We present herewith the first of what, it is hoped, will 
prove to be a long and important series of bulletins dealing 
with our food-fishes. There has been a steadily increasing 
need for a simple and accurate presentation of the facts 
that have a bearing upon each one of the various problems 
presented by our fisheries. The many scientific reports 
which represent great advances in our knowledge, of neces- 
sity contain too many technical details for the ordinary 
reader, are usually too limited in scope to show the proper 
relation of the new facts to questions of economic import- 
ance, and for these reasons do not fill this need. The in- 
tention is to present in simple form to those directly inter- 
ested in the fisheries the principal facts which they should 
know in order to make the most of the fishery resources we 
possess, and these bulletins should prove of use not only 
for present need but also for future reference. 
THE BIOLOGICAL BOARD OF CANADA. 
