AMERICAN FISIIEKIES SOCIETY. 21 



WHAT IS PROTECTION TO FOOD FISHES? 



BY FRANK N. CLARK. 



The importaueo of protection to fishes as a source of food 

 supply, and a remunerative outlet for labor, cannot well be 

 overestimated. 



The necessity of adopting a proper and efifective plan to in- 

 crease and maintain our most valuable food varieties, is un- 

 questioned, but the false impressions that prevail in the minds 

 of many of our legislators, and the diversity of opinion among 

 public men who are instrumental in the passage of unwise 

 laws, make the work of the fish culturist doubl}^ difficult. The 

 prime object of all Fish Commissions, both State and National, 

 is the perpetuity of fish life which contributes so materially 

 to the welfare of mankind. I am today more impressed with 

 the magnitude and importance of our fisheries than ever be- 

 fore, and the more deeply I study into the question^ the more 

 keenly is aroused my appreciation as to the real merit of fish 

 cultural work. 



Upon the success of its industries depends the prosperity of 

 a Nation, and while the fishing industry, of itself, is a most 

 important one. its close relation to other industries, and their 

 partial dependence upon its success, is of momentous consider- 

 ation. Our fisheries are a great source of wealth, giving em- 

 ployment to a vast number of our people^ and furnishing the 

 most wholesome nutritious meats for our population of 76,000. 

 000. It is certainly good policy for the people to protect and 

 develop this one of their great sources of affluence. 



We are all familiar with the fact that the causes destroying 

 the spawn or fry in their natural beds are increasing, whilt' 

 the demand for fish food in the extended markets is increas- 

 ing, so improved methods and protected propagation have be- 

 come not only a National duty, but also an imperative neces- 

 sity. In connection with the work which we represent, ac- 

 cording to my judgment, the most vital question of all is the 

 question of protection. When the question of protection, as 

 apjdied to all the different varieties, is definitely and accu- 

 rately settled, in every particular instance, the efficacy of fish 



