496 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [6] 



1. OBJECTS OF THE CRUISE. 



(a) Mackerel. — The objects of the cruise were various. It was deemed 

 most important to determine the presence or absence of mackerel in 

 certain regions where in former years they had been reported in 

 abundance. These reports usually emanated from trading vessels 

 which had visited regions not frequented by the mackerel fishermen. 

 Accounts often reach the fishermen of the occurrence of immense num- 

 bers of mackerel on the coast of Labrador and about Newfoundland. 



One of the localities where mackerel had been reported abundant the 

 previous year (1886) was the region between the Bird Rocks (off the 

 Magdalen Islands) and St. Paul's Island. 



But, almost without exception, this information has reached the fish- 

 ermen too late in the season for them to profit by it. Besides, in most 

 cases there was a certain indefiniteness about the reports which left 

 the fishermen in considerable uncertainty as to the correctness of infor- 

 mation received. Consequently a cruise could not be made to those 

 regions by fishing vessels unless at considerable financial risk. 



It was therefore deemed important that definite information should 

 be obtained as to the correctness of these rumors and reports sufficiently 

 early in the season to enable the fishermen to profit by the knowledge, 

 if mackerel were found within the limit of the cruise planned for the 

 Grampus. In case fish were discovered in abundance in any of the 

 waters visited, it was planned that the vessel should immediately sail 

 for the nearest port where telegraphic communication could be had 

 with the United States, when all the information obtained would be 

 sent to the Commissioner, who would give it to the public. 



(b) Crustaceans. — In connection with this search for mackerel it was 

 deemed important that investigations should be made as to the occur- 

 rence of minute Crustacea and other small forms of marine life upon 

 which the mackerel feeds; and also that observations of the tempera- 

 ture of sea and air should be made. 



(c) Halibut. — The obtaining of halibut in their spawning season, 

 and the bringing of them alive to the United States in order that their 

 eggs may be obtained for the purpose of artificial propagation, have for 

 some years engaged the attention of the U. S. Fish Commission. It 

 was therefore deemed desirable to make the attempt to catch halibut 

 on the return trip somewhere about Labrador or Newfoundland, and 

 bring them to Wood's Holl alive in the vessel's well. 



(d) God-fishery. — The condition of the cod-fishery on the coast of New- 

 foundland and southern Labrador was a matter that deserved some 

 attention, though perhaps of somewhat less consequence to Americans 

 than the investigations relating to mackerel and halibut. 



(e) Great mile. — Besides these researches, which relate specifically to 

 the fisheries, it was (as the orders show) decided that collections should 

 be made of the sea-birds which prey upon fish or are used as bait and 



