The Protection of Fresh-Water Mussels
Description
The Protection of Fresh-Water Mussels,mussles,mussle fishery,fishery,fresh water mussles,shells,shell trade
Although at least 20 States participate directly in the mussel fishery for the shell trade, only 2 or 3 of these have taken any action of any kind for the protection of the resources. In some others measures have been proposed at various times, but without receiving favorable consideration by the legislative bodies. Indeed, it is probably well that this is the case, in view of the fact that there has been no general presentation of the case from all sides to aid in a just consideration of the matter. The Bureau is prompted to make this report in the hope that suggestions based upon a long-continued investigation of the shelling industry in all its phases may be of material aid to the responsible bodies concerned in the determination of how best to perpetuate the mussel resources, giving due regard to the local conditions involved.
Any legislation to be most effective must fulfill certain general conditions. It must be based upon just consideration of the welfare of all classes legitimately interested in the business, including shellers, buyers, manufacturers, and the public generally. This is important, not only because fairness demands it but because it is manifestly impracticable to enforce a law which is framed in disregard of economic requirements. A law that makes possible the creation of a monopoly, or one that drives the buyers and manufacturers from the territory, or that sacrifices the good of the industry to revenue production to the State, would be so manifestly unsound that further comment seems unnecessary.
Nevertheless, the element of sacrifice can not be entirely eliminated. In this case, as in others, ultimate benefits can scarcely be obtained without some temporary sacrifice, although it should be aimed to make the immediate loss felt as little as possible. It is the unwillingness of individuals to make voluntary sacrifices, independently, for the good of the mussel beds that makes legislation of any kind necessary. There is a demand for legislative action only because, in the end, the welfare of all parties concerned is dependent upon the promotion of abundant growth of mussels.
Finally an eminently desirable feature of any legislation is that it shall be so simple, plain, and undebatable as to minimize the difficulty of enforcement. Coupled with this there must be not only an effective penalty but machinery of enforcement that will work simply and certainly.
The measures to be proposed will be considered in the light of these requirements, together with the basic conditions offered by the natural history and the conditions of life and reproduction of the mussels.
Although at least 20 States participate directly in the mussel fishery for the shell trade, only 2 or 3 of these have taken any action of any kind for the protection of the resources. In some others measures have been proposed at various times, but without receiving favorable consideration by the legislative bodies. Indeed, it is probably well that this is the case, in view of the fact that there has been no general presentation of the case from all sides to aid in a just consideration of the matter. The Bureau is prompted to make this report in the hope that suggestions based upon a long-continued investigation of the shelling industry in all its phases may be of material aid to the responsible bodies concerned in the determination of how best to perpetuate the mussel resources, giving due regard to the local conditions involved.
Any legislation to be most effective must fulfill certain general conditions. It must be based upon just consideration of the welfare of all classes legitimately interested in the business, including shellers, buyers, manufacturers, and the public generally. This is important, not only because fairness demands it but because it is manifestly impracticable to enforce a law which is framed in disregard of economic requirements. A law that makes possible the creation of a monopoly, or one that drives the buyers and manufacturers from the territory, or that sacrifices the good of the industry to revenue production to the State, would be so manifestly unsound that further comment seems unnecessary.
Nevertheless, the element of sacrifice can not be entirely eliminated. In this case, as in others, ultimate benefits can scarcely be obtained without some temporary sacrifice, although it should be aimed to make the immediate loss felt as little as possible. It is the unwillingness of individuals to make voluntary sacrifices, independently, for the good of the mussel beds that makes legislation of any kind necessary. There is a demand for legislative action only because, in the end, the welfare of all parties concerned is dependent upon the promotion of abundant growth of mussels.
Finally an eminently desirable feature of any legislation is that it shall be so simple, plain, and undebatable as to minimize the difficulty of enforcement. Coupled with this there must be not only an effective penalty but machinery of enforcement that will work simply and certainly.
The measures to be proposed will be considered in the light of these requirements, together with the basic conditions offered by the natural history and the conditions of life and reproduction of the mussels.
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