92 REPOET OF THE SECRETARY OP COMMERCE 



CONSTBUCTION ACTIVITIES 



At the start of the year there were small unexpended balances in 

 approximately 12 allotments for the repair and reconditioning of fish 

 hatcheries. These allotments had been made by the Public Works 

 Administration during the previous 3'ear, and the work was carried 

 to a conclusion during the fiscal year 1935. 



A considerable portion of a similar allotment for the continued 

 development of the LeetoAvn (W. Va.) experimental hatchery re- 

 mained available and was expended in part for the construction of 

 bass and trout ponds, remodeling of one of the buildings, and con- 

 struction of a new dv/elling. 



Early in the year a new Public Works allotment of $75,000 was 

 received for the construction of a pond-fish hatchery at Harrison 

 Lake, Va., 26 miles southeast of Richmond. Work was started dur- 

 ing the winter and at the close of the year approximately 15 acres 

 of ponds were virtually completed and other developments were well 

 along to the point where the establishment could go into active oper- 

 ation during the fall of 1935. Arrangements were being made for the 

 propagation of shad as well as pond fish at this point. Two dwellings 

 as well as various service buildings comprised the structural improve- 

 ments. The water supply, which is obtained from a lake, is fed 

 through a canal. 



In general, the construction and improvements effected during the 

 fiscal years 1934 and 1935 can be credited in part for the increased 

 hatchery output attained during the latter year. 



CONSERVATION OF WHALES 



The Multilateral Convention for the Regulation of Whaling agreed 

 to by the economic committee of tlie Council of the League of Nations 

 on September 24, 1931, became effective on January 16, 1935, in con- 

 sequence of tlie deposit of the ratification of the convention by Great 

 Britain and Northern Ireland on October 18, 1934. The convention 

 was ratified by other nations as follows: United States, July 7, 1932; 

 Norway, July 18. 1932; Union of South Africa, January 11, 1933; 

 Switzerland, February 16, 1933; and Mexico, March 13", 1933. In 

 addition to these ratifications, the following have signified adherence 

 to the convention : Nicaragua on April 30, 1932 ; Sudan, April 13, 

 1932; Monaco, June 17, 1932; Brazil, November 21, 1932; and Egvpt, 

 January 25, 1933. 



A bill has been introduced in Congress to give effect to the con- 

 vention. 



BIOLOGICAL FISHERY INVESTIGATIONS 



The major portion of the research looking toward the conservation 

 of ihe fisherv resources of the United States is conducted by the 

 Division of Scientific Inquiry. Some of the States maintain research 

 stations and laboratories and some a single fishery biologist, but as a 

 general rule the State governments do not conduct fishery research 

 on any considerable scale. Many, however, contribute or cooperate 

 effectively in scientific work conducted by the Bureau as has been 

 mentioned previously. This cooperation should be developed and 

 extended. 



