NATIONAL FISHERY CONGRESS. 
351 
Shrimj ). — Shrimp are very common in Florida, but very little attention is given to 
their sale in other than the practically fresh state, and in many coast towns the 
fishermen throw them back into the water when found in the nets. A shrimp-canning 
factory at some good locality would undoubtedly be a paying investment if in the 
hands of experienced persons. 
Green turtle . — An excellent opportunity exists for the development of the business 
of preparing green-turtle soup. One person is now engaged in this business at Key 
West, but he is so overrun with orders that he has restricted himself entirely to 
supplying the foreign demand. There is at present a considerable domestic demand, 
and this could easily be enlarged should the business be taken up by experienced and 
energetic persons. There is no apparent sign of a decrease in the number of green 
turtles landed at Key West, and if the factory were located there a supply could 
easily be secured during the season. A factory, possibly at or near Miami, might be 
successful if the turtle fishermen, who work on the east coast and sell their catch at 
Key West, could be induced to land their fare at the factory. There is hardly a doubt 
of this, as it would save them the long journey to Key West. Turtle meat can be 
canned in the same way as other food products, and this would be a good method of 
disposing of green turtles too large for shipment to northern markets in the shell. 
Clams . — In the North clams are frequently put up in cans the same as oysters, 
and this would be an excellent method of utilizing those that could not be sold fresh. 
MISCELLANEOUS PRODUCTS. 
Porpoise oil and leather . — The securing of oil and leather from this mammal is a 
profitable business in several sections of this country. As porpoises are very common 
along the Florida coast a remunerative fishery might be established. 
Crab . — The horseshoe or king crab is said to be very common in Tampa Bay. 
While not an edible product it makes a fine fertilizer. Thousands of pounds of these 
crabs are used each year by the farmers along the Delaware Bay and other waters. 
As fertilizers are especially valuable in Florida, the utilization of this crustacean for 
the purpose mentioned is suggested. 
Seaweed . — This common substance makes excellent and cheap manure, and owing 
to the very large extent of coast possessed by the State is easily within the reach of 
all. When buried in the earth around the roots of plants and trees it acts very 
rapidly, softening and decomposing in the soil so quickly that the effect is confined 
altogether to the special crop to which it is applied. 
Shells . — Numerous and beautiful shells are constantly thrown up on the beaches 
in Florida by the storms, and if these were more generally gathered and shipped to 
northern points they would find a ready sale, and thus add a considerable amount to 
the yearly income of the fisherman without much inconvenience or trouble to himself, 
as the season when they are generally found is the time when he is compelled to remain 
at home on account of the storms. New York City and the various seaside summer 
resorts of the North are the best markets for these shells. 
In conclusion I would state that, owing to the necessarily restricted length of 
this paper, I have not taken up the details of the processes necessary in preparing 
the various fishery products mentioned, but any information in the possession of the 
United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries will be placed at the disposal of 
anyone who may be moved to proceed on the lines suggested. 
Washington, D. C. 
