96 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE 



annually for some years. During the fiscal year 1935 predictions 

 for the previous season were checked by analyzing catch statistics 

 to note the effect of the curtailment program of the industry under 

 the code of fair competition. Results of the check indicate that 

 the prediction of abundance was correct within 10 percent. A 

 prediction for the 1935 season was prepared in May of the current 

 year. The rate of catching mackerel in the early part of the season 

 was entirely in accord with the prediction which anticipated an 

 unusually heavy run during the early months. Extensive biological 

 observations on the life history of the mackerel have been con- 

 tinued and a comprehensive report that will guide future conserva- 

 tion policies is in the process of preparation. 



Shore fish of the Middle Atlantic States. — Further observations 

 have been made regarding the state of the supply of the squeteague, 

 scup, sea bass, flounders, and minor species taken in great quantities 

 in the inshore regions from Cape Cod to North Carolina. Further 

 details of the life history and migrations of the most important 

 species, the squeteague or weakfish, perfect our understanding on 

 the relationship between the centers of production in the southern 

 portion of the range and the yield of the fisheries in New Jersey 

 and New York. Fully one-half of the total supply taken north of 

 Delaware Bay is derived from spawning in southern waters. Con- 

 servation, therefore, must be promoted by regulating the strain of 

 exploitation from Chesapeake Bay southward, rather than by dras- 

 tic restriction of the catch in northern waters. 



Regulation of the New Jersey shore fishery is complicated by the 

 rapid development of the offshore trawl fishery of Virginia. The 

 catch of this important branch of the industry has been shown to 

 depend not only on the abundance of fish but on the degree of 

 availability which is affected by changes in water temperatures. 

 Wastage of immature fish in southern waters constitutes a heavy 

 drain upon the supply. Depletion has not yet been demonstrated, 

 although its possibility as a result of severe exploitation in the 

 shore areas in the summer and the offshore areas in the winter 

 is clearly recognized. 



Shrirnp investigations in the South Atlantic and Gulf States. — 

 Landings of shrimp, the most important fishery in the South At- 

 lantic and Gulf States, have declined since 1930. No evidence has 

 been secured of the depletion of the supply in the Gulf area, but 

 on the South Atlantic coast great fears are felt for the future of the 

 fisheries. 



Previous investigations have outlined in some detail the life his- 

 tory and development of the most important species of shrimp. Dur- 

 ing the past year chief attention has been given to a study of mass 

 movements of this species, since local variations in supply, particu- 

 larly on the Atlantic coast, are very evident. Efforts are being- 

 made to trace the movements of the shrimp by the changing composi- 

 tion of populations and by direct tagging experiments. Tagging, 

 however, is a difficult process and considerable attention has been 

 given to the perfecting of a technique for this purpose. It is sus- 

 pected that a con.siderable supply of shrimp may exist in offshore 

 waters during the winter period, but the lack of a suitable research 

 vessel prevents an immediate attempt to survey offshore fishing 

 grounds or to follow shrimp migrations. 



