The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-05-15
LOOKING AFTER THE FISH
COMMISSIONER CARY'S INSPEC-
TON OF THE STATE FISHERIES.

The Laws IN ssvannah's Territory Well
Cbssrved-Tha Stocking Of the
streams With Shad-I3OOOOoo
Planted in Georgia Waters in the
Last Two Years-Ths Cultivation of
Carp-Georgla not Trout state.
DR.. II. Fl. Cary. fish commissioner of
Georgia, spent yesterday in the city. Heis
on tour Of inspection Of the fisheries of the
state, and is paying particular attention to
the welfare Of the white shad, which the
commission is endeavoring TO make the Lead
ing fish of Georgia waters.
Commissioner Cary said that the fishing
laws in the Savannah territory are well
observed, and he found that there is little or
10 illegal fishing carried on. From sunrise
of every Saturday morning until sunrise
Monday morning is what is termed ''closen
time, and everybody is prohibited from
fishing during these hours. From Jan. to
April 81 is exclusive ''closen time This law
vas passed in order to give the shad a sufii-
Gent opportunity to get to the spawning
grounds. and during the prohi bitory time
no nets, traps, weirs or other apparatus for
the catching of ashing ara allowed 20 re-
main in the water.
SHAD IMPROVING AND INCREASING
"The white shad throughout the state,n
said Commissioner Cary, ARE improving
in character and rapidly increasing in
number. During the last two years 13 0O0,-
900 young Shad have been planted in the
waters OF the state, and they have made
fine progress. The aim Of the fish commits
sion, however, is to secure a sufficient
appropriation to plant 100,000,0 900 year,
and when this is accomplished shad will be
plantlful enough in Georgia to become the
staple article OF FISH food. 1t is fish which
when sailed is far superior to mackerel, and
delightful delicacy."
sHAD IN EVERY sRTEAM.
When DR.. Cary was made head of the
fish commission white shad were a back
number in Georgia, and but few streams
contained them. Now every river of the
state which empties into the Gulf of Mexico
or the Atlantic ocean is we'll supplied with
them. They are naturally a salt water fish,
and used only to come to the headwaters in
order to secure spawning grounds for propa-
eating their species.
Many efforts have been made to find their
ocean home, but so far all have failed, Com
missioner Cary is an enthusiast on shad,
which he thinks is the coming fish of Geor-
gia, and species which will prove OF great
value to the fishermen Of the state in PEE
cuniE ry way.
CARP NOT BEING NEGLECTED..
while the greatest efforts of the fish
commission, u continued Commissioner Cary,
ARE directed TO the cultivation of shad,
yet no little attention is also being paid to
carp. About 5000 ponds throughout the
state have been stocked, and several thou
sand of the fish placed in the open waters.
Nov Ga II eek A.
satisfactorily, considering the difficulties
which besst them wherever perch or
Dream abound.
These fish have very destructive pro-
pensities, devouring all tho young carp and
eggs which they can find. In many in
stances the waters of the carp ponds have
to be drawn off at certain times to remove
these destructive members of the finny
tribe, who, by some means or another, man
age to get into them. They breed fast, and
1t takes but little time for them to practi-
cally fill up pond.
NORTH GEORGIA TO HAVE BLACK BASS.
Another fish which has attracted very
favorable attention. said Commissioner
Cary, lis the big mouth black bass, which
inhabits the waters of the southern part of
the state in large numbers. They are de-
slraoie fish, equally as good as trout, and it
is the intention of the commission to en-
uenNOT 10 propagate Cne Dlack pass IN Inc
streams of North Georgia"
TROUT UNsUITED TO OUR WATERS.
while speaking of trout" said he, ''it
should be borne in mind that they are a
species Of fish not at all suited to our waters,
which are mostly too warm for their sue
cessful development or propagation. In a
few streams Of the Blue Ridge section they
manage to thrive, but these streams are so
few as to be OF little consequence. United
States Commissioner Marshal Mcdonald
has recommended the red>eye perca for our
waters, and we will give them a trial.
These fab attain the average size of u
pounds, and are also as good as trout. II
they prove equal to expectations they will
be planted in large numbers.
MORE MONEY WANT ED.
Taking everything into consideration, ~
said Commissioner Cary, "Georgia's fish
i cries are IN excellent condition, and little
Il complaint can be made. ALI we want is a
little larger appropriation for piopagating
q good breeds, and then this state will be sur
passed by none in the matter OF having fine
fish food. The professional fishermen and
people generally are obeyinR the laws, and