37 



above, (pase 35 ) 5 preo^c-es future study of the physics of this ^rtic 

 expansion of the "/estern Atlantic. 



The sphere of activity of The Bioloe-ical Board of Canada overlaps 

 the cruising areas of the Ice Patrol. The marine researches of this 

 Board have a different ultimate aim, being centered about oceanic 

 biology, especially in relation to fisheries proolems. But in this 

 connection, the Board likewise attacks a broad range of physical and 

 chemical problems, because of their bearing on the natural economy of 

 the sea. Surveying its field of -ictivity from north to south, we see 

 it sponsoring physical and oiological observations (temperatures, 

 salinities and towings) in the Labrador curr-:>nt-Baff insland -Hudson _ Bay 

 reeion at tim^s when special expeditions off-r opportunity. In this 

 way, a considerable body of material is being accumulated which will 

 eventually be of great value. Further south the cruises of the Board, 

 since 1915, are making the ?rulf of St. Lawrence, with its entrant 

 straits, fairly well known both physically and biologically; and very 

 significant results of economic value have already been gained as to 

 the dependence here of the local cod, in their migrations, on the 

 temperature of the water. The Bourd has in progress a continuing 

 study of the circulation of the coastal waters from Hudson Strait to 

 the Bay of Fundy , by drift bottles, put out cither by its own boat or 

 by governmental and commercial vessels. In the Bay of Fundy region, 

 by short cruises and periodic observations at standard stations, it 

 carries out an intensive study of the physical effects of the churning 

 of the water by the violent tidal currents, and of the biological 

 reflection of the latter. 



The Board itself operates small vessels only. Whan expeditions 

 too extensive for their capabilities are to be undertaken (as in the 

 case of the Canadian Fisheries Expedition of 1915) arrangements are 

 made with related government Services for th- use of the larger Patrol 

 ships. The Board has been very successful in carrying out tagging 

 experiments from commercial fishing vessels. 



A,nd by cooperation with the Canadian Hydrographic S-rvice and 

 with commercial shipping companies, it has begun gathering continuous 

 readings of the surface^ temperature by recording thermograph, along 

 various trade routes in the '.T/est-^^rn /Atlantic, while the meteorologi- 

 cal branch of the Canadian Pepartment of Marine carries on similar 

 work in the North Pacific. 



In the Gulf of Maine the U. 3. Bureau of Fisheries, jointly, with 

 the Museum of Comparative Zoology of Harvard University, has, for the 

 past sixteen years, prosecuted a general oceanographic survey, cover- 

 ing the interrelationship that the physical state and circulatory 

 movements of the water bear to the Plankton and to the Biology of the 

 local fish fauna. The procedure here has been by p-c-riodic cruises, 

 successively by the "Grampus", the "Halcyon", the "Albatross"', and 

 the "Albatross II", taking ooscrvations , physical and biologic, at 

 standard stations, at different seasons; a program modvllcd on that 

 followed by the International Council for the -.xploration of the p.-ja 

 in the Northeastern Atlantic. This exploration is now being eiiteudeo 

 to the coast sector Cape Cod to Che^^apeake Bay, by the periodic 

 cruises of the Fisheries steamer "Albatross II", along repreGentabi'. e 

 profiles, combined with tagging and other fisheries experiments. 



The chief limitation to the oceanographic undertakings of the 



