4 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 



usually carried, and the boats remain away from several days to a 

 week, or until the fish wells are sufficiently stocked to warrant a 

 return to port. Cuban boats often fish near Key West, and some- 

 times they land at that city and dispose of their fish. 



A portion of the catch is sold locally in Key West, but much the 

 greater part is shipped to Cuba and to various cities in this country. 

 The fish are brought in alive by the fishermen, but they are iced in 

 the markets. Large boxes weighing about 200 pounds each, and 

 holding 900 pounds of fish and 400 pounds of ice, are used in ship- 

 ping fish to Cuba. The fish are transported to Cuba by large freight 

 and passenger steamers that sail almost daily during the winter and 

 several times a week during the summer. Each box is heavily con- 

 structed, and a number is painted on the side in large figures, so that 

 a consignment can be checked and a record made of the empty boxes 

 when returned. Shipments within the United States are made in 

 barrels containing 200 pounds of fish and about 100 pounds of ice. 



ANNOTATED LIST OF COMMERCIAL FOOD FISHES FOUND IN THE 



VICINITY OF KEY WEST. 



In the following annotated list of fishes an attempt has been made 

 to include every species found within the general vicinity of Key 

 West that is locally considered a. food fish. Some of the species men- 

 tioned are too scarce to be of much importance, while others are not 

 regarded very favorably, but, nevertheless, these are included in 

 order to make the list as complete as possible. Other species, such 

 as sharks, rays, morays, and salt-water catfish, are taken but are 

 excluded here because they are not locally regarded as food fish. 

 All of the fishes listed are to be found within Monroe County, which 

 includes the islands or keys from Key Largo south and a small area 

 in the southwestern part of the Florida peninsula. 



1. Tarpon atlanticus (Cuvier and Valenciennes). Tarpon; Silverfish. 



The tarpon visits Key West during the winter months, but is not as 

 common there as along the western coast of Florida. It is primarily 

 a game fish and is rarely eaten. However, it is sometimes seen in the 

 Key West markets, where it is sold in steaks at a low price. Because 

 of its great game qualities the tarpon attracts many sportsmen to the 

 State and is directly and indirectly a source of large annual revenue 

 to the inhabitants. It is a very powerful fish and is caught only with 

 hook and line, generally by trolling, using mullet for bait. It is 

 most common in Florida and the West Indies. Maximum length 

 about 8 feet; average, about 5 feet. 



Range. — Isaacs Harbor and Harrigan Cove (Nova Scotia) to 

 Brazil. 



2. Albula vulpes (Linnaeus). Ladyfish; Bonefish. 



This fish is not rare among the Florida Keys and is sometimes 

 found in the markets. However, it is not highly regarded as a food 

 fish, and its commercial value is negligible. Maximum weight, about 

 5 pounds; average, H pounds. 



Range. — Tropical seas. Generally common on our coasts north 

 to San Diego (Calif.) and Florida. Stragglers have been recorded 

 as far north as Woods Hole, Mass. 



