80 FISHERIES OF THE COASTAL WATERS OF FLORIDA. 



undersized sponges; to permit the Florida Keys and Biscayne Bay 



grounds to be fished only during a specified part of any period ot 

 twelvemonths; to permit the Anelote and Bock Island grounds each 

 to be fished only ouce in any period of twenty-four months, so arrang- 

 ing it, however, that the Anelote grounds maybe worked one year and 

 the Bock Island the next; to provide for tlie artificial cultivation of 

 sponges in certain prescribed localities among the Florida Keys and 

 Biscayne Bay by protecting those who wish to go into the business in 

 the exclusive use of certain areas. 



ESTABLISHMENT OF A BIOLOGICAL AND FISH-CULTURAL STATION. 



Under the terms of the Senate resolution the Commissioner of 

 Fisheries is directed "to report as to the advisability of establishing a 

 station for investigation, experiment, and fish-culture at some suitable 

 point on the coast.'' Many reasons make desirable the establishment of 

 an experiment station at some point on the coast of Florida or the Gulf 

 States. The number of important food-fishes on the Florida coast is 

 greater than on any other coast section of the United States. Very 

 little is known regarding the migrations, spawning habits, etc., of any 

 of these numerous species, and nothing in the way of their artificial 

 propagation has been attempted. From what is known of the nature 

 of the eggs of the mullet, it is reasonably certain that a method for 

 artificially hatching that species may be devised without special diffi- 

 culty, yet the discovery and development of any such method remain 

 to be made. Methods for the artificial propagation of several of the 

 other valuable water products can also doubtless be developed. 



The abundance on the Florida coast of other forms of animal life 

 besides fishes, such as mollusks, crustaceans, and reptiles, is very great. 

 Some of these are already of much importance, either as food or bait. 

 A biological study of many of these forms would certainly prove of 

 great commercial value as well as of scientific interest. 



The field for experimentation with the various species of Florida 

 sponges is practically a virgin one, whose cultivation promises economic 

 results of vast importance. The careful development of a practical 

 method by which sponges may be grown artificially either from cuttings 

 or from eggs is worthy of the most serious attention. The means for 

 extending and replenishing the natural sponge beds is a matter that 

 should also receive consideration. 



A station for the investigation of these and related questions might 

 be advantageously established at some point on Biscayne Bay, at Key 

 West, near Tarpon Springs, on Tampa Bay, or elsewhere on the Gulf 

 const. At the outset the most essential thing in connection with the 

 establishment of such a station and the necessary studies would be the 

 employment of a number of competent experts to carry on the inves- 

 tigations. In the beginning, at least, the equipment in the way of 

 buildings, appliances, etc., need be neither extensive nor costly. 



