The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1948-07-16
MISSISSIPPI SEAFOOD
COMMISSION
Answers Charges Regarding
Menhaden Fishing Operations
RESOLUTION

the Seafood Commission OF the State
of Mississippi is the duly constituted state department.
for the enforcement of the laws regulating salt water
fishing, including the catching and taking of men
haden, in waters under the jurisdiction of the State of
Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, it has been brought to the attention
OF the Seafood Commission through letters and state
mentS appearing In newspapers and otherwise, that
certain persons are charging that the people engaged
in catching menhaden are catching and destroying
large quantities of sport and food fish; and
WHEREAS, similar charges have been made re-
Commission, having jurisdiction of said matter, has
from time to time made thorough investigation of
such charges without finding any proof to justify or
substantiate such charges, feels the people of Missis-
sippi are entitled to know the true results of the inves-
tigation made by this Commission; and
WHEREAS, the Seafood Commission, in investi-
eating such charges from time to time placed inspect
os on the boats catching menhaden and at the factor
les where menhaden were unloaded and found that
practically no sport or food fish were caught by such
boats while the inspectors were present, nor unloaded
at the menhaden plants at the times the inspectors
were present.
On September 5, 1947, following similar charges
as those recently appearing in the newspapers, the
Seafood Commission made a special trip on its patrol
boat, after inviting a representative of the Sports
mems Association and the Biloxi Chamber of Com
merce to accompany the members, and on said trip
Messrs. Fernandez Gautier, J. c. Coquet and Rene
Meunier, an6 others were present.
The Seafood Commission patrol boat first visited
a menhaden boat named "~Skippie," which was MAX
ing a haul with a purse seine. On this haul, in addi-
ton to the menhaden caught; one small mackerel,
three white trout and one shrimp were caught.
The Seafood Commission patrol boat then visited
the menhaden boat, amanda Bishop" and inspected
a haul being made by said boat, in which, in addition
to the menhaden, one shark and no other species of
fish were caught. The patrol boat returned to the boat,
"Skippie," then making a haul, in which one ground
mulet and one small white trout were caught in addi-
ton to the menhaden.
Prior to the above inspection trip; on July Is, 1947,
the Chief Inspector of said Commission, unannounced,
inspected the unloading of 10 tons of menhaden and
found not a single game or food fish; on July %, 1947
an inspection was made of so tons of menhaden, and
not a single game or food fish was found, and on July
%, 1947 and August II, 1947 similar inspections were
made without finding a single game or food fish.
On August IL, 1947 the Chief Inspector of the Mis-
slssippl Seafood Commission accompanied by a group
OF sport fishermen from Pascagoula, visited a number
of menhaden fishing boats then operating and inspect
ed eight boats and found not a single game or food fish
on any of said boats.
Or August 81, 1947 the Chief Inspector superyis-
ed and inspected 10 tons of menhaden being unloaded
at the Quinn Fisheries at Pascagoula and found one
mackerel and four small white trout among the men,
haden. -
The inspections above mentioned were made with
out any previous warning to the menhaden fishermen
or plant operators and were made in good faith to as
certain whether or not these operators were actually
destroying any game or food fish and after said inspec-
lions and numerous other similar inspections made
over a period of years, the Mississippi Seafood Com
mission has concluded that charges to the effect that
the menhaden fishing operations are catching large
quantities of game or food fish are without founda-
ton and unsubstantiated by the facts, and in view of
the great benefits resulting from the hundreds of
thousands of dollars annually paid by this industry
in wages and purchase of supplies on the Coast, and
since the catching and processing of menhaden is au-
thorized by the laws of Mississippi and said industry
pays considerable taxes which are used for the con-
servation and betterment of the salt water fishing, the
Mississippi Seafood Commission feels the people of
our section are entitled to know the true facts regard
ing this industry; it is therefore
that the Seafood Commission of the
State OF Mississippi go on record of approving and
continuing its policy of making periodic, unannounc-
ed inspections of boats engaged in catching menhaden
and of plants at which menhaden are processed. and
that a copy of this resolution be given to the press.
Adopted this, the 6 day of July. A. D. 1948.
OSWALD CHATHAM. SR.
President, Mississippi Seafood Commission.
Attest:
T. w. ELMER
Secretary, Mississippi
Seafood Commission
V. Elmer. the duly qualified and acting Secretary of the
Commission. do hereby certify the foregoing is q true an
solution adopted by said Commission at a meeting the,
, In Biloxi on the 8 day of July. 4. D. ls4s.
call F. W. Elm
Seeret