KEPORT OF COMMISSTOXERS OF IXLAXI) FISHERIES. 7 



lu behalf of those who called the conference it was shown that 

 with hook and line fish could not be taken in as larg-e number as 

 formerly on the fishing- grounds. 



This, it was claimed, was evidence of a general diminution of 

 sea fishes. 



On the other hand it was shown by statistics of fisheries, of 

 transportation companies, and of the markets, that a very large in- 

 crease of edible fish found their way to the markets from traps. 



This is claimed as proof that no diminution has occurred. 



If it is admitted that both sides proved their case, and we be- 

 lieve they did, so far as relates to the catch of fish in the different 

 ways indicated, the conclusion is inevitable that the failure is 

 local, not general, and must apply to specific fish, not to the ocean 

 fishes generally. 



The wandering" ocean fishes like the squiteague, the blue fish, 

 the menhaden and the mackerel are too capricious in their move- 

 ments to count upon their presence anywhere with any degree of 

 certainty. To attribute their absence in a locality to a scarcity in 

 the ocean is a fallacy that was clearly demonstrated the past 

 season, in the failure of weak fish in Barneg-at Bay, while on the 

 Jersey coast they were very plenty, and on the south coast of 

 New England they were more abundant than ever before known. 



To give satisfactory reasons why the hook and line men, who 

 stated their experience, found less fish than formerly is perhaps 

 beyond the power of man; still there are causes at work that 

 doubtless affect more or less the anadromous fishes that visit us, 

 and seek pure water in upper streams to deposit their spawn, but 

 who, if they succeed in overcoming obstructions in the rivers, find 

 the waters poisoned by sewerage, chemicals, and other deleterious 

 substances destructive to the young fish life. These impurities 

 are carried down stream by tides and deposit over the bottom, and 

 to this is added the mud from dredging that is dumped in the 

 channels and lodges in the eddies, covering vegetable and animal 

 life that would attract fish. Then there are changes effected by 



