NATIONAL FISHERY CONGRESS. 255 



this experiment there were no shad whatever on the Pacific coast, the argument in 

 favor of the artificial culture of the shad is incontrovertible. 



The State of Florida should have at least one hatchery on the St. Johns River, 

 and as the shad-hatching season lasts but a couple of months, the expense is triding, 

 while the results are all important, far-reaching, and most bountiful. 



There has been also a considerable decrease in some of the coast fishes, while a 

 complaint of the scarcity of the best food- fishes in the inland waters of the State is 

 universal. Now is the time to do something toward a restoration of the fish supply to 

 these waters, or at least to prevent a further depletion by the proper and fostering 

 care of a competent fish commission one that is able to cope with the situation and 

 to apply the proper remedy, whether it be by artificial cultivation or by increased 

 protection, and by so doing to increase the food supply of the people. 



In the Northern States the fishes of many of the interior streams have either been 

 totally destroyed or very materially decreased by the pollution of the streams through 

 the refuse and offal from manufacturing establishments. It would be the part of 

 wisdom for the Florida authorities to be forehanded in this matter, on the principle 

 that " an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," and to enact such laws as 

 will prevent a like decrease of the fish supply from similar causes. 



The United States Fish Commission has done considerable work in Florida, and 

 will do a great deal more; and it is also contemplated to establish a station for the 

 cultivation of fish, oysters, sponges, etc., at no distant day. In view of such an event, 

 therefore, it is all the more important that good protective laws and their effective 

 enforcement by a competent State fish commission should be provided for, otherwise 

 the work of the National Commission would be to a great extent rendered useless. 



It will be readily seen, from what has been said, that it is of the utmost importance 

 that the fishery industries of the State should be looked after by an efficient and com- 

 petent commission. It has been thoroughly demonstrated in the many States, and 

 particularly in Florida, that the plan of a complimentary fish commission, composed 

 of several persons who receive no compensation, has not worked advantageously, 

 although liberal appropriations were annually made in the older States. Too often 

 such commissions degenerate into mere political machines for the securing of votes, 

 while the legitimate work of the commission is neglected or frustrated. It can not be 

 expected that men will give much time or attention to duties for which they receive 

 no compensation, so it follows, as a matter of course, that if they can not command 

 dollars they will command votes, if possible. 



The fish commission of Florida is virtually obsolete at present, for, notwithstand- 

 ing the appointment of three commissioners several years ago, as provided by law, I 

 have learned on good authority that nothing has been done by them and that to all 

 intents and purposes the commission has ceased to exist. 



What is needed is the enactment of a law that provides for the appointment of .a 

 single commissioner of fish and fisheries at a fair salary, one who has a scientific 

 and practical knowledge of fish and fisheries and is fully competent to deal with the 

 subject in all of its bearings. Such a person would be able to materially augment 

 the revenue of the State by an increased development and a more abundant yield of 

 the various fisheries. If thought best, he might also have supervision of the game 

 birds and mammals and see that the laws for their protection were enforced. 



BOZEMAN, MONTANA. 



