REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES IX 



Columbia River salmon-marking experiments in cooperation with 

 Oregon State authorities have made possible a better understanding 

 of the habits of the salmon and revealed the need for changes in fish- 

 cultural methods involving the use of rearing ponds in holding 

 salmon fry until the proper time for liberation. It is expected that 

 through coordinated action under the federation greater progress 

 will be achieved in the solution of these problems and at less cost. 



FISHERIES LEGISLATION 



INTERSTATE TRANSPORTATION OF BLACK BASS 



Under an act of Congress (Pub. No. 256 — 69th Cong.) approved 

 May 20. 1926, it is unlawful to engage in the interstate transportation 

 of black bass " which have either been caught, sold, purchased, or 

 possessed in violation of the laws of the State, Territory, or the Dis- 

 trict of Columbia wherein the delivery of such black bass for trans- 

 portation is made or the transaction or the carrying thereof begins." 



The black bass is primarily a sportsman's fish. The catch by the 

 commercial fishermen amounts to about 1,000,000 pounds per annum. 

 In cold weather, in northern waters, the fish collect in the deeper 

 holes, where at certain times in their semidormant state they are 

 easily taken by the net fishermen. In view of the growing popu- 

 larity of angling, the well-known game qualities of the black bass, 

 and its relative unimportance as a commercial food fish, it is believed 

 that the law should be productive of good in keeping up the supply 

 for the anglers. 



ALASKA FISHERY LAW AMENDED 



The Alaska fisheries act of June 6, 1924, was amended by the act 

 of June 18, 1926, which reenacts section 1 of the act of 1924, with 

 the addition of the following language : " Provided further, That 

 the Secretary of Commerce is hereby authorized to permit the tak- 

 ing of fish or shellfish, for bait purposes only, at any or all seasons 

 in any or all Alaskan Territorial waters." This addition to the law 

 enables the improvement of conditions under which halibut fisher- 

 men heretofore have secured herring for bait, and at the same time 

 permits adequate conservation of the herring fishery. 



UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER WILD LIFE AND FISH REFUGE ACT 



This act, which was approved June 7, 1924, provides in part that 

 water areas acquired under the terms of the act, to such extent as 

 the Secretary of Commerce may by regulations prescribe, be used as 

 a refuge and breeding place for fish and other aquatic animal life 

 or for the conduct of commercial fishing. For the construction of 

 buildings and ponds, for equipment, maintenance, operation, etc., 

 Congress appropriated $25,000. Acting under this authority, this 

 bureau has been assembling boats and other equipment that will be 

 needed in the work. The difficulties encountered by the Secretary 

 of Agriculture in securing suitable areas under the terms of the act 

 has retarded the beginning of operations. 



