AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY. 2.) 



And it is sure to coiiK', if tlic wlu't'ls of liiiu' continue to move 

 on and the earth is not destroyed. 



We shall not be here in ])erson. but we shall be represented 

 by our posterity. The improved methods of preserving fish by 

 cold storafi'e, eanninji', ete.. and the constantly increasing:; facili- 

 ties for tisli distribution, with increased demand, should stimu- 

 late research for improved methods of protection and ])i'oi)ajia- 

 tion. and we should and can j)reparc the way for makin<» the 

 waters furnish the larj>er sui)]>lv of meat foods for future 

 ennn-oencies. It has been claimed that nature has made ample 

 and abundant provision for the great waste and loss of eggs 

 which are cast by the im])rovident female in such reckless ])ro- 

 fusion and the destruction of fry, by the fecundity of the fish, 

 but a nuire reasonable, liberal, and lational view to take of 

 the matter is that nature has thus bountifully provided for 

 the constant growth of the human family, who are given do- 

 minion over the fishes. 



Three-fourths of the earth's surface being water, naturally 

 suggests to my mind that at some future time, the dense popu- 

 lation of the globe will necessitate mankind's dependence, to a 

 great extent, upon the fish life of the rivers, lakes and sea, for 

 his su])port, and it is a duty that we owe succeeding genera- 

 tions that we look that far into the future, when all available 

 land will be required for the cultivation of cereals and fruits, 

 and the non-su])poi't of fish life would mean famine. There is 

 hardly any limit to the extent of the supply that our waters 

 are capable of furnishing, with proper care, management, and 

 protection. The system now in vogue is yet almost in its in- 

 fancy and of comparatively recent trial and application. Who 

 knows but what this great reproductive power possessed by 

 food fishes may have been a provision of nature, to meet the 

 requirements of such a populous condition of the earth which 

 will necessarily prevail, if the forces of nature continue to act 

 in the future as they have in the past, and the progress is not 

 arrested by Divine interference? 



When we become as densely populated as China, then we 

 must do as the Chinese do (only with improved and better 

 methods) ; that is, draw most of our meat from the water. 



The Chinese have for a long time bestowed a great deal of 

 attention to fish culture. With them it is a branch of economy. 

 From the extent of their water territory and the enormous 

 quantities of fish that can be cultivated, fish' are very cheap, 

 and form not only a most important article of their diet, but 

 also of their National wealth. 



Protection to successive generations of fish must necessarily 

 include successful reproduction, and a ])roper method of pro- 

 tection cannot be decided upon without an accurate knowledge 



