REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. a 
The inquiry on the Pacific coast placed the office in possession of 
definite information concerning the results which have attended the 
introduction of shad and striped bass to that region and disclosed a 
very satisfactory outlook for the establishment of important fisheries 
for these species. Shad are now found along the entire coast from 
_Monterey Bay to Puget Sound, and are caught for market in each 
State. In 1888, without the use of special apparatus, over 100,000 
pounds of shad were taken, and the following year the catch was con- 
siderably larger. Recent advices show that the shad is annually 
increasing in abundance, and in places has already become one of the 
most important food-fishes. The striped bass is more restricted in 
its distribution than the shad, and seems to be found chiefly in San 
Francisco Bay; it has not yet reached the commercial prominence of 
the shad. 
The important fisheries of the New England States were carefully can- 
vassed in the early part of the fiscal year 1890. No other investigation 
of this region had been made since 1880; and in view of the changes 
that had taken place in the extent and methods of the fisheries it was 
considered desirable to secure full and precise information regarding 
them, because of the international questions in relation thereto then 
pending or likely to arise. The inquiry covered the ocean, shore, and 
river fisheries of the region and the shore industries related to or de- 
pendent on the fisheries. Special studies were made of the more 
important branches, as the sardine industry, smoked-herring trade, 
lobster-canning business, etc., and at Boston and Gloucester a compre- 
hensive canvass was conducted regarding the extent and methods of 
the wholesale trades in fresh, salted, and smoked fish, lobsters, and 
oysters. The decrease in the fishing industry of this section which 
has occurred since 1880 has been largely in the whale and mackerel 
fisheries, while the general branches are fully as successful as formerly. 
The researches in the South Atlantic and Gulf States indicate a very 
marked development of the fisheries since the last general investiga- 
tions were made, the advance in certain lines being phenomenally 
large. The resources of both these regions are only partly utilized, and 
the fisheries are no doubt destined to undergo still further improve- 
ment in the near future. Especially worthy of notice are the recent 
increase in the shad and oyster fisheries and the attention which the 
subject of oyster cultivation is receiving in every State. 
A number of important papers relating to the fisheries were pub- 
lished during the year, an analysis of which will be found in the report 
of the division, which also contains remarks on certain important fea- 
tures of the fisheries during 1889 and 1890, as well as an account of the 
miscellaneous relations and work of the office. 
