Rej)ort of the America)) 



Smithsonian Institute, so ably represented in our Association 

 by Professor Baird, is laboring to account for, the increase or 

 diminishing of certain classes of sea fish in various years, this 

 can only be arrived at, by his being fully informed as to the catch 

 of iish on our coast. The hearsay ought to be discarded, and 

 nothing but the positive facts cared for. If France and a por- 

 tion of England give yearly statistics as to the haiwests of the 

 seas, why should we not furnish the same thing to the Ameri- 

 can public ? I should think that so far as regards Trout cul- 

 turists, the Fish Commissioners of the various States might, 

 without any great trouble, furnish what would be a reliable 

 account of the cultivated Trout sold within their jurisdictions. 

 As to the sea fish, such an important subject, having to do with 

 the food of the people, I do not see why facts in regard to them 

 are not obtainable, though to secure them, the means to be 

 employed would be more difficult. Having these ideas in view, 

 I shall propose the following preamble and resolution : 



Whereas. The Fish Culturists' Association believe that data 

 in regard to the catch of staple fish, such as are sold in the 

 markets of the country, would be of great importance, allowing 

 the positive determination of questions of vast commercial and 

 scientific importance, be it 



Resolved, That the Fish Culturists' Association request 

 the Fish Commissioners to urge on the State Governments, of 

 which they are the representatives, the necessity of the State 

 appointing certain officers whose duties shall be to collect such 

 data, so that reliable information may be obtained in regard to 

 the catch of staple fish in the various States. 



It was voted that the Secretary be instructed to notify all 

 the various State Commissioners of Fisheries of the foregoing 

 resolution. 



It was voted that ail papers connected witli the transac- 

 tions of this Society be obtained from Mr Collins, the former 

 Secretary, and published in the future transactions of the 

 Societv. 



