REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. XCVII 



miuatioii of the abuudauce, size, spawning, food, etc., of the commercial 

 salt-water fishes. 



The sponge indnstry received much attention. It was ascertained 

 that the methods employed are seriously affecting the j)ermanency of the 

 industry and that important moditications in the regulations governing 

 this fishery are much needed. The inquiries led to the view that the 

 lawful niiuiiiuim size of sponges should be increased, the law forbidding 

 the sale of undersized sponges should be enforced, arrangements should 

 be brought about by which any given ground should be tished over 

 only once in any period of two years, and provision should be made for 

 the protection of those desiring to undertake the artiticial propagation 

 of sponges, a new field that gives promise of results of great economic 

 importance. 



The number of species of salt-water food-fishes in Florida is perhaps 

 larger than in any other State. The fishes are especially numerous, as 

 regards both individuals and species, among the Florida Keys. The 

 species handled for food at Key West exceed 100, many of which are of 

 much commercial importance. If to these are added those of no direct 

 food value, the total number of fishes inhabiting the Key West region 

 is found to be about 225. The investigations indicate that there has 

 been no noteworthy diminution in the abundance of any of the food- 

 fishes of this part of the State. The i^resent methods followed in fishing 

 are such as will conserve the fisheries to the fullest extent. While much 

 information was obtained regarding the fishes, there is yet a great deal 

 to be learned. The fishermen are, as a rule, poorly informed on the 

 habits and spawning of even the common species, and their opinions 

 can not be relied on. The most satisfactory way to gain a knowledge 

 of the life-histories of these fishes is to station at Key West a trained 

 observer, who will continue his observations during one or two entire 

 seasons. 



Large and important collections of fishes were made at the different 

 places visited. These are now being studied, and will, in conjunction 

 with other collections from Florida, serve as the basis for a compre- 

 hensive report on the fishes of the State. The general information 

 collected was utilized in a report submitted to the Senate by the Com- 

 missioner in January, 1897. 



MISSISSIPPI. 



At the request of prominent citizens of Kew Orleans, an examina- 

 tion of certain waters about the mouth of Pearl Kiver, Mississippi, was 

 made in April, 1897, for the purpose of determining if anything could 

 be done to increase the abundance of game and food fishes in that region. 

 The locality is an important resort for Xew Orleans anglers, who are 

 desirous that additional species of game fishes be introduced if the 

 waters should prove suitable. The examinations, which were conducted 

 by Messrs. B. W. Evermaun, H. R. Oenterj and F. M. Chamberlain, were 



F. 11.97 YII 



