FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. l6" 



By reason of the overanxiety of the Connecticut lobster fishermen to fish in 

 "The Race," in this State, and of the Connecticut oyster planters to be permitted 

 to take shellfish lands in Gardner's and Peconic Bays, some measures have been 

 proposed and bills introduced in the Legislature of Connecticut (apparently for the 

 purpose of securing action of the New York authorities in the matter) which 

 are, in their provisions, detrimental to the shellfish interests of citizens of New 

 York, to wit: House Bill No. 446 declares forfeited all grants and franchises held 

 by non-residents of this State in shellfish lands; House Bill No. 233 provides 

 that oysters from the natural oyster beds of Connecticut shall not be conveyed 

 out of the State within two years from the time said oysters are taken from 

 the bed. 



In explanation of what is intended to be secured by Bill No. 446, it should be 

 stated that in former years, by reason of a lax enforcement of the shellfish laws, 

 non-residents in both States have taken assignments from original grantees of 

 oyster lands. It will therefore be understood that many planters residing in New 

 York are cultivating lands in Connecticut and vice versa, and that the enactment 

 of this measure would involve an ejectment of New York planters from grounds 

 thus held in Connecticut. 



House Bill No. 233 affects the right, as it at present exists, of residents of 

 New York to purchase seed oysters from the natural seed beds of Connecticut, 

 and if enacted would deleteriously affect the interests of our planters. 



It is but just to say that neither of these measures meet the approval of the 

 Shellfish Commissioners of Connecticut, nor of the Attorney-General of that State, 

 nor of any Connecticut official, so far as your Superintendent is informed; in 

 fact, a bill amending Section 3215 of the General Statutes of Connecticut has 

 been drafted by the Attorney-General of that State, under the provisions of 

 which reciprocal rights, as proposed by the New York Commission, will be secured 

 so far as that State is concerned. It also confirms to citizens of New York 

 State title to such shellfish lands as they may have taken by assignment from 

 residents of Connecticut. 



It has also been proposed by the Connecticut authorities that, if necessary, 

 a Commission shall be appointed by the Governor to confer with the Forest, Fish 

 and Game Commission of New York State for the purpose of considering and 

 reporting upon the questions at issue. 



Respectfully submitted. B. Frank Wood, 



Superintendent of Shellfisheries. 



It was agreed by the gentlemen present, all of whom, except Mr. Atwater, 

 had attended the Hartford and New York conferences, that in his report your 

 Superintendent had stated the matter fairly and correctly. 



After a short discussion of the matters involved an adjournment, subject to the 

 call of the chair, was taken. 



