26 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 



DISTRIBUTION OF OUTPUT OF HATCHERIES. 



The out])nt of the hatcheries is given a wide distribution, fish or 

 eggs being delivered to interested persons and State commissions 

 in practically all parts of the country, including Alaska. To ac- 

 complish this, five specially equipped railroad cars, having living 

 quarters for a crew of five men and compartments in which live 

 fish may be carried several days without loss, were in active service 

 through the greater part of the year. These cars traveled 77,128 

 miles, and detached messengers in charge of consignments of fish 

 traveled 806,215 miles, in the efforts of the bureau to supply over 

 10,000 applications for fish. 



The cars were employed principally in distributing the fishes of 

 interior waters, which were supplied on requests of individuals, fish- 

 eries associations, and State fisheries officials, and to waters of na- 

 tional parks. Forest Reserve, and Reclamation Service. The com- 

 mercial species of the Atlantic and Pacific coasts and of the Great 

 Lakes are distributed for the most part by boats operated by station 

 crews. These fish are liberated on the natural spawning grounds, or, 

 in some instances, in barren waters where conditions favor their de- 

 velopment. Nonindigenous fishes are introduced with great caution 

 and only after a study of environment and careful consideration as 

 to the future effect that the introduced species may have on the in- 

 digenous fishes. This is especially true with reference to the intro- 

 duction of the spiny-rayed fishes into trout or salmon waters. Trout 

 eggs have been successfully planted in some of the more remote 

 waters of mountainous regions by depositing them 10 or 12 days 

 previous to the hatching period ; approximately 10,000 to 15,000 eggs 

 are allowed to a mile of stream. 



RELATIONS WITH STATES IN FISH CULTURE. 



Closer cooperation has been brought about between the bureau 

 and many States engaged in fish culture, since it has been pointed 

 out to them that there is more or less duplication of effort in stock- 

 ing waters. In many instances the States and the bureau combined 

 mone}^ and forces, resulting in a saving of funds and more efficient 

 work. States having inadequate or no hatching facilities have been 

 permitted to utilize the bureau's hatcheries for the purpose of in- 

 cubating their eggs, when the same could be done without inter- 

 ference with the bureau's operations. Increased travel in the United 

 States, especially by automobile, has caused a serious depletion of 

 fish life in many sections, and the States realize that their institu- 

 tions are not capable of coping with the situation alone. By a com- 

 bination of effort eggs and fish are moved from one section of the 

 country where they may be surplus to another where they may be 

 used in stocking depleted waters. Fish are removed from over- 

 crowded waters where they serve as forage for larger fishes and are 

 placed in more suitable environments where they will eventually be 

 of benefit to the public. The State authorities lend their assistance 

 and cooperation in making this interchange possible and profitable. 



During the year the bureau found it necessary to call the atten- 

 tion of State officials to the great and growing need for more ade- 

 quate laws for the protection of food and game fishes. This need 



