THE COAST FISHERIES OF TEXAS. 383 
RED-SNAPPER FISHERY. 
“Outside fishing” from vessels is also engaged in occasionally, the 
species sought being the red snapper. All along the coast of Texas 
from Sabine Pass to the mouth of the Rio Grande there is an irreg- 
ular series of banks, or reefs, on which these fish may be taken. On 
account of there being no extensive fishing for them in this part of the 
Gulf of Mexico, the location of these banks is not generally known, and 
doubtless but a small number of them have ever been fished on. 
Following is given the location of the best-known reefs from which 
red snappers have been obtained: Due south from Sabine Pass and 
about 13 miles distant there is a small reef on which afew vessels from 
Galveston fished several years ago; the depth of water on this reef 
varies from 7 to12 fathoms. Off Galveston Island thereare two banks, 
one southeast and distant about 45 miles, in 12 fathoms of water; the 
other about 85 miles south of the island, with a depth of 30 to 45 fath- 
oms of water. Southeast of Cedar Bayou, in 15 fathoms of water, there 
is a small bank from which a few fish are taken at times by men living 
at Aransas Pass and Corpus Christi. A small reef afew miles south 
of the entrance to Aransas Bay also attracts some attention. Another 
bank is reported about 6 miles east of Brazos Santiago and Boca 
Chica. 
It is highly probable that all along the: coast of Texas and Mexico 
there are innumerable small patches of sea bottom where red snappers 
and groupers are to be obtained. Off Sabine Pass and Galveston 
Island these reefs will probably be found ranging from 5 to 100 miles 
distant from the shore. Going southwest along the coast, the width of 
this area becomes gradually smaller, the limits of the reefs being nearer 
the shore. Off Padre Island there are doubtless no snapper banks at 
a greater distance from the shore than 55 miles. 
Going southward the width of sea bottom on which the red snapper 
will probably be found continues to contract. The Mexican fishermen 
report that off Sota la Marina they have never found them at a 
greater distance from the shore than 15 miles, and similar reports are 
received from Tampico and Vera Cruz. This width remains about the 
same all along the coast of the State of Vera Cruz and until in the 
vicinity of the mouth of the Tobasco River. Here the area begins to 
enlarge, and rounding Yucatan until Cape Catoche is reached, the 
grounds on which the red snapper will probably be found extend from 
5 to 120 miles from the coast. On account of the great depth of water, 
there can scarcely be extensive reefs on the Yucatan coast beyond Cape 
Catoche. 
The grounds north and west of Yucatan constitute the well-known 
Campeche Banks, which have a reputation for being abundantly sup- 
pled with fish, and particularly with the red snapper. Aside from one 
or two trips no attempts have been made to establish a fishery here, 
on account of the distance from American ports. 
