EEPOET OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES XIX 



per cent), carp (8 per cent), •and whitefishes (4.5 per cent). The 

 importance of maintaining these fisheries Avill be apparent from these 

 figures. During the fiscal 3"ear 1924 the bureau propagated these 

 species on as hirge a scale as was practicable. A very satisfactory 

 ■collection of whitefish eggs for stocking the Put In Bay station was 

 secured in Lake P^rie, the total being in excess of 313,()00,()()0. The 

 field in the A'icinity of Toledo, Ohio, has heretofore been considered 

 the most prolific collecting ground for these eggs, but last season only 

 a comparatiA'ely small number was secured there. 



In view of the improved Avater conditions at Alpena, Mich., the 

 bureau's hatchery at that ])oint Avas opened and stocked Avith Avhite- 

 fish and lake trout eggs collected in local fields. 



The collection of lake ti'out eggs at all jioints slightly exceeded that 

 of the i^receding year, and their quality Avas about the same. 



There Avas a A^ery satisfactory collection of cisco eggs, the total 

 amounting to 200,790,000, or nearly 134,000,000 more than Avere ob- 

 tained in the preceding year. 



After being closed for a year the S wanton (Vt.) auxiliary station 

 was reopened for the conduct of pike-perch propagation, cooperative 

 arrangements for the Avork having been entered into with the fisheries 

 authorities of Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Connecticut. 



OAving to the intensely cold weather and the strong easterly winds, 

 pike-perch operations on the spaAvning grounds in Lake Erie were 

 conducted under difficult conditions, it being impossible at times for 

 the fishermen to lift their nets. AdA^erse Aveather conditions also 

 hindered the prosecution of carp pix^pagation in the Put in Bay 

 (Ohio) field. Rather an important addition to the work of this 

 station Avas the propagation of sauger, 8.400,000 eggs of Avhich species 

 were collected and incubated, producing 7,392,000 fry for distribu- 

 tion. 



MARINE SPECIES OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC 



Among the most important species taken in our North Atlantic 

 waters are the cod, haddock, pollock, and flounders. The annual 

 catch of cod in these Avaters approximates 90,000,000 pounds ; of had- 

 dock, about 80,000,000 pounds; pollock, 25,000,000 pounds, and 

 flounders, 15,000,000 pounds. Impi-OA^ements in merchandising have 

 greatl}' increased the demand for these fishes and the importance of 

 maintaining an adequate supply. 



A A'ory successful year's Avork is to be recorded in the collection of 

 eggs of the marine stations in Xew England, the aggregate collections 

 of all species amounting to 4,046,991,000, or an excess of 843,000,000 

 over the corresponding figures for 1923. The increase Avas composed 

 entirely of eggs of the Avinter flounder, all three of the marine sta- 

 tions securing much larger numbers than last year. On the other 

 hand, there was a falling off of about 277.000.000 in the take of cod 



The Boothbay PLirbor {Me.) station concentrated its energies on 

 the propagation of the Avinter flounder. 



The Gloucester (Mass.) station was especially successful in the 

 collection of cod eggs, of which 802,000,000, in round numbers, Avere 

 secured, establishing a neAV record Avith that species. The haddock 

 spaAvning season came on unusually late, no ripe fish appearing on 



13073—24 4 



