Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1874-02-13
The Maryland Commission Of Fisheries.

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The Maryland Commission Of Fisheries.
The bill which has been introduced
in relation to the appointment of a
Commission of Fisheries, and making
an appropriation for the stocking Of
the waters of Maryland with food fish
es, is we'll worthy of the attention of
the citizens of this State. The bill is
now before the Senate Committee on
the Chesapeake Bay and its Tributa-
ries, and will doubtless be favorably
reported upon by said committee. AT
ter referring to the feasibility of re-
stocking the waters of the State with
food fishes by appropriate legislation,
and the peculiar adaptability Of the
waters Of Maryland for the propaga-
ton of fish, the preamble refers to
what has been done by other States
which have appointed Commissioners
Of Fisheries and appropriated large
sums of money to be expended in re-
stocking their waters. It also alludes
to the fact that the United States Gov
ernment has appropriated a large sum
for this purpose, and appointed Com
missioner General of Fish and Fisher
les, who is ready to cooperate with the
Commissioners of the several States as
they may be appointed, by furnishing
the ova, which he is constantly receiv-
ing from different parts of the world,
as we'll as valuable information which
may be in possession Of his Bureau, to
facilitate them in making the waters
of their States more productive and re-
munerative to the people. The bill
then provides for the appointment by
the Governor of two paid Commissions
ers of Fisheries, who shall hold Office
for two years and until their success
sors are appointed. They are to in
mediately proceed to inspect the wa
ters of the State, obtain all necessary
information on the subject, with view
to stocking said waters with proper
food fishes, and report as soon as prac-
ticable thereon to the Governor When
we consider that the waters of the
State cover an area of over two thou
sand square miles-about one-ffth Of
the area of the whole State-the Sec
ton providing for two Commissioners
seems wise one. The duties can then
be divided, and the interests of the two
sections more closely looked after-one
Commissioner having special charge Of
the Chesapeake Bay and the other Of
the several rivers and their tributary
streams. The Commission is made
paid one, in order that the State may
command the time and services of COM
petent Commissioners, whose Office, as
shown by the experience of other
labors will be especially arduous in
Maryland, as the whole system will
have to be organized and put into OPP
Grafton by them without delay-noth-
ing having yet been done toward maxi
ing our vast water resources truly
profitable. Another section of the bill
provides that as soon as said inspec-
ton and report is made, the Commits
sioners shall proceed to the selection
of proper locality for the propagation
of food fishes, and to obtain the neces-
sary ova, erect the Matching establish
ments required for the purpose, and
distribute the young fish in the differ
ent waters of the State. Another sec-
ton of the bill makes an appropria-
tion of the sum of thirty-five hundred
dollars per annum, to carry out the
provisions of the act. l.1a
1t is to be hoped that the bill will
be passed without delay, so that the
State may secure as soon as practical
BILE all the benefits which can be de-
rived from the propagation and pro-
lection of food fishes in its waters
The wonderful results obtained in 9TH
er States are an indication of the great
advantage that will be derived by our
citizens should the Legislature make
the small appropriation asked for by
the bill.-Baltin,ore Gazette.