60 FISH-CULTURAL ASSOCIATION. 
by rail, and good accommodation can be had at hotels and farm 
houses, and at low rates. Also pleasant places to camp. The 
inhabitants are always glad to welcome sportsmen and visitors, 
and accommodate them with boats and information at low rates. 
I think the black bass are a great benefit to Maine.” 
IS LEGISLATION NECESSARY FOR THE PROTECTION 
OF THE OCEAN FISHERIES: 
BY EUGENE G. BLACKFORD. 
Commissioner of Fisheries, State of New York. 
One of the questions that frequently perplexes the mind of 
the fish-culturist and the legislator is, how to protect in the best 
manner the valuable food fisheries of the sea coast and ocean. 
On the one hand, there are the market fishermen, who use sail- 
ing vessels, and work either in the deep outside waters, or with 
net and hook, gather their prey along the shores and in the bays 
of our coast. This industry gives employment to over 85,000 
men, and a capital of over $30,000,000. 
On the other hand we have the large fleet of steamers that pa- 
trol the ocean catching the menhaden, and from them manufac- 
ture oil and fertilizers. An occupation involving nearly $3,000,- 
ooo, and giving employment to over 2,000 men. These facts give 
some idea of the magnitude of the interests involved, and of the 
importance of the question under discussion. 
For the last five years a large number of the former class of 
fishermen have claimed that the steamers seriously affected their 
business, stating that many kinds of fish that were formerly 
abundant, are now scarce, and that, unless laws are passed, pro- 
hibiting the menhaden steamers from fishing within three miles. 
of the shore, or in some way restricting their operations, many 
kinds of the valuable fishes will be exterminated or driven from 
our shores. In pursuance of this idea, they have petitioned both 
State and National legislatures to that effect. 
