98 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE 



ment supplements tlie International Whaling Convention of Septem- 

 ber 24, 1931, and provides greater protection for whales. On June 14, 

 1938, a further conference was called for the purpose of studying the 

 results of the 1937-38 whaling season, and to consider modification or 

 extension of the 1937 agreement. The conference concluded its busi- 

 ness on June 24 by signing an agreement affording still further pro- 

 tection to whales. The Senate has not consented as yet to the ratifica- 

 tion of the agreement. 



A report on whaling statistics, made by the Bureau of Fisheries in 

 accordance with the requirement of the Convention, was published in 

 the consolidated whaling report of the world, International Wlialing 

 Statistics XI, issued at Oslo, Norway, June 2, 1938. 



NORTH AMERICAN COUNCIL ON FISHERY INVESTIGATIONS 



The twenty-fourth meeting of this Council was held at Montreal, 

 Canada, on September 23, 24, and 25, 1937, with representatives from 

 Canada, Newfoundland, and the United States present. Reports 

 were presented by investigators of the various countries setting forth 

 progress made in the long-time investigations of cod, mackerel, and 

 haddock. New research projects sponsored by the Council and re- 

 ported on for the first time included a study of the migrations of 

 Atlantic salmon, conducted on a cooperative basis by Newfoundland 

 and Canada, and an extensive program of lobster studies in Canadian 

 waters. 



The question of an international treaty for the control of mesh 

 size in nets used by Canadian and United States vessels engaged in 

 the haddock fishery has been under discussion by the Council for 

 several years. Although the voluntary adoption of larger meshed 

 gear by the majority of the New England operators during 1937 has 

 relieved the situation to some extent, the Council continues to recom- 

 mend coordinated international action. 



A discussion of hydrology in relation to fisheries investigations 

 emphasized the fact that this subject may prove to be quite separate 

 from the general problem of oceanic circulation with which the phys- 

 ical oceanographer is principally concerned. The Council directed 

 attention to the fact that routine temperature observations have sel- 

 dom been available from the fishing banks and recommended that 

 the United States, Canada, and Newfoundland devise means of col- 

 lecting temperature data on the fishing grounds and also consider 

 the advisability of reporting to the fishing fleet from time to time 

 concerning general temperature trends in important areas. 



GREAT LAKES FISHERIES CONFERENCE 



Progress has been made toward the negotiation of a treaty for the 

 control of the seriously depleted fisheries of the Great Lakes. After 

 nearly 50 years of conferences among the various States attempting 

 to secure uniform regulation by independent State action, a confer- 

 ence was held during February 1938 by members of commissions on 

 interstate cooperation under the auspices of the Council of State Gov- 

 ernments. This conference resulted in a definite request directed to 

 the Congress and to the State Department for negotiation of such 

 a treaty. The initial step would provide for the appointment of a 



