The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-08
Mackerel, Bluefish and Oysters.

The fisheries boards OF various count ries
often report that they do not understand
the causes affecting the supply Of fish from
year to year. This Is one OF number OF
important problems relating to the fishing
industry that is still unsolved. Perh APPS
future investigation will supply conclusive
answers to these questions but the da ia
now available are not sufficient to solve the
problems or even to justify hypothesis.
Our own Fish Commission, for example,
has been trying to establish the reason for
the remarkable dimlnution in the mackerel
catch, which in the past few years has
fallen to about u tenth OF its former dmen-
sons. Fears have been expressed that this
excellent fish has decreased in numbers
permanently.
The belief that this is not the case is based
upon the fact that ever since mackerel
became commercially valuable the supply
has varied largely from one series of years
to another. But what causes this variation
and the present abnormal decrease in tho
supply? The Commission reports that it is
unable as yet to answer the question. We
know little about any changes in the bio
logical or physical conditions OF the
sea that may affect the vitality and
habits Of the mackerel. We do not
know why it is that the efforts artihcally
to propagate this fish have met with little
success, the proportion OF eggs hatched
being very low. All that can DO done in
the present state Of knowledge to revive
the industry, which once recorded 43O, 900
barrels OF sailed mackerel In year, is to
Nl.N n,Ny. % ~, a
so that when spawning school OF fish are
met the ova may Immediately be secured
impregnated, and thrown overheard to
develop amid the natural surroundings of
the fish.
The bluefsh is caught along our entire
Atlantic coast and to some extent in the
Gulf and is usually very abundant; but it is
scarce this season and why it has left us
and whittier 1t has gone are unanswered
questions. The departure OF the bluefish
would excite the most painful feelings if
there was the slightest probability OF his
prolonged absence The old salts in the
bluefsh business however, are confident
that he will come home from foreign parts
before great while.
The natural supply OF oysters does not
keep pace with the demand, and though
artificial bedding has augmented the yield
largely. there are some puzzing questions
for which an answer Is anXiously sought,
Our Fish Commission has not yet found any
practicable method OF raising oyster fry
from artifcially fertilized eggs, nor has
any way been discovered OF supplying the
bvalve with artificial food. The world is
looking to US more and more for oysters,
for our product Is about six-sevenths Of the
total yield, and most of our output is re-
quired at home. We shall feed the world
with oysters il some way is discovered
of propagating them artihcially; but while
we are seeking method attention is called
to the grave necessity OF preserving our
existing resources, for 1t is found that many
oyster fishers do not know how to harvest
the crop and keep the grounds unimpaired
for future harvests. Louisiana, alarmed
last year by the decline OF her oyster in
dustry, started an investigation, and it
was found that the fishing methods had
been very injurious. resulting often
in tho practical destruction of the
oysters. The Fish Commissions report
to the Governor Of Louisiana assured him