16 FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE 







Bureau of Marine Fisheries. 



The growing importance of the Bureau of Marine Fisheries 

 may be illustrated to a degree by directing attention to the fact 

 that the revenue derived from its operations in 1907 was $4,846.18 

 and for the year just closed $23,694.02. This result was made 

 possible .by legislation regulating the leasing of lands under water 

 for shell fish cultivation. It marked the 'beginning of a new policy 

 looking to the development of this important resource in contrast 

 with the old practice through which the 'State had granted to indi- 

 viduals in perpetuity thousands of acres of its most valuable shell 

 fish lands. There are at present held under these so-called fran- 

 chises 15,991.6 acres, while the acreage under lease is 15,336.9, 

 making a total of 31,328.5 acres. Of this total, 2,192.2 acres was 

 added during the past fiscal year, and there are now pending ap- 

 plications covering 1,795.6 acres. These lands are subject to "a 

 uniform tax of twenty-five cents an acre. During the year there 

 was collected the sum of $7,417,27, -while the total rentals paid 

 by lands held under lease was $13,166.63. 



The system of triangulation continued during the year covers 

 about thirteen miles between Horton's Point and Orient Point and 

 Plum Island. These surveys will eventually cover the whole of 

 the north shore of Long Island and should be extended to the 

 waters surrounding Fishers Island. There have been sixty-one 

 surveys of individual lots covering 6,992.2 acres. 



From the best statistics obtainable the value of the shell fish 

 taken from waters within this State during the past year is 

 upward of $12,000,000, and while no statistics are available con- 

 cerning the value of the migratory food fish output it is safe to 

 assume that it w r as at least of as great commercial value as the 

 shell fish. 'So that it must not 'be lost sight of that the State of 

 New York through the Bureau of Marine Fisheries is dealing with 

 an economic and commercial condition which at present shows an 

 annual output value at from $20,000,000 to $25,000,000 and 

 capable of enormous development under proper legislation, and 

 likewise capable of producing for the State a great increase over 

 the present revenues of the bureau without imposing an unfair 

 burden on those engaged in fisheries as a means of livelihood. 



