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REPORT OF THE FISH AND GAME COMMISSION, 57 
as the work at first was principally statistical and it was desirable to be 
near the largest number of canneries. As the work progressed it was 
found necessary to employ assistants to hurry it along and to secure a 
suitable place in which to work. A laboratory was therefore established 
at 930 East Ocean avenue, Long Beach, and this laboratory is the head- 
quarters for our investigation work in southern California. 
The seope of the work has now been extended and a study of the sar- 
dine and herring begun, as well as a general study of the fisheries as a 
whole. The new launch ‘‘Albacore’’ besides its patrol work is aiding 
the investigators by using young fish trawls and by experimental fish- 
ing. The headquarters of the launch was also established at Long 
Beach, where the city has generously donated the use of the Municipal 
Wharf and space in their warehouse for the storing of nets and 
supplies. 
More recently we have added Mr. Elmer Higgins to our staff of 
investigators, to act as an assistant to Mr. Thompson and to take charge 
of the investigation work carried on by the launch ‘‘ Albacore.’’ Mr. 
Higgins had had good training for this work. He is a graduate in 
zoology of the University of Southern California and while a student 
there, had charge of the marine laboratory’s boat, the “ Anton Dohrn.’’ 
Until his present employment he was teacher of zoology in the Pasadena 
High School. 
The fisheries investigation work is progressing rapidly and already 
much has been accomplished, and progress reports will now begin to 
appear on the life history of the albacore, together with a statistical 
analysis of the catch. In our fisheries conservation work we are making 
use of the best methods which are employed in this and foreign countries. 
Fisheries conservation can hardly be termed a science as yet, at least in 
the sense we speak of the new science of forest conservation, but it is 
becoming a science in the same sense as the science of forest conservation. 
In the development of this new science we expect to take active part, 
for we have the men and we also have the guns in the form of facilities 
for carrying on the work. 
There is a popular belief that the fish of the sea constitute a source 
of food supply that is inexhaustible. If such were the case, fisheries 
conservation work would not be necessary. It is this rather general 
belief in the inexhaustibility of the sea fishes that has held back the 
science of fisheries conservation, We have seen one species of fish 
after the other exhausted or approach exhaustion, and our good sense 
should tell us that the statement that any species of fish is inexhaustible 
is foolish. It is only necessary for the demand to be great enough and 
the species will be depleted. It is remarkable how quickly a great 
demand will deplete a species which is considered inexhaustible, as 
