118 American Fisheries Society 



our department that his Bureau had no publications regarding 

 the life history and habits of the lake shrimp and further on 

 added, "The Gulf Biological Station of Louisiana began a study 

 of this subject, but it was never prosecuted very far, although some 

 matter on the life history of the shrimp has been published in 

 the report of the station. " 



This department long ago realized that a thorough investigation 

 of the life history and habits of the species was necessary before 

 it could determine its economic status, in order that intelligent 

 measures of conservation might be adopted, so that the industry 

 would not merely be preserved for posterity in its present state, 

 but, if practicable, be made to increase so as to reach the greatest 

 possible yield. In July, 1918, Commissioner Alexander instructed 

 me to take up these studies and carry them forward as thoroughly 

 and rapidly as possible; and to continue the same as long as 

 necessary. In compliance with these instructions, we arranged 

 for the use of a large power houseboat belonging to the U.S. Bureau 

 of Fisheries and put her into commission with a crew consisting 

 of a captain, engineer and cook. We engaged the services of 

 Percy Viosca, Jr., M. S., formerly of the Department of Biology 

 at Tulane University, to conduct the scientific investigations, 

 and I myself devoted a good deal of time to it. We are still at 

 this work and will likely continue for at least a year longer. 



Studies were made of the physical and biological conditions 

 of the waters in which shrimp were found and information was 

 obtained as to the sizes and quantities taken at various times and 

 localities under varying conditions. Statistics were compiled 

 from the records of the various shrimp platforms and canning 

 factories with a view to determining the past production of our 

 waters, in order to learn something of the possibilities for the future 

 of the industry. 



Comparative studies were made of the different methods 

 of fishing in order to determine how maximum production may 

 be obtained with a minimum waste of this and other valuable 

 sources of food supply. No attempt can be made here to go into 

 the details of the investigation, but a brief outline will be given 

 of the information gathered and the gratifying results obtained 

 during the short space of time which has elapsed since the work 

 was actively begun. 



