The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1888-12-13
THE SALMON FISHERIES,
Letter From the U. S. Fish Commissioner
10 the Governor OF California.

Governor Waterman is in receipt
of letter from colonel Mcdonald,
United States fish commissioner, rel
atiye to fish matters in this state, as
follows:
"You are, of course, aware that the
United States fish commission has
resumed work upon the McCloud
river, with the specific object of col
lecting the eggs of the California sal
mon and Matching out the fry for
distribution to the salmon rivers OF
your state. This work is undertaken
in viev of the important economic ad-
dition to the food resources of that
part of the country. It is believed
that this work may be conducted
upon such scale as to restore and
maintain the salmon in their former
abundance in all Of your rivers. 1t
is desirable, however-ipdeed. it is
essential-that the work of the United
States should be supplemented by
such regulations as will permit the
salmon to ascend the river in sulli-
cient numbers to furnish the eggs for
artificial propagation. This woum
involve the regulation of time and
modes Of fishing by law, and the pro-
hibition of tie introduction OF saw
dust and other material into the
rivers, which would either directly
pollute the waters, Or By accumulat-
ing upon the natural spawning beds
of the fish, destroy these, and make
1, 80 80 ha E=k Il
pendent entirely upon artificial
methods.
81 bring this matter to your atten-
ton with view to awakening public
interest and discussion, in the hope
that when the conditions for the
permanence of so important fishery
are we'll understood your Legislature
may be induced to enact the necas-
sary laws for their protection
Regarding this same subject a cor
respondent has written to this journal
the following:
"The salmon is not now, nor has he
ever been, sufficiently protected in
the waters of this state. l speak of
the fact. not of the effort to protect
him. Effort therefor has been en-
pirical and Ineffective to a degree.
It is quite time to reform it, with
view to conserve an important food
resource and subserve an honest IN
dustrial pursuit, rather than to sat
isfy the greed of commercial specula-
tion or the whims of sport.
The writer will not enlarge in argu-
ment or descriptives on the subject.
At various times and ways IN former
years he has furnished abundantly
such 'alms of oblivion He knows
whereof he speaks, has been re-
quested to say what in his opinion
would be a proper close season
against salmon fishery, and answers
briefly and advisedly, to-wit:
"One-half of each week throughout
the year; say from sunrise on Thurs
day to sunset on the next succeeding
Sunday, or its equivalent OF cOnsecu-
tive time, to alternate with an equal
time of open season
II can almost hear as / write, O
chorus of obiectors, high and low,
saying, That will never do! Each
has his selfish reason, or in absence
of it, his notion why it will not do.
Nevertheless it ought to be done.
The why would fill volume that the
writer will not indite.
Enact such a law by an amend
ment of section 634 of the penal code;
append the present severe penalty of
fine or imprisonment; strike out the
miserable fudge of sections GA and
636 (Which latter should also be
amendedD about sop TO the district
attorney and the fish commissioners,
and give half the fine to the informer
and give the other half to the county
where the conviction occurs; exempt
salmon gill nets from the provision
of section 636, about extending across
o stream, for this law, If enforced.
would long since have practically de-
stroyed the river fishery. Do it, il
You want to do good.
Away, for a day of legislation. with
your pretty theories and supposiiious
science and Izaak Waltonics. 1t is
business and not fish lines. flies and
q holiday that confront you.
"You are dealing with an industry
that is stricken, and a resource OF
great public benefcence about to he
destroyed.
PAY your fish commissioners or
dispense with them. Gratuitous
service ever yet took more than its
value. Put honest men on gnard
and watch them well. So shall there
be no more rascals. ."-S. D. Bn7le.
tin, s.