By HUGH M. SMITH.
M. D., Assistant in Charge of Inquiry respecting F oil-Fishes, United
States Fish Commission.
The sponge fishery of the United
States presents the interesting antithesis of an industry restricted to a single
State and a product perhaps more generally employed and having a wider range of
usefulness than any other article yielded by the American fisheries. There is
scarcely a civilized habitation in the country in which the sponge is not in
almost daily use. Besides its very general employment for toilet purposes, it is
utilized in many other ways—in the arts, trades, and professions, and in
domestic life—the mention of which would prove tedious.
In this paper it is not expected that much new or original
information concerning sponges will be presented. All that is contemplated is to
direct attention to certain aspects of the sponge industry, with a view to place
it on a sounder basis. The special topics considered are the distribution, form,
and peculiarities of the different species; their present and past abundance;
the extent and causes of the decrease in the supply, as evidenced by a
diminished annual catch; the protection of sponge grounds; the cultivation of
sponges on grounds now barren; and the increase of the productiveness of the
industry by the introduction of some of the best grades of European sponges. In
order to make the discussion of these subjects clearer to the sponge interests,
it is desirable to briefly notice the zoological status of sponges and their
methods of reproduction and growth. Reference is also made to the sponge
legislation of Florida. Illustrations of the
leading grades of marketable sponges are presented;, these are based on
specimens collected in Florida by the writer.
THE NATURE AND STRUCTURE OF SPONGES.
Although for many years the status of sponges—whether animal or
vegetable—was in dispute, the time has long since passed when the right of the
sponges to be placed in the animal kingdom was established. Even the propriety
of assigning the sponges to a position higher than the lowest animals—the
protozoa—is now conceded, and they are put either in a subkingdom of their own
(Porifera) or in a subkingdom (Ctelenterata) with the corals, gorgonians,
sea-feathers, jelly-fishes, etc.
The sponge in a natural state is a very different-looking object
from what we see in commerce. The entire surface is covered with a thin, slimy
skin, usually of a dark color, perforated to correspond with the apertures of
the canals. The sponge of commerce is in reality only the home or the skeleton
of a sponge. The composition of this skeleton varies in the different kinds of
sponges, but in the commercial grades it consists of interwoven horny fibers,
among and supporting which are spicuhu ofsiliceous matter in
greater or less numbers and having a variety of forms. The fibers consist of a
network of fibrils whose softness and elasticity determine the commercial
quality of a given sponge. The horny framework is perforated externally by very
many minute pores and by a less number of larger openings. These are parts of an
interesting double-canal system, an external and an internal, or a centripetal
and a centrifugal.
At the smaller openings on the sponge surface, channels begin
which lead into dilated spaces (sacs or ampullae); in these, in turn, channels
arise which eventually terminate in the large openings (craters or oscula).
Through these channels or canals definite currents are constantly maintained
which are essential to the existence of the sponge. The currents enter through
the small apertures and emerge through the large ones.
The active part of the sponge—that is, the part concerned in
nutrition and growth— is a soft, fleshy mass partly filling the meshes and
lining the canals. It consists largely of cells having different functions—some
concerned in the formation of the framework, some in digestion, some in
reproduction. Lining the dilated spaces into which the afferent canals lead are
cells surmounted by whip-like processes (cilia); the motion of these processes
produces and maintains the water currents, which carry the minute food products
to the digestive cells in the same cavities.
Sponges multiply by the union of sexual products, certain cells
of the fleshy pulp assuming the character of ova and others that of spermatozoa.
Fertilization takes place within the sponge. The fertilized eggs, which should
now be called larva?, pass out with the currents of water; and, being provided
with cilia, swim actively for a while, like larval oysters. In a comparatively
short time, probably in 24 to 48 hours, they settle and become attached to some
suitable surface, where they in time develop into mature sponges.
THE FLORIDA COMMERCIAL SPONGES.
The merchantable sponges of the waters of Florida fall under five heads—the sheeps wool or "wool"
sponge, the velvet sponge, the grass sponges (two species), the yellow sponge,
and the glove sponge. Numerous varieties have been described by naturalists and
many grades are recognized by dealers, but all are included in the foregoing
designations.
The principal center of the industry is Key West, where more
than seven-eighths of the business is carried on. Other places at which sponges
are lauded are Apalachicola, St. Marks, and Tarpon Springs. About 100 registered
vessels and 200 unregistered vessels and boats are employed in the fishery, which, with their outfit, are worth about
$260,000, and are manned by upward of 1,400 fishermen.
Sponges are by far the most important of the fishery products of Florida,
representing about one-third of the annual value of the fishing
industry.
In the calendar year 1895 the Florida
sponge fishery yielded 306,070 pounds of
sponges, of which the first value was $386,871. In 1896 the catch, as
represented by the purchases of the wholesale buyers, who handled practically
the entire output, was 234,111 pounds, having a value of $273,012. In 1897 the
product was 331,546 pounds, valued at $281,640.
THE SHEEPSWOOL SPONGE.
The sheepswool is the best sponge found on the shores of the
western Atlantic, and for most purposes has no superior anywhere. While the
texture is coarser than that of the best Mediterranean sponges, this sponge is
more durable—a quality of leading importance for most purposes. Belonging to the
same species as the native sheepswool are the well-known eastern horse sponge,
Venetian bath sponge, and Gherbis sponge.
The sheepswool sponge is taken on all the important
spouging-grounds on the Florida coast. Its
distribution may be said to be from Apalachicola on the west coast to Cape Florida on the east coast, although between Charlotte
Harbor and Key West but few known grounds exist. The most productive are in the
vicinity of Anclote Keys and Rock Island, and from these regions the best
quality of sheepswool sponges conies. Between Key West and Cape Florida valuable grounds also exist, those in the
vicinity of Matecumbe Key, Knight Key, Bahia Honda, and Biscayne Bay being
especially important. This species usually grows on the bare coralline rock
which underlies a large part of Florida and is
exposed over large areas of the contiguous bottom. On sandy or muddy bottom it
is rarely found. It is at present taken in water from 10 to 50 feet deep, but
the largest quantities are obtained in depths of 20 to 35 feet. In the early
days of the fishery, before the depletion of the
grounds had begun, the principal part of the catch was from a depth of less than
12 feet.
With the methods in use in Florida
sponges can not be profitably gathered in water more than 50 feet deep,
and a question of considerable interest and importance is whether sponges grow
in noteworthy quantities at a greater depth. Most spongers think that there are
important grounds now beyond their reach, but others think that 50 or 60 feet is
the maximum depth at which sponges grow. It is claimed by a few persons that
beyond this depth the bottom is not adapted to the growth of sponges, the
coralline rock being absent and sand predominating. Definite information on this
point is, however, lacking, and a careful survey would be required to settle the
matter. The probabilities are that in certain localities there are productive
grounds beyond the present limits of operation, as there is nothing in the
nature of sponges to prevent their inhabiting deeper water, and it seems
improbable that the rocky bottoms should cease to exist beyond 50 feet.
Should future inquiry show the presence of sponge-grounds in
water from 50 to 80 feet deep, the discovery of a method of utilizing them would
be the first consideration and would prove a great boon to the sponge fishery. Not the least important outcome of such a
discovery would be the opportunity afforded the shallower grounds to recuperate
by the diversion of the spongers' operations. Attention may be drawn to the
advisability of experimenting with an apparatus constructed on the principle of
the so called " deep water oyster-tongs," by means of which oyster-beds beyond
the reach of ordinary tongs become readily accessible.
The tongs in question, of which there are several types, consist
essentially of two curved iron bars, riveted together near the middle to permit
free motion. These arc attached on one extremity to the teeth and cradles, and
on the other to the ropes by means of which the apparatus is lowered and raised.
Beneath the crossing -point of the two arms a weight is suspended. To the upper
bar of one side an iron link or loop is attached by means of a staple, and on
the lower bar, just below the link, is a small iron peg or stud over which the
link fits when the teeth are separated to their widest extent. When oystering
begins, the arms are locked by means of the loop and peg and the tongs lowered
to the bottom. By suddenly dropping the tongs from the height of a few feet from
the bottom the loop slips off the pin, by virtue of the weight referred to, and
the teeth will then approach each other when the ropes are hauled taut. The
weight and the loop and peg may, however, if desired, be dispensed with by
attaching a line to the crossing-point of the two arms and placing weights at
the upper ends of the latter, the tongs being lowered by means of the middle
line and kept open by the weights mentioned.
The extreme simplicity of this apparatus is a great
recommendation for its use in the oyster fishery,
and suggests its employment in the sponge fishery.
It is open to the objection of being somewhat heavier than the ordinary
oyster-tongs, and in deep water a small windlass must bo attached to the mast or
elsewhere on the boat, by which it can be raised and lowered. The cost,
complete, is about $15. If the principle embodied in this apparatus is found to
be adapted to the sponge fishery a modification in
the line of lightness and cheapness could doubtless be made. The number of teeth
and the carrying capacity of the tongs required in the oyster fishery might be reduced and the apparatus made to
consist practically of two opposing hooks, such as are now used in the sponge
fishery.
The sheepswool is probably the most abundant of the Florida sponges, although it is not relatively so
abundant as the catch of it and other species would indicate, owing to the fact
that its greater value makes it more eagerly sought.
The decrease in the abundance of this species has been marked in
many places. In the vicinity of Auclote Keys the grounds in 10 to 1U feet of
water were exhausted before the civil war; but during the war the sponge-beds
had a chance to recuperate, and later afforded some good fishing. They were very
soon depleted, however, and have not since borne sponges in any noteworthy
quantities. This is the general history of the "bay grounds." Deeper and deeper
bottom has had to be resorted to in order to make the fishery profitable, until now some fishing is done in
water as deep as 50 feet. Occasionally good fares are taken on the inshore and
key grounds. The latter, in depths of 10 to 20 feet, seem to recuperate more
rapidly than the bay grounds, and produce excellent crops some seasons; but they
have in general shown the same depletion as other grounds, and the spongers have
to work over a larger area and more assiduously than was necessary a few years
ago. Even the deepest grounds now frequented are showing the effects of
overfishing, and would doubtless soon prove nonproductive of
marketable sponges if the weather and water were always favorable to the
spongers, the preservation of the beds largely depending on the prevalence of
storms or turbid water during some seasons or parts of seasons.
The sheepswool is believed by many observers to grow the most
rapidly of any of the sponges, but information on this point is not as complete
or accurate as might be desired. Some experiments performed and observations
made by gentlemen of Key West lead them to believe that this species may, under
favorable conditions, grow from the beginning to one tenth of a pound weight in
six months. The opinion that this sponge will grow from the spat to good
commercial size in one year is practically unanimous and seems to be verified by
the sponging operations. The spongers all testify that grounds which were
thoroughly fished out one year are found to yield large numbers of commercial
sponges twelve months thereafter.
The catch of the sheepswool in 1895 was fifteen times and in
1897 six times as valuable as that of all other species combined, and is thus
sufficiently important to give prominence to the sponge industry, even if no
other kinds were taken. The average prices per pound brought by sheepswool
sponges were $1.57 in 1805, $1.66 in 1896, and $1.53 in 1897.
Of late, owing to a diminished supply, the relative catch of
sheepswool sponges has been decreasing, cheaper varieties entering more largely
into the receipts. In 1895 the percentage of sheepswool sponges in the total
catch was 76; in 1896 it fell to 64, and in 1897 was only 47.
THE VELVET SPONGE.
This is an uncommon form, with a very limited distribution.
Along the west coast of Florida it is rarely found,
the yield coming almost entirely from certain grounds among the keys. It
resembles the sheepswool in general structure, but has a smoother surface and
finer fibers. The characteristic feature is the presence of soft protruding
cushions, whence the name. It is also known as the boat sponge. Its shape is
very irregular. Its average size is 7 or 8 inches in diameter, but the diameter
of some is a foot or a little over. Its principal source of supply is the region
adjacent to the Matecumbe Keys, where it is taken on coral bottom in water from
15 to 20 feet deep. The grounds have undergone serious depletion, and smaller
cargoes are landed each year. Velvet sponges are taken in smaller quantities
than any other Florida sponges. In 1897 many
dealers did not handle any, and the receipts in recent years have never exceeded
a few thousand pounds per annum. The usual price paid by dealers is 50 cents a
pound.
THE GRASS SPONGES.
There are at. least two species comprehended under the trade
name of grass sponge, and the individual variations are numerous. One species
(called NIiongia tjrantinea by Hyatt) has a coarse, open structure, with
deep furrows on the sides, in which the afferent channels always begin. The
general shape is that of a truncated cone, with the larger openings always on
top. The other grass sponge (Kiispongin c'/xina cerebriformiif) resembles
one form of the yellow sponge, but differs in having its surface marked by
parallel longitudinal ridges surmounted by two or three lines of tufts. In the
depressions between the ridges the large efferent canals open, their orifices
being in rows. Many forms of this species exist. The cup shape
predominates.
Grass sponges are of relatively inferior quality, although largely consumed
for special purposes. They are found in all parts of the sponge region, and
are probably the most abundant of the Florida
sponges, the annual yield not being proportional to the abundance. Large
cargoes are obtained on the Rock Island, Anclote, and Key grounds. The
Anclote region of late has produced the largest part of the catch, and the
sponges there are of relatively good quality.
The recent increase in the production of grass sponges, especially from
grounds in the Gulf of Mexico, has been noteworthy, as shown by the
preceding table. In 1895 grass sponges constituted less than 7 per cent of
the total yield; in 1896 the output rose to 19 per cent, and in 1897 was
nearly 39 per cent. This utilization of larger quantities of a relatively
cheap sponge is a strong indication of the decrease in the supply of the
best quality of sponges.
THE YELLOW SPONGE.
This ranks next to the sheepswool in quality. It corresponds with the
Zimocca sponge of the Mediterranean. The dealers classify the "hardhead"
sponge in this grade—a form having a darker color, harder texture, and less
value than the yellow proper. The distribution of the yellow sponge is
coextensive with that of the sheepswool, both growing together among the
keys and on the west coast of Florida. The
yellow sponge is most commonly found on rocky bottom, at depths of a few
feet to over 30 feet. Those taken for market are from 4 to 10 inches in
diameter, 6 to 8 inches being the average.
The yellow sponge is very abundant, but less so than formerly, especially
among the keys, whence most of the supply conies, and where the grounds,
being more accessible, are more assiduously fished. The key sponges are of
much finer quality than those from the "bay grounds," being softer in
texture and more durable. The grounds about Matecumbe Key yield an
especially good grade of yellow sponge, characterized by a rich yellow
color, regular shape, and superior quality. Biscayne Bay and other grounds
on the east coast also produce a fine class of yellow sponges.
This species ranks next to sheepswool in the commercial scale, although it
commands a less price per pound than the velvet sponge. In the aggregate the
value of the catch of yellow sponges was formerly more than that of all the
remaining grades except the sheepswool, but of late the grass sponge, has
surpassed the yellow in this respect. The average price received by sponge
fishermen is about 40 cents a pound.
THE GLOVE SPONGE.
This is the least valuable of our commercial sponges. Its fibers have a
tendency to become brittle with age, it lacks elasticity, and it has very
little market value. The skeleton is dense and the surface is much smoother
than in the other sponges. It does not attain a large size, not often
exceeding 8 inches in diameter and averaging less than 5 or 6 inches.
It is a singular and suggestive fact that this, the very poorest of our
sponges, is of the same species as the very finest and best of the
Mediterranean sponges, namely, the Levant toilet sponges and the Turkish cup
sponges; even some of those, however. are of inferior quality. The fact is
thus strikingly emphasizcd that the. quality of sponges is to a considerable
extent independent of their specific characters and depends on physical
conditions.
The glove sponge has a more limited distribution than any other
Florida species. It is found from Biscayne
Bay to Key West, but appears to be either very rare or entirely absent on
the grounds along the west coast. It grows on rocky bottom in comparatively
shallow water, in company with other commercial sponges. Most of the catch
is from a depth of less than 10 feet, although the species inhabits somewhat
deeper water. It is taken in smaller quantities than any other standard
species except the velvet sponge. This, however, is not an accurate
criterion of its abundance, as it is less sought for, owing to its poor
quality and small market value. It brings the spongers only about 10 to 15
cents a pound, a price so low as to discourage its gathering.
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