13,793

1

system of county by county laws which we have followed

2

here in the State of Maryland on this subject.

3

Let me quote from page 5 of this report: "The

4

county laws have strangled development. Restrictions of

5

gear are in many cases deleterious. Seasonal laws have

6

interfered with oyster quality. Yet the communal aspects

7

of the fisheries do not have to stand in the way of

8

development, provided reasonable changes take place."

9

The report suggests several methods for rehabili-

10

tating the oyster industry and the seafood industry at

11

large in the State of Maryland.

12

Every one of those suggestions which the report ;

13

makes would require that the present archaic system of

14

legislating on our natural resources county by county be

15

done away with.

16

In brief, the abolition of this old system of

17

county by county legislation is essential if we are to

18

rehabilitate this industry, which I would say is No. 1 in

19

the State of Maryland.

20

THE PRESIDENT: You have one minute, Delegate

21

Macdonald.