Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-04-15
SOME FISH STORIES.
Told for Gospel Truths in the South
west

From the Neso Orleans Times Democrat.
The last few days have furnished New Or
leans with several fish items. First, there
was the catching near the Jettles Of a Jew
fish or black sea bass OF over seven and
half feet in length and from zoo TO 30 pounds
IN weight, said 70 be the largest food fish ever
caught OF the coast Of the United states.
There is every reason to believe that this
statement Is correct. as the United states
fishery reports declare that the Jew fish IN
size rates next after the sword fish aud funny
among the food fishes Of the United States;
and that the sword fish and funny are never
eaten IN this country. being too oily and rams,
although so used in Europe. but are caught
on this side Of the water only for their oil.
The report further fixes the maximum for the
Jew fish at 500 pounds, which was exceeded
by the specimen caught of Port lads.
A second fish TEN is the catching in the Mis-
slsslppl OF a sturgeon, two and 3 half feet long,
nsh generally supposed to be peculiar TO
Northern waters, and specimens OF which
have never been seen here before.
When we further add that it has been found
extremely profitable to can shrimp and oys-
ters of our coast, that our shrimp are de-
clared Dy connOlsseurs 10 be unexcelled, and
our oysters to possess a deliCacy and flavor
met with only in the finer and more eNpen-
sive varieties known in the North, it VIII be
seen that New Orleans is d promising fish
point, and that the Gulf offers the country an
lneNhaustible supply Of food fishes. IL offers
them. moreover, at all seasons Of the wear.
abundant at certain seasons, but are almost
destitute OF them at other times of the year;
the other towns dependent on brook fish or
those brought from the coast are of course de-
hclent in quantity, quality and variety.
The Gulf can claim 10 be somewhat of
hsh centre, and particularly New Orleans.
The report Of the United states CommisslOn
OF Fish and Fisheries on the Fishing in
dustrles of the United States" while it gives
an excellent account Of the food fishes of the
South, scarcely recognizes, we think, the i'm
pOrtance of the Gulf fisheries.
1t is true that when the report was prepared
"a good portion of 1t being by the Census De-
partment-we had not yet begun to pack
oysters or shrimp to any considerable extent,
or to ship ish to interior towns: and that the
greatest Development to these Industries has
been since then.
Cray6sh, so the report declares. are eaten
only in New Orleans and New York, the lat
ter city being compelled TO get its supply
from far distant points. 1t admits that the
Southern shrimps are Of the very best quality,
the largest to be found on our coasts; but
scarcely does justice to the quality aud guam
uty of pOmpanOs, Spanish mackerel and
croakers IN our water, and mentions only in
cidentally the presence of Jew hsh. blue fish
and sheepshead. Redsnappers and red fish
receive full justice excellent fishes, IN great
abundance in the Gulf, and promising wei
for the future. But the varieties and album
dance of the Gulf fish and their commercial
value, can be much better given than this re-
port has done.