The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1899-09-22
Would Give up Oyster Reserves.

Would Give up Oyster Reserves.
After two years of close study OF the
Fish Commissioner Little be-
lieves state ownership of the natural
oyster beds is failure. He recon-
mends that the beds be sold or leased
to private parties, who would develop
them and make the industry on OF the
most important in the state.
Under state control Mr.. Little has
found that the natural beds are becom-
ing depleted. While state legislatures
have passed laws governing the beds
and providing for state control, they
have neglected TO allow the fish COM
missioners money enough to keep the
beds clean and to develop them. With
out money for their protection the
beds have suffered, and the laws
amount to little.
1t would cost a great deal to put the
beds in good condition, and then they
would be a constant drain on the
state for maintenance. Mr.. Little
does not believe the state would ex-
pend the necessary amount nor could
it accomplish the results 80 well as
private individuals.
Mr.. Titles recommendation would
revolutionize the condition of the nat
ural oyster beds. At the same time
he believes it is step in the right di-
rection. 1t is only recently that the
fish commissioner has accepted the
view that private ownership OF the
oyster beds was better than state con
troll. During the early part of his OF
fetal career, the fish commissions
held to the common view that state
ownership was necessary to protect
the beds. Later he began study Of
the conditions, and yesterday for the
first time, pronounced his verdict II
favor of private control.
The fish commissioner gives many
reasons for this step, but the most i'm
portant are those founded on observa
ton of the results in the different
manners of managing the beds. HI
makes q comparison of state and pri
vate beds, much to the disadvantage
of the former.
cover on Dyes inlet and Ostrich
bay, near Port Orchard, there is more
good oyster land than in Oyster bay,
said Fish Commissioner Little yester
day in explanation of his recommend
alton. "Yet there are more oysteTl
produced in the cultivated beds thar
in the states natural beds. I do no
believe over fifty sacks of oysters cam,
from Dyes inlet and Ostrich bay dur
ing all of last year, and FOR severa
years past the record has not been any
better. Oyster bay, in Mason county
where cultivated beds are owned, pro
duced 10000 sacks during last year.
"This is the condition which exist,
all over the Sound and on Willaps
harbor. 1t is cultivated beds that arr
producing the oysters of the state
The state beds are practically depict
ed.
1T would require large amount O
money to develop the state beds again
ard do not believe the state could
afford it. do not believe it would bt
as we'll done as though oystermen de-
velop the beds for their own use. NJ
care has been taken with the natura
beds. Oystermen have gone there and
picked out the best oysters for seeG
purposes and rejected the others unit
now there are scarcely any oysters Left
in the natural bed.
."Some of the oystermen have sug
gested that the state beds might be
allowed to recuperate for a number O
years; to be set aside and oystermer
not permitted to touch them. Tber
they would be thrown open and the
rest of the beds protected for time
! do not believe this plan would work
well. In short time the state would
be face to face with the same condi
ton it now is, for the oystermen would
clean out the new beds as promptly a,
they were thrown open.
"The only remedy lies in private
ownership. l would either sell o.
lease the natural beds to men WHIT
would care for them. They coule
then develop the beds and would car,
for them. Under state control of th,