United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries

REPORT ON THE CONDITION OF THE SEA FISHERIES OF THE SOUTH COAST OF NEW ENGLAND IN 1871 AND 1872.__

PART I. REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PRELIMINARIES TO THE OFFICIAL INQUIRY ON THE PART OF THE UNITED STATES VII
General considerations as to value of fisheries to a nation VII
Alleged decrease of fisheries on the south-side of New England VII
Official inquiries into the subject. VII
By Massachusetts. VIII
By Rhode Island VIII
By Connecticut IX
By the United States XI
Passage of the bill directing an inquiry XI
Selection of Wood's Hole, Massachusetts, as a base for the sea-coast operations. XII
Concurrent action on the lakes. XII
Aid rendered by the departments of the Government. XII

CHARACTER AND PROGRESS OF THE INVESTIGATION XIII
Plan of research adopted XIII
Systematic arrangement of subjects for investigation XIII
In regard to the fishes themselves XIII
In regard to their food XIII
Physical condition of the waters XIII
Locality selected as center of research XIV
Associates in the inquiry. XV
Taking of testimony XIV
Collection of specimens XV
For the National Museum XV
For distribution to other establishments, as colleges, academics, museums, &c. XV
Facilities given to officers of colleges and, museums for making collections XV
Photographic pictures of fishes, XV
Scientific visitors to Wood's Hole during the season XV
Objects secured of of special interest XVI
Conference with State Commissioners in Boston XVI

Corresponding researches of associates.
By J. W. Milner, on the great lakes. XVII
By Dr. H. C. Yarrow, on the Carolina coast. XVII
Second visit to south coast of New England in 1872 XXXVI

GENERAL RESULTS OF THE INVESTIGATION. XVII
Recapitulation of objects of the inquiry XVII
Decrease of food-fishes XVIII
Substantiated by testimony XVIII
Established by the investigation XVIII
Supply of fish in the sea not inexhaustible XIX
Injurious effect of the decrease XX

Causes of the decrease, alleged or actual XX
1. Disappearance of the food of fishes XXI
2. Change in locality of the fishes themselves XXI
3. Disease and atmospheric agencies XXII
4. Ravages of predacious fishes. XXII
5. Human agencies XXIII
Pollution of water XXIII
Over-fishing XXIV
By fixed apparatus XXIV
Location of such apparatus in Massachusetts and Rhode Island XXV
By nets and lines XXXI
6. Combination of human and other agencies, especially blue-fish
Extent of agency of blue-fish XXXII
Their diminution not desirable. XXXII
Their abundance dependent on that of other fish. XXXII

MEASURES SUGGESTED FOR RELIEF XXXIII
Regulation of use of fixed nets XXXIII
Action by the StateS XXXIV
Bill proposed for the purpose XXXIV
Arguments in its favor XXXIV
Absolute prohibition by the United States the alternative of want of action by the States XXXIV
Anticipation of improvement XXXVI

RESULT OF INQUIRIES IN 1872. XXXVI

GENERAL SUMMARY OF RESULTS XXXVIII

CONCLUSION XL