THIRTIETH BIENNIAL REPORT 17 



An investigation during the biennium has revealed that the number 

 of screens installed during past years amounts to 1084 and the number 

 of fishways to 419. It appears that in a number of these instances 

 the orders issued by the Commission were not complied with and no 

 screens or ladders were installed. Due to the fact that the original 

 surveys and orders were made and issued years ago, it has in most 

 cases been necessary to make resurveys before making new orders or 

 commencing litigation to enforce the construction of such fishways or 

 screens. This phase of our activities is highly important to the con- 

 servation of fish life and it is purposed to place increased emphasis 

 on it to the end that wherever required screens and ladders will be 

 installed and kept in proper order. In some instances the irrigation 

 districts and power companies have resisted the order of the Commis- 

 sion and litigation has been required to compel installation. Several 

 important suits which will have a widespread influence upon the future, 

 are now pending. 



In addition to this, the bureau has concerned itself with the preven- 

 tion of oil pollution, principally in the bay and ocean waters. During 

 the last year of the biennium intensive investigation and survey was 

 made of this problem as it existed throughout the state. In a number 

 of instances it was found that the extensive oil drilling operations in 

 southern California fields had caused a serious problem of oil pollu- 

 tion to occur and complaints received were not only from sportsmen 

 and commercial fish interests, but also from many of the cities and 

 towns of that area complaining of the ruination of their beaches. 

 By negotiation, a number of these nuisances were abated and steps 

 voluntarily taken by the oil companies to prevent further trouble. 

 In several instances suits were instituted in the superior courts to 

 enjoin the further continuance of such nuisances and in each instance 

 these suits were successfully maintained by the division, injunctions 

 were issued, and the defendants have taken steps to clean up their 

 premises and prevent the escape of oil and pollution in the future. 

 On the whole, this situation is in a far more satisfactory state than 



it has ever been before. 



RESEARCH 



The Bureau of Research and Statistics has been enlarged during 

 the past biennium to include the employment of a parasitologist and 

 a pathologist, both of whom are stationed at Hooper Foundation for 

 Medical Research at San Francisco and operate under Dr. K. F. 

 Meyer, the director of that institution, who has accepted the appoint- 

 ment as consulting pathologist of the division. 



This group is conducting exhaustive experiments to ascertain the 

 cause and means of prevention of the so-called duck diseases which 

 have affected thousands of migratory waterfowl throughout the state, 

 as well as other diseases of our game and fur mammals, game birds 

 and fish. The extent of the work undertaken and results had to date 

 will more fully appear in the report of Mr. Ludlum. who has acted 

 as the chief of this bureau. 



In addition to the above, certain valuable statistical information 

 has been obtained and compiled showing the total of deer killed 

 not only for the state but in each county and the place of residence 

 of the hunter. These statistics will prove of great value in fixing 

 seasons and bag limits, as they furnish the basis of an accurate 



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