OYSTER KESOUKCES OF THE PACIFIC COAST. 371 



of Kiu'li ;i law luaiiy were (Ictened iroin emburkiug iu tlio Itusiiicss becauso they 

 L'OTiM not ac(tniie pcii'ect title to the title lauds ou which yomig oyster.s are ])hiute(l 

 after being taken from their natural beds. The railways noAV being built to Willai)a 

 Bay will also be an incentive to many, as the lack of transportation facilities and 

 the high tariif charged by the present transportation lines make the margin of prolit 

 so small that none but large dealers can successfully carry on the business. 



THE OYSTER LAAVS OF WASHINGTON. 



[Hill's Statutes and CotUs of Washiiij;ton, 1891.] 



2585. {Right to plant otjstcrs may he acquired.) A person being a citizini of this 

 State, who has planted or who may hereaftor plant oysters in any bay or «rm of the 

 sea where there are no natural beds of oysters within or bordering upon this Stai e, may 

 ac(|uire, by conforming to the requirements of this chapter, au exclusive right for 

 such a })ur2iose to that portion of such bay or arm of the sea as he shall so occupy, 

 not exceeding for any one person an area of more than 20 acres: Provided, That in> 

 person or jiersons shall locate or cause to be located oyster beds in any way int(irfering 

 with the free use and privilege of any person or persons cutting timbers or logging, 

 or conveying said logs to market. 



2586. (Oijster claims — Uow initiated — Must he recorded.) The person desiring tlio 

 beuetits of the preceding section shall cause the place or portion he desires to claim 

 to be marked, so far as is practicabh^, Avith stakes or other artitlcial marks at the 

 corners, with bearings to adjacent natural objects, and shall make, before some otilicer 

 qualified to administer oaths, an affidavit that he has taken the premises so described 

 for the purpose of planting oysters, and that he has planted or is about to plant 

 oysters thereon ; that said premises are liot upon and do not include any natural bed 

 of oysters, and that the same ai'e not occupied and claimed, iu accordance with law, 

 except by himself; aud if said premises shall have heretofore been taken and oysters 

 planted thereon, then Avithin three months after the passage of this act, aud if they 

 shall hereafter be taken, then within one month after taking the same, the person 

 having so taken or taking the said premises shall cause his claim, with a description 

 thereof and affidavit as above required, to be recorded by the county auditor of the 

 county iu which they may be situated. 



2587. ( Extent and number of oi/ster beds of single claimant.) The same person may 

 claim and occupy more than one place* Provided, The premises so claimed bj^him do 

 jiot iu all occupy an area greater than 20 acres: J nd provided further. That in those 

 places used and occuided Ibr the purpose of l)ed<ling marketable oysters, no one jiersou 

 shall occupy an area greater than 100 by 200 feet, or 20,000 feet of supeiiicial area. 



2588. {Conveyance of right to oi/stcr beds.) Any person may transfer his right to any 

 other person (|iia]ified to hold, by signing the transfer upou record, in the presence 

 of the auditor, or by a written transfer witnessed and acknowledged iu the same 

 manner as is or may be retiuired for deeds. 



2589. {Record of oyster claims.) It shall be the duty of the county auditor of any 

 county, Avhere claims aud transfers made under the provisions of this chapter are 

 presented to him for record or entry, to receive and record the same in a separate 

 book provided for this purpose, upon being paid the same fees as are allowed in 

 similar cases. 



2590. {Vulaufnl for non-residents to litke oysters.) From and after the a|>proval of 

 this act it shall not be lawful for any jterson who is not at tlie time an actual inhab- 

 itant and resident of this State, and who has not been for six months next preceding 

 an actual inhabitant or resident as aforesaid, to take or gather oysters, either on his 

 own account or ou account of others, for sale or transportation, in any of the rivers, 

 bays, or waters of this State; ; aud ou conviction shall be lined in any sum not exceed- 

 ing $500 nor less than $100, or to iin])risoninent in the county jail for a period not 

 exceeding six months nor less thau one month, or both, at the discretion of the court. 



