FEDERAL FISH FARMING 



437 



TRIAL FISHING ON THK "aLBATROSS" 



While surveying a new "banlv" on the coast of Alaska, this experimental catch of cod and 

 halibut was made in 20 minutes. As a result of explorations of the Albatross on the Paciiic 

 coast, fisheries of great importance have been established, and the Pacific halibut fishery now 

 surpasses that in the Atlantic (see page 426). 



Upon two subjects in particular has 

 the bureau expended much energy and at 

 last achieved resuhs by persistently 

 sounding the note of warning. The ut- 

 most efforts in artificial propagation can- 

 not save the shad fishery without the aid 

 of laws to permit a certain number of 

 spawning fish to reach the streams, 

 while on the other hand no practicable 

 protective laws can save the oyster sup- 

 ply without cultural work to keep up the 

 beds. The bureau has no power to do 

 more than hatch fish in the one case, de- 

 vise methods of culture in the other, and 

 cry out the needs of both, and it lies 



solely with the states to provide for the 

 needs. 



North Carolina rose to the emergency 

 of the shad situation a few years ago 

 and sought the aid of the bureau in de- 

 termining the actual protection required 

 by the shad, the actual condition of the 

 fishery, and the possible remedies for a 

 rapidly diminishing yield. The bureau's 

 recommendations were asked for by the 

 state legislature, and a commission was 

 appointed to draft salutary laws, which 

 have since gone into effect, confining gear 

 to prescribed areas and leaving clear 

 channels for the passage of the fish. 



