REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF FISH COMMISSIONERS 55 



STURGEON. 



As no positive results have yet followed the artificial propagation of 

 these fish, notwithstanding it has been carried on to some extent in 

 Eastern States, also in Germany and Russia, and as our means do not 

 permit us to assume the expense of such work, we would recommend 

 that no change be made in the present law. Natural propagation is a 

 slow method; but we believe that by continuing the present law in effect 

 for at least two years, these fish may show sufficient increase to justify 

 a short open season. In the past two years we have made a number of 

 arrests and secured convictions for the possession of sturgeon roe as well 

 as of the fish themselves; consequently, there has been no systematic 

 effort made to capture them, but some are taken accidentally by salmon 

 fishermen, who, instead of liberating them, attempt to smuggle them 

 into the markets. The present condition of the sturgeon industry is a 

 striking example of what unrestricted capture means to any fish or 

 game. At one time these fish were so plentiful that the price received 

 would not justify sending them to market; just previous to the estab- 

 lishment of the closed season, they commanded a higher price than 

 either salmon or striped bass. We have had some difficulty in obtain- 

 ing convictions for the possession of sturgeon roe, one of the minor courts 

 having ruled that sturgeon roe did not fall within the meaning of the 

 statute. 



We would recommend that the section referring to these fish include 

 the words "sturgeon roe/' making it a misdemeanor to have it in 

 possession. 



The principal arrests that have grown out of this law were for the 

 possession of smoked sturgeon, which is considered quite a delicacy 

 and. under various names, is found at certain times of the year in our 

 markets. The dealers apparently will not risk selling the meat fresh, 

 but handle it in their smoke-curing establishments. 



SPINY LOBSTER OR CRAWFISH. 



Two years ago we suggested that a close season of two years be estab- 

 lished on this, one of our most important shell fish, which began to show 

 signs of great depletion, if not extermination. The Legislature, how- 

 ever, considered the proposed restriction too great, but added one month 

 to the close season. We have kept close watch on the fishermen and 

 dealers and have secured a number of convictions for violation of the 

 law, the majority of which were for having undersized fish in possession. 



There are practically the same number of camps engaged in the capture 

 of crawfish, but owing to the extreme lightness of the catch of legal-sized 

 fish, the market prices have been unusually high. We have conferred 

 with a number of the more intelligent fishermen who are engaged in 



