FISHERIES OF THE GULF STATES. 
107 
Oysters constitute 28.34 per cent of the quantity and 45.43 per cent of the value 
of the product of the Louisiana fisheries, and shrimp 32.05 per cent and 13.71 per cent, 
respectively. Catfish is the only additional product that is relatively important, with 
12.86 per cent of the quantity and 8.29 per cent of the value. 
In Texas the output of oysters is 38.77 per cent of the quantity and 40.78 per 
cent of the value of the catch. Three fish are also important — viz, channel bass, trout, 
and sheepshead — the proportions for each being from 10 to 15 per cent of quantity and 
value. Turtles constitute 7.32 per cent of the yield, but have a much lower relative 
value. 
Taking the region as a whole, the products which are taken in largest quantities 
are, in the order of their rank, oysters, mullet, shrimp, red snappers, and trout. 
With the value of the catch as a basis, the important species are oysters, sponge, 
mullet, red snappers, and trout. 
Comparisons with 1880 . — Table 8 shows in a condensed form the changes which 
have taken place in the fisheries of the Gulf States between 1880 and 1890. 
There has been a large increase in the number of persons engaged in the fisheries, 
which has been participated in by every State except Alabama. The increase has 
been 6,621, or 129.04 per cent. Louisiana has undergone the greatest actual advance, 
and Mississippi the largest relative increase. 
Every State has shared in the increase in the amount of capital invested in the fish- 
ing industry. This was 12,432,708, or 445.89 per cent, Florida leading the other States 
in the actual money value of the advance and Mississippi in the percentage. 
The value of the products of the fisheries in 1890 was $1,211,131, or 98.66 per 
cent more than in 1880. As in the case of the investment, Florida and Mississippi 
respectively show the greatest real and proportional increase. 
8. — Comparative table showing the extent of the fisheries of the Gulf States in 1880 and 1890. 
States. 
Persons employed. 
Capital invested. 
1880. 
1890. 
Increase 
or 
decrease 
in 1890. 
Percent- 
age of 
increase 
01- 
decrease 
in 1890. 
1880. 
1890. 
Increase in 
1890. 
Percentage 
of in- 
crease in 
1890. 
Florida 
2, 112 
4,068 
+1, 956 
+ 92.61 
$362, 563 
$1, 369, 294 
+$1. 006,731 
+ 277. 67 
Alabama 
635 
618 
- 17 
- 2.68 
38, 200 
135, 290 
+ 97, 090 
+ 254. 16 
Mississippi 
186 
1,721 
+ 1,535 
+825. 27 
8, 800 
434, 710 
+ 425, 910 
+4, 839. 89 
Louisiana 
1,597 
4, 068 
+2,471 
+154, 73 
93, 621 
719, 876 
+ 626, 255 
+ 608. 93 
Texas 
601 
1,277 
+ 676 
+112. 48 
42, 400 
319, 122 
+ 276, 722 
+ 652. 65 
Total 
5,131 
11, 752 
+6, 621 
+129. 04 
545, 584 
2, 978, 292' 
+ 2,432,708 
+ 445. 89 
Value of products. 
States. 
1880. 
1890. 
Increase in 
1890. 
Percentage 
of in- 
crease in 
1890. 
Florida 
$564, 819 
$1,004,139 
+ $499,320 
+ 88.40 
Alabama 
119,275 
154, 871 
+ 35, 596 
+ 29.84 
Mississippi 
22, 540 
245, 699 
+ 223, 159 
+990. 06 
Louisiana 
392, 610 
660, 134 
+ 267, 524 
+ 68.14 
Texas 
128, 300 
313, 832 
+ 185, 532 
+144. 61 
Total 
1, 227, 544 
2, 438, 675 
+1, 211, 131 
+ 98.66 
