CLXXXVI REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 

 PHOTOGRAPHIC WORK. 



In the Great Lakes and Chesapeake Bay a large number of photo- 

 graphs were taken by field agents using hand cameras in conjunction 

 with the regular fishery investigations. A very valuable series of views, 

 representing fishing towns, vessels, apparatus, methods of catching 

 and curing fish, etc., was obtained, which is available for illustration of 

 reports. Several hundred of these views, with others secured during 

 previous inquiries in the South Atlantic and Gulf States, were enlarged 

 for use in the Fish Commission exhibit at the World's Columbian 

 Exposition. 



FISHERY MATTERS BEFORE CONGRESS. 



On January 30, 1892, a bill was introduced in the House of Eepre- 

 sentatives by Mr. Lapham, of Ehode Island, entitled "A bill to regu- 

 late the fisheries, and for other purposes" (H. E. 5030). On January 

 26 Mr. Aldrich, of the same State, presented a similar bill in the Senate 

 (S. 1899). The measure was intended to grant full authority to men- 

 haden and mackerel fishermen using purse seines to fish unrestrictedly 

 in all the coast waters of the States bordering on the Atlantic Ocean. 

 The text of the bill was as follows : 



That any citizen of tlie TTnited States may at all times tat e menhaden and mackerel 

 •with purse seines along the seacoasts and shores of the United States, and along 

 the shores of the several islands thereunto adjacent, and in the bajs, harbors, and 

 estuaries of the said seacoasts and shores of the United States and of the said islands, 

 in all waters under the maritime Jurisdiction of the United States where the tide ebbs 

 and flows, subject only to such control and restriction as Congress may prescribe from 

 time to time, any law, custom, or usage of any State to the contrary notwithstanding. 



The Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries is hereby directed to make such inquiries 

 and investigations as may be necessary for ascertaining to what extent, if any, there 

 has been diminution in the abundance of fishes of commercial importance along the 

 coasts of the United States and in the Great Lakes, and to report to Congress the 

 result of these investigations, together with recommendations, if in his opinion any 

 are necessary, as to the pioper measures to be adopted for the preservation of the 

 fisheries and the continuance of an ample supply of fish. 



Section 4321 of the Revised Statutes of the United States is hereby amended by 

 inserting immediately after the word "fisheries," whenever it occurs in said sec- 

 tion 4321, the words "on the open ocean or along the seacoasts and shores of the 

 United States, and along the shores of the several islands thereunto adjacent, and 

 in the bays, harbors, and estuaries of the said seacoasts and shores of the United 

 States and of the said islands, and in all waters under the maritime jurisdiction of 

 the United States where the tide ebbs and flows," so that it shall read in the title 

 of a fishing license, '' License for carrying on the fisheries for menhaden and mack- 

 erel with purse seines on the open ocean or along the seacoasts and shores of the 

 United States, and along the shores of the several islands thereunto adjacent, and 

 in the bays, harbors, and estuaries of the said seacoasts and shores of the United 

 States and of the said islands, and in all waters under the maritime jurisdiction of 

 the United States where the tide ebbs and flows." 



And also in the body of said section, after the description of the vessel, to read : 



"License is hereby granted for the said vessel to be employed in carrying on the 

 fisheries for menhaden and mackerel with purse seines on the open ocean or along 



