BULLETIN OF THE TTNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 425 



ii4.-QUESTIONS RELiATBVK TO ,TIA€KEREf. AIVD THE ITIACKEBEL, 



FI!miERIE8. 



The following circular letter and questions have been distributed to 

 captains of mackerel vessels going south at tlie opening of tlie fishing 

 season of 1887 : 



The mackerel {Scomber scomhrus) is one of the most important of the 

 North Atlantic food-fishes. For many years fish of this species have 

 been extensively sold fresh in Northern markets, while salted they form 

 a sta])le of great commercial importance. Their capture and sale main- 

 tains a large industry. 



It is considered very desirable to obtain from those engaged in the 

 mackerel fishery a full and oarefully prepared account of the habits and 

 migrations of this fish for the present season, as it will be of great value 

 in determining various questions relative to the subject. It is equally 

 important to obtain all information relative to the fisheries of the Gulf 

 of Saint Lawrence, as well as those prosecuted off our own shores. 



I beg, therefore, to call attention to the inclosed list of questions as 

 suggestive of the special data desired, and to request answers, at the 

 close of the season, to as many as practicable, to be forwarded by mail 

 addressed to the U. S. Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries, Washing- 

 ton, D. C. 



Should you desire it, you will be furnished with a blank book in which 

 to keep a daily record of your observations, so far as practicable, noting 

 under each date items of interest, such as the appearance or non-ap- 

 pearance of mackerel (or other surface fishes, as menhaden, herring, 

 and bluefish), the catch made by your vessel, the locality, condition of 

 weather, &c. At the close of tlie season this book can be left with any 

 collector of customs, who will forward it to Washington, or it can be 

 sent direct to me by mail at the time of sending the answers to the 

 questions in this circular. 



Many very full and satisfactory communications have already been 

 received in response to a former circular containing questions about 

 the mackerel fisheries. Thanking those who have already responded 

 for their efficient aid, I beg to call their attention to this revised series 

 of questions, and to ask that they will read them attentively and add 

 any new suggestions which may occur to them. Attention is especially 

 requested to the questions relating to migrations and to the schooling 

 and spawning habits of the fish. 



A. — Characteristics. 



1. Are the mackerel now caught larger or smaller than those of five, 

 ten, or fifteen years ago ? 



2. Is there any difference in the size of the mackerel caught at differ- 

 ent seasons or on different grounds? Were the first fish the largest? 



