Fish CuUurists' Association. 31 



WORK OF THE U. S. FISH COMMISSION. 



BY SPENCER F. BAIRD. 



The subject of fish-culture and the fisheries continues to increase in 

 importance, and in view of the economical value of the products of the 

 sea and the interior waters, and in the amount of capital and effort 

 directed toward their acquisition, this interest is amply justified. 



Several exhibitions during 1873 have been made of fishery products 

 and interests, the most important being that at Vienna daring the past 

 summer. Legislation has also been initiated or continued looking 

 toward the judicial determination of the rights of the general public and 

 of the individual, the most important step in this direction being the 

 decision of the United States Supreme Court in reference to the obliga- 

 tion of the corporation controlling the dam across the Connecticut River 

 at Holyoke to construct a suitable fish-way. This river in former years 

 abounded in shad and salmon from its mouth to its sources, and fur- 

 nished a vast amount of excellent food to a large population. The 

 erection of dams along its course obstructed the upward movement of 

 the anadromous fish, with the result of finally exterminating the salmon, 

 and of reducing the supply of shad to a minimum. The most considera- 

 ble of these obstructions, and the first met with above tide-water, was 

 the great dam at Holyoke. An Act of the Massachusetts Legislatm-e, 

 authorizing the Fish Commissioners of that State to require the con- 

 struction of a fish-way over this dam. was resisted by the company, and 

 the case carried successively to the Supreme Courts of Massachusetts and 

 of the United States, judgment being given by both tribunals against the 

 company, which was thus obliged to }ield. A fish-way was constructed 

 during 1873 upon the plan of Mr. E. A. Brackett. of Massachusetts, 

 which, it is hoped, will answer the purpose in view. 



In no country, however, has the subject of the fisheries and their legal 

 relations been more thoroughly considered than in Germany : and a very 

 elaborate system of regulations is now under discussion, which it is 

 expected, will be the most complete in existence. 



The number of States having Fish Commissioners for the improvement 

 and regulation of the fisheries within theii- borders has been increased 

 during the year by the addition of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan : 

 so that at the present time all the Xew England and Middle States except 

 Delaware, and all the States bordering on the gi-eat lakes with the excep- 

 tion of Indiana. Illinois, Wisconsin, and ^Minnesota, are provided with 

 these important State ofllcers. Movements are in progress, however, 

 which it is probable wiU result during 1874 in the appointment of Com- 



