MARINE FISHERIES OF TEXAS 183 



cent of the total yield in 1923. Thus it may be seen that during the 

 war, when the demand was greatest and the fewest restrictions were 

 imposed upon fishing, the yield of the poorer fishes reached its maxi- 

 mum. That black drum was marketed at all is unmistakable evidence 

 of an inadequate supply of the more desirable species — snapper, trout, 

 and redfish. 



The probable causes of the reduced productiveness may be natural 

 or artificial. Among the natural causes may be mentioned the vari- 

 ous physiographic and meteorological features of the coast. Shallow, 

 inclosed waters, subject to extremes of heat and cold that periodi- 

 cally destroy or greatly reduce various species; the shifting and 

 closing of passages to inside waters; the drouths, accompanied by 

 increased salinity; and the floods that bring great quantities of silt 

 from the rivers ; all have their effect in limiting the abundance of fish 

 life in the inside waters. 6 



Perhaps the most far-reaching artificial limitations upon the yield 

 of the fisheries are the legal restrictions. There is no clear evidence 

 to prove that these restrictions are necessary or unnecessary, bene- 

 ficial or harmful. As pointed out in a previous section, when laws 

 that prohibit summer seining and close certain waters to fishing are put 

 into effect the total catch is greatly reduced. It is true that subse- 

 quent to the establishment of such closure the yield tends to increase 

 and approach previous normal production, but this recovery may be ex- 

 plained in several ways. It is possible that such increase may be due 

 to an actual increase in the fish stock brought about by the protection. 

 It is also possible that the fishermen, driven from accustomed fishing 

 grounds one year, succeed in following years in finding other grounds 

 equally productive. Again, it is possible that poaching in the closed 

 areas and during closed seasons increases, as the laws become older 

 and more familiar. In any event, although it is evident that the 

 laws are effective, it yet remains to be shown whether they are wise, 

 beneficial, and necessary or arbitrary, harsh, and unduly restrictive. 



Another limitation upon the yield of the fisheries, and one without 

 apparent justification, is that imposed by crude and wasteful methods 

 of handling and marketing. While scarcely within the scope of this 

 inquiry, we can not refrain from mentioning that improvements in 

 refrigeration, in icing, and in preserving the catch will bring about 

 an extension of the industry without attendant drain upon the fish 

 supply. 



There is no way to determine the capacity of a fishery except by 

 actual trial by commercial fishing, hence it is impossible to predict 

 the future development of the Texas shore fisheries should they be 

 allowed to develop unhindered by restrictions. 



CURRENT IDEAS AS TO THE BIOLOGY qF THE VARIOUS SPECIES 



Before a fishery can be regulated scientifically the life histories 

 of all the important commercial species must be studied thoroughly. 

 Very little is known of the habits of Texas fishes, although a great 

 many guesses have been made. Breeding habits, especially, have 



6 A considerable mortality among food fishes is said to occur annually in Laguna Madre and connecting 

 waters. This mortality apparently occurs regularly during the months of August and September, sup- 

 posedly in consequence of the extreme saltiness of the water, and during January because of the cold. Ob- 

 servations are now being conducted in Laguna Madre to determine the condition of the water throughout 

 the year and to ascertain, if possible, just what conditions are destructive of fish life. A report on this sub- 

 ject will be prepared when the study has been completed. 



