IOO NINTH REPORT OF THE FOREST. FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 



that a most desirable and comparatively inexpensive variety of food would 

 speedily be lost to the people, not to mention the loss of a form of recreation 

 that finds favor with thousands of sportsmen whose requirements have created 

 industries which produce goods worth great sums annually and which give 

 employment to an army of workingmen. The hatchery system, maintained at a 

 moderate cost, returned last year in the actual market value of the fish produced 

 more than three dollars for every dollar spent for its maintenance. The value 

 to the people of the inland fisheries thus fostered amounts to hundreds of 

 thousands of dollars annually, as the statistics show. 



In the Department of Shellfisheries, to which careful supervision is given by 

 the Commission, an even greater value is shown by the returns. The figures 

 given indicate that the business done amounts to nearly $7,000,000 yearly, that 

 this results in the payment of over $250,000 in wages, and that vessels are employed 

 in the work worth over $600,000. The amount of money spent by the State for the 

 care of this great industry is very small in comparison with the results secured. 



Similar remarks might be made with reference to the work of protection, 

 which gives employment to a limited number of experienced men whose constant 

 watchfulness is necessary to prevent infractions of the law, and whose work is 

 productive of much good to all the interests concerned. 



Finally, the Commission makes no recommendations for legislation, believing 

 that this may well be left to the representatives of the people in the Senate and 

 Assembly. Your attention is, however, respectfully called to the suggestions 

 contained in the appended reports of the Superintendent of Forests, the Superin- 

 tendent of Shellfisheries, the Chief Protector and the Hatchery Foremen. To 

 such enactments as your honorable body mav be pleased to make, and which 

 receive Executive approval, our best attention will be given. 



BY THE COMMISSION. 



John D. Whish, 



Secretary. 



