INLAND FISHERIES COMMISSIONERS' REPORT. 7 



• Section 1. — The line drawn from Narragansett lower pier to 8ea- 

 connet Point is unjust and arbitrary, for the reason that it curtails 

 the operations of trappers at the south end of the island of Rhode 

 Island and at Seaconnet Point, and permits unlimited fishing from said 

 Narragansett lower pier south around Point Judith, and from that 

 point westward to Watch Hill, a distance of twenty-five miles, and in 

 our opinion that portion of our coast requires protection as much, and 

 perhaps more, than any other. (See our rejDort for last year.) 



Section 2. — Requires no comment. 

 ' Section 3. — We desire a system of licenses in order that better 

 supervision may be had of our coast and bay fisheries; that proper 

 statistics may be obtained as to their value; and that a small sum be 

 paid by such parties as are engaged in the business to assist in paying 

 the expense of such supervision and collection of such statistics. 



Section 4. — This to render licensed persons more cautious than 

 they would otherwise be, as their bondsmen would take an interest in 

 their conforming to the requirements of the law. 



Section 5. — That complete and thorough statistics may be had of 

 the catch of fish and value thereof in our waters. 



Section 6. — To save expense to the State, and labor and trouble to 

 the Commissioners and their deputies. 



Section 7. — This is, in our opinion, a very necessary addition to 

 our fishery laws. Tn the summer months the menhaden come into 

 Narragansett Bay for the purpose of depositing their spawn, and 

 gradually work their way up to the head waters thereof. Seekonk 

 River was a famous spawning ground for them in past years. The 

 bluefish follow them, for the menhaden is their chief food. Fleets of 

 sailing vessels and steamers follow them, and hardly any are left to 

 propagate. If the head of our bay, from these points, could be set 

 apart to protect them, at no possible expense, an abundant supply of 

 these very important fish would be secured to us, and the fishermen 

 that make them their prey would reap in the future an abundant re- 

 ward for their forbearance. 



Section 8. — That violators of the law may be made to pay a severe 

 penalty. 



