[27] PLAN OF INQUIRY FOR FISHERY CENSUS. 29 
ie eee DL x2 B. 
The following circulars previously issued by the Fish Commission are 
appended for the information of persons receiving this prospectus: 
(10.) 
STATISTICS OF THE FISHERY MARINE. 
CIRCULAR. 
In the absence of any law requiring the registry of fishing-vessels, 
the statistics of the coast and deep-sea fisheries of the United States are 
very incomplete, and it is found impossible to gain any definite idea of 
their extent and value. The present registry-lists, although including 
all vessels of more than five tons burden, do not indicate the manner 
in which they are employed. 
It is very desirable to obtain full lists of the jfishing-vessels of the 
United States, with tonnage, number of men employed, and information 
regarding their movements which shall be of service in estimating the 
extent of the various fisheries in these waters; also, similar lists of ves- 
sels engaged in the whale and seal fisheries, in the lobster and oyster 
trade, and in the fish-carrying trade. 
I therefore beg leave to call attention to the accompanying blank 
tables which have been prepared for this census. They may be filled 
out as fully as is practicable, although tonnage, date, place of building, 
and name of master are of less importance than the other data desired, 
and should be mailed to the U. S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries, 
Washington, D.C. The method of registry is illustrated by the table 
on the opposite page. 
The information thus obtained will be embodied in a report to Con- 
gress, in which full credit will be given to all contributors. 
SPENCER F. BAIRD, 
Commissioner. 
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, Washington, D. C. 
