86 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



ing ou the natural reefs or that forbids their alienation from the use of 

 the public, but a law which practically says "once an oyster-reef always 

 an oyster-reef" is contrary to the best interests of a State and her citi- 

 zens. 



OYSTER-PLANTING IN LA FOURCHE PARISH. 



In Timbalier Bay most of the plauting is done in the northeastern 

 side, in the vicinity of Jack's Camp and at Camp Malnomme. In Little 

 Lake no oysters are planted, but an extinct oyster-reef there is some- 

 times used as a temporary bedding-ground where oysters are freshened 

 during periods of excessive salinity in the more open waters. In Bayou 

 Landry and in Jack's Camp Bay one association of individuals is said to 

 hold 120 acres of planting-ground, of which 60 acres are affirmed by 

 the oystermen to be upon productive natural reefs which were regularly 

 worked up to the time that the grounds were staked off as a private 

 reservation under the laws relating to planting. It is impossible to 

 form an opinion as to the merits of a controversy of this character with- 

 out a careful investigation, as the decision hinges largely upon a 

 question of veracity between the contending parties. This incident 

 emphasizes the necessity for more definite laws regarding the occupa- 

 tion of the natural reefs for plantiug purposes. 



Just what constitutes a natural reef is a matter which will receive a 

 variety of interpretations, and some authoritative definition, even 

 although it may be somewhat arbitrary, should be promulgated for the 

 guidance of those intrusted with the enforcement of oyster regula- 

 tions. The importance of making legal recognition of the fact that 

 oyster-reefs may, under certain conditions, cease to be such, beyond 

 reasonable hope of redemption, is pointed out in the discussion of 

 the prevailing conditions in Barataria Bay. On the other hand, the 

 contention and dissatisfaction among the oystermen at Jack's Camp 

 shows there is danger in a too lax interpretation of laws prohibiting 

 the individual occupation of natural beds to the exclusion of the 

 public. Without expressing any opinion as to the merits of the special 

 case cited, it may be emphatically pointed out that the State should 

 safeguard from invasion those beds which it holds in common for the 

 use of its citizens, as otherwise the favored few are permitted to reap 

 the benefits which justly belong to the many. 



A number of persons in addition to those associated in the case above 

 cited are also engaged in oyster-culture ou a small scale at Jack's Camp 

 and Camp Malnomme. The practice is confined almost exclusively to 

 the planting of seed from the natural beds, but some of the men spread 

 a few shells along shore in the vicinity of their camps and afterwards 

 transfer the young oysters to their beds in deeper water. The set of 

 spat so obtained appears to be sufficiently abundant to amply warrant 

 the further development of this practice, especially as the natural reefs 

 are less productive than heretofore. 



