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 



Total number of applications to appropriate water 



Number of applications protested by Division of Fish and Game 



Protest accepted 



Protest pending 



Applications cancelled 



Protest withdrawn after further investigation 



Informal hearing — settlement by agreement 



Informal hearing — action pending 



Formal hearing — compromised 



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

 ciated by the Division of Fish and Game, and in the cases of all protests 

 that we have entered we have carried out careful field investigations 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 re(iuired. In the latter case there were a number of protestants other 

 than the Division of Fish and Game. 



FISH DISEASE STUDIES 



During the biennium a trained parasitologist was added to the staff 

 to cope wnth the many and often complex and puzzling problems created 

 by fish diseases. 



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

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

 concerned with diseases and nutrition of fish. 



The major portion of diagnosis and treatment has been done 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 hatchery 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 Crypiohia sp., a blood inhabiting protozoan found in salmonid 

 fish. This investigation is concerned with the distribution of the parasite and 

 its possible role in the fluctuating runs of anadromous fishes. 



2. The study of a myxosporidian parasite has been carried on and work is con- 

 tinuing on attempts to discover a resistant species of trout, with encouraging 

 results to date. 



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

 ment of fish diseases. Among the more promising drugs are phenothiazine, 

 sulfamerazine, and pyridylmercuric acetate. 



