XXXII REPOKT TO THE SECEETARY OF COMMERCE 



Numerous reports of alleo;ed infractions of the Federal black bass 

 law have been received from Kentucky, Maryland, Virginia, Arkan- 

 sas, Alabama, Mississippi, and other States, but investigations in 

 most instances disclosed no violations of the Federal statute. In 

 several cases it was found that fish other than black bass were 

 involved, and in others violation of State law could not be proved. 



An excellent spirit of cooperation was received from the State fish 

 and game departments, anglers, and others, and it is believed the law 

 will be reasonably observed after it receives publicity and its pro- 

 visions are fully understood. With this end in view numerous 

 articles have been carefully prepared and published in fish and game 

 magazines, the press, and other publications, covering the main 

 features of the law, its aims and objects; addresses and radio talks 

 by members of the bureau and others have explained the law, and 

 about 2,000 copies have been distributed. The general correspond- 

 ence resulting from this publicity has been large and covers many 

 subjects relating to game fish, and^ the bureau has received many 

 requests for advice and assistance in matters pertaining to game fish. 



An excellent start has been made on the work in the three months 

 since the inauguration of the division, and it enters the fiscal year of 

 1932 better prepared to carry out the provisions of the law. 



VESSEL NOTES 



The Albatross II was engaged throughout the year in scientific 

 research work between Cape Sable, Nova Scotia, and Cape Hatteras. 

 N. C, between the shore line and continental shelf. Oceanographic 

 stations numbering 286 were made. Numerous 30 and GO foot otter- 

 trawl hauls were made. During the investigations there were tagged 

 352 cod, 280 haddock, 33 pollock, and flukes, sea bass, scup, butter- 

 fish, and croakers numbering 248 in all. At convenient times, be- 

 tween cruises, the vessel underwent various repairs at the Boston 

 Navy Yard. The work was under the direction of O. E. Sette. 



The steamer Shearwater was engaged in fish-cultural work at the 

 Put in Bay (Ohio) station during the fall and spring months. 



The steamer Phalarofe was engaged as usual as a tender at the 

 Woods Hole biological station. 



The Pelican which was launched at Newport News, Va., last June 

 is now at the Boothbay Harbor (Me.) station. It has been engaged 

 thioughout the year in fish-cultural activities. 



The bureau's vessel Fulmar^ a motor ship 102 feet long stationed at 

 Charlevoix, Mich., was assigned to investigative duty with the (ireat 

 Lakes scientific stall' and has been fully equipped for experimental 

 fishing. The vessel has been engaged in experimental work on Lake 

 Michigan for the purpose of studying means of preventing the 

 destruction of undersized and inmuiture fish by commercial nets. 

 Extensive biological data upon the life histories of these fishes and on 

 l>r()blems of their conservation were obtained. The investigations 

 continued from June to November, 1930, and were resumed again in 

 May, 1931. Experimental fishing stations were occupied weekly 

 throughout the season at numerous points distributed around the 

 margin of the lake. 



Sixteen vessels of the Alaska service cruised more than 140,000' 

 nautical miles in the fiscal year 1931, as compared with 118,570 nauti- 



