522 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



"This commission strongly rocommends that the oyster lauds in Maurice liiverCove 

 and Delaware Bay bo placed under State control, as necessary to their preservation. 

 Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, all States liaA'inn large oyster inter- 

 ests, have adopted this policy to the benefit and satisfaction of their citizens. 



"A law should be enacted providing for the leasing by the State to private persons 

 of lands to be used for the cultivation of oysters, and for which a small annual rent 

 per acre should be charged. In thus taking control of lands for the cultivation of 

 oysters the State should respect the rights of persons who now occupy staked-np 

 grounds, and they should have the first right to leases for the same and have the 

 title to all oysters now placed thereon. All vessels engaged in the business should 

 pay a tonnage tax to the State and receive licenses ; only vessels owned by citizens 

 of this State should be so licensed. Proper legislation for the use of the bay and 

 for the protection of the natural oysters should be made and should include the 

 power to prohibit dredging on the natural oyster-grounds for a time; the introduc- 

 tion of a 'rough-cull' rule; provision for replenishing the oyster beds with shells at 

 State expense. Adequate means should be provided, by guard boats, to enforce the 

 law and protect the bay. Severe penalties should be provided for violations of 

 the law, and in the case of ofiendiug vessels the licenses should be revoked. A 

 reasonable rental and license fee will provide sufficient funds to j>roperly protect the 

 industry and enforce the law. 



"In case the oyster lands arc placed understate control the commission advise that 

 the State acquire title, by condemnation or otherwise, to the lands covered by these 

 riparian grants, to the end that all oyster territory may be held by the State and 

 the use regulated for the benefit of all its citizens." 



The outcome of this investigation will be some important legislation next Septem- 

 ber, when the legislature reconvenes after the summer recess. The attorney-general 

 has taken the report and evidence and read it over carefully, and will prepare a bill 

 which will give the State power to condemn these lands and award to the riparian 

 owners such damages as may be i)roperly assessed. Then these oyster beds will be 

 made public property, subject to the general oyster laws of the State. 



IV.— STATISTICS OF THE INDUSTRY. 



The following statistics relate to the four years, 1889, 1890, 1891, and 

 1892, and exhibit in detail the condition and extent of the oyster indus- 

 try of New Jersey. The figures are specified by counties, twelve of 

 which have oyster interests. These are Hudson, Essex, Union, Middle- 

 sex, Monmouth, Ocean, Burlington, Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, 

 Gloucester, and Camden. The three first-named counties abut on New 

 York Bay, Newark Bay, and the northern part of Staten Island Sound. 

 The taking of seed oysters is the only branch of the industry carried on 

 there. Middlesex County includes the lower part of Staten Island 

 Sound and the most of Raritan Bay, with Perth Anxboy as its principal 

 oyster center. The western part of Raritan Bay, Sandy Hook Bay, 

 the Navesink and Shrewsbury rivers, and the ocean shore of the State 

 as far south as the Manasquan River, are embraced within the limits of 

 Monmouth County. Ocean County contains Barnegat Bay and part of 

 Little Egg Harbor, Most of the latter, however, is in Burlington 

 County, iu which is also a large part of Great Bay. Atlantic County 

 embraces the southern and western parts of Great Bay, and has within 

 its limits Little, Reed, Absecon, and Lakes bays, as well as the north- 

 ern side of Great Eg*j Harbor Bay. Cape May County constitutes the 



