REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 23 



in salt water, and it is the intention to devote another winter to 

 that phase of the field work. 



Progress has been made in the study of the great collections ob- 

 tained by the Alhatross during the Philippine cruise of 1907-1910. 

 Eminent specialists have undertaken to report on the various groups 

 of aquatic animals, and a number of preliminary papers have already 

 been issued. 



MARINE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORIES. 



The laboratories of the Bureau at Woods Hole, Mass., and Beaufort, 

 N, C., were open during the usual season in the summer and fall of 



1910. They were reopened somewhat earlier than usual in June, 



1911, in order to accommodate investigators and to afford facilities 

 for the study of subjects which could be considered to best advantage 

 at that time. 



The investigators at the laboratories are of two categories: Those 

 temporarily or pennanently in the employ of the Bureau, and in- 

 dependent workers who are merely furnished facilities for carrying 

 on their researches. The former conduct many investigations with 

 more or less bearing on the economic side of the Bureau's work, while 

 the latter often, though not always, select for study subjects of more 

 remote application. Some of the temporary employees carry their 

 investigations to a point where they are economically available, but 

 most of them merely reach a stage in which the basis is laid for 

 future practical adaptation. The contributions to knowledge an- 

 nually made by the laboratories are considerable. The Bureau, as 

 a rule, publishes those immediately applicable to its work, and the 

 results of all researches are available for its use if required. During 

 the past season the laboratories were generally tested to their full 

 capacity, and some valuable results were attained. 



ALASKA FISHERIES SERVICE. 



The sundry civil bill approved March 4, 1911, provided for the 

 establishment of the Alaska Fisheries Service, to include the fur- 

 seal service, the salmon fisheries and other fisheries of Alaska, and the 

 fur-bearing animals of Alaska, all of which had been previously 

 administered by the Division of Inquiry Respecting Food Fishes. 

 As this new division was not formally organized until July 1, 1911, 

 detailed explanation of its functions and organization will be reserved 

 for the 1912 annual report. 



SALMON AND OTHER FISHERIES. 



The usual corps of agents were engaged in the inspection of the 

 salmon fisheries of Alaska, and their vigilance has enforced very 

 general observance of the law. The sentiment against waste or need- 



