EFFECTIVENESS OF THE COMMITTEE ON OCEANOGRAPHY 17 



(b) Constant investigation of the life and living conditions of young fish of 

 useful species in their postlarval stage up to their maturity, with special reference 

 to their local distribution. 



(c) Systematic observation of fish for sale in a state of maturity with regard to 

 the local varieties and their migrations, their living conditions, food (for instance 

 by examining the contents of their stomachs), and their natural enemies, i.e., 

 observations on the presence and nature of the food of fish at the bottom of the 

 sea, on the surface, and in intermediate waters at a depth of at least 600 metres. 



(d) Determination of the periodic variations in the presence, abundance and 

 average size of useful fish and their causes. 



(a) Experimental fishing in the fishing areas known at the time of fishing, as 

 well as outside these areas and in other periods. 



(b) Preparation of uniform statistical data on the results of this fishing with 

 detailed indications of the number, species, size, weight and condition of the fish: 

 for instance, as the "Scottish Fishery Board" did on board the "Garland." 



(c) The use of uniform instruments appropriate for the experimental catching 

 of fish of various species and different sizes. 



(d) The experimental marking and release of fish, for example, plaice, in as 

 great a quantity as possible and in wide areas, as was done, for example by Dr. 

 C. G. John Pettersen and Dr. T. W. Fulton (Reports of the Biologic Station of 

 Denmark and of the "Scottish Fishery Board") and others. 



(a) It would be desirable to collect uniform statistics on the number, weight 

 and value of caught fish, the means used for fishing and the people engaged in 

 that work, as, for instance, was done in the General Reports by the "Scottish 

 Fishery Board." 



(b) It is necessary to collect material for the preparation of maps indicating 

 the fishing areas and the kind of fishing done in them (see A- VIII). 



C. Organization of a Central Bureau 



The assembly recommends that for hydrographic and biologic research of the 

 sea there should be an international council with a central bureau provided with a 

 laboratory. The functions of the central bureau should be: 



(a) to issue uniform directives for hydrographic and biologic research in 

 accordance with the resolutions adopted in the program of the present 

 assembly, or in accordance with amendments which may be introduced later 

 with the consent of the nations represented; 



(b) to control the instruments and to assure uniformity of methods; 



(c) to undertake special works which might be entrusted to it by the par- 

 ticipating governments; 



(d) to publish periodic reports and journals which could be useful for 

 the performance of cooperative work; 



(e) to decide, in order to attain uniformity in publications, on the graphic 

 presentation, the scales, signs and colors to be used on maps; 



(f) to establish relations with the administrations of telegraphs in order to 

 obtain, from time to time, regularly, determinations of the changes in the 

 resistance of cables which cross the areas in all directions. 



(a) The Permanent International Council shall consist of representatives 

 chosen by the Governments concerned. Each government may appoint two 

 representatives who may be replaced at the meetings by alternates; 



(b) The Council shall appoint its president and vice-president, and shall desig- 

 nate all persons doing business with the central bureau. If the secretary general 

 represents the hydrographic sciences, his main assistant must represent the bio- 

 logical sciences, and vice versa: 



(c) The Council itself shall establish its own order of procedure; 



(d) The expenses of the Central Bureau shall be estimated at approximately 

 4,800 pounds sterling per year. 



