Norwich bulletin., 1910-04-25
.LoRsTERMEN PROTEST.
Take Formal Action in Opposition to State Law-Association Votes to Pay Fines of Fishermen Arrested in Test Cases.

state LaW-AssocIation Votes to Pay Fines of Fishermen Arrested in Test Cases - Special to The Bulletin.) Noank,s Conn, April 24, 1910.-The 1 special meeting of the F,ishermen's S Protective association was called to order at 7.30 Saturday evening. at their rooms in the annex to the Town hall. by President s. J. Austin. He spoke at length on the subject of the meeting, which was called to discuss the advisability of refusing to bring egg bearing lobsters~to the local state hatchery for artificial propagation and the demand made of the fishermen by Connecticut commissioner of fish cries and game in taking out a resi- dent lobster permit. This according to the fshermen's contention is un-- necessary to the majority of Connec- tIcut fishermen, as they fish in New York waters exclusively and have license from that state for the privi-- lege. Mir. Adstin's Statement. MT. Austin said in part: we have gathered here this evening, brother
 fishermen, to discuss the rights afford
 ed us as citizens of the United States
 by the constitution of this great uni
 verse, signed by our forefathers. many
 or whom were employed in the same
 calling to which we now respond; we
 are also represented by members of
 the G. A. R., who fought and bled in
 the war of '61 to '64, serving their
 country not knowing what minute their
 life would go out in it's cause These
 men, gentlemen, as we'll as the young
 CT generation, are now imposed upon
 by the politicians of this country with
 having to pay for a privilege to earn
 an honest dollar in the occupation of
 fishing in waters which the consti-
 this in accordance with the rights that
 are afforded us? No! Applause.)
 Tbe Question of Egg Bearing Lobsters
 In. the question of bringing egg bearing Holsters to the state hatch cry, I. personally, am bitterly opposed
 Ten. years ago, you all know as well abundance, anu seldom would we haul our gear without the same would con tain from ten to fifty sr1ail fish which, being under size. according to the law enacted at Hartford, were returned to the water. At present, it Is seldom that we capture even the smallest number that I have stated. I would ask the reason
 In years gone by it was the custom to return. egg-bearing Holsters to the waters from which they were taken, ietting nature take it's own course in the production of this crustacean. At sand snis pay' s gentiemen, we have been propagation and we have complied and received recompense from the state for the fish that we have de- Ilvered to its hatchery. But have we had the results of former years? We have received higher prices for our catches. but those catches are grow ing smaller each year, and for what cause? My idea, gentlemen, is that artificial propagation does not bring l the results that nature will and to prove my contention, I would recite a section from a despatch recently re- ceived from St. Johns, Newfoundland, l 11xy hA f-1& Dx,fT2
 5Iamss Artificial Propagation.
 '1n the artificial propagation it takes l hve years to raise one pound of the l meat. because not more than two or | three Holsters come to maturity out of | 10000 eggs produced.' If these figures | as this study is of vast importance | to Newfoundland fishermen, where the | breeding of Holsters is the greatest in | the world. you can readily see that l cause of the scarcity of small Holsters 1 teoday."
 At the conclusion of MT. Austin's speech, the hall, which was crowded rang with applause. demonstrating the feeling of those present.
 Other Speakers Heard.
 Capts. Edward Woodmansee. Mitch ell, F. N. Ashby, R. Lamb, Edgar Main and Allen Ashby spoke to some length and with the exception of MT. Main all favored throwing the egg bearing obsters back to the waters for nat lral propagation MT Main said in part: During the month of Septem- per our work results in the capture of several egg-bearing Holsters and we 1 nave been recompensed by the state for the delivery of these fish to the state hatchery for artificial propaga- ion. The amount that I derived from the sale by so doing amounted to l something like $175. and this amount is of consequence to us all in defray- Ing our expenses"
 Roswell Lamb then addressed the chair and said: ssMr. President and l brother fishermen, we all know that 3y returning egg-bearing Holsters to 1 he water when caught we will lose money for perhaps one two or three years, but if we took the money de- lived from selling these fish and place ,ame at interest in some savings bank we would take our book and place t where the dust would cover it until during which time we would ,eceive perhaps four per cent. inter sst- Would it not be more profitable o throw that money into the water md later reap harvest of ten, wefve, or fifteen per cent? I would make motion that we put the ques- ion to vote"
 Unanimous Action.
 The motion was put and carried Without dtssentton, "that we hereby do Igree that natural propagation is more ,eneficiaI than artificial and we do urther agree that we will return egg 'e2ring Holsters to the water as soon Ls caught
 Other Business.
 Other business was taken up and |, disposed of as follows: The report of he committee, Capt Edward Wood nAnsee chairman, who waited upon RAthburn of the state latenery in regards to following the Isual custom Of taking out permits fgned by the state commissioner to How Aldermen to deliver to the lAtchery eggsbearing lObsters This 'ernft has been necessary. as fhe law ( the etAte demands that all egg 'Saxtng IoHGEerr s1hsa1 te returned to he wAtors as sooa as caught. and .