COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 37 



In the enforcement of the laws relating to the fresh-water fisheries, 

 your Commission has employed a nmnber of deputies m various 

 sections of the State who serve without compensation. 



The general fisheries laws of the State are hi an almost hopeless 

 tangle. Beginning in the early part of the eighteenth century for 

 two hundred years laws have been enacted seekmg to correct local 

 and often temporary conditions. Later, the greater part of these 

 were repealed and replaced by others. Some however were not 

 repealed, but rendered ineffective through the passage of other and 

 different laws relatmg to the same subject. In many causes it is 

 doubtful if convictions could be obtained from laws existing on our 

 statute books today. It is the sincere desire of this Commission that 

 at some early date these laws may be thoroughly overhauled. 



BIOLOGICAL RECORDS. 



Physical and Biological records of various kmds have been con- 

 tinued at the Wickford Hatchery and Experiment Station. 



AN EXHIBIT OF SEA FARMING. 



Under the above heading your Commission prepared as in years 

 past an exhibit of marine and fresh-water fishes at the Washhigton 

 County Fair which was viewed as usual by large crowds. The 

 expenses of operating this exhibit is borne almost entirely by the 

 Agricultural Society, and inasmuch as it furnishes a means of interest- 

 ing a large number of people in the fisheries of the State your 

 Commission has readily assented to contmue it. 



CO-OPERATION WITH FISHERIES AUTHORITIES. 



In accord with the duties as prescribed by the General Assembly, 

 your Commission has been in touch with the fisheries boards both 



