24 American Fisheries Society 



this spring and summer have matured and are now being 

 caught and saved. It will, of course, take longer for the 

 beneficial effect of protecting the spawning crab to be 

 seen, but no one doubts now that the crabbing industry 

 of the Chesapeake will in less than five years, be double 

 what it is at present. Crabbers are unanimous in saying 

 that they have been more successful this fall than for 

 many years. 



Space will not permit the further discussion in detail 

 of the benefits Maryland and Virginia expect from co-op- 

 erative efforts, but I will say that the officials of both 

 states realize it is the only way to successfully handle the 

 situation, and are determined to co-operate in every pos- 

 sible way for the conservation and development of the 

 great natural resources of their magnificent bay, to con- 

 sider the industries as a whole, and not to allow small 

 local interests or prejudices to influence them in their 

 actions. \yj||j 



A joint conference of the Conservation Commission of 

 Maryland and the Commission of Fisheries of Virginia, 

 was held in July of this year on the Potomac River, Gov- 

 ernor Harrington of Maryland, Governor Stuart of Vir- 

 ginia, and Dr. Moore of the Bureau of Fisheries partici- 

 pated. So beneficial was the exchange of ideas on this 

 occasion, so important were the agreements entered into, 

 and so great was the interest created in the fishery in- 

 dustries, that it was unanimously decided to make the 

 conference an annual event. We expect upon these occa- 

 sions to discuss and agree upon the legislation needed in 

 each state, to draft as nearly uniform bills as conditions 

 permit, to have the same introduced in our respective leg- 

 islatures, and we have agreed to use every effort to secure 

 the passage of such bills as we agree upon. 



The executive officers of the commissions of both states 

 have agreed to meet frequently to discuss the enforce- 

 ment of the laws, and the general conditions of the in- 

 dustries. Such a meeting will be held next week on the 

 Potomac River to arrange for co-operative work in en- 

 forcing the oyster laws there. 



