32 commissioners of inland fisheries. 



Tuna Fishing in Rhode Island Waters. 



The efforts of your Commissioners in exploiting the tuna fishing 

 at Block Island have met with the most gratifying results. Wide 

 publicity was gained through members of the leading yacht clubs, 

 fishing organizations, and manufacturers and dealers in fishing tackle. 

 Newspapers and sporting magazines were used to call the attention of 

 sportsmen to this new field for anglers with deep sea inclinations and 

 personal letters were mailed to lovers of the sport. The interest 

 thus created brought a large number of people to Block Island who 

 had never before visited this resort. Many of these fishermen tried 

 the tuna fishing with varying results: some did not succeed in 

 striking the fish, others returned from the fishing grounds with parted 

 lines and broken rods as their only rewards. A goodly number 

 however were fortunate in landing some fine specimens of tuna and 

 all — even the unlucky ones — were satisfied that the fish were there 

 and are looking forward to another outing during the season of 1915. 



As an evidence of the popularity of the sport, a club was organized 

 in December, under a Rhode Island charter. The membership of 

 this club now numbers more than one hundred, among which number 

 are the names of the leading yachtsmen and sportmen of the country. 

 One of the members of your Commission was elected president of the 

 club, one was made a director, and another is a member of an import- 

 ant committee. Several prominent business and professional men 

 of the state were also elected to fill important offices. The club 

 is named the Atlantic Tuna Club of Block Island. There is already 

 a substantial sum in its treasury and the members are talking of 

 a club house to be located on the island. 



Your Commission believes that as a direct result of their efforts 

 in this direction an increase in the revenue to the hotels, boatmen and 

 business houses will accrue. 



ENFORCEMENT OF STATE LAWS. 



For the enforcement of the lobster laws in 1914 your Commissioners 

 employed as in previous years four deputies. Two for the entire year 



