BUREAU OF FISHERIES 
Charles E. Jackson, Acting Commissioner 

Ornicinatty established on Feb. 9, 1871, as the United States 
Commission of Fish and Fisheries, an independent agency, and re- 
designated the Bureau of Fisheries on July 1, 1903, when it was by 
law included in the newly created Department of Commerce and 
Labor, this Bureau has completed 69 years of active service in the 
field of fishery conservation." 
During the past year encouraging progress was made in the devel- 
opment of practical programs of fishery management and in securing 
State and private cooperation in support of these programs. ° Bio- 
logical investigations contributed much fundamental information 
that will assist in maintaining the productivity of the fisheries. 
Technological investigations contributed substantially to the devel- 
opment of better methods for the preservation of fishery products 
and to the more complete utilization of byproducts. Statistical 
studies provided a measure of abundance for most of the commercial 
and game species, thus furnishing a basis for regulation and assisting 
in the orderly production and distribution of fisheries commodities. 
During periods of world disaster, such as wars and famines, the 
problem of supplying wholesome and nutritious foods in sufficient 
quantities is of paramount importance to the Nation—not only as 
it affects the armed forces, but the country as a whole. Such a con- 
dition prevailed during the last World War and is likely to again 
occur should similar conditions arise. 
Under authority of the Secretary and the absolute control of 
the Bureau of Fisheries, the Alaska salmon in 1917 provided the 
fisheries resource from which the pack was increased over that of 
of 1916 by about 25 percent, or 2,520,128 cases. This increased pro- 
duction on short notice is indicative of the ability of the Bureau to so 
regulate these fisheries as to constantly maintain a reserve upon which 
to draw. 

1 This, the Sixty-ninth Annual Report of the Bureau of Fisheries, is the first submitted 
to the Secretary of the Interior and the last to be made as the Bureau of Fisheries. In 
accordance with the President’s Reorganization Plan No. II, this Bureau was transferred 
from the Department of Commerce to the Department of the Interior on July 1, 1939; 
and by Reorganization Plan No. III it was merged with the Bureau of Biological Survey 
on June 30, 1940, to form the Fish and Wildlife Service. 
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