374 



CONSERVATION AND ITS LESSONS 



have abandoned their breeding places in the Connecticut River, 

 and the salmon have been exterminated along our eastern coast 

 within the past few decades. Onh' a few years hence, the Western 

 salmon will be extinct if fishing is continued at the present rate. 

 More fish must be allowed to reach their breeding places. 



The sturgeon, the eggs of which are used in the manufacture of 

 the delicacy known as caviar, is an example of a fish that is almost 

 extinct in most parts of the world. Shad have almost disappeared 

 from our Eastern rivers because they are caught during their 

 breeding season and their eggs used for food. Other food fish 

 taken at the breeding season are also in danger. 



Fortunately, the government through the Bureau of Fisheries, 

 and various states by wise protective laws and by artificial propa- 

 gation of fishes, are begiiming to turn the tide. Certain days of 

 the week the salmon are allowed to pass up the Columbia un- 

 molested. Obstructions must be removed which might prevent 

 fish from passing up or down rivers. Closed breeding seasons 



protect our trout, bass, 

 and other game fish ; also 

 the catching of fish under 

 a certain size is pro- 

 hibited. 



Artificial Propagation 

 of Fishes. — IMany fish 

 hatcheries, both govern- 

 ment and state, are en- 

 gaged in artificial!}^ fertil- 

 izing millions of fish eggs 

 of various species and 

 protecting the young fry 

 until they are of such size 

 that they can take care 

 of themseh'es, when they are placed in ponds or streams. For 

 artificial fertilization the ripe eggs from a female are first squeezed 

 out into a pan of water ; in a similar manner the milt or sperm 

 cells are obtained, and poured over the eggs. After the eggs are 

 thus fertilized, they are placed in receptacles supplied with running 

 water and left to develop under favorable conditions. Shortly 



Courtesy of New York State Conservatio/i Cjmnnssion. 



Artificial fertilization of fish eggs. (See text 

 below.) 



