CLX REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



• In the different States there are numerous changes to be noted in 

 the yield of the various fisheries. The oyster fishery shows a great 

 reduction in products and value in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and 

 Texas, and an important increase in Louisiana. The red-snapper 

 fishery has greatly increased in Florida, Alabama, and Texas, while in 

 Louisiana it has been abandoned or transferred elsewhere. The mullet 

 fishery has increased in yield and value in Florida; in yield but not in 

 value in Alabama, and has decreased in both respects in the other 

 three States. A decrease is to be noticed in the sponge fishery of 

 Florida. There has been an increase in the shrimp fishery in Ala- 

 bama, Mississippi, and Texas, and a decrease in Louisiana. 



The important increase in the number of persons engaged in the 

 fisheries warrants the assumption that an increase would have been 

 found in the general yield and value of the fisheries of the Gulf region 

 had they not been affected by outside agencies. There can be little 

 doubt that the decrease is due largely to the restrictions placed on the 

 various means of transportation during the yellow-fever outbreak of 

 1897. 



Table showing hi/ States the number of persons engaged in the fisheries of the Gulf States 



in 1S97. 



States. 



Fishermen. 



Shoresmen. 



Total. 



Florida 



Alabama .. 



Mississippi 



Louisiana . . 

 Texas 



Total 



4,667 

 593 

 1,061 

 3,719 

 1,140 



11, 180 



344 

 196 



1, 504 



684 



59 



2,787 



5,011 

 789 

 2,565 

 4,403 

 1,109 



13, 967 



Table showing by States the investment in the fisheries of the Gulf States in 1897. 



