160 



FISHERY INDUSTRIES OF THE UNITED STATES. 



The following summary shows the quantity and value of red snapper 

 caught on the west coast of Florida in certain years : 



Year. 



1889 

 1890 

 1895 

 1897 



Pounds. 



3,469,370 

 4, 172, 942 

 4,886,396 

 5,314,487 



Value. 



$105, 557 

 123, 799 

 154, 536 

 171,234 



Year. 



1902. 

 1908 1 

 1918. 



Pounds. 



8,074,066 

 7,659,000 

 7,230,168 



Value. 



$237, 428 

 432,000 

 455, 640 



' From data published by the Bureau of the Census. 



The Sponge Fishery. — The sponge fishery appears to be in a 

 state of equilibrium between the natural supply and the catch, and 

 if it can be so maintained no concern need be felt for the future. 

 There is a superabundance of small sponges, attributed to the gradu- 

 ally returning productiveness of the beds in comparatively shallow 

 water which was depleted by the spongers a number of years ago. 

 If these small sponges were permitted an additional year's growth 

 these formerly exhausted beds would yield a larger quantity, and, 

 owing to the higher value of the larger sizes, a much greater financial 

 return to the spongers. 



As landed, sponges are strung on wire or twine in bunches, 4f feet 

 in length and of an average weight of 6 pounds to the bunch. The 

 weights used in the statistical tables are those taken after the sponges 

 have been beaten and dried before they are baled for shipment. For 

 the different grades these are as follows: Glove, wire, and A^ellow, 

 each li pounds per bunch; grass and large wool, 2 J pounds per 

 bunch; and small wool, 1 pound per bunch. 



The following tables show the extent of the sponge fishery on the 

 Gulf coast of Florida for certain years from 1880 to 1918, and the 

 price per pound for certain years from 1895 to 1918: 



> From data published by the Bureau of Census. 



