REPORT. 



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

 and Providence Plantations, at its January Session, 1910: 



The "Commissioners of Inland Fisheries herewith present their 

 annual report for the year 1909. 



The programme of work of your Commission during the past year 

 included : 



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



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

 fisheries. 



The collection of data and statistics relating to the commercial 

 fisheries. 



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

 larly those relating to the lobster fisheries. 



The continued examination of the physical and biological condi- 

 tions of Narragansett Bay with reference to the development of the 

 fisheries. 



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

 purpose of awakening interest in the development of the fishery 

 industry. 



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 effect- 

 ive methods of developing the fisheries industries shall be established. 



The financial statement for the year 1909 is as follows: 



