CONFERENCE OF GOVERNORS. 73 



output would secure regularity of supply. Moreover, when the 

 market was unfavorable the shellfish could be kept in the beds 

 under optimum biologic conditions, with a reasonable certainty 

 of finding them there when wanted, and with the added advantage 

 of considerable volimie by growth during the interval. Thus the 

 diggers could be certain of securing a supply at almost any stage 

 of the tide and in all but the most inclement weather, through a 

 knowledge of " where to dig ; " moreover, there would be a complete 

 elimination of the reasoning which is now so prolific of ill feelings 

 and so wasteful of the shellfish, viz., the incentive of " getting there 

 ahead of the other fellow." 



All the State laws relative to mollusks should be revised, to 

 secure a unity and clearness which should render graft, unfairness 

 and avoidable economic loss impossible, and be replaced with a 

 code of fair, intelligent and forceful laws, which would not only 

 permit the advancement of the moUusk industry through the in- 

 dividual efforts of the progressive fishermen, but also protect the 

 rights of the general public. 



Conclusion. 

 In conclusion, then, suitable shellfish laws should be framed to 

 meet the following fundamental conditions : — 



1. Permit leasing of the fishing rights over at least one-half 

 of the area below high-water mark, at a reasonable annual rental, 

 to any naturalized citizen of the Commonwealth, and with adequate 

 safeguards against predaceous and pernicious monopolization of 

 these rights by individuals or corporations. 



2. Tenure should be secure, and pass as real estate to heirs and 

 assigns for balance of term of lease, so long as the area is properly 

 utilized. 



3. The State should guarantee protection equal to that accorded 

 to farmers. The shellfish should equally be regarded as property. 



4. Should declare certain animals and plants to be common 

 nuisances, and compel the destruction of such animals and plants, 

 under penalty, e.g., starfish, drill, sulphur sponge, et al. 



5. Should make possible the collection and sale of mollusk spat 

 under proper biologic and economic precautions. 



6. Should definitely safeguard the public health, by requiring 

 that all shellfish beds from which mollusks are marketed should be 

 inspected and certified as to their sanitary conditions. 



Such laws will largely remove the necessity of restrictive legisla- 

 tion ; check unsystematic digging, uneconomic destruction and mar- 



