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REPORT OF THE STATE BOARD OF FISH COMMISSIONERS. 



DAMS AND FISH LADDERS. 



Much has been accomplished towards securing observance of the law 

 requiring the construction of fishways, so as to permit the free passage of 

 fish. However, in a few instances, resistance has been made, and in one 

 case, after the arrest and conviction of the offending parties, in the Justice's 

 Court, an appeal was taken to the Superior Court, where it now rests. 



APPROPRIATIONS AND EXPENSES. 



The Legislature, at its last session, appropriated for the use of the Com- 

 mission during the thirty-ninth fiscal year the sum of $7,500; and for the 

 fortieth fiscal year the sum of $7,500. These appropriations, with the 

 moneys received from licenses and fines, have been sufficient for the work 

 of the Commission. 



A detailed statement of the disbursements is herewith transmitted. Also 

 a statement of moneys disbursed on account of certain deficiency claims 

 allowed by the Legislature. 



fishermen's LICENSES. 



Under an Act of the Legislature, approved March 21, 1887, all persons 

 engaged in the vocation of fishing were required to take out a license. The 

 licenses and classes were arranged as follows: Class A (less than three men 

 using one boat), $5 00; Class B (three men), $7 50; and for each addi- 

 tional man, $2 50. The receipts from licenses for the thirty-eighth fiscal 

 year amounted to $2,100; and for the thirty-ninth fiscal year, $2,708 70. 



We have met with many difficulties in our efforts to enforce this license 

 tax. The fact that no penalty is provided by the Act for failing to take 

 out the required license, has led to the release of some offenders by Jus- 

 tices of the Peace, who held that no punishment could be inflicted upon 

 those who refuse or neglect to obey the law. This, in spite of the fact that 

 a penalty is provided by Section 435 of the Penal Code. The number of 

 licenses of the different classes sold, and the receipts therefrom during the 

 year 1887, were as follows: 



Of this amount — $4,305 — the sum of $492 30 was deducted as commis- 

 sions allowed by law for the collection of the licenses, leaving $3,812 70 as 

 the net amount paid into the State Treasury from this source during the 

 year stated. The receipts for the present year will be considerably less, 

 owing partly to the disorganized condition of the Commission during the 

 early part of the fishing season. Also the action of certain of the Courts, 

 as detailed above. 



