REPORT OF COMMISSIOISER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. XIII 



Kitteiy Point, Me., in November for the purpose of collecting cod eggs 

 from the fishing vessels sailing from tho:^e ports. A total of 322,905,000 

 eggs was obtained, which produced 208,000,000 fry, which were planted 

 on natural spawning-grounds along the coasts of Massachusetts, New 

 Hampshire, and Maine. 



On account of the meager number of eggs of the pollock taken in the 

 past few years, but little attention was paid to the propagation of this 

 species, though a few eggs were collected at Gloucester and hatched. 



It had been determined to largely increase the output of flat-fish, but 

 these plans were hampered by the lateness of the season, ice remaining 

 in the harbors until late in February. As soon as the ice disappeared 

 satisfactory collections of eggs were made in the vicinity of Woods 

 Hole and East Greenwich, E. I., but from unexplained causes it was 

 difficult to fertilize those first taken. Subsequently the method of fer- 

 tilization was changed. As a result of the season's work, 52,441,000 

 fry were liberated in suitable waters in the vicinities from which the 

 eggs were collected. 



Early in March steps were taken to j)repare for the lobster work 

 along the coast of Maine. All of the dealers as far east as Eockland 

 were visited, and arrangements were made with Mr. A. E. Nickerson, 

 commissioner of sea and shore fisheries of the State of Maine, for the 

 cooperation of the State officials in securing all egg-bearing lobsters 

 captured during the spring. In the past considerable difficulty has 

 been experienced in making the fishermen understand that they would 

 be permitted to hold egg-bearing lobsters in live-cars, for the United 

 States Fish Commission, as the State law provides that any person 

 having in his possession egg lobsters would be subject to fine. Notices 

 signed by the United States Fish Commissioner and State Commis- 

 sioner Nickersou, advising the fishermen that they were authorized 

 to hold live lobsters for this Commission, were distributed all along 

 the coast, and the State deputy wardens were instructed not to molest 

 anyone found with live female lobsters held for propagation. An effort 

 was also made to secure a suitable site for the construction of a pound 

 where a million or more young lobsters could be held until their fourth 

 molting. A cove was needed covering several acres, and which could 

 be so inclosed that the tide would ebb and flow daily through it, thus 

 affording an abundance of natural food. After carefully considering 

 many places, a location was selected in the vicinity of Vineyard Haven, 

 but further investigation showed that the expense involved in proper 

 equipment was more than could be met from the funds available, and 

 accordingly the attempt had to be abandoned at that time. 



The work of collecting egg lobsters commenced in Aj)ril and con- 

 tinued until June 30 at Woods Hole, and until July 10 north of Caj)e 

 Cod. All of the important fishing centers between Eockland, Me., and 

 Newport, E. I., were visited at least once or twice a week by agents 

 of the Commission, and 121,878,000 eggs were secured. These were 

 hatched at Woods Hole and Gloucester and yielded 110,491,000 fry, 



