FISHERIES OF THE COASTAL WATERS OF FLORIDA. 65 



very small boats can reacli the wharves. The fishery, however, can not 

 be successfully carried ou except by boats large enough to remain on 

 the grounds in moderate storms. The fishery, which was inaugurated 

 in 1895, proved a failure, owing to the draft of water of the vessels 

 employed, only 5,000 pounds of snappers and 2,500 pounds of groupers 

 being landed. The fishery was nor resumed in 1890. 



Line fishing. — Besides the small snapper fishery alluded to, line 

 fishing for both fresh-water and suit-water fishes is carried on from this 

 county, and is a branch of considerable importance. The prominent 

 salt-water species are sheepshead, trout, and redfish. The fresh- water 

 fishes are black bass and other species of the same family found in the 

 Apalachicola and New rivers. 



In 1895 the line fisheryfor salt-water species was followed by 1 8 persons 

 and for fresh- water species by 21 persons. The number of boats used 

 was ;!!», valued, with their equipment, at 8851. The catch, amounting 

 to 54,600 pounds of saltwater fish valued at $1,010, and 43,400 pounds 

 of fresh-water fish worth $1,897, was divided as follows among the 

 different species: Redfish, 21.000 pounds, 8305; sheepshead, 12,100 

 pounds, 8217; trout, 18,000 pounds, 8310; Spanish mackerel, 3,500 

 pounds, $88; black bass, 12,300 pounds, $465 ; bream, 17,300 pounds, 

 $790; perch, 13,800 pounds, $636. 



Alligator and other hunting. — A small business in hunting alligators 

 and otters for their skins is carried on from Apalachicola and Carra- 

 belle. At the former place 21 persons and at the latter 17 persons 

 engaged in this branch in 1895. Thirty-two boats, valued at 8010, were 

 used. The apparatus, consisting of guns for alligators and traps for 

 otters, was valued at 8500. The hunting is done in the fresh waters 

 adjacent to the coast. Neither of the animals sought is as abundant as 

 formerly, and the year's work resulted in the taking of only 550 alliga- 

 tors, whose hides were worth $285, and 186 otters, whose pelts had a 

 value of 8713. 



Turtle fishing. — At Carrabelle an unimportant turtle fishery is prose- 

 cuted. In 1895 3 men in a small vessel, equipped with 3 turtle nets, 

 sought turtles during a part of the year, frequenting grounds on the 

 coast of Franklin County. Only 110 green turtles were obtained. These 

 had an aggregate weight of 3,850 pounds, and yielded the fishermen 

 $270, or 7 cents a pound. 



FISHERIES OF PENSAC0LA. 



General character and importance. — Next to Key West Pensacola is 

 the most prominent of the Florida fishing centers. Besides a vessel 

 line fishery that is more entensive than any other in the State, Pensa- 

 cola supports important shore fisheries with lines, seines, etc., and also 

 an oyster fishery. The city is favorably located in respect to the 

 important fishing banks, and has ample railroad facilities for shipping 

 the products to eastern, northern, and western points. 

 S. Doc. 100 5 



