26 FISH AND GAME. 



feed and nest in places where they are given protection, especially on the 

 large reservations along the paths of migration. Five of our deputies 

 have been appointed Federal agents, thus having additional powers in the 

 enforcement of the Federal law. 



Forest Fires. - - The deputies have rendered valuable assistance in 

 discovering and extinguishing the forest fires. In 1913, 28 forest fires 

 were reported by deputies. In 1914 the number reached 30. Many were 

 found to be in charge of the proper authorities, others were reported to 

 these officials, and in several instances small fires were extinguished by 

 our deputies before any great damage had been done. 



Respectfully submitted, 



ORRIN C. BOURNE, 



Chief Depidij. 

 MARINE FISHERIES. 



The work on the marine fisheries, the most valuable of any 

 State on the Atlantic coast, comprised a general oversight and 

 enforcement of the laws, compilation of statistical records, 

 scientific investigations, and suggestions, both official and in- 

 formal, for the benefit of fishermen, dealers and consumers. 

 Wonderful natural facilities by reason of geographical position 

 have made Massachusetts a center for the sea fisheries; Boston 

 furnishes a fresh fish market with unlimited opportunities, and 

 Gloucester is pre-eminent in supplying salt fish and manu- 

 factured sea products. In order to maintain the commercial 

 advantages and superiority of products which Massachusetts 

 has held for years, the natural resources of the coastal waters 

 must be developed to the utmost extent. 



During the past ten years the activity manifested in all lines 

 of business, industry and agriculture has shown itself in im- 

 proved methods of fishing and in increased conveniences and 

 safety for fishermen. Old methods of catching and handling 

 fish have given place to more efficient means. The influence of 

 the steam trawler, the motor boat, modern sanitary measures, 

 cold storage and increased transportation facilities have all 

 worked toward the improvement of the fishing industry, ulti- 

 mately for the benefit of the consumer by extending the possi- 

 bilities of furnishing food fish to wider territories. Our investi- 

 gations upon the fisheries of Buzzards Bay have demonstrated 

 the need of Federal oversight of trap fishing along the Atlantic 

 coast. The migratory fish which annually resort to particular 

 bays, estuaries and rivers for the purpose of spawning cannot 



