Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-11-22
The Fish Laws.

In company with the state papers gener-
ally the WATERMAN called public attention
last spring to the outrageous spoliation of
Lake Champlain and tributary streams. par.
ticularly Misssquoi river, by fishing pirates.
BY means of seines, fyke nets and other con-
trivances, fish placed in those waters by the
state commissioners were taken out by boat
loads. From thirty to forty barrels day,
it is estimated, were taken from the mouth
of the Missisquoi alone. The most exasper-
ating feature of this wholesale destruction
was the fact that these fish were filled with
spawn and were seeking their spawning
grounds in the quiet hooks of the stream.
The taking of single fish at that time was
the loss of numerous progeny, and carried
to the murderous extent it was pushed it
was simply determination, not to feed the
people for whose benefit the state had
taken thought, but to line the pockets of a
few INSCRIPTIONS Spectators who were ship
ping the fish out of the state at an immense
profit. There are laws of the state designed
to protect these fish, but they are TOO
much like the old listing law, they have no
penalties to make them effective. They
merely provide for a fine for their violation,
and as the men upon whom the guardians
of the law could lay their hands were an
impecunious set an attempt to execute the
law was like suing beggsr and catching a
louise. The depredators laughed at the Off.
GERS, or skulked till they were out of sight,
and then resumed their murderous work.
The law, to make it effective needs penal
ties that will be felt through the callous
hides, that will reach beyond empty peck.
cts. We doubt if Senator Brainerds bill
supplies the requisite efficiency, and quite
agree with the Free Press in the following
comments upon the proposed remedy-s fish
warden in each town:
1--WE had not ventured to expect that the state
would provide for more than three or four fish
wardens, at the most, whose duty should be to
detect and punish the illegal use of nets along
the Vermont shore Of the lake. but here 1t has
given us one In each town. We are not sure but
that this superiiuity OF cooks will spoil the broth
and that too, Tor several good reasons. The
fish warden thus appointed will be local func-
tionary, with all the disabilities and embarrass-
ments OF his class. He will have neighbors and
sympathies and perhaps his neighbors will have
nets, and perhaps 1t will be very convenient for
him, at certain times, to be attending that other
business which he will combine with the business
OF fish warden, TO the latter's disadvantage. On
the whole, we are inclined TO think that the ap-
polntment OF four or five professional wardens,
honest and fearless men, who should spend the
greater part OF their time In watching that por-
ton OF the lake shore within their appointed ju-
rsdiction, would have been a more effectua
measure. But not to quarrel with the gifts OF the
gods Is very good maxim for those who present
petitions to legislatures and 1t is better that the
amendment should pass as 1t stands than stand
until 1t Is better"
The bill comedies the privilege OF using a
seine in October and the first fifteen DAYS of
November. The migratory and spawning
periods are thus guarded. Fishing with
nets or any similar device within ten miles
Of the mouth of a river tributary to the
lake, at other periods, is prohibited under a
penalty of forfeit of nets and fine Of
800, one half TO be paid to the state and
one-half TO the informer. These penalties
may be sufficiently deterrent in their iniiu-
ence to secure obedience to the fish laws,
but If penalty of fine of $40 availed
nothing against impecunious lawlessness it
is difficult TO see how the fine can be made
more effective by ten folding it. A term at
the house of correction in default of pay
ment would seem to give the penalty eifec-
tive vitality.