Annual report of the Commissioners of Shell Fisheries, to the General Assembly at its ..

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State of Rhode Jaland and Providence Plantations

ANNUAL REPORT
|| COMMISSIONERS OF SHELL FISHERIES

FISCAL YEAR ENDING NOVEMBER 30, 1924

AS MADE TO THE

GHNERAL ASSHMBLY

AT ITS

JANUARY. SESSION, 1925

THE LIBRARY QF THE
MAY 2.4 1996

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CINIVERSITY §

PROVIDENCE:
E. L. FREEMAN COMPANY, PRINTERS
1925

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State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

COMMISSIONERS OF SHELL FISHERIES

FOR THE

FISCAL YEAR ENDING NOVEMBER 80, 1924

AS MADE TO THE

GHNEHERAL ASSHMBLY

fel Ts

JANUARY SESSION, 1925

LHE LIBRARY QF Hf}

UNIVERSITY OF iLLiNOr

PROVIDENCE:
E. L, FREEMAN COMPANY, PRINTERS
1925

Commissioners of

Shell Fisheries

AND THEIR DEPUTIES

1925

COMMISSIONERS OF SHELL FISHERIES

Fp wARD‘ATCHISONGS | LW Vu ane me
Minton DUCKWORTH ok 0 cue ts cole es
Tinney KS LITT RP ipio don) ee ela ene
ARTHUR OSSMITHI teat ee eae ee

Granias 1. BROOKS: tka. eee eee

P. O. Address, Slatersville, R. I.
Carolina, R. I.

New Shoreham, R. I.
‘Barrington, R. I.
Conimicut, R. I.

CLERK
SytvesTer K. M. Ropertson............P. O. Address, Lakewood, R. I.
CHARLES W. Couuins, Ass’t Clerk...... Aya ‘¢ Providence, R. I.
ENGINEER

Wavtar W VEASSTE Eig hs tla yo ee

DEPUTY COMMISSIONERS OF

AMOS, SB AOLARHIG eo sant ee A eae
WintiAMen. WEL 5 Dia ee
LEMAN WARDSWORTH........

Onrver GoNICKS Ct ee a ae ae ee
JOHN" Ly Saari if cde aaa oo semen ns
DSVEVANUSAV IEDIG ee CaM nm a ean ey
THOMAS JESRADI:: oe Lee rere tae

..P. O. Address, Cranston, R. I.

SHELL FISHERIES

..P. O. Address, Warwick, R. I.

Providence, R. I.
Wickford, R. I.
Bristol, R. I.
Warren, R. I.

New Shoreham, R. I.
Pawtucket, R. I.

BIOLOGIST AND BACTERIOLOGIST

STEPHEN DEM. GAGR...........

P. O. Address, Providence, R. I.

INSPECTOR OF OYSTER HOUSES

SETH) WALTON (est tice. Sane

P. O. Address, Providence, R. I.

REPORT

To the Honorable General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations:

GENTLEMEN :—We, the undersigned Commissioners of Shell Fish-
eries, beg leave to report to your Honorable Body the condition of the
Department of Shell Fisheries, together with the acts of the Com-
mission relative thereto. This report is made in accordance with
the provisions of the law, and covers a period of twelve months ending
‘November 30th, 1924. This report contains the receipts and dis-

™pbursements of the Department, together with the names and addresses

of lease holders of oyster ground within the State, also the number of

acres leased and the amount of rental due the State from each lease
* holder, as of record in the office of the Commissioners of Shell Fish-
eries on the thirtieth day of November, 1924.

OysTER INDUSTRY.

We are of an opinion that the Oyster Industry is bound to improve,

_-as for the first time in a number of years there has been quite a large

“set” of oysters in different sections of Narragansett Bay, and this
“set”? means a great deal to the oyster growers, and the salvation of

_ the oyster industry in this State.

For the past number of years the oyster growers have been compelled
to procure oyster “set’’ or small oysters from other States, even as

“far south as Maryland, which was a great expense to the different

growers. This oyster ‘‘set’’ of 1924, should greatly relieve this

‘: serious situation, and if the general waters of Narragansett Bay still
~. remains the same, or are improved, a still larger “set’’ is anticipated.

<—
‘ ~
a

Ns

If the oyster ‘“‘set’”’ can increase year by year, it will mean the leasing of

4 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF SHELL FISHERIES.

oyster ground for oyster culture, and an increase of fixed revenue to
the State.

At the January Session of 1921, Chapter 203, entitled ‘Of Private
and Several Oyster Fisheries,’’ was amended, reducing the rental of
leased oyster ground by one-half. This amendment has of necessity
cut the revenue in two, and while it has furnished the relief asked for
by the lessees of oyster ground, it must be remembered that allow-
ances must be made in the financial statement of the Commission for
this fact. We believe that until the time comes when a large com-
mercial ‘‘set”’ of oysters appear in our Bay that the oyster industry
will remain practically stationary. In other words, as we asserted
last year, we firmly believe that the bottom has been reached, and we
believe that the business of the past year has borne out our assertion.
A glance at the table appended to this report will give one the im-
pression that our downward progress has stopped. ?

For the improvement of the oyster industry, the Commissioners of —
Shell Fisheries have had conferences with many of the oyster growers
and with members of the Oyster Growers Association, who have
sought to co-operate with the Commissioners to better the oyster
industry. Our attention was called to the illegal poaching, stealing
or violation of the Shell Fish Laws, and mainly to the loss of oysters
by stealing from the several oyster growers, they maintain, and we
recommend a more drastic law in increasing the minimum penalty
for those who illegally take oysters from the leased oyster ground. —

The important question of artifically or propagating oyster ‘“‘set’’
is a most important subject, for as we have stated, the future of the
oyster industry of the State of Rhode Island depends primarily on
the oyster ‘set.’ Other States are giving this subject serious con-
sideration, and the State of New York after making an appropriation
have made extensive experiments. The Commissioners of Shell
Fisheries have made an exhaustive study of this problem, having
met with the Commissioners of other States, we inspected the experi-
mental station of the State of New York, located on Long Island,
thousands of oysters at this Station had been artifically raised from

REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF SHELL FISHERIES. 5

oyster spat, and the Commissioners intend to co-operate and keep in
touch with the different experimental stations regarding future
experiments in the artificial raising of oysters.

(CHAPTER 852) “Regulating the Taking of Shell Fish from the
free and Common Fisheries.”

In general we believe this law is a good one, as it enables a person
who may be temporarily out of employment to gather for his own use,
without a license a bushel of clams, quahaugs, or oysters from our
shores; sell them and provide thereby to some extent at least some
of the necessities of life, as well as furnishing a good and wholesome
food for himself and his family.

(CHAPTER 209) ‘Of Scollop Fisheries.”’

This past year, and the preceding year have been the best two years
for scollops, both as to quality and the abundance of the crop. It
having been estimated that 300,000 bushels of scollops have been
obtained in Narragansett Bay and its tributaries. While the scollop
season of 1924, did not yield or make as great a return as the preced-
ing year, we feel as a whole, that the scollop yield was an excellent
-one, and the outlook for 1925 is most promising. While the State
has not received a direct revenue from the crop of scollops, many
citizens have received an excellent income from the marketing of the
scollop, which were of a very fine quality.

In our previous report the Commissioners of Shell Fisheries rec-
ommended the first day of opening scollops to be advanced one month,
from September lst, to October 1st, (September Ist, being the first
day in which scollops may be procured each year) as scollops greatly
increase in size and growth during the month of September, the yield
would be much larger, and an increased revenue would be received by

those procuring scollops.

(CHAPTER 1243) “Of the protection of Quahaugs.”’

The crop of quahaugs or littlenecks for the year 1924 was most
abundant. ‘There were thousands of bushels of quahaugs or little-
necks in the Sakonnet River, East Greenwich Bay and other localities,

6 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF SHELL FISHERIES.

and the crop for the coming year is a most excellent one. In previous
years, littlenecks or quahaugs were centered largely in East Green-
wich Bay, but now many parts of the Bay and its tributaries have
the best set of years.

A few years ago, you may recall, that the Commissioners called to
your attention that clams were almost extinct on the shores of Narra-
gansett Bay, and the Commissioners of Shell Fisheries have given
this subject ample thought and consideration, in closing certain areas .
where clams had set, it allowed growth and increase, and during this
past year thousands of bushels of excellent clams have been procured
along the shores and tributaries of Narragansett Bay. The clam
set is very abundant, and the outlook for 1925 is excellent.

INSPECTION OF OysTER HoUusEs.

Under the provisions of Chapter 233 the Commissioners of Shell
Fisheries have supervision over the premises where shell fish are
opened, packed or prepared for the trade, to make such sanitary
regulations as to the handling of shell fish as will safeguard the public.
We are able to report that the inspection of oyster houses has been
in charge during the past year of Mr. Seth Walton, who has efficiently .
and well performed the duties of that office, reports have been made
to this office weekly; and we are pleased to report that the regulations
have been observed, that the houses are kept clean and sanitary, and —
in general are up to the requirements of the Federal and State regula-
tions governing the preparation of food products.

The United States Food and Drug Inspectors have inspected
several oyster houses in the State of Rhode Island, and they report
that the oysters of Narragansett Bay and the oyster houses rank
very highly.

LEASED GROUND.

The number of acres of ground under lease, as shown recorded in
the books of this office on November 30, 1924, is as follows: 2,347.1
acres at $5.00 per acre, and 1,512.1 acres at $2.50 iy acre. Making
a total of 3,859.2 acres.

REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF SHELL FISHERIES. 7

REPORT OF THE CHEMIST AND SANITARY ENGINEER
OF THE STATE BOARD OF HEALTH

Commissioners of Shell Fisheries:

GENTLEMEN :—The sanitary investigations carried out for you
during 1924 have included the usual fall examination of oysters from
leased oyster grounds, and a brief study of the relative sanitary con-
dition of clams and quahaugs from the easterly side of upper Narra-
gansett Bay.

Sanitary examinations were made of oysters collected from leased
beds in the Longmeadow and Nayatt areas on September 24th, from
the Kickemuit and the Portsmouth-Tiverton areas on Septem-
ber 25th, and from the Bristol area on October 1st. These examina-
tions showed the oysters to have low scores, and the issuance of
sanitary certificates for all leased beds in these areas was recom-
mended. Examination of oysters from beds in the Warren area
was made on October 14th, On this date the outlying beds were ~
found to show low scores, but scores above the passing mark were
obtained on oysters from beds located in the Warren River which are
subject to the direct influence of the sewage discharged from the town
of Warren. It was therefore recommended that sanitary certificates
be granted for the outlying portions of this area only.

At your request a number of successive examinations were made of
clams and quahaugs from the easterly side of the upper Bay, at
points between Sabine Point and Bullock’s Point. The result of
these examinations showed that during February and March, when
the water was cold, the sanitary scores of quahaugs were low, but
that an increase in the scores occurred as the water became warmer.
While the results obtained were relatively few in number, they in-

8 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF SHELL FISHERIES.

dicated that it might be safe to take quahaugs from this section for
use as food during the winter, although such quahaugs could not be
considered a safe food during the summer and fall seasons. The
clams from these areas showed many high scores and indicated that
the present restrictions on the taking of such clams for food should
not be removed.

Respectfully submitted,
STEPHEN DseM. GAGE;

Chemist and Sanitary Engineer.

REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF SHELL FISHERIES. 9

FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF THE OysTER INDUSTRY FROM DECEMBER IsT, 1923, TO

NOVEMBER 30TH, 1924.

RECEIPTS.

heere veG. Pom renG Om OVStCT, STOUIEC © el ear 5c ss did td nab oe coe cee solaneee

Received from interest.......

TeEUMLVETINL OIL ICCS. (PLB TSIeD aei. t,o ak c-tt) es dca Le bad wines gecatn ws

Received from Fishermen’s Licenses.......
Received from Scollop Licenses... .. .

DISBURSEMENTS ALLOWED BY COMMISSIONERS OF SHELL
PROVIDED By Law.

eae TCT MUTT ISS MITICLS Lie Mike tSt 2 coo 3-s-2's Gok ed helm an ee ae:

ISL VROMRIOT Kin Uae, bc «ale EAM, OPE seo Phat ated sae
Hirer Mette ak CTs eed ee a

Appropriation allowed for expenses of Department..........

MSS CoSaay UBT st RATS 0g tle) Se te Fg
ete ieerIMg ANCLOULVE YING meat oh) 052. le% sts eek eels lhe ove
EUG la Mm en Med Bae hee no 80, o's Sela As Blo ees
Peapector Oo: Cryater HOuUses sass rey ide ae el be Sie
TSCM MET GETS + . wate Reese. cles

Advertising Cancellations........

SERRA Geen eee kde, Berwae, ta wh we oa

Travelling expenses of Commissioners.................
EGetnge AD CHUCEL SUPPLIES > ime ae aceite scale. & eica es
oC OCT. oft Cue" Ry Be Ge Eee Al er A La
STANCES EL SESE et Ree i Se on le
Operating andiexpenses of beat. 200... ade A ee
Appropriation allowed for expenses of Department......
PRM IOTLE eee Eee LEA ec, Llwae PE agi slope) vtie bs
Unexpended balance...........

PAP Las rayne. VGRTaL O24 Mowe. 1b-0 sen srs Me Sekt e ote 4
Sev aICe DTONICEG IVa Wel teak He). Oe 2 Bice vealed lea 's,5. as

Expenses of Department............

DV etoraVenlic: =e eae gL aun teen, Gee ee LPO ie fe

_. $14,372 45
84 65

24 00

1,180 00
1,485 00

$17,146 10

FISHERIES. SALARIES

$2,500 O00
Se eee 2,500 00

$6,200 00
-..... $12,000 00
$6,732 38
285 00
960 00
500 00
154 72
18 63
175 00
298 93
189 05
61 28
5 13
757 87
oe — $10,137 99
Pialnonee) 2,000 00
$10,137 99
1,862 01

U5) '¢19.000'60

ae 17,146 10
$6,200 00
16,337 99

aon eae es $808 11

10 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF SHELL FISHERIES.

ALPHABETICAL LIST

Of names of lessees of oyster ground with the number of acres held by each, and the

amount of rental received by the State for same.

Waseli@e ens 2 leew ah) ene oe ING LID esto wane se ieee ened:

Acres,
NAME. Town.

$5.00

American Oyster Corp.........| Providence....... 107.8
Anthony, Lienly wes tie eee ee Warwick tiscali ect
Baker? Josephs. .yaca eee re N. Kingstown..... ths
Barnes Jeremiah ee oes ae Westerly. 1. fac o> LED
Beacon Oyster Cowie cl a ae ickfordsss a ake le el O2eo
Bellmore, Hredid: ote eee 2 eee E. Greenwich..... if 49)
Blount, wade Bi. yiciwe. cies Warren aes 29.8
BLOUNG | tn. ts On OR okt. cles le VATE OD wits eit ony 6.4
Bourne, Johns aon eo. isu, Providence... ....- 29.1
Bowden J; & S0De. neces Bristole ian 8.0
Bowden Carter... sien + Barmington ese 1.0
Briggs) JON IC nate erence He. Greenwich sisi) ee ee
Buckinghnamet; Manes. aeons src Wiarroni neice 32.6
Cape Ann \FishiGo .5:.\0.9 ots aes Providence....... 33.7
Coggeshall) Brostaieh ecient ties INewpObuon een 4.2
Gorgeshall,) Josiahte.. oo. oan.bes Warren sae tae Ont
Connollywa homasvee os. uae ee Warren s.t08 pipet 170.2
Daniels, William W........... Barrie tomas eres wpe Oat
Field, Waterman E........... Warwick f2n/es sac 8.5
Field, Waterman E., Jr........ Warwick tar wmnrn 12.0
Portin Jamesaes tet eeu ie E. Greenwich..... 1.8
‘Gorman, Joseph? 02.0000) «a. Ee Greenwith ie. eciaeke |
Cireer, VOR hark ft Garces > nae WAlwitk s bt Sacod cyl) inca cate
Greene, George T..........0..4. Warren:.4.3 0 aoe 59.8
Payens, (Charis 0) s,s). on ts t Warwick. 5X hou. ee 4.0
Havens, L. & W. I) ln coe tn eae Warwick (cucu oss. 4.0
Higgins, RK. ROR: 1) el Barringtones oe 128.9
pI MOODSON “ATU cs eee WALTCHC.S OG Ge a a

Acres,

$2.50

Total

Acres.

|

153.

Oo’, BRO OO O'R & NW O&M FO WwW

w Oo OnA OOO Ff a

on

Or

o

Amount.

.25

REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS

NAME.

Narragansett Bay Oyster Co....

Northup, Joseph

R. I. Oyster Farms Co
Rooks, Benjamin D

Roawe, Henry C.......

Shepard, Wilhelmina
Sherman, Jonathan I
Slocum, Frank C
Smith, Fred G
Wilcox, Ernest C

Winstead, Clarence

iPetis prank. @29e..
ReMi A Ota Gene

oe

a ¢ whe:

OF

ALPHABETICAL LIST—Concluded.

Acres.

Town.
$5.00 $2.50
Providence....... 733.7 702.0
trey WAY WLC Res Mec Sk os assur aertn od 10.0
fc ee Providence). yi 7¢.1. 2b gO Wa cheat
ve ae ae Providence......'... SL RO Laie avadatatets
Prabhas q ae E. Providence 200.4 251.1
Se aataiie oy Wiarlenictay, santana 59.3 18.3
SS ak Westerlyen.. creo int 191.2 9.3
oe ee Brsoliess soe. oii suaae 21.4
irc Scent MY BU Wael S80 S tia." afta ote 4b 10.0
Becca Mae (stat ie] hake epee parang gS DS Oy es 8G
ee A Na Kangstown... 4. LLd.2 63.2
Se ae WISTYVIGI. Sica rhe Rowe stale lit 5.0
Bers eather th WP WIG. siesta 6 0.6 4.4

All of which is respectfully submitted.

SHELL FISHERIES.

Total

Acres.

EDWARD ATCHISON,
MILTON DUCKWORTH,

HENRY K. LITTLEFIELD,

ARTHUR L. SMITH,

CHARLES F. BROOKS.

Commissioners of Shell Fisheries.

THE LIBRARY QF THE
MAY 21 1925

UNIVERSITY @F ILLINGIS

Amount.

11

.50

Mum

0112 105825639