Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-08
Western Fish in Eastern Waters.

The commissioner goes on to say that
to further test the feasibility of the intro
duction of quinnat salmon in eastern wa
tiers, 100000 eggs were transferred from
the Battle Creek, California, station dur
ing the fall of 1895. and as result 1000
wv Try We're libe1 ated during the past
spring in the st. Lawrence, Hudson and
Delaware rivers in New York state and in
the PeEobscot and Indian rivers in the
state OF Maine. In addition to this, 2JO-
tO0 fry were retained to rear as yearlines
for liberation in the Penobscot river during
the present fall.
The acclimatizat ton of the steel-head
trout III eastern waters was continued; ard
as a number of specimens have already
been captured in the tributaries of Lake
Superior. there is little doubt that this
valuable game and food fish will be added
to the food supply of this section of the
country
Owing to the wide territory over which
distributions are Tade it is impracticable
except in a very small proportion of cases
10 OBTAIN exact information as to the re-
suits secured. Reports are forwarded by
agents of the commission in the field; by
correspondents who have been interested
in the introduction of fishes in certain
waters; and by the state fish commissions
as to the results OF plants made under their
jurisdiction. From these sources assur-
ance has been received of the successful
Introduction of the Atlantic salmon in the
Hudson and Delaware rivers, numbers of
specimens averaging twelve pounds in
weight having been captured in New York
bay, while fully 300 We're reported to have
been taken in the Delaware river during
the season of 1895. The rainbow trout,
native only to the mountain streams of
the Pacific coast, has been successfully ac-
climatized in nearly every state east of
the Rocky mountains. Reports from all
sections of the country indicate the sue
cessful naturalization of the large-mouth
black bass in streams hitherto unoccupied
by them An Introduction of both species
OF the Graphic into the Potomac river has
resulted from small plant made by this
commission in 1884. AS an indication of
their abundance, it may be stated that
1000 crappie, weighing between one-half
and two pounds, were removed from the
Chesapeake and Ohio canal during the
month of March, and liberated in the Pc
tomac considerable numbers have also
been taken in the vicinity of Analostan
Island, near the mouth of Little river
Scientific Work of Importance.
The work of the scientific division is i'm
portant to determine the methods and re-
suits of fish culture, and is carried on with
that end in view, in a study of the natural
history of fish, their migrations and the
results of propagation.
The recent marked development of the
fisheries of the southern California coast
makes it desirable that the extent, loca-
ton and resources of the principal fishing
banks be accurately determined. Accord
1ngiy. in the spring of 1897, the steamer
Albatross conducted preliminary investi-
cations on parts of that coast, having for
their special object the pointing out of the
possibilities for an extension of the OFF,
shore fisheries.
This work will be continued until the
fishing grounds of the coast are thoroughly
surveyed.
Study of the Salmon.
In the summer of 1897 the Albatross en-
tered on an important examination of the
salmon streams of Alaska. No systematic
study of the salmon in different parts of
this territory has heretofore been under
taken, and important results are expected
from the researches begun this season. The
very active prosecution of the fisheries in
certain streams threatens to seriously re-
duce the supply unless effective measures
are taken to overcome the destruction. The
conditions are so various along the 1900
miles of the Alaskan coast which the
salmon fishing is done, that general
protection law can be framed that will APP
ply to all regions; the determination of
the proper restrictive measures for the
different streams thus becomes an i'm
portant matter. The inquiries progressed
very satisfactorily this season, and will
be resumed next year.
In conjunction with the efforts to increase
the mackerel supply on the New England
coast by artificial propagation. important
STUDIES were conducted relative 10 the de-
velopment of the mackerel egg and it's
natural distribution at the surface OF the
ocean by winds and tides.
Extended surveys of the streams and
lakes in the Pacific states have been in
progress, having for their object the study
OF the abundance, spawning habits and
spawning grounds of the salmon and other
fishes, and the examination of available
sites for hatcheries
Science ut Woods Hole.
At Woods Hole, Mass, the commission
has. in addition to the hatchery, a labora-
tory and a large, well-equipped residence
building, erected for the accommodation of
those people who are allowed the privileges
of the laboratory for scientific research
During the past summer there was begun
the organization of corps of trained
scientific experts, who under the direction
Of the chief of the division of scientific in
quiry of the commission. should pursue a
concerted line OF research bearing directly
on the habits and life history of the COM
ulercial fishes, and pertinent to the practi-
cal work of the commission. This plan
promises to be very successful, and 1t is be-
iieveo viii give to the government prac-
teal biological institution second to none
1t Dis proposed that these investigators
shall enjoy the facilities of the government
laboratory, and in addition receive small
money stipend, sufficient to cover their
actual expenses, as a compensation for pur-
suing the stated line of inquiry desired.
AS the residence building Is not needed for
their accommodation and is of no service
to the commission. but, on the contrary,
source of expense, X is recommended that
1t be either disposed OF or turned over to
some other department OF the government
Distribution of statistics.
canvasses- of the commercial fisheries. In
their statistical and other aspects have
been carried on throughout the country. In
or Ger that this information may be &c