TWENTY-SEVENTH BIENNIAL REPORT. 11 



2. Iinproveiueiits and repairs on the present hatcheries and the pur- 

 chase of two still under lease. 



3. An increase of the pond system as one of the surest methods of 

 increasing the egg supply. 



4. The distribution of trout fry hy trained men in order to obtain 

 better results in the planting of fish. 



5. A survey to determine the food of fish and those species of insects 

 best adapted for introduction in places where a food supply is scarce. 



6. Prohibition of the spearing of salmon throughout the state. 



7. The shortening of the open season for angling in certain districts. 



8. Creating a fish reserve on the Klamath River from Klamathon 

 to the coast and the prohibiting of the building of dams in this area in 

 order to furnish a permanent supply of salmon eggs for hatchery 

 purposes. 



, 9. Cooperation with the Division of Water Rights in order to prevent 

 the total utilization of a stream for irrigation purposes irrespective of 

 the need for conserving the fish therein. 



10. Amendment of the laAV prohibiting introduction of fish in order 

 to eliminate such dangerous introductions as that of black bass into 

 Bear Lake. 



COMMERCIAL FISHERIES. 



Upon our entry into the war, our fish packers responded to the 

 government's call for an increased production of food by greatly 

 increasing the output of the canneries. Many new canneries were 

 built and nearly all were enlarged. Unfortunately, the large pack of 

 sardines and tuna intended for European trade was held in this country 

 for speculative purposes, with a consecjuent fall of prices and a great 

 loss to the packers. 



The biennial period has been one of readjustment. ]\Iany canneries 

 ceased to operate because of the unsold stock in hand. Several can- 

 neries failed financially, and practically all have had difficulty in sur- 

 viving the depression. The past year, however, has shown a rapid 

 recovery and there is hope that the industry will again become stable. 

 However, the present rates of exchange are still a great handicap to 

 foreign trade. There is hope that with better times ahead, additional 

 fisheries will be developed. Our larger fisheries, with the exception of 

 the salmon, have only recently been developed, and a great future for 

 them is assured. 



Although the condition of the fisheries is of importance in our work, 

 the duty of the commercial fisheries department is to look out, i)ri- 

 marily, for the conservation of the fisheries and the safeguarding of 

 them against over-fi.shing. Following there will be found a report of 

 the investigations undertaken to secure dependable data as to the status 

 of the fisheries, data useful as a basis of legislation looking toward their 

 preservation. 



Under the direction of Professor J. 0. Snyder of Stanford Univer- 

 sity, an investigation to ascertain additional information regarding 

 the life hi.story and distribution of the king salmon lias been begun. A 

 series of marking experiments instituted has made it possible to deter- 



