REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. CXCI 



ant questions connected with the subject and is better adapted to 

 consideration by this division than some of the more scientific problems 

 which have arisen. During all the discussion which in past years has 

 taken place regarding the effects of this fishery on the abundance of 

 other fish, there has been an entire absence of authentic data on the 

 quantities of food-fish captured with menhaden. This lack of informa- 

 tion has, no doubt, often led to a misconception of the effects of the 

 fishery and caused unjust criticism on the part of well-meaning per- 

 sons. Since it appears probsCble that the menhaden fishery will, for 

 some years at least, be the subject of legislative consideration and 

 personal controversy, it seems important to secure and have available 

 for use all information that can possibly be obtained that is calculated 

 to aid in the solution of the very difficult problems involved. 



It is therefore conceived that valuable material relating to the special 

 point under discussion may be obtained by placing the field force of the 

 division on vessels fishing off various parts of the coast and having the 

 agents make actual records of the results of every seine-haul during a 

 period of two or three months. While this plan would involve a study 

 of a small part of the menhaden fleet, it would nevertheless afford a 

 valuable basis for generalization. 



The plan has not yet been fully elaborated, but includes the use by 

 each agent and on each vessel of a special blank on which the follow- 

 ing information is to be recorded for each haul of the seine during 

 the year: Date; hour; fishing-ground; quantity of menhaden caught; 

 number of bluefish, mackerel, Spanish mackerel, squeteague, sea bass, 

 sheepshead, drum, cero, albicore, scup, striped bass, sharks, skates, 

 rays, and other fish taken with menhaden; disposition made of fish, 

 and value, if sold. There may be added to this inquiry a consideration 

 of the dependence of the line fisheries for bluefish, sea bass, etc., on 

 the menhaden fishery as a source of bait supply — another important 

 question involved in the menhaden controversy. 



