462 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES 



tion of a precise program, it is necessary to view the hatcheries as an 

 implement which has proved its effectiveness in a general way through- 

 out a period of years. 



Broadly speaking, the need for artificial propagation of fish increases 

 as the artificial conditions of fish environment increase. For purposes 

 of this discussion the outstanding element of artificiality may be con- 

 sidered as a concentrated pressure upon the fish stock by the increas- 

 ing number of anglers or by more intensive commercial fishing. 

 Hence, in many of the thickly populated States practically 100 per- 

 cent of the take of game fish is of hatchery origin. Even in areas 

 such as the national parks and national forests, there has been an 

 equivalent concentration of angling even though the conditions of the 

 waters themselves have remained virtually unchanged. 



The popularization of recreation in many areas has been, in part, 

 based upon an angling pressure far beyond the normal capacity of the 

 streams and lakes to supply. Consequently, the noiTaal, unimpaired 

 productivity of such waters has had to be augmented by stocking. 



The other elements of artificiality which have imposed a constantly 

 increasing need for stocking are soil erosion, deforestation, pollution, 

 and the introduction of structures aUen to the natural watercourses, 

 such as flood-con tfol, hydroelectric, and storage dams. 



The ultimate benefits to be derived from hatchery operations are 

 as much dependent upon the intelligent use of their production as 

 upon the efficiency with which the hatcheries are operated and the 

 number of fish hatched and reared each season. Consequently, the 

 most fertile field for improvement lies in a better control of stocking 

 procedure. 



An interesting aspect of hatchery activities lies in the vague dis- 

 tinction as between game and commercial species. It would be highly 

 desirable if tliis report could show an analysis, for the benefit of both 

 the sport fishermen and the commercial fishermen, of the production 

 of these two classes of fish. We are at a loss, however, to draw any 

 sharp line of distinction because of the fact that practically all varie- 

 ties handled at the hatcheries are, imder some conditions, sought by 

 the anglers. Even the cod, haddock, flatfish, and pollock are the 

 basis of sport-fishing activities carried on from party boats. It might 

 be said that, out of the 48 species handled, only the lobster, wliitefish, 

 lake and glut herring, and two species of Pacific salmon, are com- 

 pletely ignored by sport fishermen. It has, therefore, been virtually 

 impossible to analyze the records of hatchery production so as to 

 show the actual contribution to that portion of the public which fishes 

 for recreation, and to the much smaller group which fishes for a liveli- 

 hood. 



SPECIES PROPAGATED 



During the year 1938 there were 48 separate species handled at 

 Federal hatcheries, in comparison with 46 species during the previous 

 year. These include the most important game and panfishes, which 

 are foremost in the angler's mind, as well as a number of commercial 

 fish which are most amenable to artificial propagation. Pink, or 

 humpback salmon were propagated for the first time since 1934. Due 

 to unfavorable conditions at the Woods Hole, Mass., station no 

 mackerel eggs were coUected this season. With the cooperation of 

 the Montana Fish and Game Department, this Bureau was able to 



