402 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
‘points on the east side, The opening of the canal from Brazos River to 
West Bay is supposed to have had a beneficial effect on the oysters of 
that bay, as the fresh water constantly flowing in preserves an equality 
in the density of the water of that region. 
It is estimated that there are about 50 square miles of natural oy nine 
grounds in Galveston Bay and its tributary bays. The quantity of 
oysters taken from this area varies greatly, depending largely upon 
the facilities for obtaining a supply from Matagorda Bay, Morgan City, 
and elsewhere. In 1890 about 50,000 bushels of unculled oysters were 
taken from the natural reefs for planting purposes, thus advancing the 
catch for that year slightly beyond its usual proportions. 
The following table exhibits the quantity of oysters taken during 
each of the past four years by the oystermen of Galveston Bay: 
Year. | Bushels.} Value. 
USB Ree EO och oe erento 155, 000 | $60, 050 
TESS cee 6S tee LR ee ee 220, 000 78, 000 
TREO) et ke Soe eee ee 210, 000 70, 400 
USO ee Poets area | 235,300} 72, 140 
The shrimp fishery.—Ten to fifteen years ago many sbrimp were found 
in Galveston Bay, and a factory was erected for the purpose of canning 
them. In 1880 this establishment prepared 75,000 1-pound cans of 
shrimp, but a great decrease in the quantity necessitated the closing 
of the factory a few years later, and at present only enough are obtained 
for daily supply in the local market. These shrimp are taken by seines 
similar to the ordinary bay seines, except the mesh is much smaller. 
There were ten of these seines in use in Galveston Bay in 1890. Their_ 
average value is about $75, and the services of two men are required 
for the operation of each one. One small sailboat worth about $80 is 
used by each “shrimping” crew. The fishery is prosecuted in much the _ 
same manner as the bay-seine fishery. According to reports, the catch 
during the past ten years has steadily decreased. In 1888 it was 15,000 
buckets, in 1889 it was only 13,500, while in 1890 it was still farther 
reduced to 9,200 buckets. They are sold fresh, the wholesale price 
ranging from 35 to 55 cents per bucket, about 15 pounds to the bucket. 
The average size of these shrimp is scarcely so great as of those taken 
in the Barataria region of Louisiana, or at Tampico in Mexico, at each 
of which places large quantities are obtained. 
The crab fisherya—While the taking of crabs in Galveston Bay is 
scarcely considered an industry, yet from 25,000 to 30,000 dozen are 
annually caught in trap nets and by hand lines. About 75 crab traps, 
worth about $4 per dozen, are used, as well as a quantity of short, cheap 
hand lines. The crab traps are made in a rough manner by the persons | 
who fish them; the ordinary form consists of a barrel hoop, to which | 
is attached a net bag. Bait is tied in the center of the hoop, and the | 
trap is lowered from the wharf, to which it is fastened by means of a | 
