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When we consider this large number of fish which are 
being constantly taken from these lakes, we can better 
appreciate the serious inroads which are being made upon 
the supply; and when we add to this the wanton destruc- 
tion of millions of small and immature fish taken that are 
never given an opportunity to spawn, and when we 
further consider the large number of gravid females, the 
roe of which is lost by this capture, we can begin to 
appreciate the problem that is set before fishculturists to 
restore this great loss. 
MEANS oF ARREST OF WASTE AND RESTORATION. 
If the wealth of the waters of the Great Lakes is to be 
maintained, nothing can be clearer than that this great 
waste, which has been going on for more than a hundred 
years and is increasing, must be arrested. There are two 
methods by which this may be effected: 
1. By a liberal and lavish stocking of the waters. 
2. By the enforcement of just protective laws prevent- 
ing the taking and marketing of unmerchantable, young 
and immature fish. 
As to the first point each State must act for itself in 
protecting its own interests in the fisheries. Weak and 
erratic efforts made now and then to make good the loss 
by the planting of a few million fish will not do. With 
the means at hand and with the information we now 
have as to fishculture, and with the small outlay of 
money necessary to carry on the work of artificial pro- 
pagation, each State should see for itself that every 
female fish taken during the spawning season in its waters 
shall have her eggs taken from her, fecundated and after 
being hatched, properly planted; there is no good reason 
why this should not be done, and if the States whose in- 
terests are involved will take immediate steps to carry 
out this line of policy, they will have taken a step in the 
proper direction for the maintenance of their fisheries. 
As to protective laws, let me say this: No laws should 
