20 
BULLETIN OF THE BUEEAU OF FISHERIES 
FLUCTUATIONS IN YEARLY CATCHES 
It is evident from the table and graphs that comparatively large yearly 
fluctuations in the catch of the various species take place. It is shown also that a 
species may decline seriously for a year or two and then return to occupy its previous 
place of importance. The common shad, for example, although suffering a general 
I 80 
160 
140 
120 
I 00 
1912 '13 14 
16 n '18 '19 '20 '21 '22 
Mo.y Ju 
Sept 
Fig. 10. — Graphic representation of the number of pounds 
of starfish ( Peprilus alepidotus) taken from 1912 to 1922 
at the Buchanan Bros, fishery, arranged by years. The 
straight, heavy line shows the general trend in the quan- 
tities caught 
decline over the series of years for which 
statistics are available, recovered from a 
new low mark (2,225 pounds) in 1917 to 
one of the largest catches (12,460 pounds) 
made in recent years in 1921. Similarly, 
the catch of branch and glut herring 
dropped to 3,800 pounds in 1916, but in 
1918 it consisted of 20,020 pounds and it 
compared favorably with the catches made during the earlier years for which statistics 
are available. The next year a great decline (7,915 pounds) again took place. 
Somewhat similar fluctuations have taken place in the catch of nearly all the species 
commonly taken in pound nets in Lynnhaven Roads, and they are especially 
pronounced for the croaker and the kingfish. 
Aug. 
Fig. 11. — Graphic representation of the number of 
pounds of starfish ( Peprilus alepidotus) taken from 
1912 to 1922 at the Buchanan Bros, fishery, arranged 
by months. This species is rarely taken later than 
the last of October 
