68 



FISHERIES OF THE COASTAL WATERS OF FLORIDA. 



12, with a value of $1,500. The value of the lines, hooks, and leads 

 used was $1,114. The number of persons who engaged in the fishery 

 was 280 on the vessels and 60 on the boats. The yield, amounting to 

 5,163,532 pounds, was valued at $155,714, and was divided as follows 

 between the vessel and shore fisheries and snappers and groupers: 



The history of the Pensacola snapper fishery during the past twenty 

 years shows an almost unbroken annual increase in the number of ves- 

 sels engaged, a consequent increase in the persons finding employment, 

 and an augmented catch. During the season of 1874-75, the first year 

 for which statistics are available, there were 11 snapper vessels at Pen- 

 sacola. Their tonnage was 328, and their crews numbered 00. The 

 subsequent growth of the fishery to 1895, when it was more extensive 

 than in any other year, is shown in the following table, which covers all 

 vessels that regularly landed their fares at Pensacola. A few vessels, 

 each year, owned in other places, have made their headquarters at this 

 port. 



During a severe storm on July 7, 1896, the fishing fleet of Pensacola 

 suffered some damage. Two snapper vessels of one company and 4 of 

 another company were sunk at their docks. They were, however, 

 raised and repaired at considerable expense. 



The aggregate catch of red snappers by the fleet rendezvousing at 

 Pensacola is known for the years 1889, 1890, and 1895, and may be 

 given approximately for 1880 and 1884. The following comparative 

 summary, with the average catch per vessel and per man, is quite 

 instructive. The statistics show a steady increase in the yield, the 

 output for 1895 being more than three times as large as in 1880. It 

 appears that in 1880 the average catch of snappers to a vessel was 



