254 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



Few sections of the United States are better supplied with desirable and important marine-fishery 

 products, including fish, reptiles, and invertebrates, than the Gulf States. Among the invertebrates 

 the oyster ranks first in commercial importance. It is extremely abundant throughout the entire 

 section and constitutes the most prominent fishery product. No other mollusks have as yet attained 

 economic prominence, though in Florida the round clam or quahog is taken in small quantities, and 

 the meat of the conch is used for bait and eaten locally. A number of species and varieties of sponge 

 occur off the Florida coast, and are objects of an important fishery, the only one of the kind prosecuted 

 from the United States. Among crustaceans the shrimp is the most prominent. Crabs are abundant 

 in this region ; in addition to the common blue crab of the Atlantic coast, there occur the shore crab, 

 the lady or sand crab, and others of less importance. The stone crab, which reaches a large size and is 

 very palatable, is probably most abundant on the coast of Florida. 



The economic value of the reptiles inhabiting the Gulf States is greater than in any other section. 

 Foremost among them is the alligator. There are at least five species of terrapins in this section 

 which are valuable as food. Four of these occur in fresh water. The salt-water or diamond-back 

 terrapin is also found in the salt marshes from Florida to Texas, and is a valuable article of fishery. 

 This region is included within the range of three soft-shell tortoises. Two species of snapping turtle 

 also inhabit the fresh waters of these States. Three important marine turtles frequent the Gulf of 

 Mexico and are sought by the fishermen ; these are the green turtle, the loggerhead, and the hawkbill 

 or tortoise-shell turtle. 



From the foregoing brief account of the fishery resources and kindred industries 

 of Florida, it is evident that the present active demand for fish, oysters, etc., will be 

 largely augmented in the future, especially in view of the fact that there is a material 

 decrease in the supply of these products in northern waters ; indeed, there are already 

 many northern fishing smacks in Florida waters every winter, and lately there have 

 been oyster-grounds located and taken up by northern parties with a view to an 

 increased cultivation of oysters. The granting of these privileges should be paid 

 for by the parties interested and made a permanent source of revenue to the State, 

 the same as is done in the States of Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, etc. 

 This is very important and should be attended to before the best grounds are disposed 

 of gratuitously. A State fish commission could be supported by the revenue derived 

 from the rental of oyster-grounds alone, and there should be an intelligent supervision 

 of this branch of the fisheries, in order that those interested may keep pace with the 

 improvements and discoveries that are yearly being made in the cultivation of oysters 

 and be better enabled to foster this important industry. 



The same necessity exists for an able and competent supervision of the sponge 

 interests, in which Florida alone is concerned, for in the waters of that State are the 

 only sponge-beds in the United States. It is of vital importance, then, that those 

 beds should be properly protected, the taking of the sponges subjected to wise and 

 judicious surveillance, and their cultivation prosecuted with vigor and intelligence in 

 order that the supply may be maintained and increased, and the revenue to the State 

 consequently enhanced. 



The shad fishery of the St. Johns River constitutes one of the most important 

 branches of Florida fishing industries, as the first shad of the season are shipped 

 thence to northern markets at a time when they command the highest price. As 

 the supply has lately been seriously decreasing, it is of paramount importance that 

 the yield should be increased by artificial means. The artificial propagation of shad 

 has been attended by more pronounced success, perhaps, than that of any other fish, 

 a most convincing example being that inaugurated by the United States Fish Com- 

 mission in California, where, by the planting of less than a million shad fry in the 

 Sacramento Kiver a few years ago, shad have become so numerous that they are now 

 sold for a less price than in eastern markets. When it is considered that prior to 



