The Brownsville daily herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1897-1910, 1907-10-07
FISH AND OYSTER
INDUSTRY
Annual Report of the Commits
siOner Lent to Governor.
The increase in the Catch Of Fish
was Fifteen per cent, and That Was
Attributed to the Shipping
From Brownsville.

CeiVed by the Governor, IS OF IN
<erests and makes some important
recommendations.
There were 121, 514 barrels of
oysters marketed, yielding tax of
$2429; 2,282, 500 pounds of fish
with tax of $3.50. The increase in
oyster output was one-half of per
cent over last year, and of fish IS
yer cent, There were 6486 acres
of oyster locations bringing 1884;
I44 licenses at 81 each and 234
registrations netting S117, a grand
total of 1854. Justs 363 vessels of
all kinds are in the fish and oyster
=trade-182 sloops, "A schooners, 7
cats and $50 skiffs. The depart
nent is more than self-sustaining,
$2135 having been RENTED with
51543 in bank.
The fine reefs in East Matagorda
BAY are in danger of total extinc-
zion because Mitchell's cut was
6lIed by the storm of 1900 and salt
sHater can not get in for the oysters.
Two thousand dollars is estimated
rs the amount necessary to open it,
and recommendation is made that
zae State do it, Matagorda County
having appropriated $500 for the
purpose, and Palacios and Port
Eeavaca are willing to help. An
5zcre OF oysters is estimated as being
worth between 5000 and $500 and
will yield good returns at that
Ggure. All other bays are reported
IN good condition and the oysters
7aourishing.
The increase of 1000, 900 pounds
IA 6sh production is attributed to
the opening of the Brownsville
zoad enabling the Point Isabel
fishermen to market their catches.
and more is predicted from that
source this year. All other places
produced about the same. Speak
ing of the value of sea food, If is
Staeeds that the output of the
Texas ports goes to the large
cities and that Galveston does
not produce sufficient fish to supply
its home people, but has to buy
sromS other coast cities" AS a
relief for the shortage in sea food
1t IS earnestly recommended that
the State establish fish hatcheries
at one or more necks of water
owned by the State where tbs Red
Ssh, Trout and Sheephead go to
spawn" 1t is stated that these
Eatcheries could be established at
4 small cost and would turn out
azillions of fish every season, and
shat nany States are doing it sue
<oessfully; that Texas should supply
sea food to many States west of
the Mississippi.
Oyster cultivation has increased
200 per cent, which is heartily ap-
1roued, the comment being that
skhe private beds will have to come
80 supply the public, as the public
6eds are producing all that can be
expected of them with no chance
20 increase in the years to Gene.
Texas laws are declared most
liberal and it is recommended that
u rental of not less than 81 an acre
! year after five years following
planting, be charged. This is de-
<Iared to be not near the tax on
Iaud values.
Because of the increased expense
II running the department it is
recommended that light tax"
he placed on all wholesale dealers
in fish and oysters, based on the.
volume of business done, to be
E.own by sworn reports of the
frms.
Another recommendation is that