Court Opinion

ID: 9735563
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 18:23:58.185539+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:26:59.985711
License: Public Domain

Concurring Opinion by
Wright, J.:
I am not prepared to agree with the majority that the Commonwealth lacks sufficient property interest in fish upon which to predicate a trespass action for their negligent destruction. Fish constitute an important natural resource providing both food and recreation for our citizens. The Pennsylvania Fish Commission operates a number of hatcheries and regularly stocks the waters of the Commonwealth, including the stream here involved. I am concurring in the result on the ground, primarily relied upon by the court below, that The Fish Law of 1959 contains an express statement by the legislature that it is intended “to prescribe an exclusive system for . . . their propagation, management and protection”.