REPORT. 



To the Honorable the General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island 

 and Providence Plantations, at its January Session, 1909: 



The Commissioners of Inland Fisheries herewith present their an- 

 nual report for the year 1908. 



The programme of work of your Commission during the past 

 year included: 



The stocking of ponds and streams with fresh-water fishes. 



The collection of data and statistics relating to the commercial 

 fisheries. 



The enforcement of the State laws governing the fisheries, par- 

 ticularly those relating to the lobster fisheries. 



The continued examination of the physical and biological conditions 

 of Narragansett Bay with reference to the development of the fish- 

 eries. 



The exhibition of the results of sea-farming experiments for the 

 purpose of awakening interest in the development of the fishery 

 industries. 



The distribution of copies of the laws of the State relating to 

 fisheries. 



The active co-operation with the fisheries authorities of other 

 States, of the National Government, and of other countries. 



The propagation of lobsters at the rearing station at Wickford. 



The continued scientific investigation of fisheries problems for the 

 purpose of ascertaining fundamental facts upon which new and 

 effective methods of developing the fisheries industries shall be 

 established. 



