Volume 175, Page 106 View pdf image (33K) |
106 MARYLAND MANUAL
created by Chapter 354, Acts of 1939. The Fish and Wildlife Admin- istration is one of six major operating management agencies within the Department of Natural Resources. To provide more efficient administration, the tidewater fishery functions and responsibilities were transferred from the Department of Chesapeake Bay Affairs to the Fish and Wildlife Administration by the Secretary of Natural Resources. In addition to this transfer of activities, the Maryland Marine Police and the Wildlife Officers are being combined into a single Natural Resources Police Force. The Fish and Wildlife Administration is administered by a Director who is appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Natural Resources. The Director is charged with the responsibility for the management and operation of Maryland's fish and wildlife resources. A five man Fish and Wildlife Commission is appointed by the Secretary of Natural Resources to advise the Director. Four members are from the regional wildlife administration areas of the State. The fifth member is appointed by the Secretary of Natural Resources at large from a list of names submitted to him by interested organizations, including the Maryland Wildlife Federation, the Izaak Walton League and the Maryland Farm Bureau. No member may be appointed unless he has been a resident of the State for at least three years prior to his appointment, and he must be well informed on the subject of wildlife conservation. The Fish and Wildlife Administration enforces the game and fish laws and such additional regulations adopted for the conservation of the resources in its charge. The Fish and Wildlife Administration also has the responsibility of managing Maryland's valuable marine fisheries. Oyster production continues at a relative high level due to the expanded shell and seed planting program. Maryland continues to lead the nation in the pro- duction of soft shell clams and striped bass (Rock fish) and is second in the production of blue crabs. The dockside value of Maryland's commercial fisheries for 1970 was over 18 million dollars. Over thirty-six state-owned wildlife management areas, having a total of 72,000 acres, provide areas for public hunting and other recreation activities. In addition, large areas of private property have been acquired, for public use under the Maryland Cooperative Wildlife Management Program. State Forests and other State lands are co- operatively managed to provide more public hunting as part of the State's Multiple-Use Effort. STATE OWNED—LEASED PUBLIC HUNTING LANDS
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Volume 175, Page 106 View pdf image (33K) |
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