these figures refer only to the period from 1889 to 1902, they 

 will serve to show the development which has taken place during 

 that time. 



For the sake of comparison some little reference must be made 

 to the oyster industry, and this can best be done by quoting 

 from the Report of the Bureau of Fisheries for 1902: 



"The oyster industry, the most important branch of the fish- 

 eries of this State, as well as of the United States, shows a 

 larger yield than in 1897, increasing from 959,190 bushels, 

 worth $432,668, to 1,198,413 bushels, worth $433,227. In 1890 

 it was only 44,800 bushels, worth $127,990. The growth of this 

 industry is due to an increased demand rather than to a greater 

 abundance on the reefs. The cultivation of oysters is attracting 

 much attention in Louisiana, and well-directed efforts are now 

 being made to develop profitable use of grounds at present un- 

 productive." 



"The seine fishery shows a very large increase since 1897, 

 especially in the product, increasing from 6,554,749 pounds, 

 worth $173,454, to 12,565,415 pounds, worth $251,826. The yield 

 of shrimp contributed the bulk of this, the catch being 7,589,220 

 pounds, worth $130,560, whereas in 1897 it was only 4,402,626 

 pounds, worth $78,792."* 



The above quotation gives a fair idea of the status of the in- 

 dustry in 1902. The following tables give a more detailed state- 

 ment of the growth in different years, and also the relative im- 

 portance of the fishery to the different coastal parishes of the 

 State. 



TABLE I. 



Showing the Growth of the Industry from 1889 to 1902. 



1889 (a) 1890 (a) 1897 (6) 1902 (6) 



Pounds 7,121,500 6,540,150 4,402,626 7,589,220 



Value $93,640 $88,115 $78,792 $130,560 



This species is confined to the salt or brackish bayous of the 

 coast, and seldom, if ever, is caught in any abundance elsewhere. 

 The following table gives a summary of the catches made in the 



•Report of Bureau of Fisheries, 1902, Page 465. 



(a) Bulletin, United States Fish Commission, 1890, pp. 91-184. 



(6) Report, United States Bureau of Fisheries, 1902, p. 465. 



