PROGRESS IN BIOLOGICAL INQUIRIES, 1939 ve 
The great fisheries of the North Atlantic have been subject to tre- 
mendous fluctuations in yield since the early days of the fishing indus- 
try, yet neither the extent of these changes nor their causes and probable 
duration have been known. An understanding of these factors, based 
on a comprehensive study of the biology and catch records of the im- 
portant species, is necessary to maintain the fisheries at a high produc- 
tive level or to suggest corrective measures in instances of overexploi- 
tation. Studies of the mackerel and haddock offshore fisheries have 
been under way for several years, and recently have been started on 
flounders. A much needed general study of the fluctuations in abun- 
dance of other groundfish was begun in 1938. No biological work has 
been possible recently on the important fisheries for cod, redfish, pol- 
lock, and swordfish. 
The biggest handicap to the understanding of present trends in the 
extensive inshore fisheries of the North Atlantic coast is the lack of 
adequate catch statistics to provide a measure of changes in abundance. 
The most important problems involve the improvement or mainte- 
nance of the fisheries for flounders, lobster, haddock, cod, and salmon, 
which form the chief means of support for the coastal communities on 
long sections of the New England coast. 
Cooperation with various State organizations has increased and 
has proved very satisfactory and productive. In addition to assisting 
in the inauguration of a general State system for collecting current 
catch records, the staff cooperated in various other projects. ‘Che most 
significant undertaking was the lobster investigation. The lobster 
fishery is an extremely important resource from Maine to New Jersey, 
and is second in value only to the haddock fishery in the region as a 
whole. In spite of the fact that it has been generally admitted for 
some time that the lobster fishery was in a serious condition, and has 
been subjected to regulation for many years, little biological work has 
been done recently to develop a sound basis for intelligent manage- 
ment. In order to obtain much needed information concerning im- 
proved rearing technique and the value of various regulations, the 
Maine Department of Sea and Shore Fisheries turned over to the 
Bureau a fund to cover the salary of a biologist to work in this field. 
The Bureau has provided the other expenses of the investigation. 
Working in cooperation with several State officials, an annual lob- 
ster conference has been organized to bring together representatives 
of the industry and conservation departments of the interested States 
for a discussion of mutual problems and development of progressive 
and uniform conservation regulations. Meetings were held in Febru- 
ary and July, 1939. 
The past year witnessed increased interest in the restoration of 
Atlantic salmon. At the request of the National Wildlife Federation, 
W. C. Herrington and Dr. G. A. Rounsefell, in cooperation with Mr. 
George H. Stobie, Maine Commissioner of Inland Fisheries, and repe- 
sentatives of other North Atlantic States, prepared a long-period, 
cooperative program designed to restore and maintain salmon runs 
in the most favorable New England streams. It is hoped that the 
concentration of support behind one sound basic program will make 
it possible to get something definite started by the States and the 
Bureau in the near future. 
