BUREAU OF FISHERIES 73 



Much attention was given to the success of biological research 

 in predicting the abundance of the various species of fish many 

 months in advance of the season, thus tending to remove the element 

 of •' fisherman's luck " and increasing the value of the catch by 

 reducing unnecessary expense. 



One of the most important undertakings of the council is that of 

 coordinating the collection and dissemination of fishery statistics 

 regarding the locality of capture and the quantities taken of the 

 important species of fish in the North Atlantic in which the nationals 

 ol" each countiy are interested. Revised charts were adopted by the 

 council defining statistical areas of the North Atlantic region, to be 

 used as a basis of a uniform statistical system among the several 

 countries. 



The council approved the following resolution : 



Whereas much of the value of fishery investigations depends upon continuity 

 of records over a period of years ; and 



Whereas the present program of fishery investigations is proving to be invalu- 

 able in determining governmental policies with respect to our highly important 

 sea fisheries : Therefore be it 



Resolved, That the council extend a vote of appreciation to the Woods Hole 

 Oceanographic Institution for loaning the use of its vessel to the United States 

 Bureau of Fisheries for continuing high-sea investigations for the current year, 

 and that it urge the importance of provisions being made by the United States 

 Congress to supply the funds necessary for the continuance of that work 

 during the next fiscal j-ear by the United States Bureau of Fisheries. 



CONSERVATION OF WHALES 



The Multilateral Convention for the Regulation of Whaling agreed 

 to by the economic committee of the council of the League of Nations 

 on September 24, 1931, has now been ratified by the following nations : 

 United States, July 7, 1932; Norway, July 18, 1932; Union of South 

 Africa, January 11, 1933 ; Switzerland, February 16, 1933 ; and Mex- 

 ico, March 13, 1933. In addition to these ratifications the following 

 have signified adherence to the convention : Nicaragua on April 3(\ 

 1932 : Sudan, April 13, 1932 ; Monaco, June IT, 1932 : Brazil, Novem- 

 ber 21, 1932; and Egypt, January 25, 1933. There remains only the 

 signature of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern 

 Ireland to make the convention effective. 



The more recent intensive prosecution of the whale fishery and 

 consequent need of adequate regulation is indicated by a world' catch 

 of 42,874 whales in 1930-31 as compared with 11,369 in 1920; and a 

 total production of whale oil in 1931 amounting to 184,348,800 gal- 

 lons as compared with 20,366,350 gallons in 1920. 



HALIBUT INVESTIGATIONS 



The investigations of the International Fisheries Commission pro- 

 vided for under the convention between the United States and Great 

 Britain concluded May 9, 1930, have been continued in accord with 

 the duties prescribed by articles I and III of the treaty. 



A practical demonstration has been successfullv concluded during 

 the past year as to the feasibility and effectiveness of international 

 regulation of a deep-sea fishery when based ui)on adequate bioloirical 

 and statistical knowledge. Regulations of the commission in coi\- 



