Conservation Commission. 109 



to maintain her position abreast of her progressive sisters. It re- 

 solves itself into the solution of the question, not of " conserva- 

 tion " but of " augmentation/' the only direction which it can 

 and should take as one of the great economic problems of the age. 

 The number of fisheries protectors now authorized by law is 

 insufficient if the work of the Bureau is to be properly and 

 efficiently performed. There should be one protector for each of 

 the following districts: Richmond county, Jamaica bay, Great 

 South bay, Peconic bay, Gardiner's bay and the north shore of 

 Long Island to Horton's Point, Horton's Point to Lloyd's Neck, 

 Lloyd's Neck to Long Island City, and the Hudson river ; making 

 eight protectors for the marine district. In selecting the men for 

 these positions, knowledge of the sea and its fauna and their 

 scientific qualifications should be specially considered. 



The salaries for the protectors should be $1,200 per annum for 

 the first five years; $1,350 per annum for the next five years, and 

 $1,500 thereafter. 



These men often perform their duties at the risk of life and 

 limb, and must, on many occasions, take chances such as are 

 unknown and unappreciated in other vocations. 



Other countries have found, after many years of experience, 

 that the policy of granting a fair remuneration and a secure 

 future makes it possible to obtain the services of a better class 

 of men, and that their work is of superior quality and greater 

 value to the State. 



The opportunities are offered, as above outlined, for the be- 

 ginning of a great constructive work of inestimable benefit to our 

 State and people. But in order to secure success it must be laid 

 out on a broad, comprehensive plan, and based on a settled policy, 

 carried out progressively on modern scientific principles by edu- 

 cated and intelligent men. 



New legislation, based upon the experience of our oystermen 

 and fishermen, and corrected and refined by our scientists, will be 

 needed to take the place of our present unscientific, uneconomic 

 laws. 



Dated, New York, December 1, 1911. 

 Respectfully submitted, 



R.OBT. A. WIDENMANN, 



Supt. of Marine Fisheries. 



