The morning call., 1890-04-09
FISH AND GAME.
Protecting Striped Bass-Quail
From Chile and Australia.

The usual monthly meeting of the men,
bers of the Fish Commissioners was held
yesterday afternoon at the office of the late
Labor Bureau, on Suffer street, there being
present l. Downey Hardey- in the chair,
and ex-senator Reuter- of Sacramento.
The report from |. L. Woodbury., Chief of
Patrol, was read, and speaks Of good work
done by the deputies during the last four
weeks. Special efforts having been put
forth to stop the taking of small fish by
Chinese and others. Frequent raids had
been made on the Bay of South San Fran
cisco, but having been conducted in row.
boats, it was matter of some difficulty to
overhaul the Chinamen'S junks The EN-
ployment of a Steam-launch was suggested
as the only way of successfully catching
these pirates. Attempts had also been made
to check the Illegal catching of trout. Only
one arrest was reported Tor the month in
connection with deerSkins from which evil
dence of sex had been removed.
The large quantities of striped bass eX-
posed for sale in the markets have Sug-
gested the proposition that the board
should institute some restrictions as to the
size OF these fish that it should be lawful to
catch. Meantime, in the absence of re-
stricti0n, no steps had been taken by the
deputies. The first week in March was
spent in prosecuting twenty-one Chinese,
who were in Jail at Martinez for taking
small fish, twelve of whom paid the fine of
500 levied. a charge mad also been laid
against Conkling 81 Co. for having deer
skins in their possession from which evil
dence of sex had been removed, but the
case was dismissed. the Judge holding that
though the evidence was strongly against
them, still it was their first otfeDse against
the law.
The report also mentioned that there was
strong feeling gaining ground all over the
country that some combined effort should
be made to check all illegal fishing one
gun club Offering reward Of 500 for the
conviction of any offender. During this
present month the collection Of licenses
will be proceeded with.
A report from the INSPECTOR at Shovel
Greek was also read, wherein it was stated
that a small trout hatchery had been built
there, after building dam and clearing
out the creek, etc, capable of eying one
million trout eggs. A start was then being
made for Lake Iahoe for the purpose Of
opening the spring and summer campaign
at the new hatchery there.
In connection with the point raised in the
frst-quoted report, it was suggested by the
commissioners present that as there was no
special law in regard TO the protection of
striped bass prohibiting their being caught
in The spawning season, now on, the Board
| OF Supervisors be requested to take imme-
diate action in the matter. course which,
in the Interests of fish preservation, it is
hoped will be at once adopted.
1t was mentioned that Captain Morse
the wellknOwn sportsman and commander
Of the Alameda, had offered to bring ten or
twelve dozen Australian quail and present
them TO the commissioners in exchange for
like number of Californian quail. The
thanks Of the board were rendered to Cap
tain Morse and his offer will probably be
accepted. Captain Coster, who is going to
Germany, offered to bring over quite an as
SOrtment OF singing birds.
a letter was read from the American
Consul at Valparaiso in the matter of Chilean
quail to be sent to California, wherein he
claimed that the birds in Chile and Cali
fornia were practically one and the same,
point strongly combated by Commissioner
Reuter-, who, having shot the Chilean quail
years back in their own country, claims that
there is a decided difference between the
two species.
On the same subject in answer to one of
the numerous communications addressed
by the commission to ali quarters of the
world concerning the matter, letter was
read from Chicago, to the effect that ar
engagements had been made for the ship
ment of 30 dozen live quail of the :" Bob
White" species. They were all picked,
strong birds, and with careful packing and
special instructions to Wells, Fargo & Co.,
who had promised to do all in their power
To look after them well on the journey, 1t
was hoped that the shipment would prove
a success.