STATISTICAL REVIEW OF THE COAST FISHERIES. 371 
TEXAS. 
The tables for this State include only what may properly be classed 
as coast fisheries. Texas has had a remarkable development in its 
fishery interests during the past 8 years, and in percentage of increase 
ranks high among the coast States. In personnel there has been an 
increase since 1880 of 103. per cent.; in capital of 406 per cent.; in catch 
of 74 per cent., and in value of catch 33 per cent. 
Among the important changes the vessel fishery deserves mention. 
There was no fishery of this character reported in 1880; in 1888 19 ves- 
sels were employed in fishing. There appears to have been more or 
less improvement in most branches of fishing. Perhaps the most impor- 
tant change is in the oyster industry, in which the catch has increased 
from 95,625 bushels in 1880 to 355,561 bushels in 1888. The large 
extent of ground on the Texas coast available for cultivation of oysters 
renders it possible that there will be still greater activity in the oyster 
trade of this State in the near future. 
The turtle fishery, as compared with the figures for 1880, shows a 
large increase, though it is claimed by the fishermen that there has 
been a decrease in the abundance of turtles in recent years. 
The recent withdrawal of the coast connections with the steamship 
lines has affected the fisheries considerably, and in many cases has led 
to changes in locality, much to the detriment of certain sections, with 
a corresponding improvement elsewhere. 
142. Table of persons employed. 
How engaged. 
1887. 
1888. 
In vessel fisheries 
69 
69 
In shore fisheries 
832 
833 
On shore, in canneries, etc 
126 
119 
Total 
1, 027 
1 021 
143. Table of apparatus and capital. 
Designation. 
1887. 
1888. 
No. 
Value. 
No. ! 
Value. 
Vessels fishing* 
19 
$12, 310 
3,140 
89, 794 
1,310 
330 
12 
«i 
*10 flQK 
Outfit 
UOtl 
3, 090 
09 700 
Boats 
738 
9 
752 
Apparatus of capture— vessel fisheries : 
Seines 
9 
1,310 
Turtle nets 
33 
| 30 
Lines 
ouu 
12 
Tongs 
27 
162 
13, 675 
1.650 
615 
38 
490 
2, 165 
770 
58, 130 
22, 000 
21 
116 
139 | 
182 1 
130 | 
Apparatus of capture— shore fisheries: 
Seines 
114 
Uo 
13, 945 
1,400 
<!QQ 
Turtle nets 
164 
175 
Cast nets 
Crab traps . . 
127 
Ooo 
Oft 
Lines 
480 
2, 217 
775 
62,210 
23, 150 
Tongs . . 
334 
344 
Miscellaneous, including spears 
Shore property 
Cash capital 
Total 
206, 591 
214, 511 
* Tonnage in 1887, 188. 08 ; in 1888, 188. 08. 
