39 
Atlantic Sea Board, and at present the amount and 
value of the annual product is nearly double what 
it was in 1880. 
It might appear that the development of the a 
fishery as disclosed by the statistics of production from 
1880 to 1892,. inclusive, would indicate that artificial 
propagation may be relied upon as adequate to maintain 
production, even under the most adverse conditions. 
We must consider, however, that the ability to maintain 
supply by this means can only continue so long as a 
sufficient number of shad are permitted to pass into the 
tivers to furnish the basis of a supply of eggs necessary 
to carry on the work I cannot disguise the fact that 
every year we have more reason to apprehend that the 
existing fishing conducted in the brackish and salt waters 
will eventually so reduce the number running into the 
rivers that we will no longer be able to rely upon artifi- 
cial propagation, unless aided by protective regulations 
and legal restraints upon the pound net fishing, not only 
in the rivers but also in the bays. 
When we turn to the important salmon fisheries of 
the Columbia River, we find the same conditions not 
only impending but accomplished. Comparing the 
average catch for the five years beginning with 1889 
with the previous five years, we find that there has been 
an average reduction of 150,000 cases in the take of 
salmon, and areduced annual value of not less than 
three quarters of a million of dollars. This is undoubt- 
edly to be attributed to the fact that the appliances for 
the capture of salmon in the lower river are so numerous, 
so complete, and so fully occupy every channel of 
approach that at present very few salmon are able to 
reach their spawning grounds in the upper rivers. Now 
what is impending or “accomplished in the present con- 
ditions of the shad and salmon fisheries certainly will 
occur in regard to every species the spawning grounds 
of which are in the rivers, For it is evident, in regard 
Ae sere at em 
A ee cee 
