FOREWORD 



ABSTRACT 



Primary emphasis of the research was on (1) salmon 

 (genus Oncorhynchus) in the North Pacific Ocean and the 

 Columbia River Basin and (2) groundfish on the Continental 

 Shelf of the Pacific Northwest. Considerable progress was 

 made toward showing how the distribution of salmon is 

 related to the ocean environment. Biochemical techniques 

 showed promise in pinpointing genetic and geographic dif- 

 ferences in stocks of fish. To gather the data needed for 

 managing the salmon stocks, integrated studies were made 

 of ocean growth, mortality, maturation, and effects of gear 

 on salmon. Research in the Columbia River Basin provided 

 new information on how dams and reservoirs affect salmon 

 and steelhead trout (Saimo gairdneri) ; studies were made 

 to measure and to develop ways to counteract the losses of 

 fish. Groundfish research disclosed diff"erences in Pacific 

 hake (Merlucci-us productus) stocks of Puget Sound and 

 the Continental Shelf. Publications and staff of the labora- 

 tory are listed. 



Scientific fishery research of the U.S. Government in 

 the Pacific Northwest was accelerated under the terms of 

 the White Act of 1930. A 3-story research building was 

 completed in 1931 on a 7-acre site at 272.5 Montlake Boule- 

 vard East, Seattle, Wash., on Portage Bay south of the 

 University of Washington. A new 4-story laboratory, con- 

 nected to the "old" building by an auditorium-library, was 

 dedicated in 1965 and provides 65,000 square feet of addi- 

 tional laboratory and oflice space. The Biological Labora- 

 tory shares the Montlake research complex with other 

 Bureau of Commercial Fisheries agencies — the Explora- 

 tory Fishing and Gear Research Base, Food Science Pioneer 

 Research Laboratory, Marketing Office, and Technology 

 Laboratory. 



The Biological Laboratory, with some 80 scientists, is 

 the largest research organization in the Bureau. Under 

 Laboratory Director Gerald B. Collins, our scientists conduct 

 intensive research on salmon and groundfish of the eastern 

 Pacific Ocean to accomplish the aims of the Bui'eau — to 

 strengthen the American fishing industry and to conserve 

 the fishery resources. Assistant Director Francis M. 

 Fukuhara directs marine and coastal research on salmon 

 and groundfish; Assistant Director Carl H. Filing super- 

 vises fresh-water and estuarine research. Of inestimable 

 value is the Laboratory's close association with represent- 

 atives of the fishing industry, government officials, educators, 

 engineers, and scientists — locally, nationally, and inter- 

 nationally. 



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