REPORT OF COMMISSIONER. 



The duties intrusted to the United States Commissioner of Fish .and 

 Fisheries, as established by joint resolution of the Senate and House of 

 Representatives of the United States the 9th of February, 1871, are two- 

 fold: first, an investigation into the cause of the decrease of the sea- 

 coast fishes and those of the rivers and lakes, with suggestions as to the 

 best methods of restoring the same; second, active measures looking 

 toward the propagation and multiplication of the useful food-fishes, 

 either by restocking depleted waters or by introducing desirable species 

 into new localities. 



In tbe two reports already published will be found a history of the 

 measures adopted to accomplish these ends during the years 1871, 1872, 

 and the first half of 1873; and I now proceed to give the history of the 

 labors of the commission from July 1, 1S73, to July 1, 1875.* 



A— INQUIRY INTO THE DECREASE OF FOOD FISHES. 



1. — INVESTIGATIONS IN 1873. 



The labors of tbe Commission commenced at Wood's Hole, Massachu- 

 setts, in 1871, while the season of 1S72 was passed at Eastport, in tbe 

 Bay of Fundy. For the purpose of more completely developing the 

 economical and natural history of the coast of Maine, the chief seat of 

 the herring and cod fisheries, Portland was selected as a secoud station 

 in that State from which to prosecute the inquiries of the Commission 

 in 1873. Quarters were accordingly secured at Peak's Island, about 

 three miles from the city, where a wharf, with buildings, and good anchor- 

 age near by, furnished the necessary facilities. 



The law of Congress authorizing the Commission instructs the heads 

 of all the Government departments to render it such assistance as may 

 be in their power; and, in obedience to this requirement, the Secretary 

 of the Navy granted the use of a stanch vessel of about 100 feet in 

 length and nearly one hundred tons burden, then stationed at the Wash- 

 ington navy-yard, and not required at the time for other purposes — the 

 steam-tug Blue Light. Commander L. A. Beardslee, of the U. S. Navy, 



* The printing of tbo reports for tbe years 1873-4 and 1374-5 was ordered separately 

 by Congress; but no provision baving been made for extras, and unavoidable delays 

 baving occurred in tbe printing, it lias been thought best to publish tbe two in a 



single volume. 



VII 



