4 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 



ties constitute the only source of fresh fish supply available. They 

 make possible the extension of the fisheries and the establishment of 

 fishing in many formerly unproductive waters. They afford a 

 splendid means of recreation to millions of people, bringing them 

 into contact with the great outdoors. 



The increasing use of the automobile and the fact that almost 

 every automobile tourist is a fisherman have had an almost disastrous 

 effect on many waters, however. With their existing facilities the 

 States have not been able to cope with the situation, but in anticipa- 

 tion of future conditions many of them have made preparations for 

 a great increase in their operations. In this respect the State of 

 North Carolina probably leads. The opening up of its wonderful 

 mountain regions through the construction of good roads is sure to 

 result in an influx of tourists and the consequent depletion of many 

 of its waters unless fish-cultural work is prosecuted on an extensive 

 and systematic basis. In recognition of this outlook the State now 

 has plans in contemplation for the establishment of a system of 

 hatcheries and the enactment and enforcement of adequate fishery 

 laws. 



The bureau has taken the lead in fish-cultural work, and the activi- 

 ties of the various States along this line have, for the most part, been 

 patterned after its work. In many instances the States have suc- 

 ceeded with their plans by employing the bureau's skilled and ex- 

 perienced men at higher salaries than the bureau has been able to 

 pay. In view of this situation it is felt that the bureau is little 

 more than a training school for fish-culturists, and that in turning 

 the services of such men over to the States it is doing a public w^ork 

 of great value. It is fully recognized that the fish-cultural experience 

 of the bureau is for the public benefit, and the results of this ex- 

 perience are constantly being disseminated through the issuance of 

 reports and bulletins and also in letters on special subjects. 



COMMERCIAL FISH CULTURE. 



While the cultivation of fish for stocking interior waters is an 

 important phase of the bureau's activities, its work in the propa- 

 gation and distribution of the so-called commercial fishes has a 

 much greater significance so far as its economic value to the country 

 is concerned. This work has probably attained its highest efficiency 

 on the Pacific coast, and especially in Alaska, where the salmons con- 

 stitute one of the most important natural resources. Had it not 

 been for the combined efforts of the bureau and the States to con- 

 serve this valuable asset, it is probable that its value would by this 

 time ha^'e declined to a j^oint where it would neither have interested 

 the white man as an investment nor served as a means of sustenance 

 to the Indian. 



In many instances the spawning beds of the salmon have been 

 ruined by logging operations, while in other cases the ascent of the 

 salmon to suitable spawning grounds has been cut off by the erection 

 of insurmountable power dams. The salmon congregate at the en- 

 trance of certain coastal streams at a particular season of the year, 



