THE TURTLE FISHERY. 497 



the year, but it is only during the winter months, when the saw-fish and large sharks are absent, 

 that the fishermen will risk their nets in capturing them. Larger green turtles are taken at this 

 point than at any other on the east coast of Florida. The average weight is 50 or 60 pounds, and 

 specimens weighing 200 pounds have been frequently taken. The largest specimen taken here of 

 which reliable information has been obtained weighed 275 pounds. 



Fishing begins late in September or early in October, and continues to the last of December. 

 It is said that the best catch is made during the coldest weather. The turtles are taken in nets 

 similar to gill-nets. The size of mesh employed is about 11 inches. The nets are set directly 

 across the channel, and extend from the surface to the bottom. A turtle, while swimming about 

 in the water, comes in contact with them and thrusts its head through one of tbe meshes. Not 

 noticing the obstruction it attempts to continue its course, and in a short time one flipper and then 

 the other is entangled, and the animal is unable to extricate himself. If the fisherman is near his 

 net he knows by the movement of the corks that the turtle is caught, and hastens to row up and 

 secure it. Taking it to the shore he confines it in a " crawl," or pen, until a favorable opportunity 

 is afforded to ship it to market. 



The fishery has been carried on at Indian Eiver for many years. Previous to 1860 the catch 

 was bartered to merchant, trading, and Government vessels for such goods as they chanced to 

 have on board. The turtles were then carried by these vessels to northern cities and sold in the 

 markets. Lately, however, many of the fishermen have sought direct communication with the 

 northern markets, principally with New York, through agents residing in Jacksonville. By tliese 

 arrangements, after all expenses have been paid, they receive 10 or 11 cents per pound for the 

 turtles shipped. A part of the catch, however, is sold to the fishing schooner at the inlet, and is 

 taken by her to Savannah to be sent farther north. 



The success of the fishery in the winter of 1877-'78 was the greatest for many years. During 

 that season eight fisbermen caught about sixteen hundred turtles. In the winter of 1879-'80 six- 

 teen men prosecuted the fishery, and the catch was about fourteen hundred turtles. 



KEY WEST. At Key West, Fla., turtle fishing is carried on throughout the year, but reaches 

 its height during the summer months. Turtles are more abundant here than at any other locality 

 on the coast, except in the shoal water near Homosassa Eiver, where these congregate in great 

 numbers. The fishermen say that they have seen large schools of both green and loggerhead 

 turtles in the sea between the Keys and Cape Romano, swimming near the surface, and apparently 

 bound northward. 



The turtles are caught at Key West in nets from 50 to 100 fathoms long and from 16 to 24 

 feet deep, having meshes each a foot square. The fishermen set their nets across the little chan- 

 nels and in the "hohr," among the keys and reefs near Key West. The turtles are kept in small 

 "crawls" until needed for shipment. 



There is only one firm at Key West which deals in turtles, and all shipments are made to New 

 York. Several small vessels, which at certain seasons of the year are engaged in sponge fishing, 

 participate in the turtle fishery to a limited extent, and the market fishing-boats also bring in some 

 from time to time. The specimens which weigh from 40 to 100 pounds are shipped away, but the 

 extremely large ones are sold to marketmeu, who retail the flesh in Key West. It is estimated 

 that an average number of fifty turtles, weighing 40 pounds apiece, are brought to Key West every 

 week during the year. 



CEDAR KEYS. The green-turtle fishery at Cedar Keys is of recent origin, having grown up 

 within the past eight or ten years. It is prosecuted during the summer months, usually from May 

 SEC. v, VOL. n 32 



