The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-11-06
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THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES
b. frederic J.Hask
ulu Condemned Chapter from The Authors New Book
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THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES
n yWashington, Nov. 6.-Fishing is
both an industry and q sport. and
sNthat the sport has a substantial bust
ness end in itself is shown by the fact
that there are $500, 900 anglers in the
United States who expend approx
ESmately $l15,000,0 900 year. They pay
almost $7,000,0c0 for licenses, $780,
DOC 900 for transportation, live bait,
Npil. boots, boat hire, guides, and hotel
accommodations, and $8,500,000 for
fishing tackle. One item covered by
Nthe last amount was 10000 600 fishing
poles!
Is These are figures Of the Bureau Of
4. Fisheries, which has within its ken
this great sport Of Presidents and
Il commoners, seal skins for milady,
#pearl buttons, and all of Neptune's
creatures, be they sardines or whales,
their condition fresh, canned, or froz-
zen. In other words, the conservation
and utilization Of the nations aqua
#tic resources are charged to this gov
ernmental agency. Biological re-
search, statistical studies, technology,
law enforcement, and even interna-
tional relations are included in its
B functions.
The bureau had its beginning in 1871
4 when the office Of commissioner Of
fish and fisheries was created by
4 congress to discover whether there
4 was a decrease in the supply Of food
fishes, If so, why, and what to do
about it. Spencer Fullerton Baird, as
sistant secretary of the Smithsonian,
was the first to hold this office,
which grew into the bureau and be-
!. came part Of the department of COM
: merce and labor in 1908.
Permanent and temporary labora-
tories and offices are now strategical-
ly located in various sections Of the
country and Alaska, two on river
, households and several on ships at
sea. Headquarters are in the Depart
ment Of Commerce building where, in
I the basement, q beautiful aquarium
with stock Of fascinating native,
fresh-water and tropical fish attracts
1 constant stream Of visitors.
Although the commercial fisheries
are. an important industry in the
United States, and the most valuable
economic resource in Alaska, the gen
eral public has enjoyed the conserva-
ton activities of the Bureau. In
creased and improved road mileage,
making the hiding place Of the trout
more accessible, is given as one rea-
son that favorite American pas
time Is goin' fishin', although the
fact that recent Presidents have
adopted this form of recreation may
have something to do with it. Be
that as 1t may, it is certain that
without the propagation of fishes and
the stocking Of popular streams, and
law enforcement, such as the regula-
ton in regard to transporting small
mouthed and large-mouthed bass, and
limitations on the salmon catch, sport
would have received quite setback
and important sources Of food might
have Joined the Diplodocus.
Seven Billion EgEs
Nearly half the appropriations Of
the Bureau are expended on cultural
operations. In order that the sup
ply of water products may not become
depleted, more than seven billion fish
and eggs were propagated and dis
tributed in 1888. About forty species
are propagated for both commercial
and sports uses. from twelve to fifteen
thousand applications for game fish
alone being filled. Four railroad cars.
especially equipped for the purpose,
and automobile trucks are used In
distributing the fish and eggs from
the hatcheries. Eighty cultural units
are maintained where fish egg col
lections are grown int, fry and finger
ling-the formal names for young
fish. Cooperation is extended to
states, clubs, and other organizations,
and to individuals wishing to stock
local waters. One important phase OF
the work makes this service a sort Of
piscatorial red cross which rusheS out
on disaster relief, for rescue work is
carried on In time; OF flood. It has
been found that receding waters leave
millions of fish stranded in pools. In
order to avoid this loss the fish are
collected and restored to the parent
streams or distributed where they
are needed. More than hundred mil
lion, among them bass, sunfish, GRAZ
pie, and pickerel, have been rescued
in year.
Probably the most important service
to the commercial fisheries Is one
rendered by the Office of Scientific
Industry where biological investiga-
tons are conducted. Experts are now
able to predict the size Of the yield
Of fish during season. These prog
nostications enable the industries to
enlarge or cut down on their facilities
for handling fish I'D save their enor-
nous cost in overhead. This work
Is development Of the original pro-
gram Of the Bureau which was to
study depletion. conservation, and
agriculture.
At the laboratories in Woods Hole.
Massachusetts, Beaufort, North Car
solina. Seattle, Washington, and Fair
port, Iowa, and in temporary estab-
slishments set up when and where
needed, studies are made into the
private lives Of marine and fresh wa
ter fish and shellfish. Because Of
this research, what Is termed the
fluctuation Of abundance has been
worked out so that predictions are
possible. The rate of growth, time
land manner Of spawning, habits Of
the young. feeding habits, migrations,
breeding, and enemies are some Of the !
Items investigated. Studies made in
Louisiana recently into the life his
tory, and habits of the shrimp viii |!
make it possible to protect this In
Idustry.
When Fishing Was Easy
Fasteners are prone to forget that |
Then Captain John Smith sailed up |
the Potomac he was able to reach |
bver the side Of his craft and pluck
Ish from the water, that New Eng