aT REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
stand among the very first in quality of Hawaiian food-tishes, ranking 
with the famed red sur-mullet (J/v//us barbatus) of Europe. 
The large shore fishes known as ulua are worthy of similar protec- 
tion. Hundreds of young too small to be of any food value are taken 
every day in the seines in Pearl Harbor and in the Bay of Hilo. 
For the adequate protection of the fishes of the Hawaiian Islands the 
following regulations are suggested. 
1. The size of the meshes of seines should be limited. No seine with 
a mesh less than 3 inches in extension should be used. An exception 
may be made which will allow the use of seines not exceeding 30 feet 
in length and with mesh not under three-eighths of an inch in extension 
ae the purpose of taking bait. 
The capture or taking in any manner whatsoever or the selling, 
eae for sale, or haying in possession any amaama, weke, moano, 
kumu, or nunu, or other fish of the family Midlidw of less than 8 
inches in length should be prohibited. 
3. The minimum size limit for the ulua and related species of the 
family Carangide@ should be 12 inches. 
4. The minimum size limit for all species other than those specifi- 
cally mentioned above should be 5 inches. 
5. The amaama, or mullet, is of great importance on the islands of 
Oahu and Molokai, and in order to properly conserve the supply the 
catching of them during their spawning season should be prohibited. 
Their principal spawning season is from the latter part of October to 
me early part of February. 
. The selling of female ula (locally known as lobster) when carry- 
ing eges should be strictly prohibited. While there is no present sign 
of a decrease in the supply of this crustacean, it is better to start now 
than when it is too late. 
7. As the waters of Pearl Harbor (Oahu) seem to be favorably 
adapted to the raising of oysters it would be wellif this industry could 
be established and fostered by the passage of a law permitting the 
leasing of small plots of land under water, adjacent to the shores, for 
the purpose of planting and raising oysters. There are at present a 
few beds of small native oysters scattered through Pearl Harbor, but 
very little dependence can be placed upon these to supply the demand. 
Several efforts have been made to introduce oysters from the eastern 
portion of the United States and from California, and the results were 
sufficient to show that with proper care and encouragement, such as 
recommended above, a profitable industry could be built up. 
An efficient force of fish wardens should also be provided for in 
order to see that the laws are properly enforced. Each warden could 
have a certain district, in which he would reside, and he would thus be 
enabled to keep a close supervision over the fishermen. 
9. It is also recommended that the native birds of the islands should 
be protected and that a clause to that effect be made a part of any 
legislation that may be had. 
That legislation equivalent to the above recommendations is de- 
manded by the interests of Hawaii admits of no question. It, how- 
ever, raises the more important question: Should such a statute be 
passed by Congress and enforced by the Federal judges, marshals, and 
other officials; or should it be left to the action of the Territorial 
