354 U. S. BUREAU OF JTISHERIES 



greatly reduced as compared with earlier years. Biological studies 

 of shad life history, statistical study of fishing intensity, and pollu- 

 tion studies will be necessary to indicate the best procedure for 

 rehabilitation and management of these fisheries. 



FISHERY INVESTIGATIONS OF THE SOUTH ATLANTIC AND GULF 



COASTS 



INVESTIGATION OF THE SPAWNING HABITS, LARVAL DEVELOPMENT, AND 

 RATE OF GROWTH OF FISHES 



The study of collections of young fish and field data collected prin- 

 cipally on the coast of North Carolina was continued intermittently, 

 as other duties permitted, by Dr. Samuel F. Hildebrand and Louella 

 E. Cable. Additional specimens were obtained from Beaufort, N. C, 

 and vicinity from towings made by Dr. James S. Gutsell in his study 

 of the life history of shrimps. Several nearly complete and some 

 partial series showing stages in the development were identified.. 

 Drawings, and in some instances descriptions, have been prepared. 



SURVEY OF THE FRESH WATERS OF MISSISSIPPI 



A general survey of the fresh waters of Mississippi was begun by 

 Dr. Hildebrand in 1933. Although it was not found practicable to 

 continue the field studies in 1934, considerable time was devoted to 

 a study of the collections obtained the previous year. A special 

 study of the minnows of the family C'yprinidae was made. Thirty 

 species were recognized in the collection, and descriptions with notes 

 on their life histories and habits have been prepared. Nearly all of 

 these minnows are of importance because they constitute the chief 

 food for many food and game fishes. 



MARINE FISHES OF THE GULF COAST 



Systematic studies of the fishes of the Gulf coast were continued 

 by Isaac Ginsburg. Special attention was given to the families 

 Pleuronectidae^ Gohiidae, Cyprinodontidae^ and Syngnathidae. In 

 connection wdth this work the revision of a number of genera of 

 American gobie is being prepared, Avhich should be of help in placing 

 the systematics of the Gohiidae^ one of the most difficult families of 

 American marine fishes, on a firm scientific foundation. 



AN INVESTIGATION OF THE FISHES AND FISH CULTURAL POSSIBILITIES OF 

 THE FRESH AVATERS OF PUEJ5TO RICO 



An investigation of the status of the fishes of the fresh waters of 

 Puerto Rico and the fish cultural i)ossibilities existing there was 

 undertaken by Dr. Samuel F. Hildebrand in cooperation with the 

 Insidar Department of Agriculture and Commerce. The principal 

 fresh waters of Puerto Rico consist of 5 main streams with tributaries 

 and G permanent reservoirs. Fishes in general are scarce in these 

 waters. Tlie indigenous fresh-water fishes consist almost wholly of 

 representatives of salt-water families that in the course of time have 



