FISHERIES OF THE SOUTH ATLANTIC STATES. 227 



were caught last season and more large shad taken. In the gill-net 

 fishery last season there was a falling off of 104,006 shad, 282,021 

 pounds, and $23,584, making a total falling off on the river from 1896 

 of 113,543 shad, 277,229 pounds, and $20,802. 



On the upper river large numbers of young shad, or " skiiis,*' are taken 

 in the seines. These do not average more than 1 pound in weight and 

 are not of much value to the fishermen. In 1896, out of 125,248 shad 

 taken in seines, 53,807 were "skips." The fisheries should not be sub- 

 jected to this drain on the young fish. 



The water hyacinth, a South American floating plant, introduced into 

 the St. Johns Eiver about 1890, and now so abundant as to be a serious 

 imjiediment to navigation, has already begun to affect the fisheries. 

 There are not many places along the upper St. Johns suitable for the 

 hauling of seines, and when tlie wind blows toward one of these beaches 

 the fishermen have to suspend operations until the wind changes, as the 

 plants pile up against the bank in such quantities that the shore can 

 not be reached. Gill nets are sometimes caught in the floating masses 

 and extricated with great difiiculty. The fisheries below Jacksonville 

 do not sufler on account of this plant, as it is killed by the salt water. 



The United States Fish Commission in 1896 planted 4,224,000 shad 

 fry in the river, and in 1897, 2,017,500 fry. 



NOTES ON THE OYSTER FISHERY. 



Natural oyster beds are common in eastern Florida. The most impor- 

 tant of these are in Cumberland and iSTassau sounds and tributaries in 

 j!sassau County, the lower St. John's Eiver, Matauzas River, and in the 

 Indian River. There are small beds in Biscayne Bay and in other places, 

 which have not yet been worked commercially. 



Since the last general canvass, in 1890, there has been a decrease in 

 the quantity of oysters taken. In 1890, 97,350 bushels, valued at 

 $14,850, were taken, while in 1897, 51,829 bushels, valued at $11,766, 

 were secured, showing a decrease of 45,521 bushels and $3,084 in value. 



The greatest decrease since 1890 is shown in Nassau County. In 

 that year 79,500 bushels, valued at $8,175, were taken, while in 1897 

 the catch was 45,500 bushels, worth $4,137. In 1890 there were two 

 canneries in operation in this county. In 1894 there were four in 

 operation, but there has since been a decline in the supply of oysters, 

 and at present one cannery is in operation, a part of its supply being 

 derived from Georgia waters. 



In Duval and Brevard counties the oyster industry has increased 

 since 1890. Brevard County is the most favorably situated as regards 

 the future development of the oyster industry, the Indian River, which 

 is entirely within its limits, having a number of natural oyster beds 

 which have been but slightly drawn upon as yet. If these are properly 

 conserved, a considerable industry could be developed. The allotment 

 of land for private oyster cultivation would most conduce to this end. 



