DEPARTMENT OF TIDEWATER FISHERIES
The Commission

Chairman: Dr. Harry C. Byrd, 1963

Albert Baker, 1960 Dr. George J. Weems, 1962
Jeremiah Valliant, 1964 Jesse A. Fisher, 1961

Dr. Harry C. Byrd, Acting Director
Edward S. Digges, Special Assistant Attorney General

State Office Building, Annapolis Telephone: Colonial 8-3371

The Department of Tidewater Fisheries is the state agency respon-
sible for the conservation and development of the natural resources of
tidewater Maryland. The Department is managed by a Commission
composed of five members appointed by the Governor for five-year
terms, with overlapping tenure of office. The Commission elects its
own Chairman.

The Commission formulates basic policy for the conduct of the
Department, but is subject to laws governing various aspects of the
tidewater resources. It undertakes, on a large scale, a "fanning"
operation designed to increase the supply of oysters. It also is charged
with responsibility for other operations in the seafood industry, such
as clamming, fishing, crabbing, etc.

All of the fishery industries are subject to certain legal regulatory
restrictions. The Department is charged by law with the responsibility
for enforcement of all such regulations.

The present Tidewater Fisheries Commission and the laws under
which it operates are the outcome of efforts begun in 1785 when the
people of Maryland and Virginia made a compact for the use of the
Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River. However, it was not until
1830, with the passage of the first fishery laws, that Maryland became
conscious of the possibility of depleting its water resources. In 1865
the General Assembly passed an oyster license law, and in 1868 it
created the State Oyster Police. The oyster police force was simply
an enforcement agency; it did not undertake any constructive pro-
gram. In 1874 the Legislature created a new agency, the Commis-
sioners of Fisheries. This Commission undertook the first positive
efforts to develop the fisheries.

In the early twentieth century, oyster production declined to such
an extent that in 1906 the Haman Act provided for a complete survey
of the bottoms of the bay and its tributaries. This survey, completed
in 1912, is the basis of present day Acts.

The Department of Tidewater Fisheries has a close relation with
the Board of Natural Resources, which is composed of the heads of
various departments relating to the resources of the State and eight
members appointed by the Governor. The present law provides that the
Director of the Department of Tidewater Fisheries shall be Chairman
of this Board.

Appropriations 1969 1960

General Funds ........................... $1,198,146 $1,232,818
Special Funds............................ 31,000 35,000
Federal Funds............................. 10,500 6,260

Totals..........................................$1,289,646 $1,273,068
Staff: 142.