The Bureau also began a radiobiology consultation program in 1961 to 

 evaluate the effect of proposed nuclear plants upon fish and shellfish. 

 This project, which is based in Washington, D. C, will be expanded in 

 FY-63 since at least two more specialists will be required to meet the 

 increased workload caused by the increase in the number of applications 

 for Federal licenses to construct nuclear plants. 



The Bureau also plans to construct a new radiobiology laboratory at 

 Beaufort, North Carolina during 1963. This will replace an existing 

 laboratory which has been frequently flooded by hurricanes. 



Pesticides - Under special authorization by Congress, both Bureaus 

 in the Fish and Wildlife Service are conducting research on the effects 

 of pesticides on fish and wildlife. Research is being carried on at 

 Milford, Connecticut, where the effects of pesticides on oyster and 

 clam larvae are being studied. In Alaska the Bureau is cooperating 

 with the Forest Service in evaluating the effect of forest spraying 

 on the eggs and fry of salmon. The major portion of the Bureau's 

 research on pesticides is conducted at the Gulf Breeze, Florida 

 laboratory, and at present concerns the effects of pesticides on 

 juvenile and adult fish and shellfish. 



In 1963, field studies on the effect of pesticides will begin in 

 the estuaries of the Gulf of Mexico, This project will probably 

 continue for a number of years since many pesticide chemicals have not 

 yet been studied, and since more information is required before the 

 Bureau can advise pest control agencies of safe tolerance limits for 

 aquatic species. 



Estuarine Studies - In the broad sense, studies of the bays and estuaries 

 along the Gulf Coast are concerned with effects of changes in the 

 environment which might be described as pollution. These studies, 

 which are based at Bureau laboratories at Galveston, Texas and 

 St. Petersburg Beach, Florida, are concerned with the hydrology of 

 inshore waters and the tolerance of estuarine species to changes in 

 their environment. Information gathered in these studies will provide 

 a basis for predicting the effect of proposed engineering changes in 

 coastlines, waterways, marshes and bays upon commercial fishery species. 

 Among the possible changes in environment are increased turbidity, 

 changes in salinity and temperature, reduced fishing rates, and 

 decreased river flows which might reduce the dilution of domestic wastes. 

 These studies began in 1961 and were continued in 1962. It is planned 

 that funds for estuarine studies will be increased for FY-63. 



Bureau of Sport Fisheries & Wildlife FY-62 $ 5U,000 



FY-63 $100,000 

 Pesticides - The Bureau operates a Fish-Pesticide Research Laboratory 

 to study the effects of insecticides and other pesticides on fishery 

 resources. Studies involve the identification and measurement by 



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