1905 DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES. 17. 



late to nrotect therefrom the more or less isolated waters which have not 

 yet become invaded by it. Our law prohibits the taking of fish in any 

 manner from Provincial waters for the purpose of stocking, artificial breed- 

 ing, or for scientific purposes, without the authority of the Department in 

 writing; so that unless carp are illegally deposited therein, these waters are 

 safeguarded to that extent. And in this, connection let a word of warning 

 be sounded, and that is in regard to the erection of fisLways, which are con- 

 stantly being recommended and asked for in dams throughout the Province. 

 In many cases these dams are now so many fortresses guarding our inland 

 lakes from the enemy, while, if fishways were erected, facility would be 

 afforded for the enemy to enter, and it would be but a short time before it 

 would drive out and supplant all other fish. Much better would it be to 

 discourage the fishwa^ and stock the waters bv the introduction of bass, 

 trout or other game or desirable and suitable fish. 



It is uncertain when the carp was first introduced into American waters. 

 From an authentic source we find that in the years 1831 and 1832 an enter- 

 prising New Yorker brought "from France" some six or seven dozen which 

 he put into his ponds, and from these ponds he made frequent plantings into 

 the Hudson River, where they are said to have "thrived wonderfully." 

 The introduction bv the United States Fish Commission was begun in 1877. 

 The first lot brought over consisted of 345 fish, of which 227 were mirror, 

 and 118 scale carp. These were planted in ponds, and in 1879 their progeny, 

 amounting to some 12,265, were distributed to over 300 persons in 25 States 

 and territories. From 22 applicants for carp in 1877, these had increased to 

 2,000 in 1880. In 1882 over 7,000 applications were received by the Com- 

 mission, of which 5,758 were granted, 143,696 fish being distributed, some 

 of which "were sent to Canada." In 1883, 260,000 were distributed in 

 1,478 counties, and to nearly 10,000 applicants. The distribution was carried 

 on until 1897, when it was discontinued. So that from these plantings the 

 public waters of this continent during the short period of about 25 years are 

 now literally overrun with this fish. In 1883 the fishermen of Lake Erie 

 began to take them in their nets. They did not know what they were, and 

 they were kept on exhibition in tubs as curiosities. 



When the question of the introduction of carp into the United States 

 was beinior considered by the Fish Commission, Prof. Baird, the then Com- 

 missioner, in his report for 1873-4 enumerated the good qualities of the 

 carp which made it "a desirable species for cultural purposes," as follows: 



1. Fecundity and adaptability to the process of artificial propagation. 



2. Living largely on a vegetable diet. 



3. Hardy in all stages of growth. 



4. Adaptability to conditions unfavorable to any equally palatable 

 American fish, and to varied climates. 



5. Rapid growth. 



6. Harmlessness in its relation to other fishes. 



7. Ability to populate waters to their greatest extent. 



8. Good edible qualities. 



It has certainly been demonstrated beyond peradventure that it is 

 "hardy" and "rapid" of growth, and has "ability to populate waters to 

 their greatest extent;" but it is doubtful if any considerable number of per- 

 sons could be found to testify as to its being "harmless in its relation to 

 other fishes," and as to its "good edible qualities." 



It would be a waste of time to discuss the unwisdom of the introduction 

 of the carp, but that a great mistake was made there surely can be no differ- 



2f. 



