PROGRESS IN BIOLOGICAL INQUIRIES, 1938 51 
ared. The allegedly harmful effect of the commercial trap-net 
fishery of the area on the population of game fishes, particularly 
smallmouth bass, in the region apparently has been overestimated. 
The occurrence of large numbers of bass in the trap nets is distinctly 
seasonal and confined to relatively limited areas. Consequently, 
only minor restrictions on the commercial fishery for coarse fish are 
necessary in order to afford adequate protection to the game-fish 
stock. ‘The report contains specific recommendations for the regula- 
tion of the fisheries. 
Lake Champlain investigation—The report of the International 
Fact-Finding Commission, consisting of Dr. Van Oosten of the 
Bureau and of James A. Rodd of the Department of Marine and 
Fisheries, Ottawa, Ontario, on fisheries controversies on Lake Cham- 
plain was largely completed during the past year and will soon be 
submitted to the respective governments. ‘The report will contain a 
discussion of the fisheries controversies, a tabulation and analysis of 
all available information concerning commercial fishing and angling, 
descriptions of the natural history of the principal species, a critical 
historical review of the artificial propagation of wall-eyed pike and 
yellow perch, and recommendations for the regulation of the com- 
mercial and sport fisheries of Lake Champlain. Appendices to the 
report will contain original studies of the feeding habits of the 
principal species as independent contributions of Dr. H. J. Deason 
and F. W. Jobes of the Bureau, and Dr. R. H. M’Gonigle of the 
Fisheries Research Board of Canada. 
SHELLFISH INVESTIGATIONS 
Dr. Pau S. Gaursorr, in charge 
Although the difficulties experienced by the oyster industry in past 
years were greatly alleviated during 1938 by the general improve- 
ment of economic conditions in the country, the decreasing supply of 
good oysters continued to present a serious problem endangering the 
future progress of the industry. Scientific and technical knowledge 
concerning the oyster and its method of cultivation shows that this 
difficulty can be overcome by increased cultivation of oysters, im- 
provement of the quality of oyster meat, and standardization of the 
raw and canned product offered to the consumer. 
Practical application of this principle meets, however, with many 
legal and technical difficulties. In many States the introduction of 
oyster-cultural methods on a large scale necessitates the reorganiza- 
tion of existing policies and systems of operation and abandonment 
of the practice of exploiting natural oyster resources. Personnel 
capable of directing and supervising oyster-cultural activities is 
required to introduce systems of cultivation into States where exploi- 
tation of the public bottoms has been the traditional method of 
the oyster industry since its establishment. Inasmuch as_ the 
development of methods of oyster culture suited to the varying con- 
ditions of local waters depends upon scientific studies of the physi- 
ology and life history of the oyster, it is apparent that the accumula- 
tion and dissemination of such information among interested persons 
is of great practical importance to the oyster industry. 
Studies on the propagation of the oyster, its cultivation on public 
and privately owned bottoms, and the protection of valuable fishing 
