R T XIX. 



THE TURTLE AND TERRAPIN FISHERIES. 



BY FREDERICK W. TRUE. 



1. THE TURTLE FISHERY. 



1. TURTLE FISHERIES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 



The most northern points at which any considerable turtle fishery is prosecuted are Beaufort, 

 and Morehead City, N. C. 



A small number of loggerhead, hawks-bill, and green turtles enter Cove and Bogiie Sounds 

 and other shallow inlets in this vicinity during the summer months, in search of food. The green 

 turtles arrive about the first of April and disappear early in November. The loggerheads and 

 hawks-bills are of medium size, the average weight of the former being about 50 pounds ; the green 

 turtles are small, and weigh about 8 pounds each. 



The capture of loggerheads in this vicinity was formerly effected by means of spears or 

 " gauges. " The turtles were struck by the fishermen with these implements while swimming in 

 the water. They were frequently very badly wounded, however, and often injured to such a 

 degree that they were unfit for shipment or sale. To avoid this difficulty Mr. Joshua Lewis, of 

 Morehead City, conceived the idea of diving upon the turtles while in the water, and securing 

 them with his hands. When starting out in search of them he ties the painter of his boat to his 

 leg ; then rowing along leisurely until one is seen, he approaches it and dives upon it from the 

 boat. Seizing the anterior edge of the carapace with one hand, and the posterior edge with the 

 other, he turns the head of the turtle upward, when the animal immediately rises to the surface, 

 bringing the fisherman with it. If the water is deep he steers the turtle toward a shoaler spot, 

 keeping hold of it with one hand; and with the other pulling the boat after him. When a suitable 

 spot is reached he sei/es the animal and throws it into the boat. Usually there is no difficulty in 

 bringing turtles to the surface and directing them toward shallow Water, but occasionally a very 

 large one is encountered, which is strong and unmanageable. In such case the fisherman-is forced 

 to let go his hold and return to the surface, allowing the turtle to escape. 



The method of capturing turtles by diving is employed at present by many of the fishermen 

 in this locality, and the greater proportion of those taken are captured in this way. Good 

 swimmers do not hesitate to dive for a turtle when seen, however great may be the depth of the 

 water. 



The small number of hawks-bill turtles taken are captured by the same method as that 

 employed for loggerheads, and usually no distinction is made between the two kinds. The green 

 turtles are caught in drag-nets and seines. 



The loggerhead turtles find a ready sale at limited prices in the interior cities of North Caro- 



495 



