STATISTICAL REVIEW OF THE COAST FISHERIES. 3G5 
ALABAMA. 
The data obtained for this State cover the coast fisheries only. 
Compared with the census year the fishery industries of Alabama 
show a decline in personnel and catch, though there has been consider- 
able increase in the capital invested. The change in the last mentioned 
particular is due entirely to the greater amount of shore property shown 
in the returns for 1888. 
One of the most noticeable changes has occurred in the red-snapper 
fishery, the catch having declined from 300,000 pounds in 1880 to 
85,964 pounds in 1888. This is because Pensacola is more favorably 
situated than Mobile for prosecuting this industry, and has absorbed 
the greater part of it. 
Contrary to the rule in the Gulf States, there has been a decline in 
the oyster fishery, the catch having fallen off from 104,500 bushels in 
1880 to 70,125 in 1888. 
The mullet fishery has increased about 100 per cent, in quantity and 
value of catch. 
The fisheries of Alabama are the least important of any of the coast 
States, but with the present activity in developing oyster grounds its 
fishery interests may advance materially in the hear future. 
131. Table of persona employed, 18S8. 
How engaged. 
Number. 
On vessels ........................................... .......... 
63 
On boats . ........ .... ... ........ ........ ....... ... 
195 
In factories and other shore houses 
GO 
Total 
318 
132. Table of apparatus and capital, 1888. 
Designation. 
Number. 
Value. 
Vessels (265.44 tons) ... 
26 
$22, 400 
5, 350 
6,810 
4, 420 
740 
Outfit 
131 
Apparatus of capture : 
Sftinps nets ote . . . ... 
46 
Tongs, rakes and minor apparatus 
Shore property, accessories, land, etc 
Cash capital . . .................... ... .......... .... 

14, 184 
8, 000 
Total capital 
61,904 
133. Table of products, 1888. 
Species. 
Pounds. 
1 Value. 
Red snapper 
85, 964 
227, 500 
262, 500 
385, 000 
43, 750 
633, 875 
96, COO 
$2, 886 
7, 800 
6,700 
15, 000 
5, 000 
32, 174 
6,000 
Sea trout 
Mixed fish 
Shrimps 
Oysters 
Total 
1,633,589 
73, 560 
