FIFTH BIENNIAL

REPORT

BIENNIUM ENDING
DECEMBER 31, 1942.

FLORIDA STATE BOARD

OF CONSERVATION

DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION
S. E. RICE, Supervisor
TALLAHASSBE, FLORIDA
1943

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FIFTH BIENNIAL

REPORT

BIENNIUM
DECEMBER

ENDING
31, 1942.

FLORIDA STATE BOARD
OF CONSERVATION

DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION
S. E. RICE, Supervisor
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA
1943

Letter of Transmittal

Tallahassee, Florida
March i, 1943

To His Excellency,
SPESSARD L. HOLLAND, Governor of the State of Florida,
Chairman State Board of Conservation,
Tallahassee, Florida

Sir:
I have the honor to submit herewith the Biennial Report for the
State Board of Conservation for the years 1941 and 1942..
Despite the stringent naval restrictions necessary to the war effort,
the salt water fisheries of the state are in excellent condition and
receipts by the producers are higher than they have been in several
years.
We may learn a valuable lesson in conservation from the Navy's
ban against night fishing for the duration of the war. The mullet
run for the season of 1942. and 1943 has been one of the largest in the
history of the fishing industry of the state and factors contributing
to this phenomenal supply of fish are being closely studied.
Receipts from the sale of sponges during the past twelve months
have been the largest since the organization of the Sponge Exchange
at Tarpon Springs, due primarily to a higher market rather than an
increase in production. Splendid cooperation has been given the De-
partment by members of the sponge industry in apprehending violators
of the small sponge law.
The oyster industry of the state has shown a steady decline in pro-
duction over a period of about ten years. This decline in production
is not attributed to over exploitation of the natural oyster beds, but
rather to changed conditions at the source of food supply for the
oysters. A comprehensive study of this problem was inaugurated but,
for various reasons, had to be abandoned for the duration of the war.
Some pollution from paper mill spoil of the oyster beds in the Fer-
nandina area has been noted, and a survey of this condition was made
by Dr. A. E. Hopkins, Director, United States Fishery Biological

3

147692

Laboratory, Pensacola, Florida, in order to offer recommendations to
abate the nuisance. Dr. Hopkins will also undertake a survey of the
extensive oyster beds of Franklin County to determine, if possible,
cause of the decline of production in that area.
The enormous clam beds on the Gulf Coast, near Marco, are capable
of extensive production and it is regrettable that this resource is not
commercialized to a greater extent.
This report is accompanied by the Biennial Report for the Geological
Survey for the years 1941 and 1942, which is operated by Mr. Herman
Gunter, Director.

Respectfully submitted,

S. E. RicE, Supervisor

RECAPITULATION OF 1941 FISH CENSUS

Species Reported

A m berjack .................................
B allyhoo ....................................
Barracuda...................................
Bluefish.....................................
Blue Runner... .............................
Bottom Fish (M ixed) .......... ...............
B ream .....................................
B utterfish ................................ .
C abio .......................................
C atfsh .....................................
C ero ........ .................... ............
Cigarfish....................................
Crappie ....................................
C revalle .....................................
Croaker .....................................
D olphin.......... ....... ....................
D rum .......................................
Eels........................................
Flounders...................................
Frogs ................... .. ................
Groupers....................................
Grunts........... : ........................
Herring.....................................
Hogfish.....................................
Jewfish......................................
Kingfish (King M ackerel) .....................
L adyfish .......................... ..........
M ackerel ....................................
Mullet ....................................
Silver M ullet ................................
Muttonfish..................................
Permit....................... .............
P igf sh ......................................
Pinfish (Sailor's Choice) .......................
P om pano ....................................
P orkfsh .....................................
Sea Bass (Redfish) ............. ..... .........
Pea Trout (G ray) .............................
Sea Trout (Spotted) ...........................
Shad..... ...............................
Shad (Hickory) ...............................
Shee si's ead ..................................
Skipjack ...................................
Snapper, Mangrove...........................
Snapper, R ed ...............................
Snook (Sergeant Fish) .......................
Spot... .................................... .
Stur'eon .. ..............................
Sunfsh .....................................
Tenpounder.................................
Tripletail (Black Perch) ......................
T urbot......................................
W hiding ....................................
Y ellow tail ..................................

TOTAL FOOD FISI ..................

Number of
Counties
Reported

Number of
Pounds
Reported

109,380
30,000
770
1,066,020
1,159,673
2,125,299
660,819
185,026
7,427
5,829,058
8,625
61,466
971,217
46,860
14,498
20,043
214,815
26,984
248,239
229,751
6,578,119
72,710
449,825
43,970
190,999
3,654,315
51,535
5,788,807
39,399,504
167,772
286,823
27,834
47,819
13,345
484,242
75,530
798,942
331,724
4,527,558
256,501
15,825
167,545
448,661'
157,169
4,304,030
374,312
152,547
31,350
800
17
19,917
714
853,123
250,578

83,040,432

----- ----'--- ---' ---I

RECAPITULATION OF 1941 FISH CENSUS

Number of Number of
SPECIES REPORTED Counties Pounds
Reported Reported

Menhaden................................ 13 99,579,521
Sharks...................................... 6 1,972,983
Trash Fish ................................ 11 425,636
TOTAL NON-FOOD FISH....... .......... 101,978,140

Number of Number of
SPECIES REPORTED Counties Gallons
Reported Reported

Oysters....... ............................ 18 107,491
Clams..................................... 8 72,127
Scallops... ................................. 7 12,058
TOTAL SHELL FISH ................ ............ 191,676

Number of Number of
SPECIES REPORTED Counties Pounds
Reported Reported

Blue Crabs ................................. 14 7,216,236
Conchs .... ............................... 2 23,500
Crayfish .................................. 7 2,087,191
Sea Turtles.................................. 9 66,711
Shrimp................................... 20 8,921,317
Squid ..................................... 1 1,000
Stone Crabs................................ 11 78,712
Terrapin................................:... 2 6,350
TOTAL............... .................... 18,401,017

RECAPITULATION OF 1942 FISH CENSUS

Species Reported

Amberjack ........... .............
Barracuda ................................
Bluefish.......... .......... .
Blue Runner....... ........................
Bottom Fish (Mixed)......... .........
Bream .................................... .
Butterfish ................................
Cabio...................................
Catfish......................................
Cero .....................................
Cigarfish .................................
Crappie ..................... ..............
Crevalle. ..............................
Croaker...................................
Dolphin.....................................
Drum ....................................
Eels........................ .............. .
Flounders ...................................
Frogs... .. .........................
Groupers................................
Grunts......................................
H erring ..... .......................... ....
Hogfish ...................................
Jewfish ....................................
Kingfish (King Mackerel) .....................
Ladyfish.. .............................
Mackerel...................................
Mullet ..... ......... ................
Silver Mullet ...........................
Muttonfish ................................
Permit......................................
Pigfish... .........................
Pinfish (Sailor's Choice)......................
Pom pano .... .............................
Porkfish........ .......................
Sea Bass (Redfish).....................
Sea Trout, Gray ...........................
Sea Trout, Spotted ......................
Shad .....................................
Shad (Hickory) ...........................
Sheepshead .................................
Skipjack.................................
Snapper, Mangrove ........................
Snapper, Red .............................
Snook................... ...............
Spot ...... ........... ... ... ... ..
Sturgeon ......... .....................
Sunfish ...................................
Tripletail (Black Perch)......................
Turbot ................. ...............
Whiting.................... ...........
Yellowtail .. .............. ............ ...
TOTAL FOOD FISH ..................

Number of Number of
Counties Pounds
Reported Reported

12 157,079
2 400
26 1,499,583
13 892,069
29 2,335,711
19 919,567
12 151,087
4 4,914
20 3,710,314
3 6,430
2 18,100
15 356,084
11 75,135
9 232,697
5 24,203
20 206,186
5 32,571
28 189,581
8 85,967
22 4,550,604
7 149,545
4 359,420
2 48,260
14 267,584
18 2,644,305
3 28,973
26 5,267,009
38 55,766,115
11 666,828
6 155,304
8 33,105
5 13,122
6 45,720
27 454,167
3 33,308
35 1,105,064
15 398,316
35 3,612,956
6 323,449
5 32,908
23 171,601
7 241,840
15 163,699
15 3,110,304
17 466,911
12 274,545
3 27,800
2 1,300
3 12,213
2 1,010
13 1,095,744
5 126,639

........... 92,547,346

RECAPITULATION OF 1942 FISH CENSUS

Number of Number of
Species Reported Counties Pounds
Reported Reported

M enhaden ................................... 8 60,086,679
Sharks ...................... .............. 4 1,422,751
Trash Fish ................................. 6 1,150,263
TOTAL NON-FOOD FISH.............. ........... .. 62,659,693

Number of Number of
Species Reported Counties Gallons
Reported Reported

Oysters ...................................... 15 134,079
C lam s........ ............................. 6 10,292
Scallops.. .................................. 6 4,900
TOTAL SHELL FISH............................... 149,271

Number of Number of
Species Reported Counties Pounds
Reported Reported

Blue Crabs.................................. 14 6,599,715
Conchs .................................... 2 14,330
Crayfish.................................... 6 1,673,065
Sea Turtles ................................. 7 48,260
Shrim p..... ............................... 14 9,347,938
Stone Crabs ................................ 8 57,866
T errapin ................................... 2 885

TOTAL.............. .............. ............ .. 17,742,059

TARPON SPRINGS SPONGE EXCHANGE, INC.
Tarpon Springs, Florida
1941

ANNUAL REPORT ON SPONGES SOLD THROUGH THE
TARPON SPRINGS SPONGE EXCHANGE, INC.

Rock Islard Sheewcol

Average
Bunches Total per Bunch

Large Wool.. ......... ............ 3,434 $ 260,647.77 $ 77.64
ledii.m and Small Wool............ 6,482 199,363.54 30.75
Large Wool Ra.gs ..................; 10,241 443,193.36 43.75
e\. edium and Sfmail Wool Rags ...... 14,984 334,955.84 .23.02

35,141 $1,244,100.51

Yellow and Grass

Yellow ....... ................... 3,082 $ 23,658.43 $ 7.54
Grass.................. ........... 13,836 97,050.74 7.01

16,918 S 120,700.17

Grand Total

SPONGES SOLD IN AREA OF KEY WEST, FLCRIDA*
1941

Average
Bunches Total per Bunch

- Wool ............... .......... 8,000- 76,000.00 $ 9.:50
Grass .......................... 600 540.00 .90
Yellow .......................... 1,500 3,000.00 2.00

T-hse figures are ti- ,r. .1I by reliable source.

TARPON SPRINGS SPONGE EXCHANGE, INC.
Tarpon Springs, Florida
1942

ANNUAL REPORT ON SPONGES SOLD THROUGH THE
TARPON SPRINGS SPONGE EXCHANGE, INC.

Rock Island Sheepwool

Average
Bunches Total per Bunch

Large Wool ...................... 2,274 S 290,161.09 $ 127.5
Medium and Small Wool........... 5,727 300,503.77 52.4
Large Wool Rags.................. 7,118 458,527.26 64.41
Medium and Small Wool Rags...... 13,852 484,291.42 34.96
28,971 $1,533,483.54

Yellow and Grass

Yellow ........................... 3,609 $ 43,703.97 $ 12.10
Grass............................. 11,230 123,059.75 10.95
14,839 $ 166,763.72

Grand Total

Bunches Total

Rock Island Wool........................... 28,971 $1,533,483. 4
Yellow and Grass............................... 14,839 166,763. 2

43,810 $1,700,247.26

SPONGES SOLD IN AREA OF KEY WEST, FLORIDA*
1942

Average
Bunches Total per Bunc

Wool.......................... 9,000 $ 90,000.00 $ 10.00
Grass.......................... 700 700.00 1.00
Yellow............ .......... 2,000 6,000.00 3.0

These figures are estimated by reliable sources.

I

RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS

January Ist, 1941 through December 31st, 1941

STATE CONSERVATION FUND
SUMMARY OF RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS
JANUARY 1, 1941, THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 1941

Balances and Receipts
Total Balances on Hand January 1, 1941 823,841.38

Total Receipts from Commercial Salt
Water Fishing Industry. ........... 11:.1.49
Total Receipts from Oyster Industry... 13,429.21
Total Receipts from Sponge Industry.. 1,485.90
Total Receipts from Pleasure Fishing
Boat Licenses.. .................. 11,531.75
Appropriated by 1941 Legislature:
Emergency Fund.................. 30,000.00
Special Fund ..................... 35,000.00 169,656.35 $193,497.73

Disbursements
Total Disbursements from Administra-
tive and Office Division ........... $22,702.44
Total Disbursements from Field Division 79,887.34 $102, 589.78

Total Balances on. Hand December 3,1, ..
1941. ............................ 90,907.95 $193,497.73

STATE CONSERVATION FUND
JANUARY 1, 1941, THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 1941

Receipts
January 1, 1941, through December 31,
1941:
RECEIPTS
Balance Credited to State Conservation
Fund in Comptroller's Office Janu-
ary 1, 1941 ....................... $4,530.75
Balance Credited to State Board of Con-
servation in Capital City Bank, Tal-
lahassee, Florida, on January 1, 1941. 18,303.58
Old Unpaid Checks on Hand January 1,
1941............................. 1,007.05 $23,841.3

1941
COMMERCIAL SALT WATER FISHING INDUSTRY
Resident Wholesale Seafood Dealers Li-
censes............................ $27,100.00
ResidentRetailSeafood Dealers Licenscs 25,775.00
Resident Commercial Fishing and Oy-
stering Vessel Licenses............. 10,358.50
Non-resident Commercial Fishing and
Oystering Vessel Licenses........... 550.00

Alien or Non-resident Commercial Fish-
ing and Oystering Licenses......... $ 1,085.00
Resident Shrimp Boat Licenses....... 1,951.75
Alien or Non-resident Shrimp Boat Li-
censes.......................... 1,275.00
Alien or Non-resident Shrimp Fishing
Licenses........................... 455.00
Resident Menhaden Fishing Boat Li-
censes.........:..... ............. 8 6.05
Alien or Non-resident Menhaden Fish-
ing Boat Licenses ................. 1,225.00
Alien or Non-resident Menhaden Fish-
ing Licenses...................... 1,585.00
Menhaden Purse Seines and Excess Net
Licenses.......................... 821.00
Permit Tags ........................ 2,053.60
Court Costs and Witness Fees......... 09.10
Reimbursement Telephone Calls ..... 7.25
Sale of Confiscated Nets, Corks, and
Lead Lines ....................... 1 8.98
Sale of Three Old Patrol Boats........ 2,350.00
Overpayment on Licenses ............ 77.75
Receipts for Safe Driving ............. 9.34
Receipts Personal Injury Insurance.... 27.97
Damage Insurance Collected.......:... 33.10
Reimbursement for Gasoline.......... 37.68
Refunded by United -States Treasurer.. 2.46
Reimbursement by Geological Survey
for Printing and Insurance ......... 2(29.36
Over in Cash January 1, 1941......... 5.00 $78,209.49

OYSTER INDUSTRY .
Lease Rentals and Fees...............S 800.58
Sale of Mined Dead Shells............ 10,227.84
Two Cent Privilege Tax.............. 1,209.29
Three Cent Privilege Tax ............ 1,101.40 $13,429.21

SPONGE INDUSTRY
Resident Sponge Poat Licenses........ $1,1C5.CO
Alien or Non-resident Sponge Boat Li-
S censes........................... 225.00
Alien or Non-resident Sponge Fishing
Licenses .......................... 95.00 $ 1,485.00

PLEASURE FISHING BOAT LICENSES
Resident Pleasure Fishing Boat Licenses $10,181.75
Alien or Non-resident Pleasure Fishing
Boat Licenses. .................... 1,350.00 $11,531.75 $104,656.35

Disbursements
Administrative and Office Division:
Salaries... ....................... $15,725.45
Traveling Experscs ................ 1,205. 3
Printing and Stationery ........... 1,112. 4

Office Equipment and Supplies...... $ 997.12
Legal Expenses ................... 183.15
Telegraph and Telephone ........... 258.37
Postage and Box Ient............. 1,372.70
Jacksonville Office Expense......... 222.63
Miami Office Expense............ 185.05
Mailing and Clipping Service ....... 45.00
Office Rent............... ......... 1,244.50
Bond Premiums .................. 60.00

$22,702.44

Field Division:
Salaries ..................... $45,245.04
Traveling Expenses................ 21,176.90
Permit Tags ard Printing.......... 2,560.48
Purchases, Operations and Mainten-
ance of Patrol Boats ............... 6,628.57
Sundry Expenses.................. 494.81
Telegraph and Telephone ........... 862.26
Money Order Fees ................ 33.95
Insurance........................ 998.63
Rents and Dockage ............... 229.10
Bond Premiums ................... 205.00
Automobile Repairs and Tires ...... 307.39
Tampa Fair Expense.............. 185.36
Refunds.......................... 959.85 $79,887.34

Total Disbursements January 1, 1941,
through December 31, 1941.........

*Balance Credited to State Conservation
Fund in Comptroller's Offide Decem-
ber 31, 1941 ...................... $89,583.57
Balance Credited to State Board of Con-
servation in Capital City Bank, Tal-
lahassee, Florida, December 31, 1941 $ 2,402.23
Less Checks Issued and Unpaid at Bank 2,171.65 230.58

Old Unpaid Checks on Hand Decem-
ber 31, 1941 .....................
Cash on Hand December 31, 1941.....

1,054.85
38.95

$102,589.78

90,907.95
$193,497.73

General Fund and no;

Note-$16,885.22 of this fund is still held in the
available to this Department.

RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS

January Ist, 1942 through December 3Pst, 1942

STATE CONSERVATION FUND
SUMMARY OF RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS
JANUARY 1, 1942, THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 1942

Balances and Receipts
Total Balances on Hand January 1, 1942 $90,907.95

Total Receipts from Commercial Salt
Water Fishing Industry. ........... $65,414.03
Total Receipts from Oyster Industry... 17,786.20
Total Receipts from Sponge Industry.. 1,767.85
Total Receipts from Pleasure Fishing
Boat Licenses..................... 5,493.55
*Appropriated by 1941 Legislature .... 35,000.00 125,461.63 $216,369.58

Note-Not available from General Fund.
Disbursements
Total Disbursements from Administra-
tive and Office Division ............ $20,176.48
Total Disbursements from Field Division 77,371.87
Comptroller's Balance Charged Off as of
July 1, 1942-Emergency Funds... .'21
July ., 1942-Special Funds........ 16,885.01
Old Unpaid Checks Ch:arged Off by
Authority of Auditor and Board..... 1,047.05 $115,480. 62

Total Balances on Iand December 31,
1942 ............................ 100,888.96 $216,369.58

STATE CONSERVATION FUND
JANUARY 1, 1942, THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 1942

Receipts
Balance Credited to State Conservation
Fund in Comptroller's Office Janu-
ary 1, 1942 ....................... $ 89,583.57
Balance Credited to State Board of Con-
servation in Capital City Bank, Tal-
lahassee, Florida, on January 1, 1942 230.58
Old Unpaid Checks on Hand January 1,
1942...... ...................... 1,054.85
Cash Balance on Hand January 1, 1942 38.95 $90,907.95

1942
COMMERCIAL SALT WATER FISHING INDUSTRY
Resident Wholesale Seafood Dealers Li-
censes........ .............. ... $21,800.00
Resident Retail Seafood Dealers Licenses 19,720.00
Resident Commercial Fishing and Oy-
stering Vessel Licenses ............ 11,398.75

I

Non-resident Commercial Fishing and
Oystering Vessel Licenses........... $ 350.00
Alien Commercial Fishing Licenses ... 740.00
Resident Shrimp Boat Licenses....... 2,137.00
Alien or Non-resident Shrimp Boat Li-
censes............................ 975.00
Alien or Non-resident Shrimp Fishing
Licenses .......................... 545.00
Resident Menhaden Fishing Boat Li-
censes............................ 856.50
Alien or Non-resident Menhaden Fish-
ing Boat Licenses................. 400.00
Alien or Non-resident Menl aden Fish-
ing Licenses.... :................. 1,410.00
Menhaden Purse Seines and-Excess.Net-
Licenses .......................... 946.00
Perm it Tags ........................ 1,629.CO
Court Cost.......................... 23.91
Reimburseirent Teleptone Calls ...... 16.70
Sale of Confiscated Nets, Corksand Lead
Lines ............................ 446.63
Sale of Two Old Patrol Boats......... 98.0C
Sale of Old Marine Engine ........... 575. CO
Receipts for Safe Driving...... ..... 4. 67
Refunded Tnsurance Cancellation .... 21.8
Refunded Workmen's Compensation I n-
surance Over-paid ....... ........ 25.93
Receipts Personal Injury Insurance .... 221.08
Reimbursement by Geological Surv(y
for Insurance Paid.......... ...... 81.60
Reimbursement for Gasoline.......... 2.32
Reimbursement for Transportation.... 60.35
Returned Check Collected............ 7.80
-Miscellaneous Collection:-:............. .4.31
Sale of Two Old Stoves .............. 16.00 t65,414.03

Oi"i 'lnR JINDUT'IRY
Lease Rental and Fees ............... $ 1,830.16
Sale of Mined ]ead Shels.. .-.-;.. .... 13,820.00
Two Cent Privilege Tax.............. .1,23.41
Three Cent Privilege Tax ............ 882.63 $17,786.20

SPONGE INDUSTRY
Resident Sponge Boat License........ $ 767.85
Alien or Non-resident Sponge-Beat Li-
censes...... .... ..... ......... 250.00
Received frem Tarpon Springs Sponge
Exchange ......................... 750.00 $ 1,767.85 ..

PLEASURE FIIHlING BOAT LICENSES
-Resident Pleasure Fishing Beat Licenses $ 4,193.55
Alien.or Non-resident Pleasure Fishing
.-.Boat Licenses .................... 1,300.00 $5,493.55 8c0,461.63

17

1 _

Disbursements
Administrative and Office Division:
Salaries ...................... $14,641.
Traveling Expenses............... 2,029.
Printing and Stationery ............ 517.
Sundry Supplies................... 127
Legal Expenses................... 8.
Telegraph and Telephone........... 84.
Postage and Box Rent............. 1,005.
Office Rent...................... 1,572.
Insurance ........................ 6.
Bond Premiums .................. 60.
Mailing and Clipping Service....... 60.
Office Equipment ................. 64.

Field Division:
Salaries. ........................ $41,928.
Traveling Expenses.............. 20,721.
Permit Tags and Printing.......... 1,478.
Purchases, Operation and Maintenance
of Patrol Boats ................. 8,991.
Legal Expenses ................... 115.
Telegraph and Telephone........... 1,228.
Rents and Dockage ............... 393.
Insurance, Boats and Workmen's Com-
pensation ...................... 1,724.
Bond Premiums .................. 138.
Sundry Supplies .... ............. 44.
Automobile Repairs and Tires...... 106.
Money Order and Exchange Fees.... 34.
Ferry and Bridge Tolls............. 40.
Express and Freight Paid.......... 12.
Refunds......................... 413.

00
.32
.12
.19
.50
56
50
00
39
00
00
90 $20,176.48

.29
96
25
15
16
.84
00
64
50
69
46
62
44
02
85 $77.371.87

Comptroller's Balances Charged Off
From Emergency Fund July 1, 1942... $ .21
From Special Fund July 1, 1942...... 16,885.01 816,885.22
Old Unpaid Checks Charged Off by
Authority of Auditor and Board ..... 1,047.05 1,047.05

Total Disbursements January 1, 1942,
through December 31, 1942........
Balance Credit to State Conservation
Fund in Comptroller's Office Decem-
ber 31, 1942. ..................... $65,482.88
Warrants Charged State Conservation
Fund December 31, 1942, in transit
not entered until January 5, 1943... 193.47

$115,480.62

$65,676.35

Balance Credited to State Board of Con-
servation in Capital City Bank, Tal-
lahassee, Florida, December 31, 1942. $ 4,612.61
Less Check Issued and Unpaid at Bank. 4,400.00 212.61

*Comptroller's Credit of Appropriation
by 1941 Legislature, Emergency Fund 35,000.00 $100,888.96
$216,369.58

Note-$35,000.00 in General Fund and not available to this Department.
18

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