THE OYSTER INDUSTRY OF NEW JERSEY. 50l 



The oyster industry was apparently conducted under tliese regula- 

 tions for a period of about fourteen years, but tlie need of more ade- 

 quate protection against depredations upon the planted grounds, which 

 annually entailed considerable loss to the oysternien, was keenly 

 felt. The laws then in existence for that purpose were embodied 

 chiefly in an act passed April 14, 1846, entitled "An act for the 

 preservation of clams and oyster's," and the supplements thereto. 

 These were general laws, and while they were sutficiently compre- 

 hensive in their provisions, they Avere, in some measure, rendered inef- 

 fectual, owing to the ditliculty experienced in enforcing them. The 

 fact was finally realized that legislation based upon abstract princijjles 

 would not meet the requirements of the business and insure the growth 

 and development of the industry; and that a more thorough organiza- 

 tion of the interests of the oystermen was the only means by which 

 existing laws could be enforced and the necessarj^ degree of protection 

 secured. 



With this end in view, therefore, an act was passed by the legislature, 

 March 21, 1871, entitled "An act for the better enforcement, in Maurice 

 River Cove and Delaware Bay, of the act entitled 'An act for the 

 preservation of clams and oysters,' approved April 14, 184(5, and of the 

 supplements thereto." By this act was created an organization known 

 as the "Maurice Eiver Cove and Delaware Bay Oyster Association," 

 having for its object the protection of the oyster grounds, natural and 

 cultivated, in Delaware Eiver and Bay and of the rights of resident 

 citizens of the State in the lawful use of said grounds for the ]Hirpose 

 of catching, planting, and growing oysters. Citizens of other States 

 are excluded from sharing in the use of the oyster-grounds so far as 

 maybe considered practicable and desirable. In this regard, however, 

 concessions have been made to citizens of Pennsylvania, who are 

 permitted under certain restrictions to obtain licenses from the asso- 

 ciation aiul engage in the oyster business on equal terms with the 

 residents of ^New Jersey. 



The association operates in accordance with a system of State laws 

 and is virtually the machinery of the State for regulating and control- 

 ling the oyster industry in these waters. During the twenty-three 

 years of its existence its regulations have been changed and added to 

 from time to time, as would best promote the interests of the oystermen. 

 The captains and owners of all vessels having a license from the 

 association to engage in the catching and planting of oysters consti- 

 tute its membership. The members are authorized by law to meet on 

 the third Monday in March of each year, at Port ^Morris, Cumberland 

 County, and there organize by the election, by ballot, of three of their 

 number as judges of election, and one as secretary, who shall keep a 

 record of tlie meeting. They are further authorized to elect, by ballot, 

 five of their number to be desigmited as the "Executive Committee of 

 the Maurice Kiver Cove and Delaware Bay Oyster Assocuitmn," who 

 shall hold oflice for one > ear, or until their successors are elected. At 



