580 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [90] 



following report, which was written immediately after our return to 

 Hampton Roads : 



4. REPORT UPON INQUIRY. 



U. S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries, 

 Schooner Grampus, Hampton Roads, Va., May 10, 1888. 



Sir : In regard to the desired information of the menhaden, and more 

 especially the determination of the period of reproduction of this species, 

 I would say that we left here on the morning of the 9th instant, and pro- 

 ceeded to investigate the waters of the Chesapeake included between 

 Old Point Comfort and York Spit ou the west side, and from near the 

 middle ground, off Cape Charles, to Lynn Haven Bay. 



This is considered a favorable locality for the occurrence of menhaden 

 at this period, as well as later in the season. The methods used were 

 in accordance with your suggestions, viz : boat dredge, large and small 

 tow-nets. A careful and persistent trial with these forms of apparatus 

 failed to collect either fish eggs or the young fish, the only collections 

 being a species of shrimp secured in the dredge. 



Trap fishermen were interviewed at Back River Point, and specimens 

 of menhaden were obtained for examination. About forty of these fish 

 were opened and their ovaries examined, but in every iustance they 

 were found in the earlier stages of formation. Specimens have been 

 preserved intact for future reference, as well as the viscera of those 

 examined. 



The most important information was obtained from Captain Squires, 

 of the Menhaden steamer Ida Augusta, of Onancock,Va. In interview- 

 ing him to-day off York Spit Light he said he has been engaged in the 

 menhaden fishery in the Chesapeake for the past seventeen years, and 

 in all of his experience has never found spawning menhaden excepting 

 between the I st and 20th of October. On two occasions during this 

 period he has seen both the spawn aud milt running out of them freely 

 while bailing them out of the seine. He has also attempted to impreg- 

 nate the eggs on one of these occasions, and says positively that they 

 will not float. 



Captain Squires further stated that he has seen this spring, and on 

 former occasions in April and May, the young menhaden about 1 inch 

 in length. The present condition of the fish examined by us, together 

 with the appearance of the young fish alluded to, seem to be corrobo- 

 rative of his testimony, and apparently attaches considerable importance 

 to it. 



The sailing schooners which fish for the " factory " on Back River 

 have not commenced operations yet. I am informed that they will-begin 

 about July 1st. There did not appear to be any large bodies of men- 

 haden in the localities visited by us. Four steamers, including that 

 commanded by Captain Squires, were fishing off York Spit to-day. I 

 did not have an opportunity to board either of the others while on th< 



