REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 87 



efforts and experiments, several kinds of fishes have been preserved 

 and the dealers have found a good demand for salted fish. 



The fish-cultural exj)eriment work of the fisheries biological sta- 

 tion at Fairport bears so chrectly upon the immediate problems of 

 food supply that the activities of this station have suffered no cur- 

 tailment, but are expected to be somewhat extended during the 

 ensuing year. Among the investigations in progress, apart from the 

 direct experiments in rearing fishes as previously referred to, are 

 those relating to insects and insect larvse, aquatic plants, and para- 

 sites, as they affect the productivity of ponds or laKes. Tlie results 

 so far obtained are already valuable in guiding the management of 

 fishponds. 



Tlie construction of the marine biological station at Key West was 

 undertaken during the fiscal year. The pool which will "serve as a 

 source of supply for sea water, for the protection of small boats, and 

 for other purposes, has been excavated, and a canal connecting the 

 pool with the ocean has been completed except for a control gate. 

 Plans for two of the buildings were completed and bids were adver- 

 tised for in the last month of the year. Owing to various causes, 

 including the present high prices of labor and materials, there exists 

 some doubt if a reasonable bid wiU be received. Meantime, some 

 scientific work was begun during the winter and encouraging progress 

 has been made. The study of the spiny lobster has been the prin- 

 cipal investigation. 



MISCELLANEOUS INVESTIGATIONS AND SERVICES. 



There has been an unusual number of calls upon the Bureau for 

 investigations and advice relating to the diseases of fishes or to the 

 mortality of fislies in public or private waters, due eitlier to disease 

 or to industrial pollutions. In as many cases as possible the fish 

 pathologist of the Bureau, or an assistant, has visited the scene of 

 trouble, made all practicable observations or collections, and upon 

 return to the office has subjected the material and data to careful 

 examination. The most serious trouble of this kind to arise was a 

 mortality of sea fishes on the west coast of Florida, which has been 

 described and discussed in a published report.'* Other serious, 

 troubles manifested themselves in Chesapeake Bay, Saginaw River 

 and Bay, and elsewhere. 



The Bureau has not only continued to cooperate with the Bureau 

 of Soils, as far as the conditions permitted, in a study of kelp harvest- 

 ing in relation to the fisheries, but it has begun a systematic study 

 of the distribution of marine algse on the west coast with particular 

 attention to species tliat may be useful in the industries. 



ALASKA FISHERIES SERVICE. 



IMPORTANCE OF THE ALASKA FISHERIES. 



All branches of the fishing industry, except whaling and halibut fish- 

 ing, showed an increase in 1916 over 1915, and the fisheries in the agOTe- 

 gate were more extensive and valuable than ever before. The nurnber 



a Mortality of Fishes on the West Coast of Florida. Appendix III, Report of Commissioner, 1917; by 

 H. F. Taylor. Bureau of Fisheries document No. 848. 



