156 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF ,.FISH AND FISHERIES. 
SPONGE FISHERY OF FLORIDA. 
The total number of persons engaged in the sponge fishery of Florida 
in 1900 was 2,245; the investment in vessels, boats, fishing apparatus, 
and shore property was $594,598; and the products amounted to 
364,990 pounds, valued at $567,685. These figures indicate a decided 
increase in the yield of this fishery in recent years. The catch was 
slightly less than in 1890, but prices have been constantly advancing 
and the value of the output is now greater than ever before. ‘‘ Sheeps- 
wool” sponges are more abundant than at any time since 1895, but 
there is a marked decrease in the yield as compared with earlier years. 
This decline, which is probably temporary, has apparently resulted 
in a larger demand for other grades. The increase in the catch of 
‘““vellow” and ‘‘ grass” sponges has therefore more than compensated, 
both in quantity and value, for the decline in ‘‘sheepswool.” 
The following tables show in detail the extent of the sponge fishery 
for the year 1900, and also a comparison of the yield and value for 
the years 1895, 1896, 1899, and 1900: 
oe 
Sponge fishery of Florida, 1900. 
Tarpon 
: | Key West. Springs. Apalachicola. | Total. 
tems a By aman! ae 2 - a _ 
| No. | Value.| No. |Value.; No. | Value.) No. | Value. 
_ = = = _ eas fe = = = 
| | 
Persons employed: | oi 
Vessel fishermen-......------- 15,080) =e 22 | A200 Gos eeee 99 joc 2a5.| ) W230F ea aes 
Boat fishermen ...--..-------- | G69) |i lee aeee 2 VPS ISO) eee see Vi) Ee ee 8 (Adee 
Shore employees. ...-.--.---- Y {2 epee es 40 | cee |e eeeee: lieoeee oes 524i) Pine ee 
Mio tsileee eee een | 1,827 = 354 |... .... 64 2, 2Ab Lee 
| aan = So a a | eet 
Vessels, boats, etc.: | | ; 
WiOSSGIS q.2 55 4 een eee 136 $167,170 15 /$11, 831 5 | $3, 150 156 a 51 
PRONNREOspeaeae sacs eee ae. Ss cf oo ee ee 1295 |e see Sh | fae | 1,750 
TLD Ge sere eee || eee ee 100;950: }..-. 2552 12 AOS: |e Seee Se 35446) [seat ences | “115, 499 
OATS oes eee nea ee 183 146, 450 40 | 28,100 5 | 3,915 228 | 1178, 465 
Apparatus used in vessel | 
ViNS| ah) Lets eeeneaedl eens Weve peaiaan Seater pene |) 2,404 22 oe Boy | eee 96) | See 3, 153 
Apparatus used in boat fish- | 
GIG s2 emer Sees ee al ee 23 (2 p48 eee ees (74) eee DN eee 3, 223 
Shore and accessory property eee 199200 Wesco |S SO0T ok cee ee Seemeracre ! 112) 107 
Total _........2..-.---.---.|.--.-----| 518, 988 | .--.- 65,014 |_.....- | 10,652 |.......-- 594,598 
KINDS AND GROUNDS.? | Lbs. | Value.| Lbs. | Value.| Lbs. | Value.| Lbs. _ Value. 
e ae ease it - - 
Catch by vessels on ‘‘ Bay” | | 
grounds: | | | 
Sheepswool -..........-.------ | 79,466 $229,401 | 12,572 |%37, 046 | 1,640 | $4,834 | 93,678 | $271,281 
MEIC Wire rence ten oa eee 15, Viz | . 305 2) 376 | 1,584 464 309 18,017 13,198 
Grasse ee oo eons — ee an nena no) COulol S140. Selb: plz, Lops oop 156 | 35,511, = 10,481 
GUGVGrsecncee nese ee ee 948 1B4 |e Boe al chs | eee ee Sena 948 134 
Velvet or boat -.....----...--- 386 | G4olcn2e ct [ease oe See | eee 386 64 
Total .........2---.-...--.-| 122,708 | 249, 044 | 23,143 | 40,815 | 2,689 | 5,299 | 148,540 | 295, 158 
= | — | = = = == — 
Catch by vessels on ‘‘Key” | | | 
grounds: | 
Sheepswool . 19, 199 | 19,199 41, 856 
Yellow ...-..-.... Pee) 102010 10,010 8, 603 
(Cpr Se mee ee ne eee eee we See 18, 266 | 18, 266 5, 778 
COVE meee Seeeee on co She ee 3, 748 | 3, 748 542 
Welvetor boat).--254225-- seen. 2,141 | 2,141 1, 752 
Motel 20 2..0i2005p<ce.| “98,864 | 68,000 2. ee veeeeeea[eeeeee-|--------| 58,364 | 58,581 
— = | 8 SS ee eee 
1 Includes value of outfit. 
ail > Bey ” grounds,i.e., Gulf of Mexico; *‘ Key” grounds,i.e., vicinity of the islands of southern 
orida. 
