REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. CXXIX 



that about 50,000 bushels of such oysters were brought to that city 

 during the season of 1896-97. 



The red oysters seemed to be fat and well flavored, the few persons 

 who ventured to eat them reporting no ill effects. 



The nature of this affection could not be determined, as no oppor- 

 tunity to examine the oysters was afforded the Commission, nor does 

 the condition seem to have been previously described. Possibly the 

 infusorian Peridinium, which gives a reddish color to sea water and is 

 occasionally reported on the Atlantic coast, may be the cause. 



SPONGE FISHERY OF FLORIDA. 



In January, 1898, the writer visited Key West, Florida, in order to 

 obtain information concerning the present condition and recent changes 

 in the Florida sponge fishery and trade which center at this place. 

 Data were furnished by the purchasing firms showing the quantities of 

 sponges landed by the fishing vessels in the years 1896 and 1897. By 

 correspondence and other means, similar figures were secured from 

 dealers at the other sponge centers of the State. The Commission 

 having in 1896 canvassed the sponge industry for the preceding year, 

 a continuous record was thus acquired giving the sponge catch for 

 the three years ending 1897, during which some marked changes in 

 production were manifested. The results of the inquiries were incor- 

 porated in a report* by the writer presented at the National Fishery 

 Congress, held at Tampa, Fla., in January, 1898. 



The investigation shows that in 1897 the Florida sponge fishery 

 yielded 331,546 pounds of sponges, having a first value of $284,610; in 

 the previous year 234,111 pounds, worth $273,012, and in 1895 306,120 

 pounds, valued at $386,871. The condition of the fishery can not be 

 accurately gauged from f he foregoing bare figures, which show a larger 

 yield in 1897 than in 1895 or 1896, although it is known that the industry, 

 as a whole, was in a declining state. The explanation is that the catch 

 in 1897 consisted of a much larger percentage of the lower grades of 

 sponges. Thus, the output of the comparatively cheap grass sponges 

 (having an average value of only 23 cents a pound) increased from 7 

 per cent of the aggregate catch in 1895 to 19 per cent in 1896 and 39 per 

 cent in 1897 ; while the yield of the most valuable sponge, the sheeps- 

 wool (average value $1.53 per pound), declined from 76 per cent in 1895 

 to 64 per cent in 1896 and 47 per cent in 1897. 



It is the almost unanimous opinion of those who have given the 

 matter careful attention that the sponge-grounds of Florida, while still 

 very productive, are being seriously depleted ; and the fact is generally 

 recognized that a continuance of the present conditions will in a short 

 time result in great loss to those having capital invested in vessels, 

 equipment, and warehouses. 



*The Florida Commercial Sponges. By Hugh M. Smith. Bull. U. S. Fish Com- 

 mission 1897, pp. 225-240, 20 plates. 



F. R. 98 IX 



