26 
BULLETIN OP THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES 
is 92.4 per cent. This large increase, as already indicated, resulted from the catches 
of the last three years of the period, and especially from the banner year 1921, when 
the catch was more than twice as large as for any other year for which records are 
available. 
Other species taken in the pound nets in Lynnhaven Roads are bluefish, sheeps- 
head, pompano, sturgeon, and sand perch. All of these were of minor importance 
in the fishery during the period covered by the records under consideration. Occa- 
sionally, also, small catches of mullets, pigfish, Spanish mackerel, and bonito are 
made. The last-named species are taken in such small quantities, however, that 
their value in the fishery does not justify any discussion. The decline in the bluefish 
240 i 
200 
Fig. 22. — Graphic representation of the number of pounds 
of squeteague ( Cynoscion regalis) taken from 1908 to 1922 
at the Buchanan Bros, fishery, arranged by years. It 
is problematical whether the species will recover from 
the decline since 1918. The straight, heavy line shows 
the general trend in the quantities caught 
120 
April May June July Au.9. Sopt Oct. Nov„ 
Fig. 23.— Graphic representation of the number of pounds of 
squeteague ( Cynoscion regalis ) taken from 1908 to 1922 at the 
Buchanan Bros, fishery, arranged by months. The species 
is not taken in commercial numbers during March 
in Chesapeake Bay, according to all ac- 
counts, is quite general, and the catch un- 
mistakably has declined at this fishery for 
the entire period (1908 to 1922) under con- 
sideration . A sharp drop occurred in 1 9 1 6 , 
and since that time a partial recovery is 
indicated. The sheepshead, too, is said 
formerly to have been much more numerous 
in Chesapeake Bay. The table presented herewith shows that at no time during 
the years covered by the records was this species of much importance in this fishery, 
and during recent years the catch has been negligible. The catch of pompano at 
this fishery warrants brief mention only because it is a highly prized food fish and 
because the small quantities taken bring a good price. Except for fairly large 
catches in 1913 and 1914, the species appears to have been rather stationary and 
uniformly scarce. The decline of the sturgeon is so well known that it does not 
require discussion. The catch at the Buchanan brothers’ fishery was quite con- 
sistently low from 1916 to 1922, except in 1918, when it was more than twice as 
large as during any other year covered by the records. The sand perch is often 
taken in large numbers, and usually only the very largest individuals are retained 
