Norwich bulletin., 1918-02-26
SAYS STATE FISHERIES
 - ARE IN NO DANCER
No Doubt About the Future of Lobster ! and Shad Industry,

That the fish and oyster industry of the state will not suffer by reason of any proposed federal regulations in :. stigated by Food Administrator Hoovef was the news which Fish and Game Commissioner John Nj. CrAinptofi brought back from the conference at Washington, report of which he has just made to the fish and game com mission. The state commissioner and local representatives of the fish and oyster industry went to Washington prepared. to make q strong protest against any proposition to suspend state laws so that. there may be more extensive catching and use of fish to conserve the meat supply, but they found; Mir Crarnptor states, that it is not the intention of the administra : tiUn to propose any laws which would affect the existing state laws govern ing the production of shell fish, yosters pr sea food. Consequently commits sioners from every state pledged their support to the governments plan. Mir. |Crampton's report in full to his com mission follows:
 State Board of Fisheries and Game:
 "Gentlemen: The importance to Con- necticut of the decision relative to our fisheries prompts me to send you re- port of the convention.
 Representatives from nearly every seacoast state in the union were pres ent. The assemblage was called to order by Kenneth Fowler of New Yofa and the opening address was made by Herbert Hoover, who said the fishing industry was brought under license by the presidents proclamation of Jan. 18th.
 He explained the food conditions at home and on the other side of the water and eclared it was essential that the fish production of the country be increased 50 per cent. this year over what it was last The intention of the food admins
 tration in the present licensing of salt
 water fishermen and sea food pro ducers was to enable the a6ninistru- tion to . greatly increase the catches and opportunities of the fishermen and broaden their operations for the dura = tion of the war.
 :, Regulations will soon be enacted that will supersede local laws in vari- eus districts. In some of the districts 1 closed seasons on certain varieties of ' salt water fish are now being enforced during. the periods when these varie- !; tie sare in greatest abundance in the [ shore waters. ], Tn many districts restrictive laws i against non resident and alien fisher ] men are rendering it impossible fol i vessels and equipment from one state I to make catches of fish iR the shore waters of adjacent states.
 l Restrictions against the use e1 purse seines within the. three mile
 limit are also curtailing production. | "The food administration desires tt suspend these and similar local regu latiens when it is deemed best to 6e 1 so, and it is not the intention of tht administration to premulgate regula- I tions affecting or modifying in any i way the present state laws governins the production of oysters, clans, lob
 sters, crabs. shrimp or any other varie.
 ties of shell fish ofS cfustaceans l The commissioners from every stata
 were called upon tb express theii views relative to conditions in theil locality. Every one pledged their sup. port to the administration.
 The appeal of Frederick c. Walcptt whe followed MT. Hoover, was mas. terpiece and there is probably ne mar
 in the country that understands thu food conditions better than he.
 Apparently there is no douh
 about the future of our shad anG lobster industry, as no law will be ef1.
 acted by federal authorities oyerrulins
 those on our statutes books whiei
 now, as in the past. will be under ths control of the state board of fisheriet
 and game, and the federal laws vii
 be radical help. as violators of those
 laws would meet with heavy fine ana
 imprisonment. t. ,s
 Should the enabling act regarding
 wild fowl pass. as it undoubtedly Wil
 in the near future, it may change con
 dftieHs somewhat relative to migra
 tory birds. ] JOHN M CHAMPION, . Il Superintendent