REPORT ON THE INQUIRY REGARDING THE METHODS AND 

 STATISTICS OF THE FISHERIES. 



By Hugh M. Smith, M. D., 

 Acii7ig Assistant in charye. 



INTRODUCTORY NOTE. 



The report on the work of this division for the fiscal years 1890 and 

 1891 is herewith respectfully submitted. Owiug to the fact that dur- 

 ing- this time the affairs of the office were under the immediate direc- 

 tion of Capt. J. W. Collins, the writer labors under some disadvan- 

 tage in preparing a full and satisfactory account of the operations of 

 the division. The special reports on the fisheries now iu course of 

 preparation based on the resear<;hes of this division will clearly disclose 

 the functions of the office, and indicate the scope of the Avork and the 

 nature of the inquiries carried on during the iieriod specified. It is, 

 therefore, unnecessary in this place to do more than give an outline of 

 the results accomplished and to mention certain other matters that are 

 not covered by the regular reports. In considering the operations of 

 the division the various topics that come uj) for notice may be discussed 

 under the following general heads : Abstract of the field investigations 

 conducted by the office; summary of the miscellaneous affairs of the 

 division; analysis of the reports i^rinted during the two years, and 

 record of certain prominent matters affecting the commercial fisheries. 



FIELD INVESTIGATIONS. 



During the years covered by this report the entire available force of 

 the division was placed in the field and more extensive investigations 

 were carried on than had previously been undertaken by the office. 

 Complete studies were made covering the commercial fisheries of fifteen 

 coast States, and special inquiries were conducted in some of the prin- 

 cipal fishing centers and regions of the Atlantic seaboard. The field 

 work may be referred to under tlie following heads: Pacific coast. 

 New England coast. South Atlantic coast. Gulf coast, Potomac Eiver, 

 Lower Chesapeake Bay, and minor regions. 



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