The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-02-05
The Fish Bill,

(which, has passed the House OF Delegates
il unobiectionable. Itought TO pass tne
Senate "without why OF wherefore ~
is too free from objection 30 excite INQUIRY
by any member OF the body. We should
think it unsatisfactory H we did not nope
that the day is coming when better ana
stronger measures to protect the people Oh
virginia grom the depredations OF Foreigners
and the Wholesale monopoly Oh tns
sustenance Of the waters by peopio
residing near the mouths OF tide-"a'el
rivers will be passed. 80 Immensely
long have the seines grown, ana sucn are sne
Iabsrvntbine attachments to many OF thein'
that the t,sh are so completely intercepted 10
s,,osr rim nm the rivers that fisheries high
mn the tidal streams have become SO ui-
nroHtable that few are kept in operation.
These powerful seines have OF late years
made fearful diminution Of the number OF
migratory fish that grow and fatten In salt
water and spawn in fresh. People Will De
in time fully convinced OF the injury Done
by these machines, how they destroy hsn,
and how they prevent that Distribution OF
supply that is due to the citizens OF the
Commonwealth. Myriads Of fish that would
be a luxury as we'll rs means OF suoslst-
ence to people Of the middle district are
used as manure in the lower Underwater.
The rivers are the common property OF the
people OF the Commonwealth, and the pro
ductions thereof ought to be enjoyed D! all
as far as it is possible.
The bill protects all streams above TIDE
water from traps and seiaes for SIX years
from its passage. This provision is neces-
sary in order to give time for the process OF
artificial culture TO stock the rivers with
rood fish. All citizens will heartily join In
this Yorbearance, which will secure to them
the advantage CT an abundant supply OF
fish. Angling is not prohibited save III
close seasons, because that sport makes no
serious impression upon the stock OF nsn.
What the community wants now Is a De-
ginning. The small means in the hands OF
the commissioners should be made the most
Of in order that we may see that II SO little
does much, how far greater would he the
hubble good which would be secured by
what might have some claim to be consld-
ed "liberal" aid at the hands Of the State.
The penalties for violations Of the law in
trapping, and SEEMING, and dragging, and
gigging fish, and in angling during close
seasons, are punishable with fine and inn
prisonment when fines are not paid. Every
body should see that the law is respected.
The moment it passes all the traps should
be broken up and all prohibited practices
should cease.
Virginia has been so plentifully supplied
with food-so hospitable and bountiful at
all times-that her people have not appre-
ciated the amount OF subsistence that might
be derived from the waters. The quantity
and quality of fish as food that all neighbor-
hoods might, with proper laws, enjoy, is a
subject absolutely new in the State. Times
are changing, and the matter will be better
studied in future.
Meantime we appeal to all citizens to pay
attention to the subject of pisciculture and
learn something of the immense benef-
cence it promises to the human family.