46 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF FISH COMMISSIONERS. 



mon an amendment to the effect that the plea of fishing for other kinds 

 of fish will not constitute a defense, for the reason that such plea is 

 often successfully interposed in a trial before a jury. 



We also suggest that a law be enacted making it no defense, in any 

 action, to contend that the fish were caught or taken outside the State. 



The enforcement of the laws governing the commercial fisheries should 

 be left with the Fish Commission, and not made a part of the duties of 

 the Fish and Game Warden. All moneys collected as fines for the 

 violations of the fish laws should be paid into the Fish Commission 

 Fund. 



The law for the prevention of the dumping of deleterious substances 

 into State waters, which now reads, " Every person who places or allows 

 to pass into any waters of the State any lime," etc., should be amended 

 and made to read, " Every person who places or allows to pass, or who 

 places where it can pass, into any of the waters," etc. 



Some minor changes in the wording of the different sections pertain- 

 ing to fish or game, which will make the filing of complaints and the 

 prosecution of offenders less difficult, have been submitted to the Code 

 Commissioners for their consideration. 



If the Legislature deem it wise to follow out these suggestions, we are 

 confident that the path of the poacher will be seriously obstructed, and 

 the interests of both fish and game greatly benefited. 



So many courtesies and kindnesses have been 

 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS, shown your Commission by the people of our 



State that we feel under great obligations to them, 

 and would be glad to make acknowledgment individually, did space 

 permit. We desire specially to acknowledge the donation of fish and 

 eggs from the United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries, and the 

 kindly disposition shown to aid us in every way to increase the pro- 

 ductiveness of California waters. We are also indebted to them for 

 various statistics inserted in the pages of this report. 



Our thanks are due the various railroads of the State for the free 

 transportation of fish and men accorded us; for without this courtesy it 

 would have been impossible for us to have accomplished what we have. 

 We also express our thanks to their employes, who have aided our 

 men in many ways. 



We have been obliged to call upon Attorney-General Fitzgerald many 

 times for opinions upon various subjects, and for aid in prosecuting 

 various offenders against the fish and game laws. He has at all times 

 met our demands upon his time with promptness, and given us every 

 assistance in his power, and we extend to him and his assistants our 

 hearty thanks. 



Messrs. Washburn and M. Lawrence & Co. have merited our grati- 

 tude for the various kindnesses extended our men, and deserve the: 



