REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. XVII 
market. The effect of the spring fishery upon the demand for and the 
average price of salted mackerel caught later in the season. As to 
whether the continuance of the spring fishery is tending seriously to 
affect the abundance of mackerel, or, as is often claimed, has any in- 
fluence in breaking up or scattering the schools of fish. 
(2) The menhaden jishery.—The present extent and location of this 
fishery. As to whether the methods of the fishery are in any way con- 
nected with the continued absence or searcity of menhaden on the New 
England coast. 
(3) The sardine industry.—The statistics of the industry, and the 
changes which have taken place in the methods of capture and of prep- 
aration of the fish since the investigations of 1880. The influence of 
the abrogation of the Treaty of Washington and of the proposed du- 
ties upon the supply of fish and upon the cost of producing the canned 
goods. 
(4) The fisheries of the Great Lakes, respecting which a report, based 
upon the investigations of 1885, has nearly been completed. 
(5) A general and statistical review of the vessel fisheries of the 
United States, material for which is being collected by means of circu- 
lars filled out at the custom-houses located at fishing ports. 
(6) The compilation of national and State laws relating to the fisheries. 
Mr. W. A. Wilcox was employed at Gloucester, Mass., during the 
entire year, as an agent of the Commission in collecting data relative 
to the statistics and methods of the New England fisheries. He was 
assisted by Capt. S. J. Martin, and rendered monthly reports which 
have been published in the Fish Commission Bulletin for 1886. During 
September and October the Senate Committee on Fisheries visited 
Gloucester for the purpose of giving personal consideration to the dif- 
ferent phases of the industry, aud also took testimony of the fishermen. 
The facilities of the station were placed at its disposal. 
The sturgeon fisheries of Delaware Bay and River were made the 
subject of an investigation by Mr. 8. G. Worth, who reported over two 
hundred and fifty boats, carrying from 200 to 500 fathoms of net each, 
engaged in the industry. Mr. Worth’s inquiries also had reference to 
the expediency of propagating sturgeon by artificial methods. The 
statistics of the salmon canning establishments of the Pacific coast, from 
1883 to 1886, were collected by Mr. Loren W. Green, an assistant at 
the California stations of the Fish Commission. Mr. Green, in the course 
of this work, visited all of the canneries of fish on the Sacramento River, 
His report on the subject is contained in the Fish Commission Bulletin 
for 1886. 
B.—THE MACKEREL FISHERY DURING 1886. 
The following summary of the mackerel fishery for 1886 was prepared 
by Mr. W. A. Wilcox: 
The work of the season began early, the first vessels sailing from Gloucester on 
March 11. A large fleet was soon cruising off the Delaware coast. On March 28, the 
S. Mis. 90 II 

