PROGRESS IN BIOLOGICAL INQUIRIES, 19 3 3 333 



ticular season need not be regarded as prejudicial to the future 

 supply either in the bays or in the general stock from -which the 

 bay supply is drawn, for the number of fish in the bays appears to 

 represent but a small proportion of the general stock. There is 

 no reason for believing that complete removal of all the fish in the 

 bays by the fishery would influence the future supply to any greater 

 extent than the removal from the general stock of an equivalent 

 number of fish from outside locations. If the commercial fishery 

 alone were concerned, rapid depletion of the inside supply each 

 year would be a matter of little concern, for the total number 

 caught would in any case be limited to the number entering the bays 

 and it would not matter whether they were caught early in the season 

 or later. 



However, these bays not only support a commercial fishery but 

 provide a recreational resource of great value. It cannot be deter- 

 mined without further investigation whether unrestricted fishing 

 within these bays is incompatible with maintenance of satisfactory 

 angling conditions. It may be pointed out, however, that angling 

 in the bays at the eastern end of Long Island, N.Y., where com- 

 mercial fishing is not restricted, does not appear to be less satis- 

 factory than in the New Jersey bays where numerous restrictions 

 are in effect. 



Scuj). — [Investigation of this species by W. C. Neville has shown 

 that the pound-net j'ield is subject to wdde fluctuations caused by 

 variation from year to year in success of reproduction. Complete 

 recovery of the pound-net yield in the period 1929-33 from the low 

 levels of 1926-28 demonstrates that under the conditions prevailing 

 until 1929 the fishery was not taking undue toll of the stock. Since 

 1929 an additional toll of about 25 percent has been taken from the 

 stock by the winter trawl fishery off the Virginia Capes. 



As in 1932, attention was focussed on determination of the effects 

 of the increased strain. Thus far there appears to be no evidence of 

 ill effects. Four of five recent sj^awning seasons, 1927, 1928, 1930, and 

 1931, are known to have been successful and there is evidence that 

 the 1932 season was productive as well. As a result the yield of the 

 summer fishery remains high. Hence, it is apparent that the com- 

 bined effects of the summer and winter fisheries have not reduced the 

 numbers of spawning adults sufficiently to prevent successful 

 sjiawning. 



It is not to be expected, however, that all future spawning sea- 

 sons will be productive. Experience suggests that sooner or lat^r 

 conditions similar to those of 1926-28 will again obtain. Under such 

 conditions the increased strain of the combined fisheries may assume 

 a serious aspect. There remain many facts to be ascertained, if the 

 Bureau is to be prepared to make sound recommendations for the 

 protection of the fishery when the need arises. Particularly is this 

 true of the winter fishery where remarkable and as yet not fully 

 understood changes in the locality and composition of the catch 

 have occurred. 



It is desirable, therefore, that the present observations of the wnnter 

 fishery be continued and that observation of the summer fishery 

 be resumed. 



