REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES XIII 



purpose of determining the condition of the fisheries of tliat country 

 and the measures necessaiy for their conservation and development. 

 It was found that food fishes were comparatively scarce. This, 

 however, is not surprising, since the country is densely populated 

 and no measures for conservation have ever been enacted. Fishing 

 is carried on at all seasons, frequently by destructive methods, in- 

 cluding the use of a powerful plant poison, as well as dynamite when 

 that is obtainable. Neither is there any limit to the size of the 

 fish that may be taken; fish as small as 2 inches in length are seen 

 in the markets daily, both in the dried and fresh state. Recom- 

 mendations were made for the protection of the fresh-water fishes 

 and for the development of the salt-water fisheries. 



NORTH AMERICAN COMMITTEE ON FISHERY INVESTIGATION 



Two meetings of the North American Committee on Fishery In- 

 vestigation were held during the year. At these the bureau was 

 represented by Commissioner O'Malley, Dr. H. B. Bigelow, and 

 Dr. W. H. Rich. Various matters of general interest were dis- 

 cussed, including provision for the collection of more adequate 

 statistics of the bank fisheries, the tagging of cod and the study of 

 its life history, oceanographic and plankton studies, and the develop- 

 ment of a definite program of fishery research. Through this com- 

 mittee it has been possible to coordinate the work of the several 

 governments represented at the meeting to the best advantage and to 

 prevent duplication of effort. 



PROPAGATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD FISHES 



NEED FOR FISH- CULTURAL OPERATIONS 



Almost from the inception of the work of the bureau the need for 

 the propagation of food fishes Avas felt, but at no stage in the bureau's 

 histor}^ has the demand for larger scale operations been so keenly 

 felt as at the present time. Deforestation, pollution of waterwaj'S, 

 construction of power dams especially affecting the runs of anadro- 

 mous fishes, reduction of fish-nursery areas through the reclamation 

 of bottom lands, destruction of the young in improperly screened 

 irrigation ditches, land improvement, and many other factors have 

 contributed to the difficulty of keeping our waters adequately stocked 

 Avith fish by natural means. The construction of good roads and 

 mountain trails and the increased use of the automobile h'ave made 

 it possible for a much larger number of persons to seek recreation 

 in the open country and more remote places. As a result the number 

 of anglers has been greatly augmented. California alone issues 

 nearly 200,000 angling licenses, a number equal to the number of 

 persons engaged in the commercial fisheries of the entire United 

 States and Alaska. Organizations interested in fish and game are 

 increasing in numbers and membership. Although accurate data 

 are lacking, it may be said that the annual catch by anglers alone 

 now reaches a very higli figure. In the commercial fisheries im- 

 proved methods of merchandising and an increased appreciation of 

 the value of fish in the diet is tending to increase production. 



