24 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES./ 



THE AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY. 



The American Fisheries Society held its thirty-second annual meet- 

 ing, July 25 to 27, 1905, at White Sulphur Springs, W. Va., at the 

 request of the Commissioner of Fisheries, who desired that the society 

 should inspect the newl}' constructed fish-cultural station at that place. 

 The number of members in attendance was about 60, representing 21 

 States and Territories, and the proceedings covered the usual wide 

 range of subjects — artificial propagation, protection and legislation, 

 commercial and sport fishing, biological investigation, etc. Among*' 

 the matters discussed by the society was a uniform classiHcation of 

 young fish as to size. The varying usage of difi'erent States and indi- 

 viduals had in the past caused confusion and made necessary some 

 concerted action. B}^ unanimous vote the following definitions were 

 decided upon, and these have been generally adopted in Government, 

 State, and private fish culture: 



Fry=a fish up to the time the yolk sac is absorbed and feeding begins. 



Advanced fry=a fisli from the end of the fry period until it has reached a length 

 of 1 inch. 



Fl)igeylings=^sh between the length of 1 inch and the yearling stage, the various 

 sizes to be designated as follows: No. 1, a fish 1 inch in length and up to 2 inches; 

 No. 2, a fish 2 inches in length and up to 3 inches; No. 3, a fish 3 inches in length 

 and up to 4 inches, etc. 



YearHngs=&8h. that are 1 year old but less than 2 years old from the date of hatch- 

 ing; these may be designated No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, etc., after the plan prescribed for 

 fingerlings. 



INQUIRIES IN NEWFOUNDLAND WATERS. 



In response to the appeals of the ISJ^ew England fishing interests, and 

 at the reciuest of the Department of State, the Bureau detailed two 

 representatives to visit Newfoundland waters in the schooner Grdmjms 

 for the purpose of noting the conditions under which American fisher- 

 men were conducting the herring fisheiy on the treaty coast of that 

 island, and of advising the Government regarding tl^^e effects of the 

 new fishing regulations promulgated by the provincial authorities and 

 aimed particularly at the New England fishermen. This service was 

 conducted in conjunction with observations on the movements and 

 abundance of mackerel on the shores of the I->ritish provinces, and an 

 examination of the methods of fishing and preserving fishery products 

 in that region. The officials of the fishery and customs services of 

 Newfoundland courteously received the Bureau's representatives and 

 accorded every facility for conducting the inquiries. 



During the season -12 American schooners vLsited the southern and 

 western coasts of Newfoundland to engage in the lierring fishery 

 under the rights conveyed by the treaty of 18IS. These vessels 

 brought home 44,805 barrels of salted herring and 24,305 barrels of 



