P.EPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 63 



Ai>iil 17, l'»12. ;iiul was passed hy tliat body early in tho noxt fiscal 

 yoar. The measure makes new regulations covering the use of diving 

 aj^paratus in the Florida sponge fishery, anil if enacted into law^ will 

 ])rohil)it citizens of the United States from taking sponges by diving 

 except between October 1 and Jidy 1 of each year in depths of 40 

 to 150 feet, and will also prohibit the taking at any time of sponges 

 less than 5 inches in diameter. The Bureau has for many years 

 been solicitous for t'he welfare of the sponge fishery and regards this 

 legislation as necessary for the peipetuity of the industry. 



In May, 1912, the House Committee on the Merchant Marine and 

 Fisheries had a hearing on a bill w^iich would have the effect of 

 prohibiting the method of fishing known as beam trawling or otter 

 trawling. This fishery is of comparatively recent origin in the 

 United States and is of very limited extent, being i)ractically re- 

 stricted to a few^ vessels making their headquarters at Boston. The 

 method is strongly oj^posed by the Ime fishermen of New England 

 on the ground that it is very destructive. In the course of the 

 hearuig it became apparent that there was a marked difference of 

 oj)inion regarding the effects of the trawl-net fishery. The Deputy 

 Commissioner of Fisheries, in a statement made to the committee 

 on behalf of the Bureau, took the position that the question presents 

 too many important phases to be disposed of without the fullest 

 consideration; that the information on which Congress can act 

 advisedly does not exist; and that authority should be given for an 

 impartial inquiry by the Bureau. The committee accepted this 

 view, adjourned the hearing, and submitted a favorable report on a 

 jomt resolution, providing that "the Commissioner of Fisheries be, 

 and he is hereby, authorized and directed to make an investigation 

 into the method of fishing known as otter and beam trawling and to 

 report to Congress w hether or not this method of fishing is destructive 

 to the fish species or is otherwise harmful or undesirable," and "in 

 the event that the Commissioner finds this method of fishing to be 

 destructive, harmful, or undesirable he shall recommend to Congress 

 such legislation as he may deem necessary." 



A bill carrj-ing out the articles of the convention between the 

 United States, Great Britain, Russia, and Japan for the protection 

 of the fur seal and sea otter of the North Pacific Ocean was passed 

 by the House of Representatives on February 14, 1912, after hearings 

 before the Committee on Foreign Affairs, at which representatives of 

 the Bureau testified. The bill reaffirmed the provisions of the treaty 

 ratified by the Senate on July 7, 1911, which became effective Decem- 

 ber 15, 1911, and in addition contained clauses affecting the taking 

 of seals on land. At the close of the fiscal 3^ear no action had been 

 taken on the measure by the Senate. Hearings on the fur-seal service 

 before the House Committee on Expenditures in the Department of 



