of the convention. It is understood that the participating 

 governments share substantial interest in the conservation 

 and in maintenance of a sustained catch from these fisheries. 

 Its success is an outstanding example of the benefits derived 

 from international cooperation. 



As the work of ICNAF was organized, additional 

 projects were added to the program outlined during the 

 first ICNAF meeting. Correspondingly, the staff of the 

 Laboratory was increased. In 1952, 19 service biologists 

 (including the Director) and laboratory or fishery aids 

 were on the Federal payroll at the Station. By 1962 the 

 number of biologists and aids increased to 37. 



After the first meeting of ICNAF in Washington, the 

 Canadian and American advisers met at Woods Hole in 1952 

 to formulate a program of research which included the study 

 of: the quantity of small haddock destroyed at sea; mortality 

 rates (fishing, natural and total) of fish before and after 

 regulation; total contributions (in pounds) of year classes of 

 groundfish species of known abundance before and after 

 regulation; growth rates of young fish before and after 

 regulation. It was decided also to undertake the following 

 studies: determination of a mesh size which would permit 

 escapement of small fish which are destroyed by small mesh 

 nets; and preparation of regulatory measures for the con- 

 sideration of the Commissioner. 



The use of Albatross III made it feasible to resume 

 the observations necessary for various research projects. 

 Since March 3, 195 3, cruises have been devoted to the 

 collection of redfish, surveying the distribution of haddock 

 and cod eggs and larvae, taking groundfish censuses, and 

 conducting experiments in mesh selectivity. 



Haddock research reached the stage at which it was 

 possible to predict the relative abundance of each year class 

 of fish with a high degree of accuracy, although the causes 

 of the fluctuations in the abundance of fish of each year class 

 are still unknown (Taylor, 1953). On the basis of the analysis 

 of research data, an international mesh regulation was adopted. 

 After it became effective in this country on June 1, 195 3, the 

 fishing for haddock on Georges Bank or in the Gulf of Maine 

 with a net having meshes less than 4-1/2 inches (inside 

 diameter) was illegal (Graham, 1952). 



A new project concerned with the whiting fishery was 

 initiated with the view of determining the species involved and 

 developing the technique of age determination. 



In 1950-53 the Station's chemical laboratory and part 

 of the general laboratory on the second floor were occupied by 

 the Public Health unit for the study of bacteriological aspects 

 of shellfish sanitation. Also, an office was provided for the use 

 of George A. Hounsefell, in charge of the editorial services of 

 the Branch. 



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