PROPAGATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD FISHES, 1937 467 
definite arrangements for coordinating hatchery work, distribution of 
fish, and many of the other details affecting the conservation of game 
and commercial fish. 
Additional States, particularly Pennsylvania, have undertaken to 
review Federal fish ‘applications for waters within their territory, in 
order to assure planting of the proper species. In a number of 
instances, the State authorities have undertaken to actually distribute 
the fish produced by Federal hatcheries or rescue stations. 
The Bureau has been able to assign a number of carloads of fish at 
the request of the North Dakota and South Dakota fish and ¢ game 
authorities for the provision of initial stock in new lakes and reservoirs 
created in those States. As usual, surplus trout eggs produced at the 
Federal hatcheries have been largely allocated to the States, some- 
times on an exchange basis. In several instances Bureau employees 
have been assigned to render technical assistance in connection with 
problems which confronted State authorities. This has been exem- 
plified in the case of Georgia and Arkansas particularly. In New 
York State arrangement has been made whereby the Bureau’s hatch- 
ery employees in that area join in periodic conferences, or schools, 
which the State holds for its own employees. It should suffice to 
point out that both among the administrative personnel and the field 
staff there is a definite will for mutual cooperative action in conducting 
activities pertaining to fish culture and stocking. This inevitably 
results in a multitude of informal minor agreements facilitating the 
work of both agencies. 
As has been previously indicated, cooperation with private sports- 
men’s ee oe through the assienment of fish to nurseries or 
rearing pools is gradually receding. This is not due to the question 
of the value of such work, but is based upon the fact that State author- 
ities, being more familiar with local conditions, are better able to fur- 
nish the necessary supervision and technical guidance to these nurs- 
eries. The Bureau lacks the extensive field force and the funds for 
travel which would be essential in supervising a far-flung system of 
cooperative nurseries. The Bureau has endeavored to cooperate 
with the sportsmen’s groups, both national organizations and the 
smaller local clubs, by furnishing expert technical advice relative to 
their problems, surveying their areas wherever possible, and demon- 
strating the possibilities of improving angling through concerted local 
private effort. 
SALVAGE OPERATIONS 
In accordance with the regular procedure, the collecting stations 
located at various points on the Upper Mississippi River were in 
operation during the late summer. Seining crews were sent out by 
truck, launch, and houseboat for the purpose of salvaging stranded 
fish. The extent of this work is dependent upon river conditions, 
rainfall, and other local factors, as well as available funds. During 
1937 conditions were somewhat more favorable for rescue work and a 
total of 50,572,000 fish were handled, which is an increase of approxi- 
mately 7, 000, (000 over last year. The tabulations appearing below 
saeneats the principal species handled, and the relative proportion of 
each which was used for distribution to other sections. The miscel- 
laneous fish reported under this heading include various minnows and 
shiners, considered as forage fish, as ‘well as other native varieties 
picked up in limited quantities. 
107137—39——-2 
