FISHERIES OF THE COASTAL WATERS OF FLORIDA. 



33 



long, 10 feet deep, and have a 2-inch- stretch mesh. Two seines were 

 used in 1894 and 3 in 1895, chiefly in winter. The most prominent 

 species taken are pompano, sheepshead, and bluefish, in the order 

 named, but a great many others are caught in small quantities. The 

 yield in 1891 was 37,600 pounds, worth $1,036, and in 1895 was 53,680 

 pounds, valued at $1,604. 



The local turtle fishing is not important. Only 126 turtles were taken 

 in 1891 and 153 in 1895. The fishing each year was done by 6 fishermen, 

 who employed 21 nets. The latter are similar to those in the Indian 

 River. They are set at all seasons, being fastened to stakes and visited 

 night and morning. This branch yielded $238 in 1891 and $269 in 1895. 



The line fishing in the ocean from Palmbeach is mostly of a semi- 

 professional character, being done chiefly by boatmen engaged in taking 

 out pleasure parties of sportsmen and tourists during the winter months. 

 The catch is largely sheepshead, although bluefish, snappers, mutton- 

 fish, kingfish, groupers, Spanish mackerel, and other species are also 

 taken in considerable quantities. In 1891 this fishery yielded 15,500 

 pounds, valued at $1,208, and in 1895, 90,852 pounds, worth 62,422. 



About two-thirds of the catch is shipped by rail to northern markets, 

 and the remainder is sold locally to hotels, etc. In 1895 about 165 tons 

 of ice were consumed in the preservation of fish prior to and during 

 shipment; this quantity of ice cost the fishermen and dealers $990. 



Extent of the fisheries. — The following tables show the extent of the 

 fisheries of the Lake Worth region in 1894 and 1895. In the latter 

 year 70 persons are shown to have been engaged in the industry, 

 $3,965 was invested, and 193,518 pounds of products were taken, having 

 a value of $5,718. 



Persons employed. 



Vessels, boats, apparatus, etc. 



S. Doc. 100- 



