FISHERIES OF THE COASTAL WATERS OF FLORIDA. \J 



Amoug the keys aud in Biscayne Bay the grass sponge is obtained in 

 3 to 10 feet of water, while on the west coast it is found in water some- 

 what deeper. It grows on either rock or sand bottom, but usually upon 

 the former. It is more easily obtained than the sheepswool. chiefly, no 

 doubt, because it is more abundant in shallow water. 



There seems to be more variation in the form of this sponge than in 

 the other species. It is usually more or less cup-shaped and can readily 

 be distinguished. It seems to attain a very large size, perhaps larger 

 than any other species. The small grass sponges, 1 or 5 inches in 

 diameter, are of little or no commercial value. 



A decrease in abundance is reported for this as for the other species. 



GLOVE SPONGE. 

 The glove sponge is the most circumscribed in its distribution of any 

 of the Florida commercial sponges. It is abundant among the keys 

 from Key West to Biscayne Bay, but probably does not occur on the 

 Anclote or Hock Island grounds. It is common about Key West in 

 rather shallow water. The usual depth at which it is obtained is 3 to 

 10 feet, though it occurs in deeper water. It grows on rock or barry 

 bottom, mixed with the yellow and the sheepswool sponges. Its rate 

 of growth is about the same as that of the sheepswool. Commercially 

 the glove is the least important of any of the species, and for that reason 

 it probably has not suffered so greatly from overfishing. 



SPONGE-CULTURE. 



The artificial propagation of sponges lias never received much atten- 

 tion in Florida. A number of years ago Mr. J. Fogarty, of Key West, 

 carried on a series of experiments in propagating sponges from clippings. 

 An account of these experiments has been given* as follows: 



The sponges were all raised from cuttings; the localities in 'which they were 

 planted were not the most favorable for sponge development, and their growth was, 

 therefore, less rapid and perfect than might otherwise have been the case. They 

 ■were fastened to the bottom, in a depth of about 2i feet of water, by means of wires 

 or sticks running through them. The four specimens sent to Washington were 

 allowed to remain down a period of about six months before they were removed. 

 Fully four months elapsed before they recovered from the injury done them in the 

 cutting, which removes the outer "skin" along the edges of the section, aud the 

 actual growth exhibited was for about two months ouly. The original height of 

 each of the cuttings was about 2i inches. One was planted in a cove or bight, where 

 there was little or no current, and its increase in size was very slight. The other 

 specimens were placed in tideways, and have grown to from four to six times their 

 former bulk. Two hundred and sixteen specimens in all were planted at the same 

 date, and at the last accounts those that remained were doing finely. The chief 

 obstacle to the artificial cultivation of sponges at Key West arises from the fact that 

 the sponge fishermen infest every part of the region where sponges are likely to 

 grow, and there is no legal protection for the would-be culturist against intruders. 

 The enactment of judicious laws bearing upon this subject by the State of Florida, 

 or the granting of special privileges conferring the right to occupy certain prescribed 

 areas for sponge propagation, would undoubtedly tend to increase the annual pro- 

 duction of this important fishery. 



* Fishery Industries of the United States, sec. v, vol. 2, p. 832. 



