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The (International) Association of Fish & Wildlife
Agencies Conservation Collection
9-10-1946
Resolution 1946-17-18 Amendment of Black Bass
Act - Prohibition of Commercialization of All
Game Fish (Originally Unnumbered)
Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
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Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Resolution 1946-17-18 Amendment of Black Bass Act - Prohibition of Commercialization of All
Game Fish (Originally Unnumbered) (1946),
Available at: http://digitalcommons.law.msu.edu/afwa_reso/940
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national capital. However, I feel that in the case of some of the states it
would hamper our Association considerably. Connecticut, for example, and
a number of other smaller states, would have difficulty in meeting an increased
appropriation for this purpose. I think further it entirely changes the character of our Association; and to accomplish this purpose by the method of
resolution would not be good enough — we would have to revise our constitution before we could enter upon an activity of this kind.
Mr. Feast: As I understand it, Mr. Morgan’s motion is to raise the dues,
and his comments as to the use of the dues are incidental to the motion.
The President: I have no objection to the motion being read, if you want
that.
Mr. Feast: I would like to have it read.
(The motion having been read):
The President: Then I take it we are ready for the question.
(The question having been put, the motion was declared lost.)
Mr. Clarke (Washington): I had a resolution which I handed in to the
committee, but I do not think it was quite fair to the committee because they
had very little chance to study it. I do not think the committee rejected the
resolution on the ground that the Lacey Act covered it, because I am quite sure
it doesn’t. This resolution is of particular interest to us in the west and I think
also to the entire nation. With your permission I will read it.
Amendment of Black Bass Act — Prohibition of
Commercialization of all Game Fish
Whereas steelhead trout are a valuable game fish in the states of
Washington, Oregon, California, and other states;
And whereas steelhead trout taken by hook and line for sporting purposes have a materially greater value than they do taken commercially;
And whereas it is well known that this great natural resource is
being needlessly over-exploited by the taking and shipping of these fish
commercially;
And whereas a large number of these fish are taken on Indian reservations and shipped out without coming within the jurisdiction of the various
states;
Therefore be it resolved that the International Association of Game,
Fish and Conservation Commissioners, in convention assembled at Saint
Paul, Minnesota, this 10th day of September, 1946, hereby urge members
of Congress to support an amendment to the Black Bass Act which would
make this Act apply to all game fish and thereby prohibit the commercialization of all game fish including steelhead trout, and does hereby approve
the adoption of such an amendment to the Black Bass Act.
Let me say further that Talbott Denmead, General Counsel for the
Association, has advised me that the Lacey Act will not cover our problem.
As you all know, Mr. Denmead is the father of the Black Bass Act.
To give you a little further insight into what we are doing in the state of
Washington, may I say we have a number of Indian reservations, and at the
mouth of each stream in these reservations the Indians put set nets completely
across the stream, which comb out everything that comes up. I do not know
how many of you have steelhead trout, but they are something to be proud of.
We are trying to protect them, and I think it is only fair to ask the International to support us in any measure that will protect our great game fish.
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In the Little Queets river alone last year the Indians shipped out to Oregon,
where they have not been declared game fish, seventeen tons of steelhead
trout. Under this amendment we could stop the shipping of these fish out of
our state. If they can take these fish for their own purposes only and are not
allowed to sell them, it will be an important factor in the protection of the
steelhead in our state.
Mr. Feast: I will second Mr. Clarke’s resolution. Mr. Clarke would like
a standing vote on it, without discussion.
The President: I do not know whether they want to show their colors or
not.
Mr. Morgan: I will second the motion too.
Mr. Bode: Do I understand that the express “all game fish” is used in the
resolution ?
Mr. Clarke: That is right.
Mr. Bode: Have we any guide as to the definition of game fish? It is a
pretty broad term, and I believe in some of the states it is not specifically
defined.
Mr. Talbott Denmead: This matter came up under the black bass administration, and we decided that the state should define game fish. As a matter of fact two thirds of the states have done that, and whatever they define as
game fish, whether it is bullhead, catfish or salmon, is game fish under the law.
Mr. Bode: Then the term “game fish” as used in the resolution would be
game fish as defined by the various states.
Mr. Denmead: Yes.
Mr. Gordon: I think the committee in its haste and with the ground it had
to cover made a mistake in taking the position it did. I was one of those who
helped promote the Black Bass Act, and I know something about it. I agree
with what Mr. Denmead says, that if this law were amended it would accomplish the objective of these folks who are having trouble.
Mr. Ott (California): While we are quite sympathetic to Mr. Clarke of
Washington, I should like to call your attention to the fact that his resolution
as worded will not work out in California, as many of our marine fishes are
listed as sport fish, as well as our salmon. If passed in its present form the
resolution would cause a great loss to our commercial fishery. I would strongly
urge that before the resolution is presented to Congress for final action it be
revised in such a manner as not to interfere with our great commercial
fishery. I have discussed this with Mr. Clarke, and he agrees with me that a
revision of the resolution is in order. I am therefore at the present time
forced to cast a “no” vote to this resolution from Washington.
(The resolution was agreed to.)
The President: Is there any further business?
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