EEPORT 



UNITED STATES COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES 



FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1892. 



The following report exhibits the work of the Commission during 

 the year commencing July 1, 1891, aud ending June 30, 1892. 



For the current expenses of the work appropriations as follows were 

 made by Congress : 



Compeusation of Commissioner $5, 000 



Propagation of food-fishes 155, 000 



Distribution of food-fishes 50, 000 



Maintenance of vessels 45, 000 



Inquiry resjiectiug food-fishes : 20, 000 



Statistical inquiry 20, 000 



295, 000 



Details of the expenditure of these appropriations were submitted to 

 Congress December 1, 1892 (Mis. Doc. No. 10, House of Eepresenta- 

 tives, Fifty-second Congress, second session). 



DIVISION OF INQUIRES" RESPECTING FOOD-FISHES. 



This division of the Fish Commission is charged with the inquiry into" 

 the causes of the decrease of food-fishes in the lakes, rivers, and coast 

 waters of the United States, the study of the waters of the interior in 

 the interest of fish-culture, and the investigation of the fishing-grounds 

 of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf coasts, with the view of determining 

 their food resources and thus directing and promoting the development 

 of the commercial fisheries. 



The responsible direction of the work has continued, as heretofore, 

 under Mr. Eichard Rathbun, the assistant in charge. A review of the 

 more important operations of the year will indicate how important and 

 diversified are the duties which devolve upon him, and how diligent 

 and capable has been his administration. 



VII 



