

 Dungeness crab and shrimp fisheries and in the blue crab and lobster 

 fisluTies along the Atlantic seaboard (Figure 4.2). Pots are also used in 



