INLAND FISHERIES COMMISSIONERS' REPORT. 17 



without the permission of the owner thereof, he shall forfeit ten dol- 

 lars." 



It would appear from this that the laws of the State of Khode 

 Island attempt to protect lobster fishermen, but do nothing toward 

 protecting the unfortunate lobsters, which are vastly more in need of 

 encouragement. 



Complaints have been made in past years to the Commissioners (be- 

 fore any supervision of the bay fisheries was given to them) that many 

 parties from Massachusetts were setting hundreds of lobster pots in 

 Ehode Island waters. All we could do Avas to show them the law, and 

 advise them to protect themselves. This, so far as we know, has 

 never been attemjJted. Now our lobster fishery is a very valuable one. 

 Very many men eke out a living with their lobster pots, and all know 

 the luxury of an abundance of fresh and cheap lobsters in our cities. 

 For a number of years past the catch of lobsters has been steadily de- 

 creasing, not as to numbers, but as to size. "All is fish that comes to 

 the net " is the rule with lobster catchers. Those that are of a size 

 fit to send to market, from half a pound upwards, are sent, the bal- 

 ance, from five to six or seven inches in length, are sold for bait for 

 tautog fishing, save a few that go to those most delicate palates that 

 delight in "chicken lobsters." 



We most respectfully advise and request your Honorable Body to at 

 once pass a law for the protection of lobsters, as follows: 



An act entitled an act for the j)yotection of Lobsters and Lobster Fisheries in the State 



of Rhode Island. 



Section 1 . Whoever sells, or offers for sale, or has in his or her possession 

 with intent to sell, either directly or indirectly, any lobsters less than twelve 

 inches in length, measuring from one extreme of the body to the other, exclusive 

 of claws and feelers, shall forfeit for every such lobster five dollars. 



Sec. 2. All forfeitures accruing under this act shall be paid, one-half to the 

 person making the complaint and one-half to the city or town where the offence 

 is committed. 



It would be admirable if a provision could be made forbidding the 

 sale of female lobsters loaded with spawn. August seems to be the 

 month in which the bulk of lobsters are so loaded, although they 



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