The Opelousas courier., 1904-09-03
IERRAPlN A ,ovakCE
THE CATCH OF B,AMoNn RAcrs
GROWING SMALLER DAILY.
Fis Commissioners Bowers Declares
the Species Must Eventually Be-
come Exterminated Without Radi.
Cal Measures Are Adopted.

industry continue, or If no steps are
taken to arrest the decline by cult
walton. For years the Chesapeake
Bay has been the most productive re-
glon of this high priced and much
sought delicacy. Statistics Of the
catch in that region, therefore, will
give a pretty good idea Of the rapid
decline in the industry. In 1901, for
instance, the catch of terrapin in
Maryland's part of the barEves only
one-sixtieth Of the quantity ant, one
twentieth Of the value Of the catIh of
1891. In that portion Of the bay be-
longing to Virginia the catch in 1901
was one-tenth the quantity and one
thirtieth the value Of that In 1891.
This decrease has in part been
made good by the importation of ter
rapin from the South Atlantic and
Gulf States, and has, therefore. not
had the effect on prices that might
otherwise have been expected.
Though the more Southern terrapin
is inferior to the Chesapeake Bay
variety it becomes a fair substitute
on being kept awhile in pounds before
being shipped to market.
The Commission is now making a
study Of the diamond back terrapin
Of the Chesapeake Bay region with a
view to ascertaining the extent and
causes of the decrease, the laws reg
ulating terrapin fishing and the like.
Incidental to this investigation into
the extent and causes Of the decrease
Of the tertapin special attention is
directed to those points in the natural
history of the species which bear on
the question Of artificial rearing, and
q series of experiments has been in
augurated directed to this phase of
the subject.
The most notable Of these are ex-
detrimental pounds on the Choptank
River, Maryland, laboratory and in
vestigations at Beaufort, N. C. At
the latter place the terrapin r kept
under the constant observation Of
scientists employed in the laboratory,
and a careful Study of their growth,
breeding habits. and the like is made.
Also here in Washington the Commits
sion has men making a systematic
study Of terrapin brought together
from Delaware, Maryland, Virginia,
North Carolina, Florida, Mississippi,
Louisiana and Texas, in order to de-
termine the specific or varietal differ
ences. All these Investigations and
experiments were commenced In 1902,
but the final report Oh them will not
BE- made up until the end Of the pres
emit season, by which time it is hoped
q practicable method OF cultivation
may have been developed.
Inquiries and experiments of much
the same nature are being made with
reference to the oyster, the lobster
and the blue crab. Experiments In
the Matching and rearing of Holsters
are conducted at the Woods Hole,
Mass, station, and a final and COM
plete report on them will soon be
made by those In charge. Also the
| Commission Is having q handbook
prepared giving information regarding
the habits, growth and rearing OF
! Holsters, as well as the method and
extent of the lobster fisheries. Touch
| ing these the reports says:
1.-THE condition of the lobster fish
| cry has been practically unchanged
for several years, although it cannot
be doubted that the tendency is
downward. The catch fiuctuated some
| what from year to year and certain To-
calities may show a decided increase;
but IL the general output In a State
is greater in one year than another
the cause may usually be found In
the fact that the fishery was prose-
cuted for a longer time or that more
men and more apparatus were en-
pioyed."
II seems very improbable that
there will be any general improve
ment in the fishery until new methods
of conducting it gre adopted and shall
have continued for a number OF years.
Uniform protective laws are greatly
needed. and without them the work
Of the Commission In lobster cultiva-
tion will have but little effect at this
stage Of the decline.
From data collected by the Com
mission 1t appears that there are at
! this time about 213, 0e0 men engaged
In the fishing industry in this coun-
try, OF whom $4,000 are fishermen.
The aggregate capital invested is
| SIG. 850. 900, of which about one-sAfrd
represents vessels and boats OF all
ing. Squarely in the midle OF the
sorts and apparatus Of capture. The
value OF the catch at first hands Is
estimated at $40, ss2, 900, of which the
ocean and coast fisheries represent
s44, 1854, 600.
The ocean fisheries of New Eng
land, which have always been the
most Important OF their class. have
been In a satisfactory condition. At
the two great ports of Gloucester and
Boston the quantity OF fish landed by
American fishing vessels in 1902 was
about 10000, 900 pounds, valued at
81. $3.50. 900, an increase Of 100000
hounds and $4,000, as, compared
with 1901.
The mackerel catch has v since
reached the proportions attained IN
the years preceding 1887 although the
rsport shows it to be now greatly IN
excess of the product during the first
half Of the present period OF unprec,