REPORT ON THE DIVISION OF METHODS AND STATISTICS OF 



THE FISHERIES. 



By Hugh M. Smith, Acting Assistant in Charge. 



ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTIONS O? THE DIVISION. 



The folio wing report, embracing the oi^erations of this division during 

 the fiscal year 1892, is respectfully presented. The administration of 

 the division affairs daring this period continued under the nominal 

 direction of Capt. J. W. Collins, who was the assistant in charge. His 

 designation, however, in August, 1890, as representative of the U. S. 

 Commission of Fish and Fisheries on the Government Board of Control 

 of the World's Columbian Exposition, had necessitated the withdrawal 

 of much of his attention from this division, and the supervision of the 

 office duties and field investigations largely devolved upon the writer. 



The establishment of a division having for its purpose the considera- 

 tion of various questions connected with the economic fisheries, but 

 more especially the statistics, methods, and relations of the industry, 

 was achieved at a comparatively recent date in the history of the Com- 

 mission, although from the outset the subject received such attention 

 as the means would permit and important contributions to a knowledge 

 of the commercial fisheries were brought out during the years preced- 

 ing the formal organization of this branch of the service. At an early 

 period the necessity for having statistical data was fully appreciated, 

 and Prof. Baird undertook a number of minor inquiries directed to the 

 statistical aspects of special fisheries and regions. The taking of the 

 census of the fisheries in 1880 devolved on the Commission ; and, under 

 the direction of Dr. G-. Brown Goode, the first reliable and satisfactory 

 census of our fishing industry was then given to the country. From 

 1880 to 1885 a small sum was annually apjiropriated by Congress for 

 carrying on statistical work. For the fiscal years 1886, 1887, and 1888 

 no special allotment was made by Congress, the general appropriations 

 for the Fish Commission being apportioned among the various branches 

 of the work at the discretion of the Commissioner. Under this arrange- 

 ment the study of the fisheries received more substantial recognition 

 than had previously been accorded. The organization of a separate 

 force for the collection and cominlation of statistics and their incorpora- 

 tion in descriptive rej)orts may be said to date from 1886. It was not 

 until the following year, however, that the establishment of a distinct 

 office for this work was consummated, and it was not until 1888 that 

 this division was specially noticed and appropriated for by Congress. 



CXXXIII ' 



