REPORT OF STATE BOARD OF FISH COMMISSIONERS. 9 



decade, and does not appear to be the natural increase from the work of 

 the Commission in hatching and depositing these fish in the streams 

 (^numerated. 



The report of the Norwegian Fish Commissioners for the year 1889 

 makes note of this same anomaly, namely: the unusual and enormous 

 run of salmon up their rivers during one year after several preceding 

 years of very inferior runs. They seek to account for it on the theory, 

 that the salmon, after leaving the fresh waters of its birthplace and 

 gaining the sea, has no fixed or regular period, so far as the years are 

 •concerned, for returning to the fresh waters, but is likely to do so at any 

 time after migrating indiscriminately in the deep waters of the ocean. 



Attached to this report and made a part hereof is the report of the 

 Superintendent of the State Hatchery at Sisson, California, Mr. J. A. 

 Richardson, setting forth in detail the number of salmon eggs received 

 from the United States Government during the last two years, the num- 

 ber hatched and planted, and where planted and distributed during the 

 j^ame period. 



SHAD. 



The shad planted by the first State Commission, some fifteen years 

 ago, have become one of the most plentiful of our fishes, is a staple 

 article in our markets, and obtainable for less price than in any other 

 ])ortion of our country. Such practical results from the introduction of 

 a fish hitherto unknown in our waters are very gratifying. 



This fish in our waters is equal in every particular to the same fish 

 found in its native haunts. In this connection, however, we would call 

 attention to the necessity of shad being handled with great delicacy 

 ]'rom the time it is caught until it is placed upon the table to eat. The 

 fiber of the flesh is very tender, easily bruised, and at once softens and 

 loses the quality of its taste by indiscriminate and improper handling. 

 ]N[r. Blackford, the well-known Fish Commissioner of the State of New 

 York, suggests in a recently published article, that the shad when 

 <'aught should be packed belly upwards, and handled as carefully as 

 ripe fruit sliould he for the ]nn-pos(' of transportation. 



STRIPED BASS. 



The transplanting of striped bass has been equally as successful as 

 that of the shad, and this delicious fish is now found in our waters and 

 has become a permanent source of food supply in our markets. There 

 is an important matter in this connection we beg to call your attention 

 to, and that is that a law should be framed for the protection and pres- 

 ervation of striped bass. This fish seeks the slack waters of the rivers 

 and bay for spawning. The young fish remain for some time in the 

 waters of their birthplace, and during the period of their growth are being 

 caught in large quantities by the fishermen, instead of being protected. 



There should be a law passed making it a misdemeanoj' to catch, take, 

 or have in one's possession a striped bass under two pounds in weight. 



BLACK BASS. 



I 



The Commission, through the courtesies of the Spring Valley Water- 

 works, have been enabled to obtain a few black bass, which we have 

 distributed, and we are at this time engaged in the same work. 



