The Daily Alaska empire., 1930-11-26
CONSERVATION OF FISHERIES
 IS ESSENTIAL
Present Condition of Com mercial Fishing Strong,
 Declares O'Malley

The commerce.: fisheries of the United States are in a stronger eco homie position today than those of any of the other large fish-produc- ing countries, according to Commis- sioner of Fisheries Henry O'Malley in his annual report just made public here. This favorable status is due in no small degree to the scien- tific research work conducted ans 4 the practical aid rendered by Gov ernment experts, it was stated
 The most encouraging feature of | the present fisheries situation, Com missioner OMalley states, is the aroused public conscience to the need for proper husbandry of our fisheries resources" Commercial fishing interests, state and private enterprises engaged in large scale fish propagation and organization and individuals interested in having good fishing and enjoying the use of lakes and streams for recreation al pursuits, are all in accord as to importance of conserving our fish cry resources.
 Interest Is Intensified
 There is much evidence of an ] intensified interest in the future welfare of our fisheries, Commis- sioner OMalleys report declares. Sportsmen's organizations are con- centrating their efforts to provide better angling, to overcome the evils of pollution, and to obtain the pas sage of State and Federal laws which will more adequately conserve this great natural resource. Com mercial fishermen are taking a greater harvest from the waters than ever before, are introducing greatly improved methods, and are revealing a greater interest in the proper conservation of this re- source as a sound economic policy
 The Bureau of Fisheries finds reflection Of this intensified inter- est in the increased demands for ! fish for stocking waters, for addi- tional fish-cultural facilities. and aid to a greater number of pri- vate organizations interested in the cooperative rearing of fish for 1 stocking local streams. This is also true of the demands for scientific investigations to disclose the need of stronger conservation measures; for studies of every important fish, cry to reveal it's conditions and trend; for an expansion of its in- vestigative program with respect to such agricultural pursuits as oyster farming, fish farming, and the control and prevention of di- seases Likewise more intelligent in- terest is being shown in the solu- tion of the problems of the com mercial fisheries, improvements in methods of manufacturing and mer- chandising, in the use of by-pro- ducts, and in the conduct of funda- mental investigations with respect to processes, nutrition and uses.
 Studies Are Undertaken
 Fundamental studies on the fac- tors that affect the abundance of fish in the great commercial fisher ies of the Atlantic seaboard have been undertaken during the past two years. Studies of the chemical and physical conditions of the water and it's contained floating life have been made at various sea- sons of the past year, in order to judge the success of spawning of various important species, and the influences that control their mi- grations A comprehensive report on the migrations and biology of the cod of southern New England has recently been issued, and rapid pro- gress has been made on studies of the stock of mackerel. Investigation of the commercial fisheries of the Pacific Coast and Alaska have been restricted to the salmon runs of Alaska, to the completion of salmon tagging experiments on the Colum- bia River, and continuation of the Alaska herring studies. Investiga- | tions of commercial fisheries of Lake Erie and Lake Huron were continued.
 Oyster investigations during the past year consisted in the eXperi- mental study of oyster culture in New England, Georgia, Texas and Washington, in study of the physiology of adult and larval oys- ters, in a study of the effect of pulp-mill waste on oysters of the Puget Sound, and in an investiga- tion of the biology of the natural enemies of the oyster such as the i oyster drill and starfish
 Seal Ppduct Grows
 For the first time in 40 years, according to the report, the killings
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