BUHEAU OF FISUEKIES 93 



propriatioii ; however, the Bureiiu lias been able to continue and in 

 some respects enlar<?e the work, securin<5 a fair enforcement of the 

 law in cooperation with the States east of the Rocky Mountains. 

 Thi3 has been accomplished with 3 officers in the field, and 1 office 

 assistant, a total of 4 employees, to carry out the intents and pur- 

 poses of the law in 48 States. 



During the year the number of regularly employed State fish and 

 game protectors authorized by the Secretary to enforce the law was 

 increased to 80, located principally in the Eastern and Central States 

 wliere black bass are most plentiful. These trained State officers 

 received no salary from the Federal Government, and frequently 

 supplied the regularly emplo3^ed Federal black bass law inspectors 

 transportation and assistance without charge. This cooperation is 

 supi^lied by the State principally for the reason that a violation of 

 the Federal black ba.ss law is predicated on an infraction of an exist- 

 ing State law followed by a transportation outside of the State. 



Every effort has again been made this year to advertise the pro- 

 visions and purposes of the law. This highly important educational 

 work has been carried on through the daily press, sporting magazines, 

 and radio, and through personal contact between the commercial 

 fishermen and dealers. In addition, the three regularly employed 

 field officers, in their travels from State to State in making market 

 inspections and investigations of alleged illegal shipments of black 

 bass, attended and addressed gatherings of sportsmen, anglers, and 

 State authorities. In sections where this ha,s been done those af- 

 fected display an intense interest in the work and a sincere disposition 

 to obey the law and cooperate. 



It is essential that those who are enforcing the Federal black bass 

 law, and the State officials and others, should be thoroughly familiar 

 with the latest State laws protecting black bass. As the legislatures 

 ■of 43 States met during the last half of this fiscal year, making many 

 changes, a careful revision of the game-fish laws as formerly pub- 

 lished in Fishery Circular Xo. 9 was made and will be available to 

 those interested. 



A large number of reports of violations of the Federal law were 

 received and an investigation was made in every instance. The al- 

 leged illegal shipments came principally from the southeastern States, 

 and were consigned to Maryland, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Kansas, 

 Missouri, Tennessee, West Virginia, and other States. In some cases 

 evidence of violation of State law was obtained and turned over to 

 State authorities for action. In other cases, such as an alleged illegal 

 shipment of black bass from Florida to Kansas, it was impossible 

 owing to great distance between point of shipment and consignment 

 for the Bureau officials to make personal investigation due to lack of 

 funds ; however, such cases were handled by one or more of the State 

 deputies. 



The Federal black bass law inspectors, along with their regular 

 'duties, have by request assisted State officers in enforcing the State 

 laws protecting fish whenever possible, and aided in various matters 

 pertaining to the welfare and increase of game fish. They have 

 assisted and advised the States relative to perfecting their black bass 

 laws, and a considerable amount of beneficial game-fish legislation 

 advocated by the Bureau was adopted this year. Five States passed 

 laws prohibiting the sale of black bass regardless of where taken; 



