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REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



The sponge fishery. — This fishery, which is not operated elsewhere 

 in the United States, is of great importance to Florida. Next to the 

 manufacture of cigars, it is the leading industry of Key West. It is 

 prosecuted from Key West, Tarpon Springs, and Apalachicola. The 

 sponges are landed principally at Key West and Tarpon Springs, 

 although a few were sold last season at St. Marks and Apalachicola. 

 They are purchased at auction by buyers for firms iu the Northern 

 States, who prepare them for market at their warehouses in the three 

 places named. 



The following table shows the catch for five years by vessels hailing 

 from the above-named ports: 



The fishery has varied considerably during the past eight years, 

 especially as regards the prices realized. While the catch of 1897 was 

 larger than that for 1895, the value for the latter year is $81,282 more, 

 the sponges taken in 1897 being of a poorer quality than in 1895. 



In 1895 the sponge fleet consisted of 119 vessels and 200 boats. In 

 1897 102 vessels and 184 boats were engaged. The decrease is attrib- 

 utable to the poor season of 1896 and to the hurricane of September 29 

 of that year, which sank a number of vessels and seriously damaged 

 others. 



According to the reports of fishermen and others interested in the 

 business, the sponges are decreasing in number, while inferior grades 

 are now being secured. Formerly most of the sponges were taken in 

 10 feet depth of water, while now some of the sponging operations are 

 conducted in water as deep as 45 feet, which is about the limit at which 

 the fishery can be successfully prosecuted under the methods which 

 now prevail. 



Artificial propagation has been urged for some time by the most far- 

 sighted fishermen and dealers, but the lack of suitable laws permitting 

 the ownership of land for this purpose has heretofore prevented. In 

 1897 such a law was passed, allowing "any person or i^ersoiis owning 

 lands bordering upon the waters of the State to propagate and grow 

 sponges in the waters in front of such lands to a depth not exceeding 1 

 fathom at low tide, and they shall have the exclusive right to sponge 

 or propagate and grow sponges within such limits." It is quite certain 

 that good will result from the adoption of this law if the growers are 

 properly protected. 



