3.—REPORT ON THE COAST FISHERIES OF TEXAS. 
By Cuarirs H. STEVENSON. 
INTRODUCTORY. 
The published information regarding the fisheries of Texas is very 
meager, and consists almost entirely of the accounts contained in two 
reports* of the U.S. Fish Commission, one relating to the year 1880, 
the other being a condensed statement based on an inquiry made in 
January and February, 1891. Outside of the localities in which the 
fisheries are prosecuted little knowledge exists as to their extent, 
methods, and importance; and in considering the natural resources of 
the State, the vastness of its other branches is apt to completely over- 
shadow the fisheries. In the investigation of 1891 the coastal regions 
of Texas were canvassed by the writer, in the capacity of a field agent 
of the Division of Fisheries, and the present report represents the re- 
sults of personal observations made at that time. All the important 
fishing centers were visited, and the principal fishermen, fish-dealers, 
etc., were interviewed. Owing to the increasing prominence of the 
oyster industry, special attention was given to a study of its methods 
and conditions in the different localities. 
Some difficulty was experienced in obtaining correct data regarding 
the quantity of the various species of fish taken. As a rule no books 
are kept by the fishermen or marketmen in such manner as to be of 
value in determining the quantity of products handled; and the state- 
ments made regarding these data differed greatly, even as to the fish- 
eries of particular localities. Consequently, for information as to the 
quantity of products, it was necessary to depend largely on the records 
‘in the offices of the various transportation companies. This was quite 
satisfactory as regards the total quantity of fish obtained, but of little 
value in determining the quantities of the various species taken from 
the water. Hence the figures given in this report for the different 
species of fish taken must be accepted as only approximately correct. 
*The Fisheries and Fishery Industries of the United States, 4to, 7 volumes, 
Washington, 1884-87. 
A Statistical Report on the Fisheries of the Gulf States. Bulletin U.S. Fish Com- 
mission, 1891. Washington, 1892. 
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