58 " Tra)isacfions of the Academy of Science of St. Louis 
The writer suggests the following slogan for any research 
+ 
worker who really wants to be of assistance in obtaining the goals 
in wildlife conservation work: "What can we do with what 
we know?" 
The writer would recommend that somewhere in the train- 
ing of every scientific worker he be required to have several 
years' experience in the administrative field. 
SCIENTIFIC APPROACH TO THE CONSERVATION 
OF FISHERIES RESOURCES 
By Aden C. Bauman, Aquatic Biologist 
Missouri Conservation Commission 
The Conservation Commission is charged by the 1936 con- 
stitutional amendment with the responsibility for the conserva- 
tion of wildlife and forest resources in the State of Missouri. 
That the fisheries are an important part of the wildlife resources 
of the State is made evident by the fact that the varied condi- 
tions which occur in the 18,000 miles of intermittent and flowing 
streams in Missouri aflford habitats for over 225 species and 
forms ranging from the smallest to the largest of American 
freshwater fishes. 
In dealing with the conservation of fishes the Commission 
recognizes two points of view and likewise two possible ap- 
proaches to the treatment of the subject. The first is the pop- 
ular concept which follows the conventional lines of conservation, 
being more or less a regulatory proposition looking mostly to the 
protection of existing stock and regulation of harvest. In this 
type of conservation, according to the thoughts of the average 
persons, water alone is enough for fish production, and in the lives 
of fishes they reflect their own likes and dislikes, assuming that 
the habits of fishes conform to human temperaments and vagaries. 
In the scientific concept, fishes are recognized as coldblooded 
animals with basic physiological requirements not unlike those of 
humans, the service of which, however, differs to a great degree. 
This concept recognizes the fact that the conservation of fish is 
based on environmental requirements which may be influenced 
by factors remote and difficult to recognize. The fish is consid- 
ered the end product of aquatic influences, both chemical and 
physical, some phases of which are not known. 
In practice, the Conservation Commission necessarily and 
wisely avoids abandoning too abruptly the practices that conform 
