FISHERIES OF THE COASTAL WATERS OF FLORIDA. 29 



Fishery resources. — The water animals of this region which are the 

 object of special fisheries are the pompano, mullet, turtle, and oyster. 

 Besides the fishes named, a number of others are caught incidentally 

 and in the aggregate amount to a large quantity. Compared with more 

 southern parts of Florida, the resources of Indian Eiver are not 

 remarkably varied, although a number of fishes, etc., having recognized 

 food qualities, which are now regarded as of little value, will doubtless 

 be utilized in time. Only about 20 species of marketable fishes are 

 prominently represented in the catch of the Indian Eiver fishermen; 

 among these are the bluefish, sheepshead, trout or squeteague, redfish 

 or red drum, black drum, whiting, crevalle. sergeant-fish, mangrove 

 snapper, permit, croaker, and Spanish mackerel. 



More than half of the quantity of fish taken for market consists of 

 mullet, which is very abundant, but less so than on the west coast of the 

 State. The fish abounds throughout the river, but the principal catch 

 is taken in the upper part. The poor price commanded by the fish has 

 deterred the fisherman of the lower river from taking as many as the 

 conditions warrant. 



The pompano is the most highly esteemed fish of the river. It is 

 taken at all seasons, although most plentiful during the fall and winter. 

 After the excessively cold weather of February. L895, the pompano 

 became very scarce, and up to the end of January, 1896, had not 

 appeared in its former abundance. The eatch in L895 was much less 

 than for a number of years. In the opinion of some of the fishermen, 

 overfishing lias led to a decrease in the abundance of pompano, while 

 others regard the present scarcity as largely t he result of natural causes. 



Such fishes as sheepshead. sea trout, channel bass, snappers, crevalle, 

 black drum, etc.. which are locally known as bottom fish, are generally 

 plentiful in all parts of the river and have apparently undergone no 

 diminution in numbers in recent years. The most highly esteemed of 

 the bottom fishes is the sheepshead. In quantity of catch it ranks 

 next to the mullet, and in value it is exceeded only by the mullet and 

 the pompano. Bluefish and Spanish mackerel are ordinarily scarce; 

 at times, however, these fish enter the river in considerable numbers. 



The only reptilian product of the Indian River fisheries is the green 

 turtle. It is not common, and in the past two or three years has under- 

 gone a noticeable decrease in abundance, while the average weight has 

 also diminished. The turtle is found in the river at all times, but the 

 principal fishing season is between November and March. 



Oysters of good size and flavor occur in various parts of Indian Biver 

 and are one of the principal fishery resources, although they have had 

 comparatively little attention. Their further utilization appears to be 

 one of the chief lines along which the development of the Indian Biver 

 fisheries will take place. 



Crabs are abundant, but are not utilized. These and other crusta- 

 ceans — such as shrimp — will no doubt in time receive the attention of 

 commercial fishermen. 



