7 GEORGE V SESSIONAL PAPER No. 38a A. 1917 
PREFACE. 
BY PROFESSOR EDWARD E. PRINCE, LLD., D.SC., F.R.S.C., et¢., DOMINION COMMISSIONER OF 
FISHERIES, CHAIRMAN OF THE BIOLOGICAL BOARD OF CANADA; MEMBER OF THE BRITISH 
SCIENCE GUILD, LONDON; VICE-PRESIDENT INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES CONGRESS, WASH- 
INGTON, D.C., 1907;AND CHAIRMAN OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, AMERICAN FISHERIES 
SOCIETY. 
The series of nine biological papers, included in the present publication, com- 
prises a selection of the researches completed by various members of the scientific 
staff, last season, and includes some work done in previous seasons at the two Cana- 
dian Biological Stations, at St. Andrews, New Brunswick, and at Departure Bay, 
British Columbia. 
Several very important investigations might have been included, but are not 
really complete at this date; two bearing directly upon the utilization of certain fish- 
products for food; but they will be published in the next volume of “ Contributions.” 
The question of a serial publication, or of the issue of separate papers as they reach 
completion, has occupied the attention of the Biological Board, especially in view of 
die fact that some researches can be completed earlier for publication than others, 
and yet are held back in order to appear in the same volume with papers which for 
various reasons cannot be hastened. About twenty trained scientific workers from 
eight different Universities have during the past season attended one or other of the 
Stations, and all engaged in marine and fishery studies of special interest, and in 
most cases of direct value practically and scientifically. 
Purely scientific problems, while not neglected, have not formed a prominent 
feature in the biological investigations at the stations under the Board, and on many 
cecasions there has been official recognition of the value to the Government of the 
researches undertaken. This appreciation of the practical bearing on the great fishing 
industries of Canada, of their work, has been a great satisfaction to the staff. Most of 
them carry on their work without recompense from the Government, and in no case 
lias adequate recompense been possible. The main reward has been the satisfaction 
which original discovery in Science affords, the satisfaction of adding to man’s know- 
ledge of Nature and her resources, and of solving the pressing problems which the 
great industries on our seas and inland waters offer for solution to trained scientific 
experts. 
During the year 1915 Dr. Johan Hjort, Director of Fisheries, Norway, continued 
the comprehensive survey of the waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Maritime 
Provinces shores which he had commenced the year before. Such a fishery survey, 
having special reference to the herring, cod, etc., had been considered by the Biological 
Board in 1909, and the Board had decided to enlist, if possible, the skilled aid of Dr. 
Hjort, or some Norse expert to be selected by him, and, as Chairman of the Board, 
1 wrote to Dr. Hjort on the subject. Professor E. W. McBride, who was then the 
representative of McGill University on the Board, followed up my communication, 
and Dr. Hjort replied recommending a qualified junior member of his scientifie fishery 
staff; but, owing to certain conditions involved, the proposal remained in abeyance. 
Two years later the proposition was revived by the Biological Board, who laid the 
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