REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 17 



FLORIDA SPONGE FISHERY. 



The quantity of sponges sold at the Sponge Exchange, Tarpon 

 Springs, Fla., in 1921, was 386,390 pounds, valued at $540,093. This 

 total included large wool sponges, 173,723 pounds, valued at $463,170 ; 

 small wool, 63,786 pounds, valued at $28,705; yellow, 70,218 pounds, 

 valued at $30,428 ; grass. 65,745 pounds, valued at $12,823 ; and wire, 

 12,918 pounds, valued at $5,167. The prices of small wool sponges 

 were so low^ the latter part of 1920 that several thousand bunches 

 were held over for sale in 1921. For this reason the quantity of small 

 wool sponges for 1921 was larger than for the previous year. It is 

 estimated that $40,000 w^orth of sponges were sold at Tarpon Springs 

 outside of the exchange. In addition an unknown but compara- 

 tively small quantity was sold at Key West. 



INQUIRY RESPECTING FOOD FISHES AND FISHING GROUNDS. 



INTRODUCTION. 



It is an original and fundamental function of the bureau to inquire 

 into the causes of the decrease of food fish and other useful resources 

 of the waters, in order to seek means of checking decreases where they 

 appear and of promoting increases wherever possible. Decreases of 

 aquatic resources have occurred and are likely to continue with the 

 increased demand upon the fish-food supply and with a growing popu- 

 lation that steadily augments the number of possible fishermen and 

 sportsmen. 



There is indeed a conspicuous contrast between the histories of pro- 

 duction of land and water products, respectively. While over a span 

 of years we see with gratification a steady and noteworthy develop- 

 ment in the yields of principal products of the land, we observe at the 

 same time and, unfortunately, with generally small concern, an en- 

 tirely different trend with regard to the crops that are derived from 

 our waters. While we grow more wheat and corn, more cattle and 

 poultry, we have less halibut and whitefish and fewer crabs and lob- 

 sters. New regions have been opened to production of potatoes and 

 fruits, while considerable areas of water bottom, once productive of 

 oysters, have become barren and sturgeon and other useful fishes dis- 

 appear. Many of our fisheries bid fair to become merely historical 

 records. 



It is notable, too, that when a serious diminution in land crops 

 threatens there is almost invariably a prompt and compelling demand 

 for the application of methods of scientific research to the study of 

 causes and remedies. Appropriations and personnel are made avail- 

 able so that serious losses may not continue indefinitely for lack of 

 the services of skilled investigators or for want of proper equipment 

 for attack upon the problems involved. On the other hand, the dis- 

 appearance of useful aquatic resources has rarely awakened an effec- 

 tive public interest, and only a small and frequently changing per- 

 sonnel with very limited equipment is permitted to confront the com- 

 plicated problems that concern a hundred different resources of seas, 

 lakes, and rivers. While a diminution in the yield of corn becomes a 



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