FORTY-FIRST BIENNIAL REPORT 



89 



TABLE 8. DISPOSITION OF PROTESTS BY CALIFORNIA DIVISION OF FISH 



AND GAME AGAINST APPLICATIONS TO APPROPRIATE 



WATER IN 1946-48 AND 1948-50 



The importance of water in the economy of California is well appre- 

 ciated by the Division of Fish and Hame. and in the casos of all |)n(t.'sts 

 that we have entered we have carried out careful field invest i^jfat ions to 

 avoid protests that cannot be justified. The wisdom of this policy is borne 

 out by the fact that during the period covered informal field hearings 

 have been necessary in only three cases and only one formal hearing has 

 been required. In the latter case there were a number of protrstjints other 

 than the Division of Fish and Game. 



FISH DISEASE STUDIES 



During the biennium a trained parasitologist was added to the staff 

 to cope with the many and often complex and ])uzzlin<_'' problems created 

 by fish diseases. 



Work of the disease unit is divided into two parts : (1 ) tlie diagnosis 

 and treatment of diseases of hatchery and wild fish, and (2i research 

 concerned with diseases and nutrition of fish. 



The major portion of diagnosis and treatment has hem (hme at the 

 state fish hatcheries. Correct diagnosis has enabled the .selection of 

 proper treatments which when used promptly have prevented the occur- 

 rence of heavy losses. In addition to hatch<M-y disease problems, diseased 

 fish submitted by fishermen and commercial trout farms were examined 

 and diagnoses made. 



Research problems being carried on are the following: 



1. The study of Vnjpiohia sp.. a bloo*] inli;ibif in^' iirolozonu found in .milin<>ni<l 

 fish. This investigation is concenn-d witli tlw <listril>iition of th<' pnrasit.' iinrl 

 its possible role in the fluctuating runs of anadronmu.s tishos. 



2. The study of a myxosporidian parasite has bi>on carriod on iokI w..rk is ron 

 tinning on attempts to discover a resistant specie.s of iniut, witli enciiuriiKinjr 

 results to date. 



3. Various drugs and chemicals have been screened for possible use in thi- treat- 

 ment of fish diseases. Among the more promising drugs are i)henothin7.ine. 

 sulfamerazine, and pyridylmercuric acetate. 



