REPORT UPON THE INQUIRY RESPECTING FOOD-FISHES AND 
THE FISHING-GROUNDS. 
By RICHARD RATHBUN, 
Assistant in charge. 
SCOPE AND PURPOSE OF THE SCIENTIFIC WORK. 
The utility of scientific research and experiment in respect to all 
fishery matters has been fully demonstrated by the past experience of 
the U. S. Fish Commission, Finder the able management of Prof. Baird, 
whose efforts to promote the welfare of this important industry by ac- 
curate and painstaking observations have proved entirely successful. 
The measures taken in pursuance of this object and the results accom- 
plished from year to year have been described in previous reports, but 
it seems advisable, in this connection, to briefly explain the character 
of this scientific work in order that its direct practical bearing upon the 
preservation and development of the fisheries may be better understood. 
Science, as applied to the industrial pursuits, has not only ceased to 
be a pastime, but affords the only basis for intelligent and secure ad- 
vancement. Kowhere is its influence more appreciable, moreover, than 
in the branch now under consideration, and its effects are evident both 
in the increase of production and in the regulation and improvement 
of its methods. 
In accordance with the subjects to which the same relate, the scien- 
tific inquiries now in progress may be classified under four headings, 
as follows : (1) The development of the fishing-grounds, (2) the decrease 
of food-fislies, (3) the increase and dissemination of food-fishes, (4) special 
investigations. 
THE DEVELOPMENT OF FISHING-GROUNDS. 
First in sequence comes the investigation of existing fishing-grounds, 
whether those grounds are known to the fishermen at present or still 
await discovery. The purpose of this inquiry is to aid in the develop- 
ment of the natural fishery resources by supplying information to the 
fishermen as to where their work may be carried on with most profit. 
Fishing-groundsaredistributed along the seacoasts and occur in nearly 
all the lakes and rivers, thereby presenting a great diversity of char- 
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