234 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



It can scarcely be wondered at, therefore, that there is more difficulty each year 

 in obtaining good cargoes, and that the output is decreasing. An average cargo now 

 is only a half or a third what it was ten or fifteen years ago. 



POISONOUS WATER. 



A factor in the decrease in the sponge supply to which many of the spongers 

 attach much importance is the so-called "black" or "poisonous" water. Its nature i> 

 not definitely established. Some think it is water from the Everglades, discharged into 

 the Gulf in unusual quantities; others that it is due to submarine volcanic disturbances. 

 resulting in the liberation of noxious gases. Whatever the cause, it is certainly 

 destructive to all forms of life, and it is known to have depleted some very productive 

 grounds. Fortunately this kind of injury is of infrequent occurrence, seldom coining 

 in serious form oftener than once in a decade. Of the very disastrous poisonous 

 water plague in 1878, the following account has been given: 



The earliest indication of it was the floating up of vast quantities of dead sponges, 

 chiefly loggerheads. The dead sponges were first noticed less than 40 miles north of 

 Key West, but it was soon discovered that all the hitherto profitable sponging-grounds 

 lying off' the coast, as far north nearly as Cedar Keys, and particularly off the Anclotes, 

 had been ruined. These grounds had only begun to show signs of recuperation as 

 late as 1882; their abandonment from the reefs to Cedar Keys, during the three or 

 four years which followed the occurrence, entailed a loss estimated at $100,000. I lad 

 it not been for the fortunate discovery, just at that time, of sponge tracts off Rock 

 Island, northward of the Suwanee River, almost a famine in this article would have 

 ensued. 1 



Too much stress, however, is now laid on this condition as a factor in the dimin- 

 ished supply during recent years. 



REMEDIAL MEASURES. 



With anything like fair treatment there is no reason why the Florida sponge- 

 grounds should not only support the present drains, but permit much more extensive 

 fishing than is now possible. The area of the grounds is so large, estimated to be 

 over 3,000 square miles, and the growth of the sponges is so rapid that with proper 

 precautions there is hardly a limit to the productive capacity of the beds. 



Foremost among the remedial measures that are demanded I place the enforce- 

 ment of the law relative to the gathering of small sponges. It is probable (hat the 

 statute should be slightly modified, so ;is to make it more readily executed; it would 

 doubtless be improved by having it prevent the landing or sale of undersized sponges. 

 It is said that there is some question as to the State's jurisdiction ove grounds lying 

 beyond a marine league; if so, it is an additional reason for amending the law MS 

 indicated. 



It is claimed by some that such a law is difficult to enforce, especially after years 

 of flagrant violation. To this I take exception, and believe that the law will almost 

 enforce itself if the State will show any disposition to encourage its observance. The 

 sentiment in favor of the law and its impartial enforcement is remarkably strong. 

 Dealers and vessel-owners, and others having pecuniary interests at stake, are nnani 



The Fishery Industries of the United States, sec. v, p. 8:11. 



