PROPAGATIOlSr AKD DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD FISHES, 1921. 39 



A rather unusual occurrence connected with the pollock work is 

 the fact that the fish apparently sought new spawning grounds dur- 

 ing the season. Heretofore practically all of the spawning fish have 

 been taken in Massachusetts Bay, and all fish taken from spawning 

 grounds to the eastward of Cape Ann have been barren of eggs. 

 This year, however, large numbers of eggs were obtained from fish 

 caught on the grounds lying from 20 to 30 miles eastward of 

 Cape Ann. 



The season's collection of cod eggs fell considerably below last 

 year's established record collection of 570,704,000. Two reasons are 

 ascribe<l for the falling otf, (1) the comparatively small run of 

 fish on the shore spawning grounds, and (2) the low market price 

 for cod. Eggs were taken between January 15 and April 29, the 

 total amounting to 210,040,000. Of these 151,530,000 were planted 

 on the spawning grounds immediately after being fertilized, this 

 metliod being resorted to at times during the spring months, when 

 the low density of the sea water does not permit of making trans- 

 fers to the hatchery. In addition to the local collections cod eggs 

 to the number of 8,700,000 were transferred to Gloucester from the 

 Woods Hole hatcliery. The fry distribution from the station 

 amounted to 50,900,000. 



I'ropagation of the haddock at the Gloucester station. was ouii- 

 nently successful and is rejiresented by a record collection of eggs 

 of that species. The causes contributing to this result were favor- 

 able weather, an abundance of fish on the spawning grounds through- 

 out the season, and the cominiratively high market piice for haddock. 

 The price was an important factor in attracting to this fishery a 

 large numbei- of fishermen who oidinarily follow the cod or other 

 lines of Hashing. The spawning period extended from January 22 

 to April 25, and O29.120.(>(»0 eggs were taken. Of tliese. 1S2, 120,000 

 were deposited on the spawning grounds for the reason stated above. 



Since the mild winter suggested the probability of an early spawn- 

 ing season for flatfish, nets were set as early as February 2 for the 

 capture of a brood stock, but no fish were secured until March 14. 

 During the first week of the season the take of adult fisii Avas un- 

 usually large, giving promise of a fine e<xf^ collection. With the 

 beginning of active commercial fishing, however, the collection of 

 fish for propagation work fell off ra))idly, and the season's opera- 

 tions resulted in obtaining only 154.740,0()0 eggs. From this stock 

 132,070,000 fry were hatched and distributed. 



Because of the prominence the pole flounder has attained in the 

 New England markets in recent years and the constantly increas- 

 ing number of fishermen engaged in its capture, an investigation of 

 the sj)awning habits of the fish was made with the view of under- 

 taking its artificial propagation in the event that course seemed 

 advisable. At the present time commercial fishing for the pole 

 flounder begins in midwinter some 15 miles off Cape Ann. The fish 

 appear to work slowly inshore, and by July fishing for them is in 

 progress in the shoal waters of Ipswich Bay. The average daily 

 catch per boat is from 8,000 to 12.000 pounds. 



Earg<' numbers of the fish were examined in April, but no ripe 

 spawn was found until May 22. From that date until June 30, 

 when the work was brought to a close, 19,410,000 eggs were taken, 



