PROTECTION OF FRESH- WATER MUSSELS. 23 



SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDED LEGISLATION. 



The legislation roooinniended for protection of mussel beds, based 

 upon the considerations discussed in the ))receding pages, may be 

 summarized as follows: 



I. (a) A single size limit should be fixed as applicable to all shells 

 taken. The minimum size here proposed is 2 inches. 

 (b) The method of measuring the shell should be defined as 



'* in greatest dimension." 

 (e) Possession of undersized shells, whether or not sold or 

 offered for sale, should be illegal. 



(d) There should be an allowable margin of undersized shells 



for unintentional violation. 

 II. (a) Alternate portions of rivers or river systems should be 

 closed for a period of years, to permit recuperation of 

 mussel beds. 



(b) The units of division of a river systexii should be large 

 enough to make enforcement practicable with least 

 expense. 



{c) The river would conveniently be broken at the few points 

 where there is most community interest involved in the 

 shelling. 



{d) Approximately five-year periods of closure are recom- 

 mended, with some discretion allowed to executive offi- 

 cers as to duration of period. 



(e) Closed regions should be established by proclamation of 



the governor of the State, after expert examination of 

 the mussel beds and after public hearings on the sub- 

 ject in the communities affected. 

 III. (a) Officers charged with enforcement of the law should be 

 empowered to examine mussels or shells in boats or on 

 land and to seize the catch in case of violation, as well as 

 to arrest or cause arrests to be made. 

 (b) Provision should be made for the issue of permits for the 

 taking of mussels of any size or in any region for scien- 

 tific uses and not for sale. 



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