OF THE { ommissioners of {aland fisheries RHODE “SSe ED PRESENTED FEBRUARY, 1873. . - State of Hhode Jaland, &e. THIRD ANNUAL REPORT Commissioners of Inland Fisheries, GENERAL ASSEMBLY AT ITS JANUARY SESSION, A. D. 1873, PROVIDENCE: PROVIDENCE PRESS COMPANY, PRINTERS TO THE STATE. IURSNC 9 BA OV74, -RARAT To the Honorable General Assembly : The Commissioners of Inland Fisheries beg leave respectfully to present their third annual report. STATE HATCHING ESTABLISHMENT. It is with much pleasure that the Commissioners are able to report that the hatching establishment at Ponaganset has met with good success. Of the 30,000 trout spawn bought last year, about 90 per cent. were hatched, but owing to the extreme heat of last summer, 10 per cent. more of the young fish were lost, making a total of 80 per cent. hatched, or about 24,000 trout. The ponds in which the young fish were placed were not properly constructed, they requiring at least four feet of water and steep banks with considerable shade. The young fish require a temperature below 72° Fahrenheit, above which point the fish die in large numbers. Of the number hatched, about 19,000 were placed in the Paw- tuxet river. A part of this number having been carried into it by a freshet, the Commissioners felt compelled to place so large a number in this river as the ponds were not suitable for the fish. The Pawtuxet river was chosen, partly because it was but a few steps from the hatching establishment, and partly because of the numerous small tributaries which are known to have been in for- mer years full of trout, but at present perfectly depleted. The Commissioners have on hand in ponds constructed for the purpose, about 5,000 young fish. Out of this number they propose to 4 Public Document. retain some for breeding purposes and some for stocking different streams. SALMON. Of the 10,000 salmon spawn purchased last year, about 50 per cent. were found not to be impregnated. On informing Mr. Samuel Wilmot, who furnished the spawn, of this fact, he at once forwarded another 5,000 of perfect spawn, free of cost. Of the total number, nearly all hatched, the loss being less than 1 per cent. It was observed after the young fish were hatched and the umbilical sack absorbed, that they would not take artificial food as readily as the trout. Fearing that a majority would be lost, the Commissioners decided to place the greater number of the young fish in the Pawtuxet river, and retain only a small portion of them in ponds constructed for the purpose. The Commissioners attended a number of meetings of the Fish Commissioners of the New England States, and also a meeting called by Hon. Spencer F. Baird, United States Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries. At one of these meetings Mr. Charles G. Atkins, former Commissioner of Maine, suggested that the differ- ent New England States should combine together and through him procure salmon spawn. This proposition was agreed to by the Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries of the United States, Com- missioners of Fisheries of Connecticut, Commissioners of Inland Fisheries of Massachusetts, Commissioners of Fisheries of Maine, Commissioners of Inland Fisheries of Rhode Island, and Mr. William Clift, of Connecticut. The number of spawn to be divided in the same ratio as the amount subscribed. The State of Rhode Island subscribed $400. Mr. Atkins has been very successful in procuring the salmon spawn, the share for the State of Rhode Island being from ninety to one hundred thousand. This brings the cost to about $5 per thousand, a marked saving from what was paid last year, being $35 gold per thousand. These spawn are expected daily, when they will at once be placed in the hatching boxes. The young fish, when hatched, will be placed in the Blackstone, Pawtuxet and Pawcatuck rivers. The object of the meeting called by Hon. -"y Inland Fisheries. 5 Spencer F. Baird, was to discuss the distribution of the salmon ova presented by the Prussian government to the United States, and also the distribution of salmon ova procured in Maine. The Commissioners regret to report that the salmon spawn from Europe will be nearly if not a total loss, caused by unusual delays and unusual warm weather they were exposed to before being shipped. But the Hon. Spencer F. Baird has kindly informed your Com- missioners that 10,000 salmon spawn were awaiting their orders in Maine. SHAD. The Commissioners decided to try the experiment of placing some shad in the three largest rivers in this State, viz. : the Black- stone, Pawtuxet and Pawcatuck. They wrote to the Fish Com- missioners of Massachusetts and requested a permit to procure: shad spawn at Hadley Falls, and were requested to apply to the Fish Commissioners of Connecticut, who were at that time pro- curing large numbers of spawn at Hadley Falls. On applying to. Mr. William M. Hudson, he very kindly offered us all we wanted: of young fish, free of cost, excepting a small sum paid to Mr.. Smith, who had charge of the hatching boxes. Not a single fish, was lost in the transportation, which was wholly due to the good care given them by Mr. Robert Holmes, who had charge of the: fish, and the facilities extended by the Providence & Worcester: and Providence and Stonington railroads in permitting the trans--. portation of these fish in their express trains. The success in not losing a single fish would have been very doubtful without these facilities, as a large number of the fish were necessarily confined. in a small compass. BLACK BASS. But a small number of these-valuable fish were placed in ponds: of this State during the past year, owing to a large number having been stolen from the parties your Commissioners engaged the fish of. Little time will be lost, as most of the ponds were intended to be stocked im the fall. These fish would not have: 6 Public Document. spawned until May or June of this year. More fish have been engaged, and they will be placed in the ponds in March and April. The following ponds were stocked last year by the Commission- ers:—Beach Pond, Newport, 41 black bass; Stafford Pond, Tiverton, 41 black bass. Prince’s Pond, Barrington, was stocked by private parties. In view of saving traveling expenses, your Commissioners decided to send printed notifications to the different town councils of towns in the State, representing that the Commissioners were prepared to stock suitable ponds in their several towns with black bass, provided the town councils would pass the required laws for their protection. The following towns have responded to these notices :—Hopkinton, Yawgoog Pond; Warwick, Phonogansett Pond; North Kingstown, Carr or Belleville Pond; West Green- wich, Miswick Pond; South Kingstown, Yawkers and Harkins Ponds; Exeter, Deep Pond. Tt has been the custom to stock ponds with one and two years old fish. The Commissioners propose this year to change this by placing large mature fish of from three to five pounds, being from three to five years old. The advantages of this plan are as follows : First, the fish being placed early in the spring, will spawn the same year. Second, the fish being large, can fully protect them- selves against the pickerel; and lastly, as the fish would spawn the first and every succeeding year during the threc years of close time, the first young fish hatched would be of sufficient size to be marketable, and also old enough to deposit spawn. The Commissioners have recommended certain additions to the existing laws, regulating Inland Fisheries, and they most sincerely hope that your honorable body will consider the matter favorably. FISH WAYS. The Commissioners had fully intended last year to construct a model fish way over the Pawtuxet dam at Pawtuxet, and consulted with Mr. Bracket, Commissioner of Massachusetts, who very kindly sent drawings and working plans of what was then con- sidered the most successful fish ladder in use. The dam was examined, and the contract for building the fish way about to be > Inland Fisheries. a closed, when at a meeting of the Fish Commissioners of different States, Mr. Bracket doubted if a fish ladder constructed on that plan would work, but expressed more confidence in a new fish lad- der, then just completed. Your Commissioners at once concluded to wait for the results of the newly constructed ladder. In the last report of the Massachusetts Commissioners, this ladder is highly recommended, and the Commissioners hope with the con- sent of Mr. Bracket, to construct a like fish ladder over the Paw- tuxet dam this spring. In 1872 the city of Providence appropriated $500 for the con- struction of a fish ladder over the same dam; but this sum would not be sufficient to cover the cost of building a suitable fish way for shad and salmon, and taking into consideration that this first fish ladder, when properly constructed and proved to be a success, would, as a pattern to go by, be a benefit to the whole State, the Commissioners would most respectfully recommend your honor- able body to appropriate an additional $500 to be expended solely for the purpose of constructing this particular ladder over the Pawtuxet dam, under the condition that only so much of the $500 appropriated should be be drawn from the State treasury as would be required over and above the appropriation already made by the city of Providence. FINANCES. State of Rhode Island in account with the Commissioners of Inland Fisheries. Dr. Labor on Hatching Establishment, - - - $268 35 Lumber, ='. - Ba, om - - 24 84 Coal, - = - = = - 18 22 Sundries, - - - - - 5 -62 ——__ $317 03 Robert R. Holmes, travelling expenses, - - 27 46 Commissioners, travelling expenses, - - 96 07 _ 123 53 Robert R. Holmes, travelling expenses in procuring shad and putting same in three rivers, ~ - - - 99 90 One year’s rent of land, - - - 10 00 C. G. Atkins, salmon spawn, - - - 400 00 Travelling expenses for salmon spawn, - - 25 00 Extra expenses for salmon spawn, - - - 7 00 Robert R. Holmes, 82 black bass and expenses, - 103 40 s 8 Public Document. Pike & Atwood, (services as police officers,) - - 18 00 Printing, - sie - - - 5 50 ——__ 568 90 1,109 36 Balance on hand with Commissioners, - - 167 60 a - - - - - 1,062 50 —-——_ 1,260 10 $2,369 46 Cr. 1873. February 24. By amount of appropriation for 1872, - $1.500 00 ‘** balance on hand for year 1871, - 869 46 —— $2,369 46 1873. February 24. By balanee brought forward, - = $1,260 10 This statement shows that the Commissioners have $1,260.10 on hand, over and above the expenses of the year 1872, and they would respectfully recommend that the sum of fifteen hundred dollars ($1,500) be appropriated to meet the expenses of the year 1873. JOHN H. BARDEN, NEWTON DEXTER, Commissioners. ALFRED A. REED, Jr., Providence, Feb. 24, 1873. Dee Pa aN aD ab aoe: [From the General Statutes of the State of Rhode Island.] TLEULE XVIII. CHAPTER 137. OF THE INLAND FISHERIES. SECTION : SECTION 1. Commissioners of inland fisheries,| 6. Commissioners may remove ob- how appointed, and term of struction to migration or culture oflice. of fish. 2. Duties of commissioners. 7. Fish not to be taken from stacked 3. Of publication, &c., of their regu- fisheries for three years after lations. establishment thereof. 4. Penalty for violating regulations| 8. Disposition of penalties recovered miude by the commissioners, or for violations of this chapter. taking fish, &c., from ponds,| 9. Commissioners may take fish from &c., stocked for cultivation of fisheries for certain purposes. fish. 10. May pass over private property in 5. Penalty for catching fish within discharge of their duties. half a mile of the outlet of a| 11. Shall be allowed their actual dis- fishery set apart as aforesaid. | bursements. Section 1. The governor shall appoint three commissioners, to be known as the commissioners of inland fisheries, who shall hold their offices for three years, and until their successors are appointed. Sec. 2. The commissioners of inland fisheries shall introduce, protect and cultivate fish in the inland waters of the State, and may make all needful regulations for the protection of such fish, and shall prosecute for the violation of such regulations. They may cooperate with the fish commissioners of other States, and they shall make an annual report to the general assembly of their doings, with such facts and suggestions, in relation to the object for which they were appointed, as they may deem proper. Sec 3. The said commissioners shall cause a copy of their regulations to be filed in the oflice of the town clerk of any town, in which any. waters stocked with fish under the authority of the preceding section of this chapter may be, and to which such regulations may apply, and shall also cause a copy of such regulations to be advertised in some newspapcr published in the same county. 12 Public Document. Src. 4. Every person who shall violate any of the regulations made by the commissioners of inland fisheries under the authorily of the provisions of the preceding sections of this chapter, or who shall take any fish, fish-spawn, or any apparatus used in hatching or protecting fish, from any pond, lake, river, or stream stocked with or set apart by said commissioners or by private parties, for the protection and cultivation of fish with the consent of the town council of the town where such cultivation is carried on, without the ccnsent of such commissioners, or, if the cultivation of fish be carried on by a private party? without the consent of the person cultivating the same, shall, upon conviction, be fined not exceeding three hundred dollars, or be imprisoned not exceeding six months, or be both fined and imprisoned, in the discretion of the court before which the offender shall be tried. Sec. 5. Every person who eatches any fish, or uses any seine for catching fish, within one half a mile from the mouth or outlet of any fishery set apart as is herein provided, and within any waters into which the waters of such fishery are let out, shall forfeit for the first offence the sum of fifty dollars, and for every subsequent offence shall forfeit one hundred dollars, and, in addition to the penalties herein provided, shall forfeit all the apparatus by him used in violat- ing the provisions of this section. Sec. 6. Each of the commissioners of inland fisheries may personally or by deputy seize, and remove summarily if need be, all obstructions erected to hinder the passage of migrating fish, or which are illegally erected to obstruct, or in any way to impede, the growth and culture of fish. Sec. 7. The prohibition to the catching of fish by hook and line, from fish- eries stocked as is hereinbefore provided, shall extend and be continued for and during the term of three years from and after the time when such fishery was first established. Sec. 8. One half of the penalties recovered for violation of the provisions of this chapter shall accrue to the complainant, and the other half thereof to the state. Sec. 9. The commissioners of inland fisheries may take fish from the fish- eries hereinbefore referred to, for any purpose connected with fish culture, or for scientific observation. Sec. 10. Each of said commissioners may, in the discharge of his duties, enter upon and pass through or over private property, without rendering him- self liable in an action of trespass. Sec. 11. The commissioners of inland fisheries shall be allowed their actual disbursements, made in carrying into effect the provisions of this chapter.