12 EEPORT OF BOARD OF FISH AND GAME COMMISSIONERS. 



In March of the present year, it was suggested to the Board by Dr. 

 C. A. Kofoid, Professor of Zoology of the University of California, 

 that there was urgent need of a scientific study of the deer and other 

 large game animals of the State. Dr. Kofoid stated that the study 

 had been recommended to him by Dr. Palmer of the U. S. Biological 

 Survey, as the basis for advanced conservation measures, without which 

 our large game could not be preserved. Acting upon the recommenda- 

 tion of Dr. Kofoid and Dr. Palmer, Frank C. Clarke, a post-graduate 

 student of the University of California was employed to conduct the 

 investigation mentioned. Mr. Clarke has traveled over much of the 

 State during the past four months, obtaining information as to dis- 

 tribution, numbers, breeding seasons, etc., that we consider of much 

 value. A preliminary paper will be found in the Board's 1913 Game 

 Bulletin No. 1. 



N. B. Scofield, a fishery expert who has been in the employ of the 

 Board at periods for a number of years, has made scientific studies 

 of the shrimp and salmon during the past two years. Mr. Scofield has 

 also assisted in stream surveys along the coast, and has made as 

 thorough a study as his time has permitted of the operations of the 

 trawl fishermen working outside the Golden Gate, and of the lampara 

 net fishermen of IMonterey Bay. Several of Mr. Scofield 's reports 

 appear in the Board's 1913 Fish Bulletin No. 1. 



A very large and important part of the Board's work in the last ten 

 years has been the regulation of various industries in order to prevent 

 cr minimize the pollution of the State's waters. While the results 

 obtained are not yet fully satisfactory, we believe that the Board's, 

 work deserves public approval. 



Outside of cities with their sewage, the principal sources of stream 

 pollution at present are quartz mills and oil refineries, oil loading 

 stations and oil carriers. All of these sources are now in the way of 

 proper handling, after the expenditure of much effort and money. 



As will be shown by this and by reports filed previously, the Board 

 has instituted a considerable number of prosecutions for the pollution 

 of State waters. By far the greater work, however, has been done 

 in obtaining a compliance with the statutes through less expensive 

 and tedious means. It is impossible to obtain even an estimate, but 

 we believe that $250,000 has been spent at the Board's direction in the 

 past two years in constructing oil traps and settling basins, proper 

 hose and pipe connections, acid recovery plants, lampblack and oil-tar 

 separators and filters, sawdust burners, and other contrivances and 

 systems having as their sole purpose the safeguarding of public waters 

 and the protection of the aquatic life therein. 



WHAT THE COMMISSION HAS DONE IN TWO YEARS. 



Has taken its place in the front rank of state fish and game commis- 

 sions by instituting and prosecuting scientific investigations of game 



