b REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 



merce to arrant^e salaries, within reasonable limits, with reference to 

 the efficienc}' of employees rather than to the titles of positions. The 

 entire subject of salary readjustment has been thoroughly studied in 

 connection with the reclassification of Government employees, and a 

 comprehensive and adequate salary schedule has been worked out by 

 various comp'etent agencies. It is hoped that all the time and 

 thought devoted to the rectification of a chronic defect in the civil 

 service may not terminate in mere discussion. 



STUDIES or FISHES. 



General investigation of the life history of the chinook salmon, 

 special studies of the salmons of Alaska, and an inquiry into the in- 

 jurious practice of taking immature salmon by trolling and seining 

 off the mouths of Pacific rivers have been continued. It has been 

 determined in the last-named investigation that in the early part 

 of the season nearly three-fourths of the salmon taken are immature, 

 although later these fish constitute only a small proportion of the 

 total catch. RelatiA'ely few immature salmon are taken at the mouth 

 of the Columbia River, but a very considerable percentage of the 

 chinook salmon obtained by trolling in Monterey Bay are not pros- 

 pective spawners of the year. The facts ascertained obviously call 

 for appropriate regulatory measures, for the killing of immature 

 salmon is both economically and biologically wasteful. In the 

 evident belief that the matter can not be fully handled by the several 

 States, the United States Senate has passed a resolution requesting 

 the President to negotiate such treaty or treaties as may be needed 

 to secure to the salmon of the Pacific Ocean off the coasts of the 

 United States and Canada protection from unnecessary destruction 

 through wasteful practices, devices, and methods of capture. Dur- 

 ing the 1920 season there were taken on their return to the Columbia 

 River a number of salmon that had been marked at the time of their 

 planting several years previously. Although the number of marked 

 fish recovered was limited, their study has afforded a basis for in- 

 ferences on both the natural history of the salmon and the value of 

 fish-cultural practices. 



The study of the whitefishes and their relatives of the Great Lakes, 

 which had previously been conducted on Lake Huron, was extended 

 to Lakes Michigan and Ontario, and substantial progres^s was made. 

 As soon as the necessary field work in other lakes can be comjoleted a 

 report of the results will be given out. The investigation takes ac- 

 count of species, distribution, places and seasons of propagation, 

 life histories, and food. The results are expected to afford a proper 

 basis for regulatory measures and guidance in artificial propagation 

 and maj' therefore be a means of bringing about a restoration of the 

 lormer abundance of these important fishes. 



Considerable attention has been devoted to the food and distribu- 

 tion of fishes in interior lakes, the inquiries being intended not only 

 to afford guidance in regard to the stocking of waters, but also to 

 reveal the character of shores and border waters which should be 

 preserved or maintained in order to promote the productiveness of 

 lakes in food supj^ly. It has not been possible to give the river sys- 

 tems the studj^ which is evidently required if the continual decline 



