498 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. 



to October. The length of the season varies considerably, however, in different years, for the 

 fishermen continue the business only as long as they may do so profitably. 



The fishing-grounds extend 20 or 30 miles northward from Cedar Keys, and southward along 

 the whole coast. The best grounds, however, are located where the bottom is covered with marine 

 plants, on which the turtles feed. 



The boats employed for setting the nets are similar to those used in gill-netting and seining. 

 It is necessary sometimes to go 20, 30, or even 50 miles southward in order to find turtles in abun- 

 dance, and as the ordinary small open boats would be unsuitable for trips of such length, larger sail- 

 boats are hired, which have room for several men and their nets and other apparatus. Thft crew 

 numbers three or four men, and the trip usually lasts eight or ten days. The nets are made of the 

 largest and strongest cotton twine, and have a length of from 75 to 100 fathoms, and a depth of 

 from 10 to 16 feet; the meshes are 2 feet long. 



On arriving on the grounds the boat or vessel is kept beating back and forth until signs of tur- 

 tles are noticed and several are seen to "blow" in one place, when the craft is anchored near by. 

 A man in a small boat then makes a thorough investigation of the depth of the water in the vicinity, 

 in order to find the deeper spots to which the turtles retire at low tide, and in which they usually 

 prefer to feed. When the deep places have been discovered, the nets are set out near them and in a 

 straight line parallel with the course of the tide. The turtles come to the surface every few minutes 

 to breathe, and while rising and sinking near the net are very apt to become entangled in it. Only 

 one flipper may be caught at first, but when the animal turns the other is entrapped and, shortly, 

 the whole body is securely wrapped in the cords. After a little time it must come to the surface for 

 air, when it is seen by the fishermen struggling to make its escape and is at once removed from 

 the net. 



This is said to be the dullest of all fishing, and unending patience and considerable skill are 

 required to make it successful. Fishing is considered very good if one turtle is taken every hour 

 during a half day, and commonly only one or two are caught during the whole day. The large 

 boats frequently bring in, as the result of one cruise, a sufficient number of turtles to make up an 

 aggregate weight of from 3,000 to 5,000 pounds, while for the small boats the aggregate weight of 

 one day's -catch may be from 50 to 800 pounds. Green turtles weighing 600 or 800 pounds are 

 sometimes caught on the grounds in this vicinity, and, rarely, individuals weighing 1,000 pounds. 

 The largest specimen which has been brought to Cedar Keys weighed 1,200 pounds. 



For keeping the turtles alive after they are caught a pen, or "crawl," as it is termed, is con- 

 structed. It is an inclosure about 50 feet long and 25 feet wide, surrounded by piles driven closely 

 together, and covered above with boards. A sort of crane or derrick for hoisting large turtles in 

 and out is arranged close by it. It is usually constructed near the shore, in a position where the 

 water is 5 or 6 feet deep. 



4. TURTLE CANNING IN TEXAS. 



TURTLE-CANNING. At Rockport, on the coast of Texas, there is a firm engaged in canning 

 green turtles and fish. It employs ten men with boats, who are engaged a part of the time in the 

 capture of turtles, and in addition twenty persons who attend to the operations of canning. The 

 company has been in existence only about one year. During the first six months of active work 

 about 8,600 pounds of turtle meat were canned. A 2-pound can of this preparation sells at 

 wholesale for 22 cents, and hence the value of the quantity canned in the first half-year was about 

 $950. The work continues throughout the entire year, and the value of the quantity of turtle 

 meat prepared at this point annually will not be less than $1,900. 



