16 U. S. BUEEAU OF FISHERIES 



each year since 1921, have been measured and studied. From this 

 series of samples it has been possible to follow the history of the com- 

 mercial schools and year classes of herring through several successive 

 years and to obtain a rather detailed life history of the species, and 

 questions of importance were definitely settled. The data furnish 

 information on a number of problems, such as the age composition of 

 various commercial schools, the average lengths and weights of males 

 and females at various ages, the variations in rates of growth, the 

 norms for growth, the abundance of males and females, the age at 

 sexual maturity, the races of herring, the effects of commercial fish- 

 ing upon the fish stock, etc. The report will be submitted soon for 

 publication. 



Some progress has also been made during the past year in the stud} 7 

 of the life history of the Lake Huron whitefish (Coregonus clupea- 

 formis), but it is thought best to withhold a report until all the avail- 

 able material has been studied. 



As in previous years, several weeks were devoted to the collection 

 of additional herring and whitefish material. 



PACIFIC COAST AND ALASKA 



An outstanding feature of the work on the Pacific coast in 1925. 

 was the establishment of the International Pacific Salmon Investi- 

 gation Federation, organized at a meeting held in Seattle, Wash., on 

 March 16 and 17 and attended by Federal and State fishery officials 

 representing the United States, Canada, Biitish Columbia, Alaska, 

 California, Oregon, and Washington. A permanent organization was 

 effected, pledged to the development of a cooperative plan for the 

 study of the problems of production and building up the salmon 

 runs. The following statement is quoted from the account of this 

 meeting given in the Pacific Fisherman for April, 1925. 



The most important subject taken up was that of biological investigation. It 

 was admitted that the existing knowledge of the salmon is far less than it should 

 be; and a review of a few of the vital points on which there is no accurate knowl- 

 edge whatever indicated the vast extent of ignorance on the subject that still 

 exists * * *. The ground to be covered would include fish-cultural problems 

 and other possible means of increasing the production of salmon as well as other 

 questions concerning the life and habits of young and mature fish. It was 

 decided that a definite plan should be developed for organized work along this 

 line, details of which were delegated to a committee. 



In carrying out its part of the program, the bureau has established 

 a laboratory in Seattle in quarters kindly provided by the Univer- 

 sity of Washington, and Dr. W. H. Rich has been placed in direct 

 charge of the salmon investigations. Another meeting of the execu- 

 tive committee of the federation, of which Commissioner Henry 

 O'Malley is chairman, was held in Seattle on November 24. At this 

 time Dr. C. H. Gilbert, Dr. W. A. Clemens of the Biological Board of 

 Canada, Doctor Rich, and others presented their views relative to 

 the proposed program of salmon investigations. Definite plans were 

 presented for research work to be carried on during 1926. 



The organization of this federation marks a distinct step forward 

 In salmon investigations and will bring about a coordination of activi- 

 ties, which would do much to make our research program more complete 

 and to hasten the collection of data of vital importance. 



