498 REPORT OP THE COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



through tlie iiiarslies to and from tlie oystei-gTouiids, their dark hulls 

 hiddeu by the tall reeds or iuterveuiug uphmd, and ouly the suowy 

 sheets of cauvas and the tall, taperiug spars showiug above the river 

 bauk. A large numl)er of vessels owned at Tort ISTorris aud the various 

 towns on either side of the river make their home port at Bivalve, while 

 many others, owned in localities more remote, land their catch there, 

 aud for that reason, and also on account of the safe aud convenient 

 harbor facilities which it affords, seek it as a place of rendezvous. 



Second in importance to Bivalve as an oyster-shipping center is 

 Maurice Kiver. It is the terminus of a branch of the West Jersey 

 Eailroad, which connects with the main line at Manumnskiu. The 

 shipping business at Maurice Eiver is not so extensive as at Bivalve, 

 but is constantly increasing. 



About 20 miles farther up the Delaware Iviver is Greenwich Pier, 

 where within the past faw years quite a large oyster-shipping trade 

 has been established. 



Regulations and methods. — In order to arrive at anything approxi- 

 mating a clear understanding of the methods now employed in the 

 oyster industry of Maurice Eiver Cove, it will be necessary to consider 

 brietly the origin, growth, and some of the principal characteristic 

 features of the system under which this tishery is conducted. At an 

 early period the value of the oyster industry, not only as a means of 

 support to a large number of the inhabitants, but as a source of wealth 

 capable of extensive dcAelopment, was recognized. In all the coast 

 waters of the State oysters were abundant, but the larger areas of sea 

 bottom ii] Delaware Bay that were richly populated with these mollusks 

 were considered especially valuable aud important. The improvement 

 of these natural resources, therefore, became at an early date a question 

 of much interest, and such steps as were deemed wise and proper by 

 the people of those times for the care of the oyster beds Avere promptly 

 taken. It is an interesting fact also that every effort put forth looking 

 to the advancement of the industry iu any particular locality, or 

 throughout the entire State, was characterized by two great funda- 

 mental ideas or principles. These are, first, the preservation and care 

 of the natural oyster beds iu order to insure the continuance of an 

 abundant supply; second, the protection of the interests of resident 

 citizens of the State in their exclusive right to eugage in the industry 

 on terms of equality, unmolested by citizens of other States, and to the 

 enjoyment of all benefits and emoluments arising therefi'om. These two 

 principles were embodied in the first act passed by the legislature of the 

 State (then a province) relative to the oyster fisheries, and have been 

 apparent in the intention of all subsequent legislation bearing on the 

 subject covering a period of one hundred and seventy-five years. The 

 act alluded to was passed in 1710 with the following preamble: 



VVliereas it is Ibimd by daily experience tliiit the oyster beds withiu this province 

 are wasted and destroyed by strangers and others at nnseasouable times of the year, 

 the preservation of which will tend to the great benefit of the poor people and 

 others inhabiting this province. 



