The Hawaiian gazette., 1901-11-26
hAWAlrS FOOD FISH.

The u. g. Fish Commissioner has just
issued the elaborate reports of experts
on the fishes in the waters of Porto
Rico. What the Spanish Government
failed to do in centuries, Prof. Barton
w. Evermann, on behalf of the United
States has done within one year. With
the reports are forty-nine superb color
ed engravings of the principal fish, done
by that unrivalled master of the art OF
painting from marine life, Mr.. II. A.
Baldwin, who was recently in these
Islands and prepared equally fine pic
lures of Hawaiian fish. These will ap-
pear after the Albatross has finished
her Investigations during the coming
months.
Prof Evermann's report on the fish
of Porto Rico illustrates the modifica-
ton of animal life and habits due to
the environment. There is only a mar
row shore line around the Island OF
Porto Rico; beyond 1t the sides are
steep, and rocky and without shelter
from the storms. Some of the fish.
therefore, develope spines and hooks
with which they can fasten themselves
to rocks and coral and the algae and
Withstand the heavy seas.
The inland rivers often swell into tor
rents and endanger the lives of the
fresh water fish. This constant danger
has modified the habits of these fish
so that they burrow holes in the banks
and retire within them during freshet.
The report says that there is an
abundance of edible fish In the waters
of that Island, but the local markets
are indifferently supplied and the prices
M ra therefore.
that the Hawaiian Islands are not the
only tropical possessions of America
which have at present an abundant
supply of fish food which is not avail
able.
In this connection, we may refer to
the report, lately issued. on the Marine
Resources Of the British West Indies"
From this much may be learned which
should aid us in developing our own fish
resources. Regarding the resources of
Cape Colony, this report says. three
or four years ago. the fishing industry
was In a primitive state, small boats
and hand lines being used Today, as
the results of Investigations. a vast en-
terprise has been built up and trawling
areas Of over one thousand square
miles have been discovered and are be-
wealth"
Nearly all of the fisheries of the tropi-
cal countries have been carried on in
the crudest way. 1t is only within a
few years that intelligence and inven-
ton has been applied to the northern
fisheries, with the result that fish food
is extremely cheap in the temperate
zones. 1t was said, twenty years ago,
GSh IN hn hn
great sea ports, We're becoming scarce.
But improved methods have been
adopted and abundance of sea food dis
covered in the deeper waters.
1t is an indisputable fact that there
is an abundance of marine food near
our own Islands But we do not know
how to reach it. For many years the
local demand did not encourage any
large enterprise in the fisheries. Even
now there Is some question as TO the
limit OF the demand. We advocated
several years since, the methods of the
Partisan markets, where the fish, after
being brought several hundred miles
from the ocean are placed alive in
tanks. Such an arrangement will re-
quire skill and capital, and we are not
yet prepared for such an investment
We have strong popular sentimen,
IN favor OF good roads, bridges. and
public buildings, but when II comes e
getting fair supply of food fish. tn,
Whole community grumbes at it's pres
ent outrageous cost. and then doe!
nothing about it. Perhaps the visit o
the Albatross may stimulate us to maxi
fish food 'Na very cheapest food in on
market.