PREFACE 



The, World's Columbian Exposition was the cause of bringing' together representa- 

 tives of many departments of human industry from nearly every section of the globe. 

 A very important feature of its organization was a World's Congress Auxiliary, of 

 which Hon. C. C. Bonney was president. Through the medium of this bureau, and 

 upon its invitation, a number of persons connected with the fishery interests availed 

 themselves of the opportunity to organize a congress for the discussion of the various 

 subjects relating thereto, which met October 16, 1893, and continued in session for four 

 days, delegates from many countries being present. Its success far exceeded the 

 anticipations of its promoters. Papers were read on various fishery topics, eliciting 

 in many cases considerable debate. As was expected, the same subject gave rise 

 to the expression of widely divergent views, particularly as to some phases of the 

 commercial fisheries, which clearly demonstrated that a fair conclusion on any of the 

 subjects discussed can be reached only after a careful consideration of all the views 

 presented. Indeed, many earnest students of the fisheries are cautious in expressing 

 positive convictions on some of the subjects in controversy, owing to inadequate 

 knowledge on many points. 



The papers here presented, being the views of representative men qualified by 

 experience and study to speak upon the subjects treated, must necessarily be of great 

 practical worth. In giving them in this form the U. S. Fish Commission does so with 

 the idea of furnishing the general public much valuable information concerning the 

 fishery industry, and not for the purpose of indorsing or disapproving the opinions 

 expressed. 



Marshall McDonald, 



Commissioner. 



ILK 



