504 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FlSH AND FISHERIES. 



it on file iu bis office. Theu, upon i^ayuieut by the captain of the 

 amount assessed on the tonnage of his vessel, the license is issued. If, 

 however, the collector entertains doubt as to the truthfulness of the 

 statement, the license is refused and the application, with the oath and 

 other papers accompanying it, are referred to the executive committee, 

 who investigate the case and instruct the collector to issue or refuse 

 to issue the license, as they may determine. 



The oyster license entitles its holder to plant oysters in Maurice 

 Eiver Cove, and also to take oysters from the natural grounds of Dela- 

 ware Bay for planting purposes. While licenses may be issued at any 

 time of the year, they are generally taken out by the captains during 

 the month of Aijril. The fact that every man who holds a license is 

 sworn, not only to obey the law, but also to render every assistance in 

 his power for its enforcement, makes the protective character of the 

 association very strong. Every licensed vessel has an oyster-planting 

 ground in the cove. This ground bears a number, which is painted in 

 black figures 18 inches long on white canvas, and attached to a buoy 

 or stake. The number of the ground is entered on the license, and is 

 painted in black figures, 18 inches long, in the middle of the vessel's 

 mainsail on the starboard side and in the middle of the jib on the port 

 side. The penalty imposed upon captains holding license for neglect- 

 ing or refusing to thus number their grounds or vessels, after having 

 been notified to do so by the special officer, is, for each oflense, a fine 

 not exceeding $200, or imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding 

 six months, or both. The law also makes it imperative that every 

 vessel or boat engaged iuthe business shall have a license. Any captain 

 or owner found guilty of taking or planting oysters without a license 

 may be punished by a fine not exceeding $200, or by imprisonment not 

 exceeding one year, or both; and any vessel employed in the commis- 

 sion of such an oifense may be seized and sdUI, with all her apparatus, 

 and the proceeds of the sale, after deducting costs of the court, shall 

 be paid to the collector of the oyster fund. The penalties for engaging 

 in the business without a license and for illegal dredging are so severe, 

 and the means for enforcing the law so efficient, that these offenses are 

 seldom committed. Vessels propelled by steam, whether wholly or in 

 part, are not permitted to be licensed, nor in any way to engage in the 

 business. 



It is also unlawful for any person who lias not been a resident of the 

 State for six months next preceding to plant and grow oysters in any 

 of the rivers or bays of the State, and any oysters or shells planted by 

 non-residents become public property and may be taken by the resident 

 citizens. Persons so offending are also subject to a fine not exceeding 

 $500, or imprisonment not exceeding one year, or both. This provision 

 makes it necessary for the captains of all licensed vessels to be residents 

 of the State, but does not preclude the hiring of non-residents as crews 

 on vessels. A considerable number of the licensed vessels are owned 



