File:Annual report (1903) (14728942006).jpg

Identifier: annualreport101112190newy (find matches)
Title: Annual report
Year: 1902 (1900s)
Authors: New York (State). Forest, Fish and Game Commission
Subjects: Forests and forestry Fisheries Game and game-birds
Publisher: (Albany, N.Y. : The Commission)
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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the oysters and clams. Natural forces are no doubt sufficient to conserve and even guaranteenatural conditions, but when to the attacks of starfish, borer, periwinkleand other enemies of the shellfish are added the sweeping raids of theallconsuming fisherman, there is certainly little left for the molluskbut extinction. Natural Growth. The statute defines natural growth lands, or, to be more exact, defineslands which are not natural growth to be, lands which have for five yearsfailed to produce natural oysters in sufficient quantities to enable personsengaged in the planting and cultivation thereof to earn a livelihood byworking on such lands. There are few localities in the State where natural oysters can now befound in quantities sufficient to enable one engaged in working them tomake a living even for the short term during which such beds may beworkable. The word livelihood in this connection has not been construedor judicially defined. If it means an annual support or maintenance,
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OYSTERS ON CLAY PIPE. FOREST. FISH AND GAME COMMISSIONER. I 15 then there are now no natural oyster lands in this State sufficiently pro-ductiye to answer the requirements. It must be understood that as soon as natural oysters are found,numbers of fishermen crowd to the locality and the shellfish, before theyare as large as a one cent piece, are raked up and sold as seed. A fewweeks or even days may suffice to deplete entirely the locality of oysters.That the shellfish product under such destructive manipulation was inimminent danger of being practically wiped out, and that oysters mightsoon be obtainable only as a luxury for the rich, was years ago appreciatedby those who had given the subject attention and in consequence theexisting system of State control was inaugurated. Under this systemlands under water are granted to oyster planters at a fixed rental. Theplanters are encouraged to make every effort and adopt every improvementwhich may be expected to increase the quantity and im

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