566 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES 



began in August, 1930, when William C Herrington, formerly on the 

 research staff of the International Fisheries Commission, was em- 

 ployed to direct the investigation. He is being assisted by Edward 

 W. Bailey and John R. Webster. 



After an extensive preliminary survey of the fishery and litera- 

 ture, the following general lines of procedure were decided upon : 



(1) Statistics, (a) Determination of the relative changes in 

 abundance of haddock on the different banks from year to year by 

 means of an analysis of present and past boat-catch records, (b) 

 Collection of more detailed records for future analysis of abundance 

 and fishing intensity. 



(2) Population studies, (a) Investigation of the causes of fluc- 

 tuations in abundance which may appear. This will be done through 

 a study of dominant year-classes and the effects of the fishery on the 

 survival of any year-class, (b) Determination of the probable effects 

 of the destruction of undersized haddock, caused by the otter-trawl 

 nets, on the future productivity of the banks and the possibility of 

 partially or entirely eliminating it by changes in the size or shape 

 of the mesh or by other changes in the nets. 



(3) Study of migration and its effect on the haddock populations 

 of the various fishing banks by means of marking experiments. 



(4) Plankton and hydrographic studies. Determination of the 

 extent to which the haddock grounds are interdependent for their 

 supply of young fish. This will be done by collecting plankton and 

 hydrographic data and by the study of the development and drift 

 of the eggs and larvae. 



Each section of the work outlined is an integral part of the general 

 program, which has for its object an understanding of the changes 

 taking place in the haddock population and the causes of these 

 changes. The ultimate objective toward which this program is 

 directed is the determination of the maximum productivity of the 

 fishery and the means by which it may be maintained. 



FLOUNDERS 



A limited amount of the increased appropriations for work on 

 North Atlantic fishes is available for a study of the flounder fishery. 

 The principal commercial species is the winter flounder or black- 

 back, Pseudopleuronectes americanus, and attention will be given to 

 that species mainly. 



During recent years there has been a rapid increase in the exploi- 

 tation of this resource and doubt has been voiced as to the ability 

 of the species to stand the additional strain imposed by the numerous 

 flounder draggers now operating in the waters off the New England 

 coast. Some are of the opinion that the inshore waters have been 

 depleted and fishermen are being forced to go increasing distances 

 offshore to get their fares. Public appreciation of the seriousness 

 of the situation has been evidenced by the closure by Massachusetts 

 State law, of Cape Cod Bay, to flounder draggers from April 1 to 

 September 30. 



The most urgent steps to be taken to arrive at the facts of the 

 situation are the establishment of a more effective system of catch 

 records that will reflect the changes in abundance in various locali- 



