102 llEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 

 LAKE ONTARIO. 



The condition of the Lake Ontario fisheries in 1893 was very poor, 

 the decline noticed in previous reports continuing. In every important 

 item a marked decrease has occurred, and general and special com- 

 parisons with previous years probably disclose more pronounced 

 changes than have characterized the fisheries of any other body of 

 ■water in the United States. While restrictive legislation has had some 

 effect on the fisheries, there is little reason to doubt that the most 

 potent factor in the decline has been the depletion of the lake's fishery 

 resources. The following summary shows the catch of the principal 

 fishes in 1880, 1885, 1890, and 1893, and is to be considered in conjunc- 

 tion with the comparative figures for i)ersons employed and capital 

 invested. The number of fishermen was 301 in 1890 and 221 in 1893. 

 The decrease in the apparatus used in the two years was as follows: 

 Gill nets, from 2,345 to 1,185; trap nets, from 288 to 77; fyke nets, from 

 684 to 139; seines, from 27 to 7; boats, from 373 to 175. 



The yield of the Lake Ontario fisheries in 1893 was less than one- 

 third that in 1890, two-fifths that in 1885, and one-fourth that in 1880. 

 Between 1880 and 1893 tlie decrease in whitefish was 90 per cent; in 

 trout, 99 per cent; in sturgeon, 77 per cent; in herring, 73 per cent; 

 and in other fish, 31 per cent. In the three years intervening between 

 the last two investigations the quantity and value of the catch 

 decreased 73 per cent. The yield of trout and whitefish, which had 

 already reached a remarkably low point in 1890, was further reduced 85 

 per cent and GO per cent, respectively. 



Comparative table shotviiig the yield of the fisheries of Lake Ontario in ISSO, 1SS5, 1890, 



and 1S9S. 



BISCAYNE BAY, FLORIDA. 



In February, 1895, the wiiter visited this bay, located on the southern 

 part of the east coast of Florida, for the purpose of gathering informa- 

 tion as to its physical features, animal resources, and fisheries. The 

 U. S. Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries had under consideration the 

 establishmentof a marine hatching and experiment station at some point 

 on the Florida coast, and was desirous of ascertaining the advantages 

 afforded by Biscayne Bay for fish-cnltural and biologi(;al work, this 

 region having been favorably mentioned in this connection. A report 

 on the results of the examination was submitted to the Commissioner 



