REPORT 



Ol*- THE 



UNITED STATES COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES 



FOR THE 



FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1898. 



I have tlie honor to submit a rejiort of the work of the United States 

 Commission of Fish and Fisheries for the year ending June 30, 1898, 

 together with the reports of the assistants in charge of its divisions, 

 which, with the papers describing special investigations, published as 

 appendices to this report or in the Bulletin of the Commission, form a 

 (tomplete record of its operations for this period. The Commission 

 was under the direction of Commissioner John J. Brice until February 

 1(), 1898, when the present Commissioner, George M. Bowers, appointed 

 February 1, took charge. 



In view of the marked increase of the work of the Commission and the 

 addition of the new stations authorized each year by Congress, and 

 the consequent enlarged demands on its resources, it is impossible to 

 carry on its operations in such manner as to obtain the best results 

 with the present appropriation, which is small considering the impor- 

 tant interests at stake, representing millions of dollars invested in the 

 fislieries and allied interests throughout the country. It is, therefore, 

 earnestly recommended that the estimates submitted, embodying cer- 

 tain increases, be favorably acted on by Congress, particularly those 

 items providing for the propagation of food-fishes and for the contin- 

 gent expenses required for scientific and statistical investigations, the 

 demands for which are steadily increasing. 



Special technical information is frequently desired for important 

 objects, such as protective legislation by the States or the extension 

 or establishment of fishery enterprises, and this often involves exten- 

 sive studies or investigations of aquatic life, which can be carried on 

 only under Government auspices. Appropriations are needed for the 

 improvement of the grounds and buildings at some of the stations, and 

 the efficiency of several could be materially enhanced by additions to 

 their water supply and enlargement of their pond systems. The sta- 

 tions are always places of public interest in their respective neighbor- 

 hoods, and while they are not designed for parks or pleasure-grounds 

 it appears eminently proper that they should be made attractive and 

 beautified to a certain degree. 



