68 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 



tion has been given owing to lack of facilities. The United States is 

 far behind the nations of Europe in respect to this matter, notwith- 

 standing that its fish-cultural operations are more extensive than 

 those of all other nations combined. The experiments and investiga- 

 tions conducted to the small limit of the Bureau's present facilities 

 are an indication of the possibilities and the urgent need of adequate 

 means such as the station asked for would provide. 



PREVENTION OF FURTHER DESTRUCTION OF FISH IN IRRIGATION WORK. 



The heavy destruction of fish in all arid sections of the West where 

 irrigation is a necessity is becoming alarming, and is a matter which 

 requires serious consideration in order to secure the results which, 

 under normal physical conditions, may reasonably be expected to 

 follow the Bureau's efforts to maintain the fish life in streams, lakes, 

 and reservoirs. Cooperation is eminently desirable between the 

 Bureau of Fisheries and the Reclamation Service, in the exercise of 

 influence to stimulate interest which will lead to the enactment of 

 State laws compelling the screening of irrigation canals as a means 

 of mitigating the destruction of fish life. A more effective and direct 

 method of attaining this end, however, would be the passage by Con- 

 gress of a law requiring that proper regard for the preservation of 

 fish life be had in all irrigation work or projects to which Federal 

 aid had been given, 



EXTENSION or FISH-CULTURAL, AND OTHER OPERATIONS. 



Previous recommendations for increased fish-cultural facilities 

 are renewed, and especial attention is called to the desirability of 

 having new stations in the Mississippi Valley, in the Southwestern 

 States, and in the Pacific States. In addition to a fresh-water sta- 

 tion in the last-named region, there is need for a biological station 

 on the Pacific coast, where adequate facilities may be had for studies 

 of the important salmon and other fishery problems, and where 

 marine aquiculture may be taken up. 



I At the laboratory and hatchery at Woods Hole, Mass., a special 

 appropriation is required for new buildings, for extensive repairs to 

 wharves, and for general improvements. 



Two new steel fish distribution cars are required to move the 

 output of the hatcheries and to comply with modern traffic require- 

 ments, and a seagoing vessel is needed for use in connection with the 

 marine hatchery at Boothbay Harbor, Me. 



An increase in the general appropriation for propagation of food 

 fishes is urged, and is provided for in the estimates submitted, for 

 the proper operation of new hatcheries on Puget Sound, for repairs 

 and improvements to prevent depreciation of station property, for 

 increased facilities^ and for the natural expansion of operations. 



