8 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 



7 to 9, and given more in detail on page 29 and following. Making 

 due allowance for inaccuracy these figures show an extraordinary and 

 steady increase in the total catch for the five years, from 376,994 

 pounds in 1904 to 1,471,344 pounds in 1908. The total catch for 

 the year 1909 was slightly less than that for the year 1908, and the 

 number of pots was slightly increased. 



The following tabulated statement summarizes, for purposes of 

 comparison, a portion of the data respecting the lobster catch: 



Total catch Number 



Year. in pounds. Newport. of pots. 



1904 376,994 226,994 7,935 



1905 449,300 301,659 9,180 



1906 671,914 353,573 11,355 



1907 929,423 581,189 12,104 



1908 1,471,344 665,009 20,011 



1909 1,342,983 757,837 23,220 



ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAW. 



The enforcement of the law covering the fresh-water fishes is for 

 the most part undertaken by your Commissioners themselves, and by 

 volunteer deputies who serve without pay in the interests of better 

 fishing. The enforcement of the lobster law is a different kind of a 

 proposition and involves continuous watchfulness and hard, disagree- 

 able work. Two deputies under the lobster law have been employed 

 constantly, and four during the fishing season. 



Twelve prosecutions have been made and fines imposed and paid 

 under the lobster law as follows: (the names of those fined are 

 omitted). 



Newport, June 26, 6 short lobsters $30 00 



Sakonnet, July 30, 1 short lobster 5 00 



Sakonnet, July 30, 3 short lobsters 15 00 



Sakonnet July 31, 6 short lobsters 30 00 



Sakonnet, July 31, 15 short lobsters 75 00 



Hope Island, August 10, 6 short lobsters 30 00 



