Aerial view showing BCF Biological Laboratory, aquarium- 

 service building and dock in foreground on Great Harbor. The 

 large, L-shaped building on Eel Pond is the Marine Biological 

 Laboratory; the complex of buildings in the upp>er right consti- 



In the early years of the Laboratory Spencer Baird 

 estabUshed the first aquarium at Woods Hole to acquaint 

 the general public with the aims and achievements of 

 Federal Government research in conservation of marine 

 resources. The present aquarium is still dedicated to those 

 principles; it has 16 tanks that exhibit local species of fish 

 and marine life and an experimental tank area. The tanks 

 use sea water that is filtered and temperature controlled. 

 Special exhibits related to the Laboratory's work are a 

 feature of the aquarium, which is open to the public 

 from early June to late September. On an average day, 

 3,000 persons visit the aquarium. Tours for special groups 

 are given throughout the year by advance arrangement 

 with the Laboratory Director. 



Research programs are focused on the important off- 

 shore groundfish that support New England's com- 

 mercial fisheries — their life history, ecology, and conser- 

 vation. Principal species under study are cod, haddock, 

 silver hake, redfish, flounder, and sea scallop. Particular 



tute the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Thes 

 agencies cooperate on research projects of mutual inter 

 in the use of sp>ecial facilities. 



li" 



emphasis is placed on the study of population ( 

 these and associated species of groundfish. T, 

 include assessment of the effects of fishing upon 

 her of fish available to the industry and the eff > 

 environment — temperature, currents, and chei 

 stituents of sea water. As the center of Uni 

 research related to the ICNAF (International 

 sion for the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries) in 

 member countries participate, the Laborat- 

 sponsible for carrying out research commitmei 

 United States in the Convention area. 



The Laboratory makes annual forecasts of c 

 of the various species of groundfish and sea sea 

 effect of fishing on the important commerci 

 has been determined and, on the basis of L 

 findings, international management measures I 

 put into eflPect through ICNAF. In cooperatio: 

 Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and 

 Geological Survey, a comprehensive survey 



