Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-02-07
THE SHAD SEASON.



for the Work.
While the Delaware River is now
filled with ice the army of shad fisher
men along the shore, from Pennsville
to Paulsboro, N. j., are actively en-
gagged with their indoor preparation for
the opening of the season, about the
middle Of next month, and from re-
ports received from the several tow ms
along the shore the probabilities are
that more msn will be engaged in
catching the toothsome Delaware shad
this spring than for several years. This
is in great measure accounted for
from the fact that the sturgeon fishing
industry down the bay has been falling
off for several years, and, in the words
of an old time fisherman, was almost
"dead letter. last year. A number of
the sturgeon fishermen have already
announced their intention of 'rigging
OUT for shad this spring. Penn's Grove
from its central location, is the New
Jersey headquarters for the shad and
sturgeon fishing industry on the Della
ware River and Bay. Between 100 and
200 gill nets are fitted out each spring,
at a great outlay of money, and last
year about quarter Of million shad
were caught off the shore and either
sold on the wharf to two firms, who
make home market, or shipped to
Philadelphia on the shad carrying line.
Last year, despite the tremendous
catch of shad, the fishermen made but
little profit, owing to the prevailing
low market prices. and the problem of
better prices is one which the fisher
men are hoping will find a solution in
the adoption of some new methods of
putting the fish on the market. Some
OF the fishermen have long contended
that shad, like most other fish, should
be sold in the markets by the pound
instead OF by the hundred.
The Shad Fishermen Protective
Association, which has its head
quarters at Penn's Grove, and was
organized about 10 years ago, is as
usual awake to the interests Of the New
Jersey fishermen. The annual meeting
was held few days ago, and Z. S. Har
ris, the organizer of the association, was
reelected president. The organization
! has been successful in securing legis-
latiou beneficial to the gill fisherpen,
besides removing other Objectionable
! features.
President Harris, who has handled
nets on the Delaware for 40 years, be
lieyes that the outlook is veiy
promising, and spoke OF the success o.
shad propagation. He said the con
slant increase in shad since tn,
adoption of the artificial Matching
methods has been followed by a cor
responding decrease in prices. Thu
catch each year has increased gradual,
since 1893, but the depreciation il
price has not bettered the financia
condition OF the fishermen. Nets nov
average from $500 to 5000 each spring
while few years ago $500 to 5000 wa
only considered fair. The fishermen
contend that the consumers are payini
about as much money for shad as the.
did soma years ago, and that th,
profits find the pockets of the whole
salers, VINO buy almost at their owl
figures. Another reason assigned fol
the low prices, is bscause SO man,
shad from other waters find their wa,
into the same markets with the Della
ware shad. The one thing necsssar,
with the fishermen to bring the shat
industry to more profitable basis
according to the statements of well
known "gillers," is to have thorough
organization, which, it is claimed
would result in more uniform prices
President Harris states that the Proteo
tive Association has saved the fisher
men thousands of dollars through it
influence in matters of vital import
anee to the industry.
A number OF the fishermen will
adopt fishing boats propelled by gaso
line engines this spring. Several wer
in use last year and proved a yaluabl
addition in the matter Of saving tim
and labor.
Knitting nets is now occupying mucl
of the time of the fishermen, an'
within a few weeks boats will h
pulled out of their winter quarters TO
thorough overhauling and repainting
preparatory to making the first drift
OF the season, which is attended will
unusual interest.
Active preparation is also being mad
at New Castle and Delaware City.