RErORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISITERTES. 9 



The inquiry on the Pacific coast ])hxced the oi'licc in possession of 

 definite information concerning the results Avhich liave attended tlie 

 introductiou of shad and striped bass to that region and disclosed a 

 very satisfactory outlook for the establishment of important fisheries 

 for these siiecies. Shad are now found along the entire coast from 

 Monterey Bay to Puget Sound, and are caught for market in each 

 State. In 1888, without the use of special ai)paratus, over 100,000 

 pounds of shad were taken, and the following year the catch was con- 

 siderably larger. Eecent advices show that the shad is annuiilly 

 increasing in abundance, and in places has already become one of the 

 most important food-fishes. The striped l)ass is more restricted in 

 its distribution than the shad, and seems to be found chiefiy in San 

 Francisco Bay; it has not yet reached the commercial ]>rominence of 

 the shad. 



The important fisheries of the New England States were carefully can- 

 vassed in the early part of the fiscal year ISOO. No other investigation 

 of this region had been made since 1880; and in view of the changes 

 that had taken place in the extent and methods of the fisheries it was 

 considered desirable to secure full and precise information regarding 

 them, because of the internatioiuil questions in relation thereto then 

 pending or likely to arise. The inquiry covered the ocean, shore, and 

 river fisheries of the region and the shore industries related to or de- 

 pendent on the fisheries. Special studies were made of the more 

 important branches, as the sardine industry, smoked-herring trade, 

 lobster-canning business, etc., and at Boston and Gloucester a compre- 

 hensive canvass was conducted regarding the extent and methods of 

 the wholesale trades in fresh, salted, and smoked fish, lobsters, and 

 oysters. The decrease in the fishing industry of this section which 

 has occurred since 1880 has been largely in the whale and mackerel 

 fisheries, while the general branches are fully as successful as formerly. 



The researches in the South Atlantic and Gulf States indicate a veiy 

 marked development of the fisheries since the last general investiga- 

 tions were made, the advance in certain lines being phenomenally 

 large. The resources of both these regions are only j^artly utilized, and 

 the fisheries are no doubt destined to undergo still further improve- 

 ment in the near future. Especially worthy of notice are the recent 

 increase in the shad and oyster fisheries and the attention which the 

 subject of oyster cultivation is receiving in every State. 



A number of important papers relating to the fisheries were pub- 

 lished during the year, an analysis of which will be found in the report 

 of the division, which also contains remarks on certain imi)ortant fea- 

 tures of the fisheries during 1880 and 1890, as well as an account of the 

 miscellaneous relations and work of the office. 



