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FISHING AND THE SEAFOOD INDUSTRY
To thousands of Marylanders who draw their livelihood
from the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries,
a major accomplishment of the 1960's was the reversal of a
long decline in the production of oysters. In one of his first
acts after taking office, Governor Tawes reorganized the De-
partment of Tidewater Fisheries and launched a crash pro-
gram to rehabilitate the marine resources of the Bay. Oyster
production, the mainstay of the State's fishing industry, hit
an all-time low in 1962, then, responding to an intensified
seeding program started in 1960, began a continuing upward
trend. It was the Governor's view that only through long-
term government-industry cooperation could the State's sea-
food industry return again to the vitality of a few decades ago.
ADDRESS, SEAFOOD BOOSTER DINNER
SALISBURY
November 16, 1963
I am most grateful to the Chesapeake Bay Seafood Industries Asso-
ciation for inviting me to attend this second annual Seafood Booster
Dinner.
In a group such as this, I do not feel that it is necessary that I
emphasize my deep interest in the seafood industry. As all of you
know, I enjoy the very closest ties with the people who earn their
livelihood from the bountiful tidal waters of our State. It should have
surprised no one, therefore, that when I became Governor, I an-
nounced that one of my principal aims would be to revitalize and
rehabilitate the marine resources of the Chesapeake Bay and the other
tidal waters of our State.
You will recall that one of the first acts of my Administration was
to reorganize the Department of Tidewater Fisheries, with this pur-
pose in mind. I remember a speech I made in the summer following
my first inauguration in which I expressed the hope that this division
of State government would go down in history as the organization
which brought new life and new strength to our declining seafood
industry. At the time, I outlined what I considered to be the respon-
sibilities of the newly-organized department. "In the future, " I said,
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