FISHERIES OF THE COASTAL WATERS OF FLORIDA. 49 



Possibility of increasing the industry. — Opportunity for a very large 

 expansion of the fishing industry of Key West is believed to exist, and 

 warrants the attention of capitalists and fish-dealers. With a phenom- 

 enal abundance and variety of some of the finest food-fishes of the 

 Atlantic coast, winch may be readily caught at little expense, there is 

 practically no outside trade. It is this feature that most forcibly 

 appeals to one who is considering the increase of the industry, and it is 

 in the augmentation of the export trade in fresh fish that the most 

 important development must take place. 



The remote situation of Key West has, of course, retarded the devel- 

 opment of any outside business in perishable products, with the excep- 

 tion of the kingtish trade with Cuba (now discontinued) and some small 

 shipments in winter by way of Tampa. The rather poor shipping 

 facilities and the costliness of ice have also been factors in the non- 

 expansion of the fisheries. 



Careful inquiries, however, indicate that even with the present condi- 

 tions a fish business may be carried on with New York that will prove 

 profitable to the local dealers who may engage in the enterprise, to the 

 men who catch the fish, and indirectly to the entire community. 



Most of those interested in the fishing business of Key West think 

 that the attempt to establish a fresh-fish trade with northern markets 

 would be successful, and several people have considered or are now 

 considering the matter of engaging in such an enterprise. It is reported 

 that an experimental shipment of Spanish mackerel, pompano, or some 

 other choice fish a number of years ago netted several hundred dollars. 



The only shipping facility from Key West to the north that can now 

 be considered in this connection is that afforded by the steamship line 

 to New York, although it is possible that the railroads terminating at 

 Tampa on the west coast and Miami on the east coast may be utilized 

 if sufficiently low rates can be given. The New York steamers make 

 regular weekly trips, requiring four days for the passage from Key 

 West (Friday to Tuesday). The present rate on fish is 40 cents per 100 

 pounds. By the use of refrigerators, or even by the employment of 

 large quantities of ice, the fish would no doubt arrive in good condition. 

 The present wholesale price of ice at Key West is $7.50 a ton. 



To make the shipping of fresh fish from Key West to New York profit- 

 able the business should probably be restricted to the winter months, 

 say from November to March, when there is a comparative scarcity of 

 salt-water fishes in the northern markets. At first the shipments might 

 have to include only fishes now well known in the east, such as bluefish, 

 sheepshead, kiugfish, Spanish mackerel, pompano, red snapper, and the 

 like, but there is no reason to doubt that in time all of the desirable local 

 species could be profitably disposed of. 



The value for canuing purposes of the fish known locally as "pil- 

 chard," "herring,'' and "anchovy,' 1 which exist in great abundance in 

 this region, should not be overlooked. 

 S. Doc. 100 4 



