ANNUAL REPORT 



OF THE 



SUPERINTENDENT OF MARINE FISHERIES. 



Hon. Thomas H. Guy, Deputy Conservation Commissioner: 



Complying with, requirement contained in section 303, part 

 10 of chapter 318, known as the Conservation Law, I hereby 

 transmit report of the Bureau of Marine Fisheries for the fiscal 

 year ending September 30, 1912. It would seem advisable that 

 provision be made for preservation of signals in order that prompt 

 and reliable locations may be made. It might be well at this 

 time to refer to the advantages which would accrue to the intelli- 

 gent administration of the State's oyster properties if the lands 

 were mapped in plots and records made comprehensively de- 

 scribing each plot. Though the initial expense might be con- 

 siderable, I believe it would be for the interest of economy in 

 the long run, as such records would enable this branch of the 

 State's service to obtain a fairly accurate estimate of areas 

 available for shellfish cultivation and of their value for this pur- 

 pose. It is a rule of this Bureau that all lands applied for be 

 thoroughly examined and reported upon before action is taken to 

 lease the same in order that the section of law prohibiting the 

 leasing of grounds naturally productive is fully observed. The 

 plotting and report of conditions above mentioned would not 

 eliminate the necessity for further examination when application 

 is made, but would be of great assistance in systematizing the 

 State's shell-fish business and would also stimulate competition 

 when selling leases for lands which heretofore have been subject 

 to tacit understanding that the applicant be considered somewhat 

 in the nature of discoverer and therefore entitled to preference. 

 This condition would not exist if the oyster growers and the State 

 had data to refer to without making necessary individual ex- 

 ploration. If it should be decided to do this work, a suitable 

 vessel with proper equipment would be required. 



This Bureau has had several conferences with the leading 

 oyster growers of the State for the purpose of ascertaining their 



[181] 



