with a small mesh net. Today this practice is unlawful. Captain Billy
reasoned that the small crustacea would be even more plentiful in ocean
waters so he designed a crude net for trawling. His catch numbered more
shrimp than he could load in his hold; naturally it was net long before
his secret became public property and the shrimp industry grew by leaps
and bounds. Fernandina became a harbor for shrimp boats, and shrimping
became one of the city's leading industries.
St. Augustine harbor is well protected and easily entered by small
boats. It was not long after 1921 that the Salvadores, the Fodales,
Versaggis, Polis, and others became well known names in the St.
Augustine fishing business. Aside from the packing plants which
heralded the advent of the commercial shrimp fisherman, there soon
sprang up canning and freezing plants; these establishments supply not
only local and northern markets but ship their produce abroad and even
to the Far East.
Today shrimping is the leading industry of St. Augustine.