Norwich bulletin., 1910-04-28
LoBsTERMEN UNITED. Have No Thought: of Weakening in Contest For Their Rights.
Especial to The Bulletin.


 Noank, Conn, April PA prominent lobster fishermen of this place when asked If the Protective association was divided in opinion in regards to taking out a state license, said: ''We are strongly united and will improve every possibility to maintain our rights!''
 We have boycotted no law. The law reads that no person shall en- gage in or follow the occupation of lobster fishing in this state unless he shall first have obtained a permit therefor from the commissioners of fisheries and game There are very lew fishermen from this village who fish in Connecticut waters; the ma- whose waters are governed by New York State to which we pay license for the privilege of earning our bread and butter. We who have this New Connecticut and fail to see why the commissioners hound us in this mat ter. which was decided in our favor in the courts last fall when F. N. Ash this permit. Those among us who fish in the waters of Connecticut have compiled with the requirements of the law and taken out the permit.
 Some of those fishing in New York waters took out the Connecticut per init for this reason. At~the close of tho lobster season we are occupied in fishing for blackfish and set out traps
 
 which are used as bait for blackfsh- ing. This makes it necessary to take out the Connecticut license.''
 Have you been asked to su'bnit a yearly report of your catches of lob sters ?" he was asked.
 we have. The law demands it of all those who fish in the waters of the state
 .sWhat influence will that have with the fishermen who take Holsters from New York waters end hold connec- ffcut license 2e
 s'Nene whatever, as the law specif- cal1y states, iobsfers caught in the wa ters of this state; iobsters caught in New York waters could not be report ed to the commissioners as catches from Connecticut"
 what is the contention of the fish ermen against taking out the Connec-
 The Permit Contention.
 In years past, it has been the cus- tom of the commissioners to grant permits to- the fishermen to hold egg bearing Holsters and deliver them to the hatchery for artificial propagation This permit has been necessary on ac-- count of the state law, which reads. Female Holsters with the ova or spawn attached when caught, shall, without avoidable injury, be irnmedi ately returned to the waters from which taken We understand that this permit will not be issued this season unless the fishermen first take out Connecticut state license, but we whe fish in New York waters have no use for this license and fail to under stand why we are requested to take it out"
 twill the fishermen abide by the decision of the association to return egg bearing Holsters to the water?"
 Nearly all of the fishermen here and in other fishing towns have agreed to do so.f There will no doubt be some few who will bring the product to the hatchery: not that they think that artificial propagation brings re- sults but for the mighty dollar"
 sThe fishermen will suffer consider able financial loss in carrying out this plan?'
 During the first two or three years, yes. But later, as the eggs develop, the returns will more than balance this deficiency"
 .sWiH an effort be made by the as- sociation to revoke the New York state law, whereby the fishermen have to pay for the privilege of fishing in its waters ?'
 s'Nothing has been done as yet in that matter, but there is little doubt in tant when something will be done"
 What will be the result ?''
 My impression is that the fisher men would enjoy the privilege of free fishing, but it would require considera- ble money to carry the case through" Has the association sufficient cap ftal to handle the case?"
 If it is needed. we could raise $10,- 009 to fight the case; but we hone to arrive at an understanding without going to the courts, where we will hold ont for our rigl1tSi'