Net Making and Net Fishing in Florida

REPORT OF THE FISH COMMISSION

OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA.
A. D. 1898.
TALLAHASSEE, FLA.:
PRINTED AT THE TALLAHASSEEAN BOOK AND JOB OFFICE.
1899.

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REPORT OF THE FISH COMMISSION.

To His Excellency, Hon. W. D. BLOXHAM, Governor of the State of Florida:
Sir-We acknowledge the honor of the appointment as the Commissioners of Fisheries, under and by virtue of the Act of 1889, Chapter 3871, Laws of Florida.

We found upon investigation that there was no appropriation available for the work contemplated for the Commission; and also, by Act of 1897, the County Commissioners appointed the Fish Wardens.

Under those conditions, your Commissioners were deprived of the authority of exercising the means of a police surveillance. Notwithstanding this, your Commissioners, by correspondence and by personal efforts, have had much encouragement.

It is only left for the Commissioners to make a report of their observations, and also suggestions as to the necessities for the protection of fish and oysters, with the hope that they may interest the legislature with the work before the Commission.

Not having any precedent as a guide, they have taken the liberty of enumerating what they believe will convey a clear idea of the work ahead; and herein suggest such changes and reforms as in their opinion will best subserve the public welfare.

The fisheries of the State of Florida are among the most important industries, by reason of the enormous quantity of food products already provided by nature with a lavish hand, and which will be amply sufficient for all time, if properly protected from wanton destruction and vandalism. For this purpose has the present Commission of Fisheries been appointed; and as such Commissioners, the responsibilities resting upon the members are of no small magnitude, when it is realized that from Fernandina on the Atlantic seaboard, thence around to Pensacola on the Gulf coast, together with the various lagoons, bays, inlets and rivers, our waters abound with marine life sufficient for all time, if proper measures are employed to restrict and govern the methods of taking it. A due recognition of this fact, and a dissemination of this knowledge to the public, would be of great importance and add to our population.

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In the prospective work of the Commission of fisheries, the essential features to impress upon the public mind is the extent and area of the waters comprising the public domain of the State and its relation to the entire population. The next is to convince the thoughtless and law-breaking element among our citizens that their rights exist only in their imagination and are but an unreasonable privilege which they exercise, and that an antagonism to the State law will result in punishment. He who acknowledges the law and conforms to its provisions in all things is in harmony with it, which results in both public and private welfare. A citizen who usurps a privilege belonging to another or to the public, and uses it for selfish motives, should be restricted by force if necessary. With no precedents established for this Commission to follow, it remains with them to execute as best they can that which is for the public good.

As it is presumed the Commissioner of Fisheries are to be the head of that department, it of necessity requires the assistance of Wardens to enforce the laws made and provided for the preservation, protection and propagation of the various fish and shell fish industries of the State, which the necessities of the case require. As statistics are of the greatest vital importance in any industry, the control of the entire commercial fisheries of the State should be subject to the Commissioners of Fisheries by authority of the Legislature and blanks should be provided for information relative to the capital invested, the boats, nets and persons employed, the varieties of fish taken, and the disposition of the same-whether marketed in a fresh or cured condition-and other data as to the habits, nature and desired protection, all of which should be preserved for future reference. This can be accomplished effectually by a system of using metal tags to be permanently affixed to all boats and nets made use of by each fisherman, designating by stamped figures the size and mesh of each net, whether seine, gill-net or turtle-net, cast-nets alone being exempted. Nets and boats not possessing these tags to be subject to seizure by the Fish Wardens as being in violation of the law. With each new net a corresponding new tag, with the return of the old one, would place such legal restrictions upon the industry as would protect and encourage rather than hinder and destroy. The minor details can be further arranged by the Commissioners. In this manner, it is assured, the entire seaboard of the State, with its internal waters, can be successfully policed, and the legitimate industries protected and developed.

Of the oyster industry, the environments have much to do with this important addition to the food products of the State.

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But the Commissioners would suggest that at such time as might be deemed proper, a survey be made by the United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries for the purpose of better informing the citizens of the State of Florida of the adaptability of the different localities for the best advancement of the oyster industry, and in the meantime the State affording every facility for successful private effort.

In the opinion of the Commissioners, the grants to Riparian Proprietors, Act of 1856, is somewhat ambiguous, as it appears to shut off the use of large areas of submerged tidal lands that could be utilized by the public for oyster culture. It seems that this act should become thoroughly detined-in the absence of any decision of the Supreme Court.

Of the fresh water lakes, rivers and ponds which are within the State, it is suggested that due attention be given to their feasibility for food production, and that provision be made for personal examination as to the adaptability of further stocking them with fish suitable for self-preservation and reproduction, whereby the public may be benefited, and, as soon as practicable, the more important be stocked with such species of fish deemed most suitable to the conditions that exist. The practice of catching perch and other fresh water fish during the spawning season, and wantonly throwing them away, is a serious offense. While it is sport in a sense, it is carried too far in this wanton waste, and should be prevented.

It is recommended that provision be made to introduce shad into the fresh water rivers, by procuring them from the U. S. Fish Commission, until our waters have the benefit of and maintenance of a suitable fish hatchery. The Commission, from the position they at present occupy, see no valid reason why this important matter should be further deferred, and would recommend that the Legislature memorialize the United States Government to establish such fish hatchery as may be suitable.

Intelligent immigrants usually investigate the resources of the section of the State they wish to make their future home. This important fact should not be lost sight of by those who are empowered to enact the laws, for it stands to reason that the food resources of a locality are of as great importance as those of an educational or social nature, and it behooves our representatives not to disparage the advantages of the state to the detriment of her future financial prosperity, by the allowance of an inadequate appropriation for all purposes whereby the fisheries may be encouraged, policed and protected.

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Of the turtle fisheries, stringent laws should be enacted, and vigorously enforced by heavy penalties, for the wanton destruction of the loggerhead and green turtle while depositing their eggs on the sand beaches of the ocean, and suitable restrictions also made as to their capture for commercial purposes.

On the sponge industry, it is presumed under the fostering care of the General Government, which demonstrated the practical and successful cultivation by means of sets or clippings in the extreme southern waters of the State, it will receive the proper protection and encouragement it so richly deserves.

In this connection, though not strictly within the province of the Commissioners of Fisheries, we call your attention to the fact that some legislation should be taken in regard to the preservation of the manatee, whose presence is occasionally observed in the waters of the Halifax and Indian Rivers. These animals, if not protected by stringent laws, will soon become extinct.

The wanton destruction of our egret rookeries has resulted in the depletion of our streams and marshes of these beautiful birds of plumage, and would recommend that all birds of the heron family be protected by law against destruction in any manner for a period of years.

Of our game of various kinds, the laws protecting them now in force are no doubt satisfactory, if properly enforced, which could be done with economy by consolidating the Commissioners of Fisheries to act as Game Commissioners also, as is done in other States, where both departments are consolidated in the same commission.

Florida contains 59,268 square miles of land, and over 1,200 miles of seacoast, which is greater than any other State east of the Mississippi River; and by virtue of her position between latitude 24° 30 North, and longitude 80° and 87° 45 West, possesses varied advantages second to no other State in the Union in their amount and variety. The food products of both land and water are so vast, and include such an area in which both the salinity and temperature of the water are so entirely different, that the conditions are not equal at the same season of the year. Therefore, your Commission call special attention to the fact that legislation to apply to one locality is inappropriate to another.

In conclusion: The work to be properly done must be prompted by a hope of reward, aside from the deep interest of the principles involved. A reasonable compensation should

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be allowed for the attention and much time that must necessarily be given, to provide for the campensation (sic) and expenses of the commission. Such reasonable charge for licenses should be charged to those who engage in the business, and paid through the Commissioners into a general fund, and all fines to be paid into such fund; wardens to be appointed by the Commissioners, whose compensation shall be paid out of these funds, and any deficiency to be provided for by general appropriation.

We acknowledge and appreciate the aid offered by the transportation companies in the work done so far in the absence of any appropriation.
All of which is respectfully submitted to your consideration.

(Signed) JOHN Y. DETWILER,
Chairman.
JOHN G. RUGE,
Secretary and Treasurer.
APALACHICOLA, FLA., February 24th, 1899.