20 THIRTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE 



the hatchery more independent of the natural flow of water and assures 

 the protection of fish reared and kept there at all times. 



A full account of the work done and the results produced from each 

 hatchery may be found in the reports of the Hatchery Foreman hereto 

 attached and forming a part of this report. 



Shellfish. 



There was an effort made in the Legislature of 1907 to amend, con- 

 solidate and improve the statutes in relation to the shellfish interests of 

 the State looking to a better management of the Department along lines 

 followed in other States. A law similar to the one suggested a year ago 

 seems very necessary when the whole subject is studied carefully and the 

 results under the working of the present law noted. Formerly there was 

 very little oyster planting done. The State to encourage the artificial 

 planting and cultivation of oysters aided all who wished to engage in the 

 business by allowing them to have State . lands at nominal sums on long- 

 term leases, and at one time, giving a perpetual franchise for the small 

 sum of $1.00 per acre. The business has now reached very large propor- 

 tions, amounting to about $10,000,000 a year, and the money and property 

 employed in the business have reached very large proportions. In the 

 last two reports of the Commission I recommended the passage of an im- 

 proved and modern bill applicable to the business as it now exists — a bill 

 that enacted into a law would yield something to the State in return for 

 its property used by individuals in oyster culture. The State of Rhode 

 Island receives $50,000 a year from such sources; Connecticut, $11,266; 

 Virginia, $99,480; the State of New York received this year only $4,836.18. 

 The law should be amended in such a way 



First. That the shellfish industry may pay into the State Treasury 

 a fair return for the benefits enjoyed; 



Second. That to this end a moderate additional income in the nature 

 of fees for surveys, recording, copying certifying papers, etc., should be 

 charged ; 



Third. That license fees for fishing facilities and nets may be col- 

 lected the same as they are on the Great Lakes in waters in the jurisdiction 



