REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES XV 



limit may be and the means for preventing excessive exploita- 

 tion or for further development of resources not now fully utilized 

 are mainly problems for the biologist. The general nature of the 

 fishery investigations conducted by the division of scientific inquiry 

 and their bearing upon the problems of conservation have been ade- 

 quately outlined in the report for the fiscal year 1924 and need not 

 • be repeated here. 



Within the past few years there has been a most remarkable in- 

 crease in the recognition of the importance of biological investigation 

 in fishery conservation, and, as a result, there have been numerous 

 requests from States, cities, and private organizations for investiga- 

 tion of their fishery problems. These have been met so far as the 

 limited funds and personnel of the bureau would permit, but it has 

 not been possible to undertake all of the investigations asked for. 

 In certain instances cooperative arrangements were entered into 

 which have proved most satisfactory. It is believed that such ar- 

 rangements as these offer an avenue for the expansion of the scientific 

 activities of the bureau Avithout materially increasing present ex- 

 penditures. 



An outstanding feature of the year's activities was the Fisheries 

 Conservation Conference called 'by the Secretary of Commerce and 

 attended by representatives of the fish commissions of the Atlantic 

 and Gulf States. This conference was held on May 22 and had for 

 its object the consideration of procedures for saving certain of our 

 Atlantic coast fisheries from further depletion. Among the im- 

 portant matters discussed were the destruction of small, immature 

 fish, the control of fisheries in boundary M^aters, and the rehabilita- 

 tion of the shad, sturgeon, and lobster fisheries. The following 

 resolution was adopted : 



Whereas the necessity for concerted action by the coast States to protect 

 national fisheries has l)een forcefully called to our attention by Secretary 

 Hoover ; and 



Whereas the Secretary has seen fit to call this conference for the purpose of 

 devising ways and means for rehabilitating these fisheries: Be it 



Resolved, That the representatives here assembled go on record as indorsing 

 the purpose of the conference and expressing on behalf of our various States 

 our gratitude for Mr. Hoover's intelligent and patriotic interest in calling the 

 conference ; be it further 



Resolved, That it is the desire of the representatives here assembled that the 

 Secretary shall, with the approval of the governors, appoint a commission 

 composed of representatives from each of the fish commissions of the Atlantic 

 States to work out various problems relating to the lobster, shad, and other 

 anadromous fishes of our coastal waters ; be it further 



Resolved, That in considering means of improving fif.hing conditions we par- 

 ticularly indorse and recommend any and every action that may be taken to 

 subserve the welfare, comfort, and material success of the commercial 

 fishermen. 



There follows a brief resume of the more important activities of 

 the division of scientific inquiry during the past year. 



ATLANTIC COAST FISHERIES 



The cod, pollock, and haddock fisheries of the western north 

 Atlantic are of prime importance. There are landed annually, at 

 American ports alone, about 140,000,000 pounds of these fish, with 

 a value to the fishermen approximating $4,500,000. One of the 



59260—25 .3 



