POSSIBILITIES FOR AN INCREASED DEVELOPMENT OF FLORIDA'S FISHERY 



RESOURCES. 



BY JOHN N. COBB, 

 Statistical Field Agent, United States Fish Commission. 



During the course of my various investigations of the fisheries of Florida the fact 

 was brought very forcibly to my mind at different times that there were numerous 

 opportunities for an enlargement of her trade in fishery products. Nearly all of the 

 fishery products of Florida are either sold fresh or in a salted condition, very little 

 canning being done. During certain seasons the markets are crowded with fish in 

 the fresh state, and fishermen are compelled to suspend fishing until this glut is over. 

 This means a heavy loss at frequent intervals. If there were smoking-houses and 

 canning- factories convenient, there would always be a steady demand for certain 

 fishes, which would largely prevent such gluts in the fresh-fish' markets. 



The State has a great variety of animal life along her immense coast line, but 

 lack of energy and capital with which to prepare and market what are commonly 

 known as "secondary products" prevents her occupying a much higher place among 

 the States as regards the fisheries. Even in marketing fresh fishery products she 

 does not utilize all her resources. I will first take up the question of fishery products 

 sold fresh, and show where I think an expansion could be had. 



FISHERY PRODUCTS IN THE FRESH STATE. 



Catfish. One of the commonest varieties of fish in the waters of Florida is the 

 catfish. At nearly all seasons of the year they are found in the rivers in incredible 

 numbers. The people of Florida have always considered them unfit to eat, but this 

 opinion is not universal throughout the country, the people in the States bordering on 

 the Mississippi, Missouri, and tributary streams being especially fond of catfish. St. 

 Louis is a very good market for this fish. At present a small quantity is shipped 

 from Apalachicola, and one firm at Jacksonville does a considerable business, but 

 there is room for an immense development of the fishery. It should be understood 

 that reference is made to the river catfish and not to the sea catfish; the latter does 

 not appear to be popular anywhere. 



Sturgeon. This valuable fish is very common in the rivers tributary to the Gulf 

 of Mexico. Spasmodic attempts have been made at times to carry on a sturgeon 

 fishery, but they soon died out. During 1896 a party fished on the Suwanee River 

 with gill nets and secured a number. There is an excellent chance for carrying on 

 this fishery in most of the rivers north of Tampa Bay. 



Crawfish or spiny lobster. This crustacean is very common in Florida, especially 

 around Key West. It has an excellent flavor and would doubtless meet with a ready 

 sale if it were shipped North in a fresh state. It would be a good substitute for the 

 lobster, which is growing scarce and expensive. 



