480 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



THE CATCH OF SHAD. 



The following supplementary table shows the number of shad 

 caught, and the value, in each county of Pennsylvania on the Dela- 

 ware and Susquehanna rivers in 1901: 



THE FISHERIES BY APPARATUS. 



Vessel fishing is carried on in Philadelphia County only, lines and 

 oyster dredges being the 'apparatus of capture. The line fishery is 

 prosecuted in the summer months, after the oyster season has closed, 

 by a few of the oyster vessels. Pennsylvania has no waters suitable 

 for the cultivation of oysters and is compelled to carry on the industry 

 in other States, principally in Delaware, where Pennsylvauians have 

 bought or leased large tracts of suitable ground. 



Some of the oldest seine fisheries in the United States are to be 

 found on the Delaware River. A few of the fishing shores at present 

 in use were cleared and operated by the Indians long before the white 

 man settled in the countr}. The seine fisheries are operated primarily 

 for shad and alewives, though various other species are obtained in 

 smaller quantities. Gill nets are also used extensivel}', and in 1901 

 the catch, consisting principally of shad, was greater in value than 

 that taken in seines. 



The following tables show the quantity and value of products in the 

 vessel and shore fisheries by each form of apparatus: 



