COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 55 



CHAPTER III. 



ENFORCEMENT OF STATE LAWS. 



The laws of our State for the protection of the fisheries fall natur- 

 ally into two groups; (1) those safeguarding the lobster industry, and 

 (2) those relating to fisheries in general. 



The latter class is mostly concerned with the protection of our 

 fresh-water fisheries. These are peculiarly under the State's authority 

 because, as has been pointed out many times, had it not been for the 

 stocking of streams and ponds by your Commission, there would be, 

 at the present time, practically no fish to protect. It is, without 

 doubt, due to the realization of this fact that the enforcement of this 

 class of laws has been so well looked out for by local fishermen and 

 sportsmen. Indeed your Commission has found it unnecessary to 

 appoint special deputies to enforce them. 



The enforcement of the lobster law has, on the other hand, required 

 considerable effort and expense on the part of your Commission. 

 This past year as heretofore, two deputies have been employed 

 throughout the year and two additional ones during the fishing season. 



The following prosecutions were made and fines imposed and paid 

 under the lobster law: (the names of those fined, are omitted) : 



Newport, May 13, 19 short lobsters $95 00 



Newport, May 14, 11 short lobsters 55 00 



Bristol, May 20, 4 short lobsters 20 00 



Newport, July 19, 6 short lobsters 30 00 



Westerly, July 30, 41 short lobsters 205 00 



Warren, September 24, 10 short lobsters 50 00 



Newport, November 10, fishing without license 20 00 



$475 00 



