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REPORT ON THE INQUIRY REGARDING THE METHODS AND 
STATISTICS OF THE FISHERIES. 
By Hucu M. Smirn, M. D., 
Acting Assistant in charge. 
INTRODUCTORY NOTE. 
The report on the work of this division for the fiseal years 1890 and 
1891 is herewith respectfully submitted. Owing to the fact that dur- 
ing this time the affairs of the office were under the immediate direc- 
tion of Capt. J. W. Collins, the writer labors under some disadvan: 
tage in preparing a full and satisfactory account of the operations of 
the division. The special reports on the fisheries now in course of 
preparation based on the researches of this division will clearly disclose 
the functions of the office, and indicate the scope of the work and the 
nature of the inquiries carried on during the period specified. It is, 
therefore, unnecessary in this place to do more than give an outline of 
the results accomplished and to mention certain other matters that are 
not covered by the regular reports. In considering the operations of 
the division the various topies that come up for notice may be discussed 
under the following general heads: Abstract of the field investigations 
conducted by the office; summary of the miscellaneous affairs of the 
division; analysis of the reports printed during the two years, and 
record of certain prominent matters affecting the commercial fisheries. 
FIELD INVESTIGATIONS. 
During the years covered by this report the entire available force of 
the division was placed in the field and more extensive investigations 
were carried on than had previously been undertaken by the office. 
Complete studies were made covering the commercial fisheries of fifteen 
coast States, and special inquiries were conducted in some of the prin- 
cipal fishing centers and regions of the Atlantic seaboard. The field 
work may be referred to under the following heads: Pacific coast, 
New England coast, South Atlantic coast, Gulf coast, Potomac River, 
Lower Chesapeake Bay, and minor regions, 
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