I^eporf of tt)e 3f)^'llfist) ComDHssioner. 



To the Commissioners of Fisheries, (iame and Forests: 



Gkntlenien : I have the honor to present herewith a report of the work of 

 m\- department for the year ending September 30, 1896. This work is divided as 

 follows: 



First. Surveying, mapping and leasing of land under water for the purpose of 

 shellfish culture. 



Second. The protection and preservation of the beds of oysters of natural growth 

 located in the waters of the State. 



Third. The patrol of the oyster territory for the purpose of preventing the pollution 

 of the water and the protection of the planted oyster beds from the depredations of 

 oyster pirates. 



In each department the work has been satisfactory. 



The work of surveying and mapping and granting leases has been almost exclu- 

 sively confined during the year to Jamaica Bay, very little work having been done in 

 Raritan Bay or Long Island Sound. I thought best, although many applications for 

 franchises in other localities were pending, to confine the work to the locality 

 mentioned, in order that I might be able to finish the work of mapping and selling 

 leases in this bay during the present year. In this I have succeeded, and the entire 

 area of Jamaica Bay suitable for the cultivation of shellfish has been leased to planters. 

 In addition, I have made some surveys in bays adjoining Jamaica Bay, and have sold 

 several leases. This territory, because of its peculiar location, is among the most 

 valuable of the lands owned by the State under water suitable for oyster culture. The 

 famous Rockaway oysters, so-called, are almost exclusively grown in this and adjoining 

 bays. Seed oysters are purchased usuall)' from Long Island Sound, and are planted 

 in these bays during the spring. The crop is harvested the succeeding fall. Jamaica 

 Bay is very shallow, the beds becoming exposed at low tide, the water is easily 

 warmed, and as the bay contains enormous quantities of food for oysters, their growth 

 is extremely rapid, and their flavor excellent. For this reason the land a\-ailable is 

 very valuable, and was readily sold. 



I tlid not encourage much competition in the sale of these leases, for the reason 

 that most of the applicants had been for years in possession of the grounds, obtaining 

 the title from the town of Flatlands. In many instances the applicants have paid 

 large sums, believing that they were securing a perfect title, and a large price per 



