1856 JOINT RESOLUTIONS

WHEREAS, This lack of complete and systematic knowl-
edge on the fish populations leads to a great variety of con-
tradictory opinions concerning the best methods for main-
taining fish populations and on the necessity for protecting
particular species of fish; and

WHEREAS, Fish are taken from the tidewaters by licensed
nets, by a great number of unlicensed nets and by many
sports fishermen using hook-and-line; and

WHEREAS, Existing published information on the fish in
the tidal waters of Maryland fails to provide a clear and
comprehensive view of the populations of the several
species found in Maryland waters; and

WHEREAS, Existing published information fails to show
what species of fish in Maryland waters require special
protection, or what form this protection should take; now
therefore be it

Resolved by the General Assembly of Maryland, That
the Department of Research and Education of the Board of
Natural Resources be and it is hereby authorized and
directed to prepare and publish in simple readable language
a report on the status of the fish populations of tidewater
Maryland, past and present, the effect of the several
licensed and unlicensed gears on said populations and
possible trends in these populations, together with an
evaluation of the fishery conditions and recommendations
for improving these conditions as they affect commercial
and sports fisheries; and be it further

Resolved, That this report shall be distributed to the
General Assembly on or before December 1, 1954.