Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1920-04-24
The Commissian,s Mork

merly conducted by the MARYLAND
Shellfish Commission. Fish Commits
sioners for Eastern and Western
Shores. State Conservation Bureau,
State Fishery Force, General and Spe
ciai inspectors Of Oysters, and State
Game Warden and Deputy Game War
dens.
The Commission has thoroughly
reorganized and co-0r1inated these
branches Of service so that COMPARE
son of the forces hitherto employed
By these separte agencies shows that
there were thirty-three less in Janu-
airy, 1920 than in January, 1915. the
actual figures being a total Of 1913 for
1920 and q total of I66 for 1916. All
departments now work in harmony.
uider the control of the central Office.
THE Commission has undertaken
transplanting Of small oysters ON the
States reserved areas on the Western
Shore
1T has encouraged the wltermen to
engage in the planting Of oysters on
barren bottoms. as distinguished from
the natural bars which have been
carefully reserved for public use.
1T has constructed two new fish
hatcheries, one in Frederick County
for fresh water fish, and the other a
floating hatchery for the commercial
classes of fish. and these have been
operated in addition to the old hatch
1T has procured and placed in OPP
Grafton legislation for the protection
of the crab industry.
"It has secured and is now con-
structing an adequate game farm for
the rearing of game to be distributed
throughout the State, importing game
from other states or countries being
now impossible.
Gull Law Enforced
ut has brought about a closer Co
operation with the authorities of the
State of Virginia in the enforcement
of the oyster, fish and crab laws of the
two States in the Potomac River.
Every tonger, dredger and buyer of
oysters operating in the Potomac
River will bear witness to the great
benefit resulting to them by this CO.
operation. This was always deemed
to be the weak point in the enforce
| ment of the Gull Law, and the oyster
men of Maryland were the sufferers,
because the markets of Maryland
were continually overstocked with I'M
dersized oysters that had little mar
,et value and appreciated the oyster
market for the entirs State. Enforce
ment of the Gull Law in the Potomac
River resulted in the elimination
from the market of this of little value
and kept it there to get its growth, so
that during the past two oyster sea-
sons the quality has been uniformly
good and the prices have averaged
about 100 per cent. more than those
which prevailed in the season of
1855.
ut has conducted an extensive
study of the States water resources
with a view OF protecting and increas-
ing the supply thereof. freely invok-
ing for this purpose the aid of the
best experts of the United States Bu-
reau of Fisheries.
"In all lines of work the Commits
sion has endeavored TO build up the
States great natural resources for
he benefit CT its citizens.
Increased Efficiency
1.-THE State Fishery Force has been
completely renovated, the old type OF
ailing vessels having practically dis
appeaEd and intheir places the
Commission has built or bought a
which not only guard the numerous
lines between tongers and dredgers,
but cover their entire districts.
| THE Gull Laws fixing minimum
sizes of marketable oysters. fish and
crabs have been enforced at all points
alike. resulting in a saving of small
| stock for future growth.
! The oyster inspection service has
/ been thoroughly reorganized and q
chief inspector appointed, who keeps
in touch with all the inspectors and
with the Commission, resulting in a
uniform enforcement of the laws and
collection of the States inspection
| tax
The Commission has insisted upon
payment of all license fees at the be-
/ ginning of the season as provided by
law, thus assuring collection of Ii
/ cense fees from all alike
AN added force of fish and crab in
spectors has been providede during
the proper seasons. and these men
have worked under the chief inspec-
/ Tor.
in the Game Department with
adequate funds from the Statewide IL
cense SYSTEM corps of paid district
wardens has been appointed under
the immediate supervision of the
State Game Warden and his chief
deputy, resulting in vast improve.
ment in the enforcement of the game
laws of the State.
luoroaSod HoSt