PROPAGATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD FISHES, 1924 365 



COOPERATIVE OPERATIONS WITH STATES, OTHER FED- 

 ERAL AGENCIES, AND FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS 



It has been the bureau's poHcy to cooperate with the States in 

 fish-cultural activities wherever it could be advantageously managed, 

 and such work has been of material benefit both to the States and to 

 the bureau. It is largely through cooperation that the bureau was 

 able to increase its output in 1924 over that of recent years, notwith- 

 standing the cm-b placed upon its efl'orts by the limited funds avail- 

 able. Exchanges of eggs with State fishery authorities were made 

 on an extended scale, and in so far as was practicable distributions 

 of fish were planned with the view of avoiding duplication of effort 

 in making deliveries. In many instances applicants apply to their 

 State authorities and also to the bureau for fish. Tney are fre- 

 quently inconsistent in such demands, requesting a certain species 

 from the State and another wholly imcompatible species from the 

 bureau, both of them being intended for the same waters. In 

 several instances the bureau has aided State authorities by detailing 

 men of experience to assist in the establishment of fish-cultural 

 stations or to give advice in regard to pending fish-cultural problems. 



Cooperative work along similar lines has been taken up with the 

 Forest Service, the Reclamation Service, and the National Park Serv- 

 ice. All of these agencies have been of great assistance to the 

 bureau in the transportation of fish and eggs to waters within the 

 jurisdiction of the Government. At this time practically all of the 

 national preserves are well protected and fishing is closely regulated. 



It is the general opinion that the stocking of waters located within 

 the national reservations is of considerable benefit to surrounding 

 communities. These waters serve as nurseries to the fish planted 

 therein, and after attaining the adult stage the fish usually seek the 

 lower waters of the streams or such portions as contain a more 

 abundant food supply. In this way the stocking of waters outside 

 the reservations is brought about. 



Very satisfactory exchanges were effected with the Canadian 

 Government during the year. The bureau's Craig Brook (Me.) 

 station was stocked with Atlantic salmon eggs furnished from Cana- 

 dian hatcheries, and the bureau furnished in return eggs of other 

 especially desired species. 



FISH CONSERVATION 



The bureau finds a growing sentiment in favor of fish protection. 

 This is evidenced through the recent changes in the fishery laws of 

 many States, the more favorable legislation enacted being made pos- 

 sible largely through the influence and united efforts of interested 

 organizations and individuals. 



It is realized that if the streams are depleted there will be no means 

 of obtaining fish or fish eggs for propagation, and for a long time the 

 bureau has been urging the protection of fish during the spawning 

 season, a reduction in the bag limit, and an increase in the size limit. 



