18 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES 
The study of the three variables—total catch, fishing effort, and 
abundance—is difficult in a fishery that covers such a wide geograph- 
ical area. At times the fleet operates in comparatively shallow water, 
and at other times in deep water, and the species taken vary accord- 
ingly. Also, some species are more available to the fishermen at 
certain seasons than in others, so that only comparable seasons yield 
valid comparisons. Since the welfare of thousands of New England 
fishermen, shore workers, and fillet cutters depends on the mainte- 
nance of this tremendous fishery, it is essential that we understand 
the factors responsible for changes in yield. Not only can that 
knowledge help to prevent a decline similar to that suffered by the 
North Sea fisheries, but it can also deter the enactment of irrespon- 
sible legislation which is sometimes a “stop-gap” not based on com- 
plete knowledge of the facts. 
Statistics —Vhe first step in assessing the condition of this fishery 
is to obtain information on the yield. Since even the same species 
may have independent stocks on different banks, it is necessary to 
know the quantities caught in each area. This information is ob- 
tained for all boats of over 5 net tons landing at Boston, Gloucester, 
or Portland, and is published monthly by the Division of Fishery 
Industries. It also gives an excellent summary showing the type of 
gear used and the bank where caught. The landings at these three 
principal ports comprise about 65 percent of the New England land- 
ings, and all but a small fraction of the offshore catch. The informa- 
tion on fishing banks was brought up to date in 1939 by making 
several slight changes in the boundaries of statistical subareas based 
on the grounds fished by large otter trawlers in 39,632 days of fishing 
from 1928 to 1937, inclusive. A 1-year trial of the new boundaries 
has shown that they conform more closely with the natural fishing 
areas than those previously adopted. 
Until 1939 the only available records of the total New England 
catch have been those of the Bureau’s annual canvass. However, due 
to limited personnel and funds, this canvass cannot achieve the de- 
sired degree of accuracy, since it 1s made only once a year at the end 
of the season and many of the fishermen from whom records are 
obtained do not keep accurate accounts. Furthermore, such annual 
statistics do not show the season or the locality of the catch. 
In cooperation with the Division of Fishery Industries, the North 
Atlantic staff has encouraged the installation of adequate statistical 
systems by the New England States. The State of Maine installed a 
system on Jan. 1, 1939, whereby the dealers use triplicate receipt 
books, furnished by the State, for each purchase of fish. The State 
collects one copy of each transaction at the end of each month. The 
State of Connecticut commenced a similar system during the year. 
The Market News Service of the Bureau now obtains information on 
all landings at Provincetown and New Bedford, Mass. Although 
there is still much work to be done, the progress made during 1939 
will assure the most complete statistics so far obtained on the 
New England fisheries. 
Fishing effort—The amount of fishing effort expended in relation 
to the volume of the annual catch is of great importance in studying 
the trend of a fishery. The changes in type of gear and in the size 
and style of fishing boats should also be known. Such information 
