COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 59 



recognition as a leader. The main features of these changes are 

 supported by recognized authorities in lobster culture such as Dr. 

 F. H. Herrick, Special Investigator for the United States Bureau of 

 Fisheries, Dr. George W. Field, chairman of Commissioners on 

 Fisheries and Game, State of Massachusetts, and many others. 

 Your Commission itself in Special Paper Number 23, contained in the 

 Report at the January Session, 1906, advocated similar changes. 

 Furthermore, in the past five years many lobstermen have of their 

 own accord advocated similar revision. 



In spite of its opinion that these changes were well founded, your 

 Commission in order to gain the support and co-operation of neigh- 

 boring States, held a meeting at Newport, this past year, at which 

 Commissioners from Massachusetts and Connecticut were present. 

 The proposed changes were discussed and embodied in the following 

 resolutions which were adopted and signed by all, present, and were 

 sent to the governors of the various States which produce lobsters. 



Whereas, certain conditions which have seriously reduced the lobster fisheries 

 of New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, are still operative, 

 and 



Whereas, the continued decline of these fisheries is a serious economic loss to 

 the people of these states, be it 



Resolved, That these conditions can be best mitigated by a code of uniform 

 laws in force in all these states. Further, the fundamental economic and bio- 

 logical facts have been thoroughly studied by the investigators of the National 

 Bureau of Fisheries, and by the Commissioners of Rhode Island, Connecticut, 

 and Massachusetts. Acting upon a thorough knowledge of the essential basis of 

 facts, looked at from the points of view of the fishermen, the public and the 

 scientist, the accredited representatives of the States of Connecticut, Rhode 

 Island, and Massachusetts, meeting at Newport, R. I., December 16, 1910, are 

 of the unanimous opinion that the fundamental and essential points to be incor- 

 porated into an effective law must be : — ■ 



1. Uniformity in general provisions. 



2. Adaptation to effective, rapid, definite and economical enforcement. 



3. Protection both of the lobsters of breeding age and of those below a suitable 

 market size. 



