Evening journal., 1912-09-19
THURSDAY, SEPT. Io, 1912
START CONSERVATION WORN.

AJE have received from Of tho prominent
men in Sussex county this letter in commenda-
ton OF an edoria published recently in which
urged that steps be taken the Delaware crab
from extinction. He agrees with fully as regards
the crab, and step farther by suggesting that
such State prote cton should be extended to various
kinds Of valuabl food fish which are being driven
from our waters OWING to the fact that fishermen
who think only OF the present, and have no thought
Of the future, hil full Of nets Of Yari-
Gus sorts that he fish cannot get up the rivers TO
spawn. The letter which Is sensible exposition Of
conditions which should be remedied, is as follows:
To the Editor of THE EVENING JOURNAL:
SIR was very glad to see an editorial in paper
short time ago recommending protection for the crabs
in Delaware waters. l was down on Indian river a
short time ago aad told by many OF the old residents
that there are at least so bushels of hard crabs
mashed up daily to bait eel pots. Only few years
back soft shell crabs caught great abundance
and shipped to the northern markets py the hundreds
of boxes daily. They brought quite sum of money
to the poor people who made a business Of catching
and shipping them. Now il is difficult matter TO
procure box or a dozen crabs for family
Il is tfs same with FISH and clans. The fishermen
have been setting gill nets and FISH pots OF different
kinds ia indian river which have driven the hsh away
until We have very few fish Of any kind It's not only
the FISH that have been caught by the gill and
fish pots, but millions of others have turned
away and driven back because they could not get up
to the fresh water TO spawn Consequently there lre
none to return the next season. II you will talk with
a fisherman he will tell YOU the inlet in shallow
that the fish can get in That is ridiculous. Only
last fall large drum nsh in the river and were
killed by the hundreds by men and boys with spears
and pitch forks. Forty years ago rock FISH were
caught In haul senes by the thousands Of pounds. I
remember when spectators shipped them from
Dagsboro and Millsboro in large quantities--2O 600
and 10000 pounds at shipment Now IL is seldom
you a rock sh.
II our State " III enact laws to protect them it will
only be a few years before will again have FISH
crabs and clans in great abundance hope you will
keep this before the people until the Fish Commits
sioner viii take Il up and something done
% stop this wan ton waste OF our supply of fish.
II seems to that the information contained in that
letter is such TO call for immediate action by
Fish Commissioner Carrow If he has, under the law
it exists now. the power put an end to such
ruthless slaughter of fish life in Delaware waters
should exercise it. Il he has not he should investigate
conditions, obtain definite information reach sensi-
bic conclusions and make conservation recommends
tons 10 the next Legislature. We suppose the Office
Of State Fish Commissioner created to protect
hsh and to enforce the laws enacted for their pro-
lection If that be true, it is time for the present
incumbent TO do something 10 convince the people that
his Office is worth while Delay official or legislative
action only will make matters worse The State Fish
Commissioner has opportunity to popularizo
himself by doing something practical and beneficial in
the conservation line