Evening journal., 1898-01-20
DELAWARE OYSTERS
Report Made BY the New Jer-
sey Commission.
STATE CONTROL IS NOW URGEI


GROUNDS TO BE LEASED AND THE
PROPAGATION OF OYSTERS TO
BE REGULATED BY LAW, FOL-
LOWING THE DELAWARE POL
10Y.
A dispatch from Trenton says that
the commission appointed in 1894 to ex-
anime into the difficulties existing
among the oystermen of Maurice river
cove and Delaware bay has submitted
to the Riparian Commissioners a re-
port embodying suggestions which
probably will be Incorporated in a law
to regulate the oyster industry. The
report states that the extent and value
OF the industry in Delaware bay is not
generally appreciated. The bay is one
of the largest natural homes of the
oysters in the country, and nearly GOO
vessels and 5000 men are engaged in
fishing them. The total value Of the
oyster crop in New Jersey is little
short of S3,000,00O a year, and two
thirds Of the oysters come from Della
ware bay.
After criticising the fact that no ade-
quate measures have been adopted to
protect the natural prOductiveness Of
the bay the report states that the
large number of vessels employed the
improved dredges in use and the lack
of proper regulations as to size of the
oysters taken have all combined 10
practically clean the bay of all natural
growth, and owing to the absence OF
any law requiring the separation Of
the oysters from the shells in dredg-
ing, the beds themselves have in many
instances been destroyed or seriously
injured. From the testimony received
the commission has found that ma
| 1ority of persons in the business agree
to the following points:
That unless some radical change is
made in the laws the industry will be
extinguished; that state control of the
oyster lands, under proper regulations
| as to their use, is desirable; that the
| dredging for natural oysters in the bay
should be prohibited, either in whole
or in part, for a period of years, and
that a rough Gull" law should be en-
acted, that is. q law requiring the
dredger to separate the oysters from
the shells of the bed, and thus prevent
the carrying away of the beds them
selves.
The commission strongly recon-
mends that the oyster lands In Maurice
cove and Delaware bay be placed un-
der state control. as necessarily to their
| preservation. Connecticut, Delaware.
Maryland and Virginia, all states hay-
ing large oyster interests, have adopted
this policy, to the benefit and satis-
faction of their citizens.
A law should be enacted, the commit
tee says, providing for the leasing by
the state to private persons of land
to be used for the cultivation OF oys-
ters, and for which a small annual rent
per acre should be charged. In thus
taking control of lands for the cultiva-
| tion Of oysters, the state should re-
spect the rights of the persons who
now occupy staked-up grounds, and
they should have the first right to
leases for the same, and have the title
| to all oysters now placed theron. All
vessels engaged in the business should
pay tonnage tax to the state and re-
ceive licenses. Proper regulations fol
the use of the bay and for the protec-
tion OF the natural oysters should be
made, and should include the power q
/ prohibit dredging on the natural oyster
| grounds for time; the Introduction Ct
a rough cull' rule; provision Cor re-
/ plenishing the oyster beds with shells
at the state expense. Adequate means
should be provided by guard boats to
enforce the law and protect the bay.
Severe penalties should be provided for
violations of the law. and in case of
offending vessels the licenses should
be revoked. "A reasonable rental and
| license fee will prOVide sufficient funds
10 properly protect the industry and
enforce the law.
In case the oyster lands are placed
under state control the commission
advises that the state acquire title by
cOndemnations or otherwise, to the
lands covered by these riparian grants,
to the end that all the oyster territory
may be held by the state, and the use
thereof regulated for the benefit of all
| its citizens.