Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-04-29
Report Submitted To Tho House OF Repro
sentatives by Tho Committee On Tho
Merchant Marine And Fisheries, And
Tho Bill Authorizing Tho establishments
In North Carolina OF a Station For In
vestisation ofprobIems Connected with
The Marine Fishing Interests.

The Committee on the Merchant Ma
rine and Fisheries. to whom was re-
ferred the bill Is. 1866 to authorize the
establishment, at some point in North
Carolina, of a station for the investi
cation of problems connected with the
marine fishery interests OF the Middle
and South Atlantic coast, have exam
ined the same and submit the following
report:
The catch of shad on the Atlantic
coast prior to the introduction of arti-
fetal propagation had been yearly de-
creasipg. Under the influence of arti-
fetal propagation by the Fish Com
mission the catch has been increased
from 100000 fish in 1890 to II, 10000 in
1898. this increase being equal to &c, 900
600 pounds of fish caught in 1898 over the
catch of 1sS0-valued at nearly s1,OOO,-
600. At a cost of not exceeding s., 900
-shad- We're introduced Oh the Pacific
coast. and 100000 pounds of this fish
have been recently caught where there
were none before. BY artificial propa-
CATION we are increasing the supply of
food. and thereby cheapening 1t, to the
great benefit OF the people.
similar work is being done for the
salmon industry on the Pacific coast,
where the catch has been greatly and
continuously increased since artificial
propagation was introduced, and the
salmon is also being successfully in
troduced into the Great Lakes.
An equally important work has been
in progress In connection with the cod
fisheries of the Atlantic coast from
Maine to New Jersey. In this region.
under the influence of artificial propa-
cation. the catch of cod in 1898 showed
an increase of 100000 pounds i'm ten
years; and as another result of the Fish
Commissions work. extensive inshore
cod fisheries have been developed there
during the past few years, where few or
no fish were found before
THE LARGER WORK YET TO BE
DONE.
These are only q part of the large |
results already accomplished by the |
Fish Commission. but they are sufn- |
cient to render unnecessary any elab-
crate argument either in favor Of the |
economic value of this propagating
work or the Importance of enlarg- |
ing 1t.
1t must he borne in mind:
~ That the work OF the commission
as mentioned above applies to only n |
few species of fish. while there are on
eiiS <hNidhLlC COdSl flOl less IMAM ~ adj l
ditional species of migratory food fishes
already of great commercial impor
lance, toward the artificial propagation
and increase of which nothing has vet
been done.
(2) In addition to the above-mention
ed fishes there are other important
marine forms, such as the oyster. clam
propagation and inAease of the
far larger share of examination and |
study on the part of the Fish Commits
sion than IT has been possible to give
them in the past.
(3) The artificial propagation of tho |
shad. cod. and salmon was necessarily |
preceded by large amount OF biologic |
-svorf iiici1 Tnatr kuUwn the Drfnc1DnT I
facts connected with the reproduction
and breeding habits of these fishes:
and SO In connection with the artificial |
propagation and increase of the
other species of fish and of the oyster.
clam, lobster, shrimp. etc, here again
TIE practical work of propagation must
DE preceded by still larger amount of
experimental work, in order that we
may Know more accurately the pro-
cesses OF reproductions; and there Is
need also of much larger amount of
information concerning the nature and
extent OF the food and feeding and
preeding grounds of these different
species OF fish and other forms.
(D One special station for this OK
perimental work was established some
years ago at Woods Hole, Mass. The
benefits of its work on the North At
lantic fisheries no one doubts. The
Middle and South Atlantic States, after
mature examinations, are now asking
Congress to establish n similar hut
smaller one on the coast farther south
t6) The Fish Commission Is increas-
ing and cheapening one of the impor-
tant food products of the nation I'M
proved transportation facilities arc
yearly better distributing this food
product TO the common people every
where.
The only cost of this food is starting
the young fish, catching it when grown
and distributing It,. Nature does the
rest This work of propagation can not
he done by individuals nor States. 1t
must be done by the Government.
Stop this benehcent work by the Gov
ernfnent and this great food supply will
disappear. Enlarge it and the supply
VIII be perpetuated, increased, and
cheapened.e
In behalf OF the proposed marine
laboratory on the North Carolina coast
1t may be said:
That the location is (a) the nearest
possible to the Gulf Stream; (b) in the
centre of the zone of the migrations of
the important marine fishes OF the Mid
die and South Atlantic coast, with diff
ferent species of fish. with different
feeding grounds, and different breeding
habits from the New England coast
fishes which frequent Woods Hole.
It's location has been agreed upon :Dy
the United States Fish Commisslo,
and conservatives os the differert
States from New York to Florida. after
Drotracted and careful examination.
Hence 1t Is no local or State affair.
It's operations will require no large