Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-07-08
MOST IMPORTANT STEP
IN STATE FOOD ECONOMY
Maryland Legislation on Fish. Oys-
ter and Crab Conservation
Is Commended.

BALTIMORE, Md, July 1.-Conser-
walton of the fish. oysters and crabs OF
the Chesapeake and it's tributaries, as
provided in the laws passed by the
Maryland war legislature, is the most
important step in food economy taken
in the state. Every change IN olils
decided upon was agreed to by the con-
servation commission, and in the opln-
ion of William H. killian. one of the
commissioners, the alterations nave not
weakened any of the measures In the
opinion of Mr.. Killian, the hsh laws
passed are probably the most impor-
tant of all the new measures. prinia-
r:ly because for the first time the state
now has given a central authority the
power to handle the food fish problem
ard has started on scheme of general
fishing laws instead of continuing the
old policy of passing local laws which
differed in adjoining tidewatef couh-
ties
In the law which prohibits fishing
for menhaden in Maryland waters ex-
perts believe a right move has been
made to develop food fish in the Chesa-
peake. Menhaden, while not used Tor
human consumption, are important
as food for the more sought-after 1000
fish. Also, menhaden are used for the
manufacture of fertilizer. All hshing
for menhaden for fertilizer purposes
is done by Virginia fishermen. as there
is no menhaden factory in Maryland
Ban on Menhaden F1Sn1nS.
The Virginia fishermen, it is charged.
have pursued their vocation ruthlessly
and have not only caught great guam
titles of nhenhaden in Maryland wa
tiers, but also have taken other fish,
Stopping this practice, therefore, Will
provide menhaden as fish food and also
protect the Chesapeake bay food hsh,
such as rock, mackerel and the like
Further to aid in the work OF develop
ing the fish supply, the legislature pro-
vided for two additional fish hatcheries.
one for western Maryland. where fresh
water fish will be developed. and the
other floating hatchery for the Chesa-
peake. which can follow the fish in their
seasonal movement to the spawning
grounds and operate where 1t is con-
sidered most desirable. In connection
with the propagation and protection OF
the edible fishes the commission is get
ting valuable assistance from the
United States fish bureau at Washing
ton.
Local Laws Made Statewide.
Two local laws of the Eastern shore
in regard to catching crabs were made
statewide and are considered by Mr..
killian to be of extraordinary 1mpor-
lance. Hereafter no hard crab meas
uring less than five inches from tip to
tip Of spike may be offered for sale, and
no female crab bearing eggs can be
marketed. The law also was amended
to prohibit the catching of soft crabs
measuring less than three inches.
1--WE believe these crab laws will have
en- effect Immediately to increase the
supply of marketable crabs" said Mr..
Killian. Protective laws are now alb
sclctely essential because the visible
crab supply has been decreasing. In
sddition the ffve-inch and female crab
laws statewide puts all crab fisher
men on the same basis. and think will
help their business. Crabs under five
inches bring low prices In the market,
but it takes just as much enort to catch
the small crab as it does to get the
larger sizes. So under the Law the
crabber will get better money for his
catch. or, putting 1t another way. ne
will have to do less work to get the
same amount Of money
Oyster Law Territory Broadened.
The commissions oyster law has very
greatly increased the amount Of terri
tory under the supervision Of the COM
missioners. as 1t extends their authority
into strictly county waters. 1t gives
and scraping areas. but was amended
so as to eliminate depleted longing
areas. the tongers still having some
suspicion. apparently. Of the commits
sion's plans.
In advocating the passage Of the bill
Mr. Killian pbinted out the expert
mental work being done in the Dares
Wharf section. where 10000 bushels
of seed oysters were planted this spring.
The experiment there will determine
pleted dredging and scraping areas
shall be carried out. and the commits
sion believes that when the results are
known the tongers will be glad to have
the longing areas restocked in the same
way.