St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-12-24
The FISH COMMISSION,
THEY MAKE AN WTERES TING ANNUAL
REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR.
THE WORK oFTaE pAsTYEAR

Efforts to Educate the People to
Observe the Law Preserving
Game and Fish-Five Hundred
Tons of Fish Shipped From
Lake Pepin-Large Number of
Nets Captured and Confiscated.
The annual report of the fish COM
mission was turned in to Gov. Nelson
yesterday. 1t is long, but interesting
document, full of statistics and practical
suggestions. Their work has been from
an economical rather than from the
sportsman'S point of view, and the
means used and the results sought,
practical rather than fanciful or th9or-
etical. 1t is alleged the citizens un-
wisely and Unfortunately slaughter
at all times and seasons, and the tend
ency is rapidly toward the inevitable
characterization.
The board have tried to educate the
people as to the laws for the preserva-
ton and protection of game and fish.
and they note progress in that direction.
They have sought to promote the propa-
CATION, preservation and protection of
birds and game as well as fish, and they
believe that people are beginning to
have some comprehension OF the value
to them, and to realize that it means
cheaper food to them instead of simply
Saving something for the benefit of
sportsmen, which was the old idea of
laws OH this subject. They speak of
fln Nnf ht,r,t nj iaf
that they have adopted scheme which
will successfully prevent the destruction
or game by those engaged In shipping
out of the state. They have also put
stop In some degree to the use of nets
in inland waters which have done so
much to interfere with the work of the
commission, and are rewarded by find
ing wonderful increase of young fry
III these waters.
Cold storage is looked upon as sys-
TEN tending to the destruction of game
and fish, and is the greatest obstacle
they have had to contend with. Four
thousand carcaSSes of venison will be
shipped out of the state this year
through this means, and at least $50, 600
birds. They have not had the co-opera-
ton OF the common carriers doing bust
ness in the state, and 1t is alleged that
they have knowingly carried the game
out of the state, contrary to law. This
trouble has i'll measure been remedied
since the indictment of one Of the num-
Der, and blame is thrown on the en-
ployes rather than on the corporations.
From Lake Pepin over 800 tons of fish
have been shipped. More than 5000
tons are annually handled at st. Paul,
Minneapolis and Duluth. The fish have
been taken not only for food for the
Inhabitants, but for swine, and in some
instances for fertilzing.
They have c0ntiScated and destroyed
$50 nets, the aggregate length or which
amount to 1880 feet, or about eight
miles, some of them being 1,S00 feet IN
length. The estimated value of these
nets is $500. They have destroyed set
lines that aggregate nearly two miles in
length. On the Mississippi river they
have found that their vigorous efforts
have caused the fishermen doing bust
ness on this river to band themselves
together and form union to resist the
enforcement of the law. but they have
arrested many, have tried and have Sc
| cured convictions in number of in
stances. They understand that the law
is good and sufficiently strong. and that
the commission are able to compel them
TO observe it.
The report of the work of the fish
hatchery, and its work is an interesting
feature and of much value.