372 U- S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES 



MARINE SPECIES 



Aggregate collections of cod, haddock, and winter-flounder eggs 

 at the two stations in Massachusetts and the station in Maine ex- 

 ceeded the total for last year. There was a decline in the number 

 of pollock eggs taken, but approximately 50 per cent more cod eggs 

 were handled than in previous years. Fertilized cod eggs were 

 planted directly on the fishing grounds because it is impracticable 

 lo incubate them in the hatcheries. This work is prosecuted in the 

 Massachusettes offshore fishery and at the Boothbay Harbor (Me.) 

 station. 



Boothbay Harbor (Me.) Station 



(E. E. Hahn, Superintendent, and J. R. B. Rogers, Acting Superintendent) 



A number of the buildings at this station, including the hatchery and resi- 

 dences, were painted, and minor repairs were made to the lobster pound at 

 Pemaquid. In addition, the work necessary to maintain the extensive equip- 

 ment of boats, docks, and pumps was done. During the winter ice caused 

 considerable damage to the pound. The steamer Gannett was again out of com- 

 mission pending the provision of a new boat to replace it. The usual sum- 

 mer exhibit of seals, fish, and other aquatic life was maintained. The fish- 

 cultural work consisted of hatching flatfish and fertilizing and planting cod 

 eggs on the spawning grounds. While collections of eggs of the former were 

 not so large as in some previous years, the percentage of hatch was above 

 normal and the work was very successful. An open winter made it possible 

 to set fyke nets for brood fish from March 1 to April 30. Over 2,000,000,000 

 fry were hatched from the 2,136,970,000 eggs handled, a i)ercentage of over 

 94. The hatchery was filled to capacity at the end of 16 days' fishing, and 

 it was necessary to hatch the surplus in floating boxes moored off the dock. 

 Very successful results attended this method. On April 1 chartered vessels took 

 up the collection, impregnation, and liberation of cod eggs off the harbor. 

 The latter work was resumed last year after a lapse of several years. Over 

 1,250,000,000 eggs of this species were handled. 



Gloucester (Mass.) Station 

 (C. G. Corliss, Superintendent) 



During the summer, when no fish-cultural work was in progress, the station 

 boilers were retubed, and extensive repairs, amounting virtually to reconstruc- 

 tion, were made to the marine railway. The station buildings were cleaned 

 and painted, also. The collections of iwUock eggs were the smallest in many 

 years, and while the weather was responsible for this condition to some extent 

 there is no explanation as to why the catches of fish were so small. 



Cod-egg collections began late, but the take of eggs was satisfactory, and 

 the total number secured was above the average of recent years. While com- 

 paratively few cod were caught on the inshore grounds, a very large percentage 

 of them contained ripe eggs, and to this fact may be attributed the success of 

 the work. It was possible to hatch all eggs collected prior to April 28, but. 

 as usual, variations in the density of the water after that time necessitated the 

 planting of the eggs immediately after fertilization. A total of 741.915,000 

 cod eggs was handled. 



There was no large body of haddock on the inshore grounds, so that the 

 slightly more than 250,000,000 eggs taken during the season were derived 

 chiefly from one boat. The spring flounder-fishing operations resulted in a 

 catch of 523 adults in fyke nets. From these 221,480,000 eggs were secured. 

 A very satisfactory number hatched, and the fry were planted locally. 



Arrangements to fertilize cod eggs on the offshore fishing grounds were 

 made during February and March. Three spawn takers did this work, and 

 the results were about the same as in recent years. Some haddock eggs were 

 handled also in connection with this field work. It is notable that the haddock 

 eggs were taken by otter-trawl vessels, while the majority of the cod eggs were 

 secured by hand trawlers. 



