Middletown transcript., 1917-03-10
STATE
CAPITAL
Save the Fish Of Chesapeake.

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Save the Fish Of Chesapeake.
Annapolis
The Conservation Commission has
made ringing appeal to Marylnad
fishermen to protect the fish OF the
Chesapeake Bay from destruction. The
appeal ought to hit home in these days
of high prices. If it does not, the
Federal and State governments will
take hand. Limits will be placed on
the size and area of nets, seines and
weirs. The Federal government has
the power to interfere if necessary, as
fish are placed in the migratory list.
They swim from State to State. Hence
they are subject to interstate laws and
regulation. The oyster is stationary.
If it moved from State to State, Uncle
Sam would have long ago extended his
strong right arm to save the oyster.
The same is true Of terrapin. Its home
Is local. It does not wander beyond
State lines. Hence its lack Of strong
protection. Hence also it's partial de-
struction.
In it's appeal to "the fishermen OF
Maryland" the Conservation Commis.
sion says:
The industries growing out of the
various grabbing, fishing and oyster
ing operations in the Chesapeake Bay
and it's tributaries are very important.
They furnish occupation for many
thousands of Maryland citizens. 1t Is
the paramount duty of the Conserv&
tion Commission to foster these indus
tries so as to cause greater pro-
ductivity and to introduce better reg
ulatory and control methods whereby
the interest of the citizens may be
benefited.
At this time, with high costs of foods
generally, the fish, crab and oyster
should enjoy an unprecedented de-
mand. Even in the years of greatest
plenty in Chesapeake Bay the produc.
ton has never been near the maxi
mum because nature alone and unas-
sisted was depended upon and waste
took an enormous toll. Annually an
enormous quantity of undersized, un-
merchantable stock, which If per
mitted to mature would have repre-
sented untold revenues to the fisher
men have been wantonly destroyed.
Save the small stock, which never
sells at good prices, and let it grow
fo f,vy ifry hn iv,p IN ya1
ume and the full market price will
amply repay you for the effort. Do
not depend alone on natures produc-
ton, help it, save it, propagate and
cultivate 1t.
Only citizens of Maryland may fish
for shad and herring in the Chesa-
peake Bay between March 1 and June
1, and in the Potomac River from
March Is to June 1. Northern limit
of Bay fixed by line from Carpenter
Point to Grove Point, thence to
Howell's Point Penalty, $50 fine, ap-
paratus forfeited.
( Birds For Anne Arundel.
Within the next few weeks 600 birds
that cost Anne Arundel county 81
apiece will be liberated in various Sec
tions of the county with view to in
creasing the number of wild fowl. The
birds have been ordered from a Mexi-
can dealer and they are known as
Mexican BODY Whites" and are the
first of number to be purchased by
the county out of funds obtained from
the gunners' licenses issued last year.
The year was record-breaker for the
county in that respect and after ap.
about $1,000 for the first
of birds the county had
nearly $4,000 remaining of the license
fund. A bill passed by the legislature
OF 1916 makes possible the use of the
proceeds for that purpose, and the
county is now negotiating with num-
ber of dealers in Pennsylvania with a
view to getting new variety of birds,
but more of the Bob Whites are to be
ordered as soon as the effects of the
liberation of the first consignment are
noted. The plan has been adopted in
other States for replenshing the sup.
ply of wild fowl, and it is believed that
it will work satisfactorily in the
county.
caIvert's Portrait.
A collection will be taken up this
week in the public schools in the
State, except Baltimore city, with
which to purchase the copy of the por-
trait of Cecilius Calvert, now in the
possession of Sir William Elton, of
England. This week will be known as
'Cecilius Calvert week" in the public
schools. The committee directing the
collection consists of Mary E. w. Ris.
teau, chairman, Baltimore county; M.
Hartnett, Cecil county, and May e.
Cook, Carroll county. Miss Florence !
Of Baltimore, made the |
copy from the original portrait few
years ago. 1t will be presented to the
State on March 81 and will be hung |
n the State House at Annapolis.