Lower coast gazette., 1909-01-23
Fisheries of P~laquemines Parish.

That the fisheries of the Parish Of Plaquemines constitute an in.
dusry that is now beginning to attract the attention of the entire
country is generally known. The possible magnitude of this indus
try, however, can be better appreciated by noting the interest that
is taken in the industry elsewhere. AS will be remembered, the
Russian admiral, Rodjesventsky, just deceased, fired upon the traw-
les who were fishing in the North Sea, believing them to be enc.
mics in pursuit. This matter of steam TRAVELLING is an immense in
dustry in the northern part of Europe and now we find that in
British Columbia a sea fishing enterprise has been inaugurated by
the formation OF a company with a capital OF 100000 One other
company, American, has occupied the territoy to some extent in the
past, but failed Of success because of confirming it's attention to but
one;variety of fish, considering many of the fish as unavailable with
the processes for their preservation then known. U.S.. Consul Gen.
George N. West, reporting to this government from Van
couver, stated that the American company had confined it's catch
to haibut, transmitting it to American ports, and had not under
taken general fishing. This latter method is now considered the
most successful with steam trawlers and everything in the way of
fish is taken into the vessels and finally utilized in some manner
after due asserting. The food values of many hitherto unsought
fishes is now we'll known and various methods of curing have been
thoroughly demonstrated Every part of the fishes will be converted
into some revenue producing b%y-product. Fertilizers, oils, jelies and
everything into which fish, flesh or herring can be converted, will
be among the staple manufacturers. Even the canning of crabs and
CLANS for the markets of the world will be a feature Of the bust
ness.
For many years it has been recognized that the Gulf of Mexico
was probably the best fish pond in the world. The vast drainage Of
fresh waters from the interior of the United States, discharge into
it an amount Of organic life hatkecomest the food of miions of tons
of fish that inhabit the waters and the fishing industry of the Gulf
is one that in due time will be exploited, just as are the fishing re-
sources OF Noftnern Europe ana now OF western America.
Of all sections Of the Gulf of Mexico, our own Parish of
Paquenines, located at the point where the Mississippi
River debouches into the sea, stands, preeminent for the devel-
opment of a great fishing industry. Already our oysters are known
throughout the entire country and the land adapted to oyster cul-
tue in this parish is greater than that of any other, and we only
the stimulation of an adequate knowledge of this great
Industry in some one of its forms to lead US into it.
The one trouble that we have generally had has been the fact
that our country presents to the settler the means of securing a
livelihood extremely easy. We live in %Tennyson's Land of the
Lotus Eaters, where every day is summer afternoon" Still, if
we de ire to compete with the rest of the world, we must, as the
phrase goes, get up and hustle and the fishing industries
the Parish Of Plaquemines constitute a field wherein a given
amount Of effort will bring greater return than can be secured in
he same line any where else,