240 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



nets ill Uiis stream, the nets averaging 300 yards in length, with 5i-inch 

 mesli, 2 men being required for each. Fifteen nets were used in 1896, 

 catching about 8,000 shad, of which two-thirds were roes. 



Raccoon River. — The shad fisheries of Eaccoon Eiver, which enters 

 Delaware River opposite Marcus Hook, were limited to the use of 2 

 small seines, each 70 yards in length, the yield in which numbered only 

 4,800, of which two thirds were bucks. The small catch was due to the 

 shad being driven away by the dumping of mud in Delaware River 

 just below the entrance of Raccoon River. 



Mantua Greek. — This creek discharges into Delaware River about 10 

 miles below Philadelphia, at a point abreast of Mifflin Bar. Only 1 

 seine was used in 189G, 100 yards in length, with 3-inch mesh. The 

 yield was about an average for recent years, numbering 2,000 shad, 

 about equally divided between roes and bucks. 



Big Timber Greeli. — This creek, forming the dividing line between 

 Gloucester and Camden counties, is 30 miles in length and navigable 

 only a short distance above the mouth, yet its shad fisheries have been 

 successfully operated for many years. Four seines are employed, each 

 about 100 yards in length, with 3i-inch mesh; they are hauled for other 

 species as well as shad. The catch in 1896 numbeped 4,160 roe shad 

 and 6,240 bucks, the local value being $728. 



OCEAN SHORE OF NEW JERSEY. 



In several of the small sounds and bays on the ocean shore of New 

 Jersey a few shad are taken each year in the seines, stake nets, and 

 fyke nets set for other species of fish, the total yield in 1896 numbering 

 2,565, valued at $803. Shad were reported from Jenkins Sound, Lud- 

 1am Bay, Barnegat Bay, Metedeconk River, and Manasquan River, 

 the yield from each of which is shown on page 229. On the coast from 

 Barnegat Bay to Sandy Hook numerous pound nets are operated from 

 May 1 to October 31, in which shad are taken incidentally during Ma3^ 

 The nets set in 1896 numbered 49, valued at $116,600, yielding 6,940 

 roe shad and 6,735 bucks, valued locally at $2,715, an average of 279 

 shad per net. This is the southernmost point on the Atlantic coast at 

 which shad are taken in considerable numbers outside the general coast 

 line. 



SANDY HOOK BAY. 



This bay, forming a part of the waterway tributary to the harbor of 

 New York City, is separated from the ocean on the east by a narrow 

 sand beach known as Sandy Hook. The shad fisheries are confined to 

 the use of stake nets, which average between 150 and 160 yards in 

 length, with from 5J to 6 inch mesh, and cost about $40 each. The 

 season begins about the first week in April and usually lasts four weeks. 

 The nets used in 1896 numbered 107, with an aggregate length of 16,840 

 yards and valuation of $3,900, 26 boats Avorth $930, and 54 men being 

 employed. The catch was much less than usual, numbering only 3,540 

 roe shad and 3,060 bucks, valued locally at $1,320. 



