72 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OP COMMERCE 



nets amounting to 112,257,000 pounds, with an estimated value of 

 $11,000,000, decreased 19 percent in quantity and about 33 percent in 

 value; and fresh products (not packaged) estimated at 600,000,000 

 pounds, valued at $47,000,000, decreased about 25 percent in quantity 

 and 41 percent in value. 



Imports of fishery products for consumption in 1931 were valued at 

 $43,033,000, which is 15 percent less than in the previous year, while 

 exports of domestic fishery products were valued at $11,574,000, 

 which is 33 percent less than in the previous year. 



INTEBNATIONAL RELATIONS 

 INTERNATIONAL PASSAMAQUODDY FISHERIES COMMISSION 



The International Passamaquoddy Fisheries Commission, ap- 

 pointed b}^ the joint resolution of Congi-ess approved June 9, 1930, 

 completed its investigation of the probable damage to the food fishes 

 of the region which would result from the proposed construction of 

 power dams at the mouths of the Passamaquoddy and Cobscook Bays. 

 The investigators employed by the Commission, with the counsel of 

 the advisory board, reported that they anticipated that the construc- 

 tion of the proposed dams would reduce the herring fishery inside 

 the bays to negligible proportions, that the fishery in the adjacent 

 area outside the bays would be affected to an unknown degree, and 

 that there appears little probability^ of the dams affecting the fishery 

 along the coast of Maine or even seriously of Grand Manan. 



Owing primarily to the limitation of time, which would not permit 

 completion of two full seasons of fieldwork, the investigations do 

 not explain the unusual richness of the sardine herring fishery both 

 inside and outside the proposed dams ; and without an elucidation of 

 the unique character of the area, the Commission was unable to state 

 categorically that the projected dams might not so alter the environ- 

 ment as to affect seriously the results of the fishery. The investiga- 

 tion contributed results that greatly increase our understanding of 

 the present water circulation, the production of plankton and the 

 nature of the herring concentration in the region. The investigation 

 of forces beyond these, that determine the existence of the fishery, 

 requiring the development of new methods, has not been possible 

 within the limits of the Commission's work. 



The administrative report of the commission has been prepared 

 and the technical reports of the investigators will be submitted dur- 

 ing the coming year. 



NORTH AMERICAN COUNCIL ON FISHERY INVESTIGATIONS 



The nineteenth meeting of the council was held at Washington, 

 D.C., on October 20 and 21, 1932, with representatives from Canada, 

 Newfoundland, and the United States present. Views were ex- 

 changed and the progress of investigations conducted by the various 

 countries on important North Atlantic fishing banks, including fishery 

 statistics, bait investigations, hydrographical investigations, includ- 

 ing a study of currents by means of drift bottles, plankton, mackerel, 

 herring, cod, and haddock investigations, was presented for con- 

 sideration and criticism. 



