PBOPAGATTOX AND DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD FISHES, 1921. 93 



authorities to pass upon. Even with the State's indorsement the 

 bureau reserves the right to exercise its judcrment. 



In connection with this matter, it appears expedient to continue 

 the policy of refusing to supply the spiny-rayed fishes to applicants 

 in the Pacific coast watershed. This step is essential for the protec- 

 tion of the important salmon and trout fisheries. The planting of 

 the spiny-rayed fishes in the streams of the west coast might result in 

 destroying millions of young salmon inhabiting such waters. The 

 bureau maintains that the interests of the commercial fisheries are 

 paramount to those of the sportsmen. 



Eggs of certain species are furnished to State hatcheries where 

 such a course appears to be to the interest of the work and, on rare 

 occasions, to applicants having hatching facilities in cases Avhere the 

 eggs can be delivered more economically than the young fish. 



SIZE OF ALLOTMENTS. 



In determining the size of allotments of fishes on applications, the 

 bureau is governed by the number and size of the requested species 

 available for distribution in connection with the number of applica- 

 tions received for it, by the extent of water area to be stocked, and 

 by the distance to which the fishes must be transported. It aims in 

 every case to supply only a sullicient number of young fish for a brood 

 stock, and the recipient is expected to provide for their protection 

 until they have had time to mature and stock the waters through 

 natural reproduction. The importance of adequate protection for 

 fish furnished for stocking any i)ody of water is so obvious that the 

 bureau has seriously considered the advisability of curtailing or en- 

 tirely discontinued the distribution of fish in localities where such 

 protection is not afforded. 



It is recognized tliat the larger bodies of water should receive the 

 larger niiml)er of fishes for stocking purposes, but it does not appear 

 judicious to honor apjjlications for such waters to the exclusion of 

 the smaller, tboiigh perhaps no less important, bodies of water. It 

 is the policy of the ])iuvau to apportion the output of its hatcheries 

 in such a manner as will permit of filling all applications, so far as 

 such a course may be practicable. Applications are frequently re- 

 ceived from persons in sections remote from a fish-cultural station 

 and in a part of the country where it is known that the waters are 

 already abundantly stocked with desirable species. In such instances 

 the bureau does not consider it wise to incur the expense of sending 

 small luimbers of artificially reared fishes to a considerable distance, 

 and the applicants are so notified. 



TIME AND METHOD OF DELIVERY. 



Certain species, notably the brook trout and the rainbow trout, are 

 planted whenever possible during the fingerling stage; but, as the 

 rearing facilities are limited, the stock must be reduced in the early 

 spring to prevent overcrowding. Thus, a part of the output is an- 

 nually shipped in the fry .stage. The distribution of the basses and 

 other j)oncl fishes begins about three weeks after they are hatched 

 an«l extends over a pciiod of several months, the last lots of fishes 

 sent out ranging from 2 to 4 inches in length. The basses, sunfislies, 



