364 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES 



In view of the uncertain conditions involved in the rescue work, 

 it is reahzed that dependence upon the Mississippi River collections 

 for fish of this character can not be continued indefinitely. During 

 some seasons the floods do not attain their usual volume. In such 

 years they cover only a comparatively small area, and there is a con- 

 sequent shortage in the supply of fish. This naturally necessitates 

 delay in the filling of many applications, and they have to be carried 

 on file for attention the following year. The difficulties encountered 

 will probably compel the bureau to take steps in the near future for 

 the establishment of bass stations on a widely extended scale. For 

 this purpose it may be possible to obtain control of certain areas that 

 are not suitable for agriculture and devote from 100 to 1,000 acres 

 of such lands to the cultivation of bass and kindred species. It is be- 

 lieved that ponds of this size could be established in several sections 

 of the country, and that through such means it would be possible to 

 meet the demands for warm-water pondfishes for some years to come. 

 Trout are being produced in sufficient numbers to meet all present 

 demands. 



Fish-cultural work in the Great Lakes regions was limited to the 

 ■collection and incubation of eggs of the whitefish, lake trout, and 

 pike perch, and. the distribution of the resulting fry on suitable 

 spawning areas. As usual the eggs were taken by placing men on 

 the fishing boats to remove the eggs before the fish were sent to 

 market. 



MARINE AND ANADROMOUS FISHES 



While there has been no expansion of the fields covering this 

 branch of the bureau's work, fluctuations occur from year to year, 

 depending upon weather conditions. The usual number of salmon 

 stations was operated on the Pacific coast. It has been the policy to 

 enlarge the rearing facilities at such stations as much as possible, so 

 as to permit of a yearly increase in the number of fingerling salmon 

 distributed. Some minor improvements were eftected in hatching 

 equipment in the interest of greater efficiency. 



The eggs of the salmon were obtained by the usual method of 

 placing racks across the streams to intercept the run. Eggs of the 

 cod and other marine species were secured by placing spawn takers 

 on the boats, except in the case of the Woods Hole station, which is 

 equipped with a cod pool where spawning fish are held and permitted 

 to deposit their eggs under more or less natural conditions. On 

 receipt of a report during the spring of 1924 that large numbers of 

 cod with ripe eggs were being taken off the fishing banks, the bureau 

 at once placed spawn takers on the boats operating in this region to 

 take and fertilize the eggs and immediately plant them on the nat- 

 ural spawning grounds. All eggs thus taken represent actual saving, 

 since otherwise they would be lost in the process employed in prepar- 

 ing the fish for market. It would doubtless be expedient for some 

 of the States to undertake similar operations for the salvage of eggs 

 of the shad, herring, and other commercial fishes. The work could 

 be conducted at points where it is impossible to transfer the eggs to 

 hatcheries for incubation, or where fishing operations are prosecuted 

 on too small a scale to warrant the establishment of hatcheries. 



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