x^^^Ms^^ 



;w showing BCF Biological Laboratory, aquarium- 

 ilding and dock in foreground on Great Harbor. The 

 laped building on Eel Pond is the Marine Biological 

 y; the complex of buildings in the upi>er right consti- 



tute the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. These three 

 agencies cooperate on research projects of mutual interest and 

 in the use of special facilities. 



;arly years of the Laboratory Spencer Baird 

 the first aquarium at Woods Hole to acquaint 

 I public with the aims and achievements of 

 )vemment research in conservation of marine 

 rhe present aquarium is still dedicated to those 

 it has 16 tanks that exhibit local species of fish 

 ; life and an experimental tank area. The tanks 

 ter that is filtered and temperature controlled, 

 libits related to the Laboratory's work are a 

 the aquarium, which is open to the public 

 June to late September. On an average day, 

 »ns visit the aquarium. Tours for special groups 

 ;hroughout the year by advance arrangement 

 iboratory Director. 



I programs are focused on the important off- 

 indfish that support New England's com- 

 lieries — their life history, ecology, and conser- 

 ncipal species under study are cod, haddock, 

 , redfish, flounder, and sea scallop. Particular 



emphasis is placed on the study of population changes in 

 these and associated species of groundfish. The studies 

 include assessment of the effects of fishing upon the num- 

 ber of fish available to the industry and the effects of the 

 environment — temperature, currents, and chemical con- 

 stituents of sea water. As the center of United States 

 research related to the ICNAF (International Commis- 

 sion for the Northwest Adantic Fisheries) in which 14 

 member countries participate, the Laboratory is re- 

 sponsible for carrying out research commitments of the 

 United States in the Convention area. 



The Laboratory makes annual forecasts of abundance 

 of the various species of groundfish and sea scallops. The 

 effect of fishing on the important commercial species 

 has been determined and, on the basis of Laboratory 

 findings, international management measures have been 

 put into effect through ICNAF. In cooperation with the 

 Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the U.S. 

 Geological Survey, a comprehensive survey has been 



