9. PROPAGATION OF OYSTERS IN LOUISIANA AND MISSISSIPPI

Act of May 21, 1948 (62 Stat. 257)

There is authorized to be appropriated the sum of not to exceed $50,000 to enable the Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, to investigate and study the means and methods best adaptable to the rehabilitation, replanting, and maintenance of the oyster beds in the States of Louisiana and Mississippi that have been or may be destroyed through the operation of the Bonnet Carre Spillway and through the intrusion of fresh water and the blockage of natural passages west of the Mississippi River in the vicinity of Lake Merchant and Bayou Severin, Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana.

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10. FUNDS FOR FOOD FISH PROPAGATION; STATE COOPERATION

Act of July 1, 1918 (40 Stat. 693), as amended (16 U.S.C. 748)

EXPENDITURE OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR PROPAGATION OF FOOD FISHES

Appropriations for propagation of food fishes shall not be expended for hatching or planting fish or eggs in any State in which, in the judgment of the Secretary of the Interior, there are not adequate laws for the protection of the fishes, nor in any State in which the United States Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service and his duly authorized agents are not accorded full and free right to conduct fish-cultural operations, and all fishing and other operations necessary therefor, in such manner and at such times as is considered necessary and proper by the said director or his agents. (July 1, 1918, c. 113, 40 Stat. 693; 1939 Reorg. Plan No. II, § 4(e), eff. July 1, 1939, 4 F.R. 2731, 53 Stat. 1433; 1940 Reorg. Plan No. III, § 3, eff. June 30, 1940, 5 F.R. 2108, 54 Stat. 1232.)

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11. ESTABLISHMENT OF STATION TO RESCUE FISHES AND
PROPAGATE MUSSELS

Act of April 28, 1922 (42 Stat. 501), as amended (16 U.S.C. 750-751)

STATION ON MISSISSIPPI RIVER FOR RESCUE OF FISHES AND PROPAGATION OF MUSSELS

SECTION 1. There shall be established on the Mississippi River, at a point to be selected by the Secretary of the Interior, a station for the rescue of fishes and the propagation of mussels in connection with fish-rescue operations throughout the Mississippi Valley, to be under the direction of the Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior, and for this purpose there is authorized to be appropriated the sum of $60,000 for the construction of buildings and the purchase of equipment, boats, and such other accessories as may be deemed necessary for the successful operation of such station.

PERSONNEL

SEC. 2. That in connection with the establishment of such fish-rescue station there is authorized the following personnel, namely: One district supervisor, at $2,500 per annum, to have general charge of fishrescue and fish-cultural operations in the Mississippi Valley; a superintendent, at $1,500 per annum; two field foremen, at $1,200 each per annum; four fish-culturalists at large, at $960 each per annum; one engineer at large, at $1,200 per annum; one clerk, at $1,200 per annum; two coxswains at large, at $720 each per annum; and two apprentice fish-culturists, at $600 each per annum.

HISTORICAL NOTE

Transfer of Functions.-All functions of all officers of the Department of the Interior and all functions of all agencies and employees of such Department were, with two exceptions, transferred to the Secretary of the Interior, with power vested in him to authorize their performance or the performance of any of his functions by any of such officers, agencies, and employees, by 1950 Reorg. Plan No. 3, §§ 1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3174, 64 Stat. 1262, set out in note under section 481 of Title 5, Executive Departments and Government Officers and Employees, U.S. Code.

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12. FISHERY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Act of June 16, 1921 (42 Stat. 63), as amended (16 U.S.C. 749)

ADVISORY COMMITTEE; DESIGNATIONS; DUTIES; EXPENSES

There shall be an advisory committee of not to exceed two members from the Atlantic coast, two members from the Pacific coast, and four members from the inland waters, Great Lakes, and Alaskan sections of the United States, to be designated from time to time by the Secretary of the Interior, to consist of men prominently identified with the various branches of the fishery industry, qualified in aquatic research, and experienced in fish culture, who shall visit the Fish and Wildlife Service at such times as the Secretary of the Interior may deem necessary and report to the Secretary of the Interior on the condition and needs of the service, the members to serve without compensation, but to be paid the actual expenses incurred in attending the meetings. (June 16, 1921, c. 23, 42 Stat. 63; 1939 Reorg. Plan No. II, 84(e), eff. July 1, 1939, 4 F.R. 2731, 53 Stat. 1433; 1940 Reorg. Plan No. III, § 3, eff. June 30, 1940, 5 F.R. 2108, 54 Stat. 1232.)

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N. Prohibitions regarding certain aquatic fisheries

1. PROHIBITIONS RE SPONGES IN THE GULF OF MEXICO OR STRAITS OF FLORIDA (SPONGE ACT)

Act of August 15, 1914 (38 Stat. 692), as amended (16 U.S.C. 781-785)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Sec. 1. Taking or catching commercial sponges of less than prescribed size, and landing or possession of same.

Sec. 2. Possession prima facie evidence.

Sec. 3. Punishment for violations of law; liability of vessels.

Sec. 4. Jurisdiction of prosecutions.

Sec. 5. Enforcement.

Sec. 6. Former Act repealed.

TAKING OR CATCHING COMMERCIAL SPONGES OF LESS THAN PRESCRIBED SIZE, AND LANDING OR POSSESSION OF SAME

SECTION 1. It is unlawful for any citizen of the United States, or person owing duty of obedience to the laws of the United States, or any boat or vessel of the United States, or person belonging to or on any such boat or vessel, to take or catch, by any means or method, in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico or the Straits of Florida outside of State territorial limits, any commercial sponges measuring when wet less than five inches in their maximum diameter, or for any person or vessel to land, deliver, cure, offer for sale, or have in possession at any port or place in the United States, or on any boat or vessel of the United States, any such commercial sponges. (Aug. 15, 1914, c. 253, § 1, 38 Stat. 692.)

POSSESSION PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE

SEC. 2. The presence of sponges of a diameter of less than five inches on any vessel or boat of the United States engaged in sponging in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico or the Straits of Florida outside of State territorial limits, or the possession of any sponges of less than the said diameter sold or delivered by such vessels, shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of the provisions of this chapter. (Aug. 15, 1914, c. 253, § 2, 38 Stat. 692.)

PUNISHMENT FOR VIOLATIONS OF LAW; LIABILITY OF VESSELS

SEC. 3. Every person, partnership, or association guilty of a violation of the provisions of this Act shall be liable to a fine of not more than $500, and in addition such fine shall be a lien against the vessel or boat on which the offense is committed, and said vessel or boat shall be seized and proceeded against by process of libel in any court having jurisdiction of the offense. (Aug. 15, 1914, c. 253, § 3, 38 Stat. 692.)