Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-07
FISH BUREAU SCORES
Output of Commission for
Fiscal Year a Sumner.
FORMER RECORDS BEATEN
Over Three Billion Fish and Eggs
Distributed.
COST OF WORK IS REDUCED
May Be Necessary to Restock the
Potomac and Tributaries With
Shad From Pacific.
COST OF WORK IS REDUCED

During the last fiscal year more fish
and fresh eggs were distributed by the
bureau of fisheries Of the Department OF
Commerce and Labor than ever before
in its hi-tory For the first time the
total of fish and eggs distributed passed
the three-billion mark. The exact num-
Der was 3.117 .301 535.
Last year the total amount of the dis
tribution was ISL. 456,2sO. and although
Commissioner George NJ. Bowers stg-
gested early in the year that he hoped
to pass the three-billon mark, small
hope was entertained that he would be
able to do it, In addition to the in.
creased distribution a careful estimate
has shown that the cost of distribution
has been reduced to about S152 per mil
lion of fish and eggs distributed, which
been attained.
was sl6O.25. In 1907 it was $172.2s; 1906.
S216S0. When the bureau was esta b.
lshed in 1894 the cost per billion of dis
tribution was s403.51, while in 1897, the
year before Commissioner Bowers took
charge of the work. the annual output
was 56s144.O42 millions. and the cost per
million was S379.76
Applications 4uCIedSe.
Ten years ago the number of applica-
tions for the stocking of rivers and
streams with fish of various kinds was
less than 1000. During the last fiscal
year the applications increased to nearly
1000 and the bureau responded by
planting fish in nearly that number OF
rivers, streams. lakes and ponds. OF the
entire amount planted 9S per cent was
for marketable fisheries. only per cent
being for the use of sportsmen.
In summing. up the conditions at the
end of the fiscal year Commissioner
Bowers has found himself face to face
with the contingency that in the near
future the Pacific coast may be calied
upon to restock the Potomac river and
its tributaries with shad.
Only a few years ago shad were taken
from the Potomac and planted in the
Sacramento river. where they are now
more plentiful than on the Atlantic coast.
Potomac Shad Decreasing.
The commissioner is having prepared
maps showing the extent to which nets
are planted along the Potomac and Its
tributaries for catching the shad as they
return from the salt water OF the Chesa-
peake bay to the fresh water in which
they spawn. So great has been the on
slaught upon the fish as they attempt to
reach their spawning ground that In spite
of all the efforts of the bureau to plant
eggs the catch Is constantly decreasing.
No:w only about 5.OGO. 600 eggs are planted
annually. although in order to maintain
the industry on a proper basis Mr.. Bow
.ers believes the number should be al
least 100000. 0OO.
The. chesapeake bay supplies much OF
the entire eastern market with shad. and
unless effective regulation can be en-
forced Mr.. Bowers believes that within a
few years the famous Potomac shad will
become exhausted. Mr.. Bowers will ap-
peal to the states of Maryland and Vir-
ginia for legislation to make 1t possible
for this great industry to continue.