22 X:. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES 



ing habits and migrations during the first year of existence form the 

 basis of the problem. 



The work consists of two parts : {a) An investigation of the 

 physical conditions, food, and enemies of the larval forms, to be 

 made on the spawning grounds, and (l). an investigation of the 

 migrations, feeding habits, and enemies of the young fish after they 

 leave the surface waters and enter the shallow shore zone. The 

 latter work will, for the most part, consist of seining over large 

 areas along the shore to determine the distribution of the young 

 fish. The steamer Phalarope is being utilized for weekly sein- 

 ing in the vicinity of Woods Hole and the Halcyon and Gannet 

 are being outfitted, the former for work in deeper water and the 

 latter to be used north of Cape Cod. 



In connection with the cod investigations all young fish taken in 

 seines in the vicinity of Woods Hole have been identified, measured, 

 and recorded. The records of seining collections by the late Vinal 

 X. Edwards, covering a period of 15 years, are now being charted. 

 This data will prove valuable for comparison with results obtained 

 in the present intensive seining program. 



CHESAPEAKE BAY 



In connection with the hydrographic and biological survey of 

 Chesapeake Bay, which was undertaken several years ago, an ex- 

 tensive collection of fishes was made, and this, together with data 

 bearing on the commercial fisheries, has been studied by S. F. Hilde- 

 brand and W. C. Schroeder. Progress in this work has been slow 

 during the past fiscal year, owing largely to the fact that the inves- 

 tigators were engaged in more pressing work. Some time has been 

 devoted to this study, however, and about one-third of the report 

 has been completed. Much of the detail work of the remainder has 

 been finished, leaving only the examination and description of about 

 two-thirds of the specimens to be done. It is expected that all of 

 this work can be completed during the winter of 192^25. 



NORTH AMERICAN COMMITTEE ON FISHERY INVESTIGATIONS 



This committee, formerly called the International Committee on 

 Marine Fishery Investigations, met twice during the year. The first 

 meeting was held in Ottawa, Canada, on November 9, 1923, and the 

 second in Boston on May 2, 1924. Commissioner Henry O'Malley 

 was appointed to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Dr. H. F. 

 Moore. At the close of the fiscal year the committee consisted of 

 the following members: For Newfoundland, D. James Davies; for 

 France, E. Le Danois; for Canada, W. A. Found, Dr. J. P. McMur- 

 rich, and Dr. A. G. Huntsman; for the United States, Henry 

 O'M'alley, Dr. H. B. Bigelow, and Dr. Willis H. Rich. At the 

 Ottawa meeting Doctor Bigelow was elected permanent chairman 

 to succeed Doctor Moore. 



The function of this committee is to provide a means of contact 

 for the various countries interested in those North American marine 

 fisheries that are international in chai'acter. Through the meetings 

 of the committee it is possible to coordinate the scientific investiga- 

 tions conducted by the various agencies, to avoid duplication of 

 effort, and to plan for future investigations to the best advantage. 



