496 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. 



Una, and a small shipping business has been established. The fishermen receive about 50 cents 

 apiece for the turtles, which induces them to catch all that come in their way, but does not war- 

 rant their engaging very extensively in the fishery. The average annual catch of loggerheads in 

 this vicinity does not exceed two hundred. 



The green turtles are usually eaten by the fishermen, who consider them a delicacy, but occa- 

 sionally they are sold to dealers for about 15 cents apiece. The catch at this point, if sold at local 

 prices, would have a value of not more than $50. 



2. TURTLE FISHERIES OF SOUTH CAROLINA. 



At Charleston, S. C., a few small green turtles are taken at irregular intervals. In weight 

 they vary ordinarily from 5 to 15 pounds, the largest specimens weighing not more than 25 pounds. 

 They are usually caught by accident in the drag-seines or cast-nets used for the capture of shrimp. 

 Probably not more than one hundred and fifty are taken annually, in the season, which extends 

 from June to the middle of September. 



The fishermen sell the turtles to the marketmen for their city trade, and receive from 50 cents 

 to $1 apiece for them. 



3. TURTLE FISHERIES OF FLORIDA. 



SAINT AUGUSTINE. Green turtles make their appearance in the waters of Saint Augustine 

 in May and remain until October, but they are most plenty in July, August, and September. They 

 are smaller than those taken farther south, usually having an average weight of 20 or 25 pounds, 

 although many are much smaller. 



The gill-nets used for their capture are about 200 feet long and 1'2 feet deep; the mesh is 

 about 11 inches. They are made of twine, of a size a trifle smaller than that of ordinary chalk-line. 

 They are seldom bought, but are made by the fishermen in their leisure hours, and are valued by 

 them at from $25 to $40. About twenty in all are owned in Saint Augustine, Indian River, Mos. 

 quito Inlet, and Feruandina. These nets are set in the harbor, and are watched by the men from 

 the shore. When a turtle is captured they paddle out and secure it. 



In 1879 about three hundred and fifty turtles were caught, weighing in the aggregate 8,000 

 pounds; in 1878 seven hundred were taken, weighing 16,000 pounds. They are usually sold at 

 once, and the price received is generally below 75 cents, often as low as 15 cents apiece. At 

 present a few are saved for the hotel trade in the winter, and these bring 10 cents per pound. In 

 1879 thirty were reserved for that purpose, and it is probable that a larger number will be dis- 

 posed of in this way in the future. They are kept without difficulty in "crawls," being fed on 

 fish and " turtle grass." 



No turtles are shipped from Saint Augustine. 



HALIFAX RIVER. The next locality south of Saint Augustine at which turtle fishing is carried 

 on is Halifax River. A number of green turtles come into this lagoon every year, and are captured 

 by some seven fishermen from the little hamlets in the vicinity. They are somewhat larger than 

 those caught farther north, their average weight being about 35 pounds. The fishery lasts for 

 two months, during which time about two hundred turtles are taken. They are sent to Jack- 

 sonville, and from thence shipped to New York. The fishermen receive about 11 cents a pound 

 for the turtles, and therefore the value of the annual catch is about $770. 



INDIAN RIVER. A short distance south of Halifax River is Indian River, one of the most 

 noted places for the capture of green turtles on our coast. More turtles are taken in this inlet 

 than in any other locality in the State of Florida. They remain here during the greater part of 



