XXIV REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



The laboratory of the Commission at Woods Hole, Mass., has been 

 kept open during the entire year under the direction of Dr. H. C. 

 Bumpus, of Brown University, and a large number of voluntary inves- 

 tigators have taken advantage of the opportunities offered. The 

 equipment of the laboratory has been increased, collecting and other 

 apparatus supplemented, a library established, and vessels and boats 

 of the Commission have been utilized. While no restriction is placed 

 on the lines of study pursued, in a majority of cases they bear, directly 

 or indirectly, on economic problems related to the fisheries, and it is felt 

 that the work carried on there has been not only of scientific interest 

 and importance, but will also be of great practical value. Among the 

 more important researches were a continuation of the experiments 

 looking to the rearing of young lobsters, studies of fish parasites, and 

 the habits of the star- fish, the ravages of which cause such loss to the 

 oyster-beds. Observations were also made on the preservation of fish 

 for market without the use of ice. Data were collected preliminary 

 to undertaking the artificial propagation of the clam on a somewhat 

 extensive scale, as it is believed that this very important shore fishery 

 may thus be benefited. 



It has been felt that a more complete knowledge of the habits, distri- 

 bution, and abundance of the marine food-fishes in the coastal waters 

 of the South Atlantic States and of the non-economic fishes and other 

 animals related to the food-fishes, as food, enemies, etc., is highly 

 desirable from scientific, economic, and fish cultural standpoints. It 

 was therefore decided to establish a biological station and laboratory 

 at some point where work could be carried on by volunteer investigators, 

 as at Woods Hole. The plan met with the indorsement and encourage- 

 ment of those interested in the development of the fisheries of the 

 South, and after due consideration Beaufort, JS". C, was selected as the 

 most available place, the advantages of the locality having been shown 

 by experience. The waters are full of animal life and the region is 

 favorable for a study of the biological conditions of the southern coast 

 in general. Accordingly, a building ^w,s rented, equipment provided, 

 and on June 1, 1899, the laboratory was opened under the direction of 

 Dr. H. V. Wilson, of the University of North Carolina. 



STATISTICS OF THE FISHERIES. 



A canvass of the fisheries of the coast and tide waters of the Middle 

 Atlantic States has been completed, covering the statistics for the 

 calendar year 1897, the details of which are shown hereafter in the 

 division report. It was found that the fisheries of these States have 

 decreased in aggregate value $4,701,051 since the last canvass was 

 made in 1891, chiefly owing to the falling off in the oyster industry in 

 Maryland and Virginia, although this fishery is still by far the most 

 important of the region, being worth $8,877,824 while the total shad 

 fishery, which ranks next, is valued at $980,977. The fisheriet, for 

 alewives, menhaden^ and crabs vary in value from $229,000 to $471,000, 



