THE KING-CRAB FISHERY OF DELAWARE BAY. 
367 
To show the case in a somewhat different aspect, the following comparative table 
is introduced, giving the percentage of increase in apparatus and the resulting increase 
m catch for the years 1887, 1888, and 1890: 
Year. 
Percentage 
of increase in 
apparatus. 
Percentage 
of increase in 
catch. 
1888 over 1887 
75 
16 
1890 over 1887 
163 
28 
50 
11 
Numerous instances of a more detailed character might be adduced to show the 
decrease in the numbers of crabs from year to year, but such cases are not so conclu- 
sive as are comparisons of the total yield of the State, owing to the conditions of tem- 
perature, etc., which might influence the advent of the crabs to particular sections of 
the coast, making them unusually abundant in one section and uncommonly scarce in 
another during one season, and completely reversing the conditions the following year. 
One noticeable instance, however, may with propriety be given : In 1887 two nets at 
West Creek, New Jersey, took crabs to the number of about 40,000; in 1890 the same 
apparatus at the same place yielded only 12,000 crabs. 
It can not be denied, as shown by reliable returns, that in some localities there 
has not only been a maintenance of the supply but even an increase ; but the general 
trend is and has been toward a decrease, and the catch has only been maintained by 
an increase in the amount of apparatus. 
It is worthy of mention that, although no traps or other devices are employed in 
Delaware, the decline there has been quite as pronounced as on the opposite side of 
the bay, the catch being no doubt iudueuced by the great drain on the species in New 
Jersey. The yield in 1880 was 900,000 crabs, and in 1888 only 320,000. 
THE OUTPUT IN NEW JERSEY. . 
The yield of this fishery during recent years is given in the following table, in 
which, for purposes of comparison, the catch in 1880 is also shown : 
Tears. 
Number of 
crabs taken. 
Value to 
fishermen. 
1880 
3, 400, 000 
$13, 600 
1887 
1, 296, eoo 
6, 480 
1888 
1, 502, 000 
7, 510 
1890 
1, 664, 670 
8,030 
Although there has been a small actual yearly increase since 1887, this, as stated 
elsewhere, is to be attributed to the employment of greater quantities of apparatus. 
THE FISHERY IN DELAWARE. 
The number of localities on the shores of Delaware at which king-crabs are taken 
is small, and the fishing centers are mostly adjacent to fertilizer factories. As stated 
elsewhere, there is no special fixed apparatus used in the king crab fishery of Dela- 
ware. The fishery is confined to the shore and the shallow water adjacent thereto, 
and is prosecuted from boats and from wagons, according as the men are regular 
