VIII EEPOET TO THE SECRETAEY OF COMMERCE 



and the great destruction by the commercial fishery of tlie immature 

 smelts in the open season. 



Funds Avere made available at the beginnino: of the fiscal year 

 for an investigation of the fisheries of the Middle Atlantic States. 

 It is believed by many that the more valuable fish in this region are 

 suH'ering depletion from excessive and destructive commercial fishing. 

 Not enough is known concerning the real variations in abundance of 

 these fishes or of their life histories and habits to explain the causes 

 of fluctuations that may occur. It is the aim of the investigation 

 to determine the safe maximum capacity of each species and to deter- 

 mine whether the fishery as it is conducted at present is exceeding 

 this maximum. The fall fishing season of 1927 was given over 

 largely to a survey of the region between southern Massachusetts 

 and Delaware Bay to discover sources of un;3ublished statistical 

 information, for observing the methods of the fishery, and for select- 

 ing suitable bases for detailed observations during the following 

 season. Records of the trap-net catches and vessel logs^ extending 

 over many years, were collected for the purpose of tracing the fluctua- 

 tions in yield that have occurred in the past. Inasmuch as the 

 squeteague is the most important species taken here and is of interest 

 to commercial fishermen and sportsmen alike, it is being given special 

 attention. Detailed observations of the daily catches, consisting of 

 measurements of samples of the catch, the collection of scales, and 

 other material for biological studies, are being made at Wikhvood 

 and LiOD'y Branch, N. J., West Sayville and Montauk, N. Y., and 

 Woods Hole, Mass. 



In order to improve upon the statistical records and to obtain infor- 

 mation suitable for studies of yield per unit of effort, so as to pro- 

 vide a measure of actual abundance of fish in the sea, statistical record 

 blanks have been prepared and issued to the pound and trap opera- 

 tors in the entire region, to be filled in and forwarded monthly to the 

 central office for filing and tabulation. As the intensive field Avork 

 could not be undertaken until April of this year, no results are yet 

 available. 



FISHERIES OF THE SOUTH ATLANTIC AND GCLF STATES 



Special attention has been given to the life history of the shore 

 fishes, many of w^hich are of great commercial value, but the early 

 life history of most of the commercial fishes is unknown. The very 

 young fish differ from adults in appearance and are extremely diffi- 

 cult to recognize, hence a preliminary step is the identification of 

 the eggs ancl larvae and the determination of their abundance and 

 distribution. The program of systematic collections of these younger 

 stages has been continued. For this purpose and for fish and oyster 

 surveys in the inside waters of Pamlico. Core, and Bogue Sounds, a 

 new shallow-draft, 46-foot. double-cal>in, motor cruiser has been 

 purchased. The vessel is equipped with electric winch for operating 

 trawls and dredging equijiment from davits on either side of the 

 vessel, and tlie after cabin is fitted Avith water table and laboratory 

 e(iuipment, including running salt water for the preservation and in- 

 cubation of eggs and larval fishes obtained in the nets. The species 

 of fish receiving most attention are several species of flounders, spot 



