XXVI KEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



of protecting and developing her fisheries, and with distinguished suc- 

 cess. It has, however, not been satisfied with its labors in the known 

 grounds, but has for several years had a large steamer engaged in a 

 thorough search for additional fishing-grounds, and although the Nor- 

 wegian seas have been traversed by her fishing- vessels for hundreds 

 of years, each year some new locality is discovered, made known and 

 occupied, including the previously unknown summer abode of her win- 

 ter fish. 



This problem, so far as the offshores of the [Jnited States is con- 

 cerned, is one that is eminently worthy of the attention of the United 

 States Fish Commission and the support of Congress in its attempt to 

 solve it. At present the principal grounds visited by the fishermen of 

 the United States, excepting for mackerel, are found between latitudes 

 41° N. and 40° K, a breadth of only about five degrees, but extending 

 eastward beyond the eastern edge of the Grand Banks. The special 

 objects of search over these grounds are the cod and halibut ; but the 

 incessant prosecution of the business in one locality tends to diminish 

 the supply and to lead to the inquiry for other banks not yet ascer- 

 tained. A systematic investigation of the fishing-grounds will result 

 in determining the exact depths at which the fish can be taken at dif- 

 ferent seasons of the year and the regions where this industry can be 

 most profitably pursued. 



Another, even more imj^ortant, branch of the subject, is that of find- 

 ing entirely new localities not previously explored. A notable instance 

 of what may be done in this respect is seen in the case of the tile-fish, 

 a species already mentioned. A few of these were accidentally taken 

 by a Gloucester fishing- vessel in 1879,. and like all strange fishes brought 

 into that port, were delivered to an agent of the Fish Commission, who 

 transmitted- them to Washington. Here they were carefully investi- 

 gated and found to constitute a very desirable as well as new genus and 

 species of food-fish, and one entirely worthy of future attention. In 

 September, 1880, the Fish Hawk proceeded to the locality where these 

 fish were taken, about 75 miles south of Newport, and discovered that 

 this was in the western edge of the Gulf Stream. On putting down 

 the trawl-net the sea-bottom was found to be rich in animal life, be- 

 yond any previous experience of the Commission, the mass and variety 

 being perfectly startling, and a large number of new species being 

 readily secured in a short time. The quantity of crabs, shellfish, &c., 

 serving as food for fishes, was incalculable. The fishing-lines were then 

 brought into requisition and the tile-fish found in abundance propor- 

 tional to that of its food. The fish were then traced, in three successive 

 trips of the vessel, along an extent of 60 miles, where they appeared 

 to be as abundant as codfish on their banks, and were taken with even 

 greater facility with the hook. The flesh was found to be most palatable, 

 and to be capable of preservation by salting or drying, in the same way 

 as the cod. A fish, therefore, which two years ago was entirely un- 



