The Division of Ornithology and Pisciculture shall have charge of regulating hunting, of protecting the wild birds and animals of Puerto Rico and securing their increase and development in the island by establishing bird refuges on government lands as well as by taking steps for the creation of such refuges in private areas, with the consent of their owners, but under the care, watchfulness, and management of the Secretary of Agriculture, so that the birds may breed and multiply under adequate protection; it shall also make general investigations and surveys in regard to the protection of birds, tending towards the preservation and propagation of those species that have economic importance, as well as such others as have esthetic value. This Division shall also be in charge of protecting and promoting the breeding of fish; of regulating fishing in order to obtain their increase and development in Puerto Rico waters; of installing, developing and maintaining fish hatcheries so as to use the fishes as breeders to stock the various streams in this island, and to make investigations regarding the establishment and development of fishing industries in Puerto Rico.
History —Apr. 25, 1940, No. 60, p. 420, § 14, eff. 90 days after Apr. 25, 1940.