stitute this part of its basic economy. Our studies during the past year
have convinced us that, with proper management, we can add millions
of dollars of income annually to the large segment of our people who
earn their living from the water. We hope and expect to bring them
better incomes and higher living standards than they have ever known.

In attempting to achieve these ends for our own people, we offer you
who are here from other states our pledge of cooperation in any way that
we can be helpful to you. It is our hope that we shall all stand together
in building a brighter and more stable future for the shellfish industry.

ADDRESS, SEAFOOD INDUSTRY BOOSTER DINNER
SALISBURY

September 29, 1962

I am pleased to have this opportunity to demonstrate my support,
both personally and officially, of the splendid effort that is being made
by the Chesapeake Bay Seafood Industries Association to promote the
seafood products of our State.

From experience and observations that extend over a lifetime, I am
convinced that the prosperity of Maryland's fishing industry is depend-
ent upon the cooperative endeavors of government, on the one hand,
and, on the other, of the industry itself—tongers, crabbers, dredgers,
clammers, packers, dealers and all others connected with the production
and marketing of seafood.

The capacity and the willingness of the industry to help itself is amply
evidenced by the turn-out at this dinner. I should like to report to you
this evening on the progress your State government is making in assist-
ing the industry.

To such a group as this, I need not stress the point that Maryland's
fishing industry is of tremendous economic importance to this area and
to other Tidewater sections of our State. Fish, crabs, clams and oysters
of the Chesapeake Bay, its tributaries and seaside waters provide an
annual income exceeding $13 million to more than 9, 000 fishermen and
employment to around 4, 000 persons engaged in the seafood processing
industries.

It should be emphasized here that Maryland's fisheries are not de-
clining. During the past three years, the average annual production of
seafood has increased over the preceding eight-year average by more

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