CONTENTS 



KEPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER. 



A— INQUIRY INTO THE DECREASE OF THE FOOD-FISHES. 



Page- 



1. Pkelimin'ary steps i 



Passage of law and appointment of Commissioner i 



2. Investigation of 1871 i 



Researches at "Wood's Hole, Mass ii 



Publication of report ii 



3. IXVESTIGATIOXS OF 1872 ii 



Researches at Eastport, Me iii 



Information from individuals iii 



Assiscance from Dominion authorities iii 



Associates in the inquiry iii 



List of visitors at the Eastport station iv 



Assistance rendered by the Government v 



United States Revenue-Marine v 



United States Coast Survey vii 



United States Signal-Service x 



Visit to the British provinces vi 



Ocean temperatures and the herring fisheries vi 



Explorations of the Bache on the George banks vii 



4. CORRESVOXDISG RESEARCHES OF OTHER NATIONS viii 



German explorations of the North Sea viii 



Herring fisheries of Scotland vi 



5. Concurrent action of the United States Signal-Service x 



In taking temperature of the water x 



Signal station at Eastport, Me xi 



6. Decrease of the cod-fisheries of the New England coast xi 



Concurrent with the erection of river-dams xi 



Due to consequent diminution of auadromous fish xi 



Erection of flsh-ways necessary to their restoration xiv 



Comparative influence on the cod-fisheries of dilferent shore-fish xii 



Of alewives, shad, salmon xii 



Of sea-herring xiii 



7. Investigations in 1871 and 1872 on the great lakes xiv 



RepDrt by Mr. J. W. Milner on white-fish lake trout, &c xv 



B-ACTION IN REGARD TO PROPAGATION OF FOOD-FISHES. 



8. Introductory measures xvi 



Action of American Fish-Culturists' Association xvi 



Consultation meeting iu Boston in June xvii 



i). Propagation of shad in 1872 xvii 



Their transfer by Seth Green to the Alleghany and Mississippi xvii 



Their transfer by "William Clift to the Platte, Sec xvii 



Assistance rendered by express companies xvii 



By state commis.sioners xviii 



Concurrent action of State fish commissioners xviii 



10. PliOPAGATION of MaINE SALMON IN 1872 Xviii 



Mr. Atkins's salmon-breeding establishment at Bucksport, Me xviii 



Combination with State commissioners xix 



