COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 6 



(g) A new and more effectual method of liberating the lobsterlings 

 was devised. 



In addition to their regular programme of work, the Commission 

 has spent considerable time this past year in gathering data con- 

 cerning the present lobster laws. Where, in their judgment, these 

 laws could be improved upon, they have recommended amendments 

 to them in order to make the law meet the present needs of the lobster 

 industry. A summary of these findings and recommendations will 

 be found in the chapter on the "Enforcement of the State Laws." 

 Your Commission has realized for a long time that in order to be 

 most effective, the lobster laws should be uniform in all the lobster 

 producing States. Accordingly, while our own laws were under con- 

 sideration, it was decided to arrange for a meeting with the Commis- 

 sioners of neighboring States. At this conference, which was held at 

 Newport, representatives from the Fish Commissions of Massachu- 

 setts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island were present. Lobster laws 

 were discussed and the results embodied in resolutions, which were 

 sent to the governors of the North .Atlantic Coast States, urging the 

 adoption of uniform lobster laws, especially along certain well-estab- 

 lished lines. Your Commission heartily indorses these resolutions. 



In view of the publicity which has been given to the law regarding 

 the purchase of egg lobsters, which was passed at the end of the Jan- 

 uary session, 1910, your Commission would wish to state, that while 

 they regret that owing to the haste with which the bill was pushed 

 through the last days of the session, they were not able to get a hearing 

 upon it, and while they realized that certain parts of it conflicted 

 with previously existing legislation through the enforcement of which 

 the Commission had been endeavoring to build up the lobster in- 

 dustry, yet they have endeavored to enforce its provisions as care- 

 fully and as economically as possible. The data in regard to its en- 

 forcement will be found in the chapter on " Enforcement of the State 

 Laws." 



The programme of work of your Commission has followed the usual 

 lines, and may be tabulated, as follows: 



