TKE COAST FISHERIES OF TEXAS. 381 



THE CAST-NET FISHERY. 



While this is one of the minor fisheries and no one depends on it for 

 a living, yet numbers of cast nets are used at the various settlements 

 aloug the coast. In 1890 the number used in the State was 315; the 

 quantity of fish taken was 91,500 pounds, the value of which was 

 $3,510. 



The cast nets are circular, varying in diameter from 1 to 10 feet. 

 Each net has a suuill ring in the center, through which pass several 

 small roj^es which are attached to the outside rim of the net. After 

 passing through this ring, which is usually made of horn, the ropes are 

 all united and fastened to one larger roi)e, which is used as a hand-line. 

 Around the edge of the net a number of lead sinkers are arranged at 

 equal distances from each other. The cost of these nets ranges from 

 f 1.50 to $8. The average size of the mesh is about 1 inch. Cotton 

 twine is the material usually preferred in their construction. 



With the hand line on the ground under one foot, or otherwise se- 

 cured, the net is held at different places on the rim by the mouth and 

 the two hands; then, with a circular motion, it is thrown so as to fall 

 flat upon the surface of the water Sinking to the b(^ttom it covers 

 such fish as are unable to make their escape from beneath it. Then, 

 by hauling in the main rope or hand line, the net is pursed and the fish 

 are inclosed. 



This method of fishing can be practiced only in shallow water. The 

 catch consists mostly of mullet and shrimp. This method of taking 

 mullet is much more successful than by the use of the seines, since so 

 many of these fish escape over the top of the seine while it is being- 

 hauled. No boats are used in this fishery, it being carried on from the 

 wharves and docks. The persons using the cast nets are boys and men 

 having no other employment. The catch, which is small, does not pass 

 through the wholesale fish markets, but is usually peddled about the 

 settlements by the fishermen. 



POUND NETS, GILL NETS, ETC. 



At present there are no pound nets used in Texas. This is due to 

 the fact that they would be destroyed by sharks, alligator gars, and 

 other large i)redaceous fishes with which these waters abound. About 

 fifteen years ago a pound net of the type used along the coast of the 

 Middle States was set in Galveston Bay, and Avhile it was in working 

 order quantities offish were taken in it; but large predaceous fish tore 

 the netting so frequently that it required constant mending in order 

 to retain any of the food-fishes. On this account the use of the pound 

 net was soon abandoned. It is possible that jjound nets made of gal- 

 vanized wire or stake and brush Aveirs could be successfully emijloyed 

 if the sentiment of the people Avould permit their use. 



Except such as are used iu the green-turtle fishery, I am not aware 

 that stationary gill nets have ever been used in taking marine products 



