92 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



mackerel fishery has long been the subject of a vigorous controversy, 

 both domestic and international. Each year the same phases are 

 repeated; the fish first appear off our coast above Cape Hatteras, 

 whence they spread rather rapidly toward tlie north and east as far as 

 Labrador, giving rise to one of the most active and persistent fisheries 

 of the world. Their abundance, within the scope of observation of the 

 fishermen, varies from year to year, and at times the fluctuations are very 

 great, periods of plenty of greater or less duration being followed by 

 others of scant supply, bringing consternation to those whose fortunes 

 are mainly linked with this species. 



The improvement of methods for the capture of mackerel has kept 

 pace with the steady development in other lines of industry until it 

 would appear as though the limit of perfection had practically been 

 reached. One of the most important questions of the day is whether, 

 as some affirm, the modern devices are proving too destructive and are 

 causing a depletion, in view of the lessened catch during several years 

 past. To those who are at all acquainted with the history and character 

 of the mackerel fishery, it will be evident that this question can not be 

 answered offhand, and that the published observations respecting the 

 natural history of the mackerel do not meet the requirements of a 

 thorough consideration of the matter. To supply this desideratum so 

 far as possible, has been the object of the inquiries now in progress. 



These inquiries have been directed so as to cover at least the more 

 essential features in the history of the mackerel during that part of 

 each season when their presence along the coast becomes apparent 

 through their surface distribution, the only period when they can be 

 fished for. It has been attempted to trace their movements and all 

 the principal circumstances connected therewith from the time of their 

 first appearance in the spring until cold weather causes their return to 

 winter quarters; to learn the extent and relations of the schools, the 

 conditions which accelerate or retard their progress, and the factors 

 which influence their swimming at different depths, whereby the 

 great body of the fish may travel long distances unobserved ; to settle 

 definitely their spawning-places and seasons and their habits in that 

 connection; to ascertain the effect upon the schools of the different 

 fishing methods apart from the simple question of the quantity of fish 

 so captured ; and from the data thus secured, as well as from statistics of 

 the catch, to determine, so far as possible, if the stock is being decimated 

 and the causes which may be directly responsible therefor. 



The schooner Grampus started south from Gloucester, Mass., on 

 April 7, to repeat the customary examinations on the southern grounds 

 during the early spring season, but heavy gales retarded her move- 

 ments in the beginning, as well as interfered with the operations of the 

 fishing vessels. Lewes, Del., was made the headquarters from April 20 

 to May 10, but the Grampus remained constantly with or in the neigh- 

 borhood of the fleet, as the best means of keeping track of the schools 

 of fish, making a careful series of physical observations at hourly 



