296 FIFTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE 



extending over a number of years. Other states are leading us in the pro- 

 duction of this widely sought crustacean. The waters along our coasts 

 are the natural habitat of the lobster. New York is the market to which 

 the catch of other States is sent, and the quantity required for consumption 

 here constitutes a considerable factor in fixing the high prices paid to the 

 dealer in Maine or Massachusetts for this delicacy of the table. There are 

 several reasons for the unfavorable situation in this respect. 



(1) The general condition of decline in the industry, affecting all 

 localities in which the lobster is found, in part caused by the increased 

 demand and consumption. 



(2) The most valuable lobster grounds in this State are found in 

 The Race, southwest of Fisher's Island, in the extreme easterly portion of 

 our jurisdiction. These grounds are about twenty-eight miles east of Green- 

 port, the most easterly port in this State and but five miles from New London 

 and Noank in our sister State of Connecticut. Therefore, as would naturally 

 be the case, these fisheries are principally carried on by nonresidents of 

 New York. A nonresident license fee is paid by each of these fishermen, 

 amounting in the aggregate to about one thousand dollars per year. 



(3) Our laws are ineffective. 



(a) No legal restraint is placed upon the catching, sale or possession 

 of seed-bearing or " berry " lobsters. It must be understood that the female 

 carries her eggs attached to the under side of the body until they are hatched ; 

 these eggs, depending upon the size of the lobster, may amount to many 

 thousands and are every one sacrificed when an egg-bearing lobster is caught 

 and sold, as is usually done. This practice alone is sufficient to account for 

 a continuing decrease in the number of lobsters taken. Stringent laws 

 are upon the statute books of other States for the protection of the lobster 

 in this respect. It has been found, however, that such laws are easily 

 evaded by the fisherman who brushes or strips off the eggs so that none 

 are to be found upon inspection. This practice is remedied by interesting 

 the fisherman in saving the eggs and purchasing from him at market rates 

 all egg-bearing lobsters which are then liberated by the State and the eggs 

 naturally hatched in proper waters, or the eggs are hatched at the State 

 lobster hatchery and the fry suitably distributed. New York State has 

 no such law at present. It is recommended that a statute covering this 



