REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. CV 



this investigation was in progress. In November, 1896, 25 barrels of 

 eastern oysters were planted in Humboldt Bay, California, and an 

 equal quantity in Yaquina Bay, Oregon. Both lots were planted 

 under the immediate supervision of Mr. 0. H. Townsend. Specimens 

 of those planted at Yaquina Bay were received at this office during 

 the summer and exhibit an encouraging growth, and those at Hum- 

 boldt Bay are also reported to be doing well. It is still too soon to say 

 whether self-perpetuating beds can be established at these places. IsTo 

 spat has yet been found in either place, but Professor Washburn 

 reports copious spawning during the past summer. 



INVESTIGATION OF CONTIGUOUS WATERS OF UNITED STATES 



AND CANADA. 



Under the provisions of an agreement, dated December 6, 1892, 

 between the Governments of Great Britain and the United States, 

 having for its object the investigation of the fisheries in the waters 

 adjacent to the American-Canadian boundary, Mr. Richard Eathbun,of 

 the United States Fish Commission, and Dr. William Wakeham, of the 

 Canadian Department of Marine and Fisheries, conducted extensive 

 inquiries during the years 1893, 1894, 1895, and 1896, with the aid of 

 assistants from the respective departments. On December 31, 1896, 

 the commissioners submitted their report, which was transmitted by the 

 President to Congress on February 21, 1897, and printed as House 

 Document No. 315, Fifty-fourth Congress, second session. 

 • The report deals fully with the conditions prevailing in each of the 

 international waters involved in the agreement; considers the physical 

 and ichthyological features; discusses the relations of the fisheries, of 

 obstructions, and of pollutions to the fish supply; and makes numerous 

 recommendations concerning the preservation of the fisheries. The 

 mackerel fishery, to which much attention was given by the commis- 

 sioners during the past four seasons, was not considered in the report. 



In view of the magnitude of the fisheries covered by the investiga- 

 tions, and of the importance to the fishing interests of the conclusions 

 reached by the commissioners, their general recommendations, as well 

 as those for the different waters, are here given in full : 



On account of the diversified characteristics of the waters investifjated, the 

 variety of their products, and the magnitude of the industries to whicli the latter 

 give rise, we have found it impossible to consider fully all of the questions which the 

 subject presents, and have tlierefore been unable in many cases to reach more than 

 general conclusions, leaving the matter of details to be settled by furiher and more 

 complete inquiries. Our observations, moreover, have clearly demonstrated the 

 inexpediency of attempting to regulate any of the fisheries herein discussed by a rigid 

 code of enactments, owing to their constantly changing character and conditions, 

 and we would therefore urge, in the event of joint action by the two Governments, 

 that a permanent joint commission, to be composed of comjietent experts, be 

 jirovided for, which shall be charged with the direct supervision of these fisheries, 

 and sh:ill be empowered to conduct the necessary investigations and to institute 

 such modifications in the regulations as the circumstances may call for from time to 

 time. 



