Report of tf)e wtyellfisf) Commissioner. 



To fl)e Commissioners of Fisheries, Game and Forests: 



GENTLEMEN: — I have the honor of transmitting the following preliminary report 

 of the Shellfish Department of the Fisheries, Game and Forest Commission, of which 

 I have charge. During the past year there have been eighty-two applications for 

 oyster lots, covering 672 acres, all of which have been executed and filed. Sixty- 

 three leases of oyster lots have been made, and sixty-eight oyster lots of different 

 sizes and shapes have been located and surveyed, being situated principally in Jamaica 

 and Sheepshead bays. I regret to say that no applications have been made for lands 

 under water in Long Island sound, owing to the fact that our oyster men do not 

 consider a fifteen-year lease sufficient to warrant them in taking up these grounds 

 where it requires large capital to operate and carry on the business. I sincerely trust 

 that your honorable body will see fit to recommend that the Legislature enact a law 

 to permit this Commission to grant perpetual franchises for this vast territory, the 

 same as the oyster men of Connecticut have. It is safe to estimate that there are 

 200,000 acres of uncultivated oyster land in Long Island sound, State of New York, 

 and it would seem to me that liberal inducements should be offered to our citizens, in 

 order to increase the supply of this great article of food. To those who are not 

 observant of this great industry it is hard to explain that while in the shoal waters of 

 big bays a fifteen-year lease is very good, yet in the deep water of Long Island 

 sound, where it requires large capital and large steamers to operate the grounds, 

 together with the uncertainty of producing a crop, and where the natural enemy of 

 the oyster abounds, we find that oyster men will not risk their capital on a fifteen- 

 year lease ; and it is for this reason that we earnestly recommend the granting of 

 perpetual franchises in Long Island sound and Prince's and Raritan bays. The State 

 Engineer has done a great deal toward forwarding the work of this office, and his 

 kindly attention has been appreciated. Many new signals have been located and 

 built, and old ones repaired. The work of the hydrographic survey, under the super- 

 vision of Mr. Charles Wyeth, C. E., has proceeded satisfactorily. 



Later, in a final report, I will give more in detail the work of this department. 

 All of which is respectfully submitted, 



EDWARD THOMPSON, 



Shellfish Commissioner. 



137 



