xt7pnv998215 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7pnv998215/data/mets.xml Georgia East Georgia Planning Council 1937 64 l. incl. map, tables, diagrs. 28 cm. Leaves variously numbered. UK holds archival copy for ASERL Collaborative Federal Depository Program libraries. Call number SH222.G4 E2. books  English Savannah, Ga. This digital resource may be freely searched and displayed in accordance with U. S. copyright laws. Georgia Works Progress Administration Publications Commercial Fisheries of Georgia, East Georgia Planning Council, cooperating with National Resources Committee and Works Progress Administration text Commercial Fisheries of Georgia, East Georgia Planning Council, cooperating with National Resources Committee and Works Progress Administration 1937 1937 2015 true xt7pnv998215 section xt7pnv998215 L
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REPORT or
EAST GEORGIA
PLANNING COUNCIL
  COMMERCIAL
  FISHERIES
OF I
[ GEORGIA
I I   APRIL I937  
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Col. T, L.
J, M, Efalh
Hinton Booi
Alfrod W, A
Thomas H, E
’ D, B, Turns
F, O, Hills
Wm. Tyson
E, Staplotc
Yrs. Esioll
H. M, Konrc
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Jas. R, Boy
R. R, Burns
Richard C,
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K GEORGIA
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;· EAST GEORGIA FLASHING COLECIL
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NATIONAL RESOURCES COKKITTEE
and
WORKS PROGRESS ADMINISTRATION
Members of Council 4
D. T. Simpson, President
Col. T, L, Huston, Vice President Thos. R, Jones, Secretary
J, M, Mallory, Chairman Steering Committee Jack Williams
Hinton Booth W, E, Robby
Alfred W, Jones Haj. U, L, Harwell
Thomas H, Hoynes C, B, Jones
D. B, Turner Ike. R. E. L, Majors ·
F, O, Hiller R, M. Hillikin
Wm. Tyson Homer Edenfield I
E. Stapleton J, K, Larkin y
Yrs. Estelle Rimes Kirkland Sutlive I
H, H. Nonroe J, A, Hills
E, E, Sowell L, L, Owens
H. H. Fishlor Beal Travis
Jas. R, Boyd W, H, Knabb
R. R, Burnsed
‘
Richard C, Job, Jos. E, Winkers Alan F, Boyce, ,
Associate Consultant. Director, Assistant Director,
T. Cecil Anderson, Jamie C, Goode,
Supervisor. Supervisor.
SAVAIIAH, GEORGIA __ _ __
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East Georgia Planning Council '
Commercial fisheries of Georg
SH222.G4 E2
FOREWORD .
CIFAPTIGR.
CFUXFTER
CHAPTER
CHAPTER
SUZYARY ,,
TADULATIOZ
CHARTS :

 , " I ‘ ·_ _A / , I ‘  -————v—&—  % ; r I`
C O H T E N T S
Page
FOREWORD . .,.¢,....,,¤...........°......°......° , .....;.,..&,=.. I I
CILAPTICR. I - SEEIIIEP . . C ..... . ...°...¤..~....,..............°. 5
CHAPTER II ~ SHAD .°...¤¤........¤°...................‘..¤... IQ
CHAPTER III - OYSTERS ...~ r ._...¤..°.L¤.;............;¤....... 27
POLLUTION ..,...¤,¤.c..... , ....¤.¤.........¤..., 56
CHAPTER IV - CRAES ..”i .¤..., Q ¤°.¤...¤........,....... ., ..°. 59
SUQIARY ....¤.. . ..°..... . ¤..........,,,......¤...¤..¤¤.....¤¤.¤. A5
TADULATIOIS: (Representing value direct to fishermen)
Total Catch of Fish and Shellfish .,¤...¤ e ..,.= 4-E
Total Catch and Value of Species ..,~........ .. 4-b
Shrimp, comparison with Total Fisheries of
Georgia ......,¤.,.....,¤w¤¤....¤.............¤ l8—a
Shrimp, comparison of Georgie with South
» Atlantic end Gulf States ,..,,..r........¤..... I$—b
Shed, Catch and Value, l88O - 1954 ...,,.¤...¤ . B6-a
Shed, comparison ....;..,......°...........¤... 26~b
O"stcrs Catch and Value also comparisons
J J J 4. J
. IGGO — 195% ,.c¤,......¤¤.,.,..¤...,....¤.¤.°.. 55-a '
Crabs Catch and Volue l88O - ICSQ ...¤... .... 42-a
J J {
Crabs, comparison .¤... . ...............¤.¤... U. 42-b
I
CHARTS: (Representing value direct to fishermen]
Production end Value All Species ..<.......... 4-c
Value of Species ...°., u. ¤.¤¤¤,........,.¤¤ 4-d
Shrimp Production .¤......¤.............. ,. .... 18-c C
Shrimp Production, comparison ,..........,.. .. l8—d 7
Shed Production . ...¤.....¤.,.....q... . ......= 28-o ~
I Oyster Production ..........¤. , ...........,... $5-b
Oyster Leases and Polluted Areas ............. 58-a A
Crab Production .... I ¤...¤.¤.... E ...~ ° ........ 42-c
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COKKERCIAL FISHERIES
of
G   O R G I A
~--e0o———
F 0 r e w o r d
The State of Georgia, with a gross area of 59,265 square
miles, has a coast airline of approximately 100 miles. The coastal
area consists of about 1,000 miles of shore line which, with its
sounds, estuaries, and tidal rivers, forms the geographic area of the
fisheries industry in Georgia.
Compared with the total annual income of the State from all
sources — approximately fl,000,000,000 — this industry is relatively
small, producing in 195é 27,140,900 pounds, worth 0559,510 to the fish-
ermen, Adding to this the total productive value of related industries,
l
amounting to $040,996 in 1934, the entire comnerical fisheries industry
of Georgia had a total of approximately $1,000,000. Of course, this does
not take into consideration the very substantial commercial value of T
sport fishing, which is to be treated in another report,
However, while this industry, as before stated, is relatively
small, due to various causes either determined or still being studied, T
the results of studies thus far indicate a potential increase of great {
proportions, For instance, in the oyster industry alone, which in l9$4 I
amounted to 96,717 bushels, valued at fZl,35l, employing approximately
1,000 persons, a preliminary survey has indicated a potential increase
of more than 2500; in production and 1300f in employment. I __,
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By rcplanting available nen—pol1uted areas, and with proper
conservation laws, rigidly enforced, it is estimated that the annual
`
production of oysters in Georgia can be increased from 96,717 bushels,
valued at $51,361, employing l,000 persons, to an approximate production
of 2,500,000 bushels, valued at about $1,250,000, employing about 13,500
persons.
The establishment here of thriving Diamond—back Terrapin
Farms has opened a wider field in the seafood industry, The conditions
in the coastal waters of Georgia are conducive to a continued natural
supply of this delicacy.
The most important items of seafood produced in this area,
with the greatest commercial and economic value, are shrimp, shad,
oysters and crabs; besides the menhaden for industrial use only, The
catch of other species is almost too negligible for present considera-
tion, except for potential replenishment. The once malignod and plenti-
ful sturgeon, a very valuable species, is new almost extinct; the sea `
bass also has dwindled in catch to about 10% of former years. Comparison é
l
of the length of Georgia’s coast line with that of other seafood pro- j
ducing states proves that, by ratio, the quality, quantity, value, and
cost of production are favorable to the fostering and development of
this resource. _
Notwithstanding improved equipment and modernized gear, better l
methods of refrigeration, and increased facilities for distribution, the V
fisheries of Georgia have shown a fluctuation in catch, with a decided
downward tendency in the seven year period 1927 - 1954. Without factual
2
  K

 gom ercial_§isheries
information as to energy expended, a study of this sort can take only
into consideration existing equipment and facilities on which con- 7
clusions can be based, with the element of scarcity and depletion being
given their proper place in determining the trend of abundancy.
The accompanying tabulation shows tho trend in total catch
of fish and shellfish in Georgia 1880 - 1934 as given by the Bureau of
Fisheries, United States Department of Com erce, Starting with a total
catch in 1880 of 2,273,000 pounds valued at $120,000, there was a steady
increase to 47,607,220 pounds in 1927, Since then there has been an
alarming decline, reaching a low of 7,349,813 pounds in 1931, However,
this was an abnormal year, as the following year showed a comeback to
16,522,995 pounds, and in 1934, the last year for which figures are
available, showed a total of 27,140,900 pounds, which is only a little
more than half the peak catch in l927. The cause of this decline and
the possibilities for future increase are vital questions to be con-
sidered and analyzed, Remedies should be effected to insure an in- T
creasing abundancy of this valuable and essential natural resource. y
Obviously, it is necessary to plan systematic replanting of i
oysters, and to enforce regulations for the catching of shrimp, crabs,
and shad that will afford the minimum interference in the spawning season
and wastage of immature individuals; it is necessary also to plan the {
creation of a shad hatchery for increased propagation of this valuable {
species of Georgia's com ercial fisheries. Such laws and regulations 1
that inevitably would grow out of these vital needs for conservation
g S

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pgmmggfmpgwgisheries
should, above all else, be rigidly, fearlessly, and adequately
enforced, [
Another important element in any conservation program is the
proper and regular collection of data, not only as a check on the trend
of abundaney, but as an important factor in effectuating laws and regu~
p lations for conservation and perpetuation of the supply, The lack of
complete data is not only a serious handicap to this study, but induces
V generalization in reaching conclusions and recommendations that should
. not otherwise be necessary, However, it is absolutely essential from
the present known facts that prompt and adequate measures be taken,
based upon the best factual information available.
V Laws and regulations pertinent to the several subjects in this
study will be treated separately in chapters covering the respective sub-
· jects. However, a general observation may be made here with respect to
. the necessity of regulating the size mesh of nets used in catching the
V various species, Obviously, it is a serious wastage to catch small, imma- 7
I
· ture individuals along with large, adult species, and even though culling i
1 · were done immediately after each haul, the chances are that the young in- i
. _ dividuals would already be drowned before culling and replacement could
take place, The notorious wastage from this abuse cannot be emphasized
too strongly, 5
{
4

 1
>
TOTAL CATCH OF FISH AND SHELLFISH
IN GEORGIA 1880 - 1954
YEAR POUNDS VALUE
1880 2,275,000 S 120,000
1887 1,885,000 81,000
1888 1,958,000 85,000
1889 2,644,000 106,000
1890 2,994,000 125,000
1897 4,995,000 171,000
1902 11,105,000 559,000
1908 14,828,000 701,000
1918 57,154,000 416,000
1925 59,897,000 668,000
1927 47,607,220 697,165
1928 42,068,780 866,287
1929 45,515,641 877,252
1950 54,872,521 556,294
1951 7,549,815 251,158
1952 16,522,995 185,942
» 1954 27,140,900 559,510
1
Source: United States Department of Commerce, {
Bureau ef Fisheries, A
Administrative Reports. _
4-a

 I
i
FISHERIES OF GEORGIA
TOTAL CATCH AND VALUE OF SPECIES
l95&
SPECIES OF FISH POUNDS VALUE
CATFISH AND BULLHEADS 52,500 S 5,150
CROAKER 7,000 280
DRUH, RED OR REDFISH 2,500 125
FLOUNDERS 5,500 96
HICKORY SHAD 10,500 l,0é2
KING WHITIHG 0R "KIUGFISH" 12,000 580
M NHADEN 18,751,500 65,859
MULLET 50,000 2,600
SEA BASS 25,000 ‘ 690
SHAD 252,000 58,400
SPOT 15,000 460
SQUETEAGUES OR "SEA TROUT", SPOTTED 56,000 4,480
STURGEON ll,600 928
TOTAL 19,255,900 :; 116,490
SPECIES OF SHELLFISH, ETC
CRABS: x " '
HARD 485,500 7,252 “
SHRIMP 6,842,900 205,127 ,
OYSTERS: xx I
FERRET, PRIVATE, SPRING 527,600 16,568
MARKET PRIVATE FALL 241,100 1%,775
TERRAPIN, DIAMOND BACK 11,900 1,280
Tomi, 7,907,0,00 245,020
GRAND TOTAL 27,140,900 S 559,510 A
x — Statistics on "herd orabs" used in this table are besed on A
yields of six pounds per dozen. .
xx — Stetistios on "merket oysters" used in this table are based
on yields of 5.88 pounds of meats per bushel.
Source: United States Department of Commerce,
Bureau of Fisheries.
Administrative Report — 1955.
4- b A

  
PRODUCTION 8. VALUE
ALL SPECIES
GEORGIA FISHERIES  
PRODUCTION VALUE
POUNDS Yams DOLLARS
(ADD DDD) annumannumnmnnnmnnnnnninnnnn (ADD DDD)
IIIIIIIIII I IHIIIIII I IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIII
II g; ‘ · I iv.
M,   IIIIIIIII I I I       I I IMIIII I IIIIIIII IIIIHIII II  
    I i   II II" II
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  IIIIIIIII     I    I'     'I I  
35   IIIII MIIIII  IIII|IIIIIjIII | III  
MMIII III IIII|IIIMIIIIIII|NI||I·IIIIII
25 000 I, I I  I   * 500
IIIIIIIII  I I’II'“III|||I'IIIIII  IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
20000 .     I   rl L.   400
IIII   III  IIIWIIIIIIIIIIMIIIIIIII I III I
I5 000 ’ IIQI I pif I I · D » I 300
II III     II IIIIIIII 
  , IIIII II I III `
I0000 — ”'IFIIjI’  =* ‘| I  3Q 200 I
 II  ' IIIIIIIMIMIMIIII I I   I
5000   ,,, -* - .1 _ I I j' I00 }
I I|il?'"" IIII   I II
P nnllml I I I I I
I880 I890 I900 I9I0 I920 I930
NOTE?— THE INCREASE IN PRODUCTION AND DECREASE IN VALUE I90B TO I9I8  
I5 DUE TO INCREASED PRODUCTION OF LOW PRICED SPECIES {SUCH AS SHRIMP)
` AND DECREASED PRODUCTION OF HIGH PRICED SPECIES (SUCH AS SHAD AND OYSTER) I
STATISTICS AVAILABLE ONLY FOR THE YEARS DOTTED ·
PREPARED BY
SOURCE OF DATA¤· EAST GEORGIA PLANNING COUNCIL
U.S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES J,C.G. ·- APRIL I937 -
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From figures given by the United States Bureau of
Fisheries, shrimp produces the greatest amount of revenue as
compared with the total revenue from the fisheries industry of
Georgia.
ln 1880, the catch of shrimp was valued at $4,000, as
compared with $120,000 for the entire fisheries of Georgia; in
1902 the value of shrimp amounted to $8,408, as compared with a
total of $359,000 for all fisheries of Georgia; in 1918 the value
of shrimp had increased to $173,990 as compared with $416,000 for
all kinds. The peak was reached in 1929, when the shrimp industry
of Georgia produced a total of $581,015 as compared with $877,232
for all kinds. ln 1934 - the most recent year for which figures
are available - the shrimp industry produced $203,127 in value,
as compared with $359,510 for all kinds i
Starting with the year 1923, the shrimp industry of g
Georgia exceeded in value the total catch of all other kinds by
more than 50%, and has since maintained this lead, except for one
abnormal year. However, there has been a fluctuation, mostly dmmn- V
ward, as the figures for 1934, of $203,127, will show when compared {
with $581,015 for 1929. .
A significant feature of this downward tendency is brought
out by comparing the total catch of shrimp for Georgia with the total
5

 Com ercial Fisheries
catch for the South Atlantic and Gulf States. Taking the number of
pounds as the better illustrative medium, it was found that in 1929
the total catch for Georgia was 12,577,619 pounds, as compared with
108,550,55B pounds for the South Atlantic and Gulf, while in 1954,
l Georgia's total catch of shrimp was only 6,842,900 as compared
with 119,517,700 pounds for the entire area. While the total catch
for the area has increased, the catch for Georgia has dropped to
about one-half in the same period. l
There may be various reasons for this downward tendency,
but it is not due to a reduction in fishing boats and equipment, as
figures taken from the United States Bureau of Fisheries’ Statistics
show that during this six year period the number of vessels of five net
tons or more engaged in the fisheries industry of Georgia increased
100%, or from 22 to 44 vessels. On the other hand, there was some re- U
A duction in the number of small boats, from a total of 145 in 1929 to
105 in 1954. There was also a slight reduction in the number and E
yardage of otter trawls used. Thus, it can be assumed that with the :
proper amount of energy expended, there was sufficient equipment avail- i
able to have produced in 1954 approximately the 1929 production, pro-
vided the abundance was the same.
However, the question of abundance is a moot one, and while 1
surveys on this subject have been made by the United States Bureau of 1
Fisheries, as reported in their lnvestigational Report #21, by Messrs. 2
Fred F. Johnson and Milton J. Lindner, and further studies are now
6

  .  - i    u  u to  ,__,  A      ,,
· 9.<;>nm;a¤;e}_iEe§sz.i.es
being pursued by this Bureau, there is sufficiently tangible evidence
from these studies to warrant forming tentative conclusions for a
<
constructive program of conservation, as contemplated in this report.
Eglbghl HISTOEE
Investigational Report #2l, United States Bureau of Fisheries,
gives the natural history of the shrimp, fron.which we quote,in part,
as fellows: I
"ln the South Atlantic and Gulf area there are three species
U of sea shrimp, all belonging to the family Penaeidae, and several
species of river shrimp, family Palaemonidae, that are of economic
importance. Weymouth, Lindner, and Anderson (lQ$5) estimate that in
the sea shrimp fishery the common shrimp Penaeus setiferus yields about
ninety-five percent of the catch, while the grccved shrimp P. brasiliensis »
and the sea bob Xiphopenaeus kroyeri each produce about two and one-half
percent. The river shrimp fishery, which is of minor economic importance, '
is restricted mainly to the lower Iississippi River and depends chiefly I
a
on hacrobrachium ohionis. 5
"The common shrimp cutnumbers the other two sea shrimp through-
out the entire range of the fishery from North Carolina to Texas. Like
the common shrimp, the grocved shrimp is also taken for commercial pur- '
poses over the entire fishery, usually mixed with catches of the for- 4
mer which it resembles closely in bodily appearance. The sea bob, on
the other hand, because of its smaller size, is only utilized in commercial
7
 

 in L      ___________.___,,__,___p___p ,_
$>se¢e1=.¢.é2.LE.i;;li<%;¢:2.es
quantities by the drying platforms of Louisiana and occasionally by
the fresh fish markets. It commands a lesser price than the other
1
two species.
"Because of the short life history and the heavy fishing
of young shrimp, it is necessary that a careful watch be kept on
the abundance in order that depletion may be detected in its early
stages and the proper remedial actions taken tc insure a continued
and abundant supply of this important marine resource. The biological
work now being conducted by this Bureau in cooperation with the States
of Louisiana, Texas, and Georgia is attacking the problems of the
` abundance and life history of the shrimp."
» Using the "PRELIMINARY REPORT ON THE LIFE HISTORY CF THE ,
COMMON SHRIMP PEHAEUS SETIFERUS (LINN.)“, by F. W. Weymouth, hilton J.
.‘ · Lindner and W, We Anderson, of the United States Bureau of Fisheries,
as a basis for a summary cf the spawning phase in the life of the I
1
» , shrimp, the following illuminating information is given: ·
It has been found that some degree of maturity is observable
_ in the large shrimp from the middle of April to the end of July. The
I members of the small group appearing in July are without exception
· immature. Ripe females have been found to be common during April, May, {
June, July, and present, but scarce, in August and September. Sperma—
tophore-bearing females have been obtained from April to August (these
must be within a few hours of spawning). Mature males are present
8

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§2a¤n;¤.é—a1_E&¢2a".iaa
According to the United States Bureau of Fisheries, the *
shrimp fishing areas rarely extend far from shore, and most fre-
quently embrace inside waters and a coastal strip within ten miles
of the shore. ln Georgia, the shrimp fishery is carried on through-
out the entire extent of the inside and littoral offshore waters of
the State from the Savannah River on the north to the Saint Marys
River on the South. This coast is fairly uniform in its production
of shrimp.
 EIJLTS
From the report of Messrs. Weymouth, Lindner and Lndorson,
some pertinent information as to the fate of adult shrimp, which may
have an important bearing on the abundance, is found, namely: U
“A question of great interest and inportance, both from the
t
theoretical and the practical standpoint, is the fate of the larger l
group present in July. The smaller group of shrimp, traced into E
Q
earlier months, was found to have been spawned by the larger, and the 1
larger to have overwintered from young of the previous spring or summer.
Traced onward from July the smaller group persists through the winter y
and spawns the following spring and summer Does the group of larger {
shrimp also survive the winter and take part in a second spawning? {
“Again our evidence is indirect but impressive. We shall
consider the length frequency and sexual maturity data in the light of
ll

 .<2*a€.r.¤2a@_a¤2;&>s
the abundance of the shrinm. No accurate measure of the abundance of ,
the shrimp in the waters of Georgia at different seasons is available.
An approximation, however, is furnished by the number of shrimp taken
in experimental trawling. By these useful, although imperfect data,
let us follow the abundance of the group of small shrimp from the time
of their entrance into the commercial catch until their disappearance.
The numbers increase rapidly, being constantly augmented by new young
p of later and later hatchings. The maximum of abundance is reached in the
fall, usually September or October, agreeing in time with the fall peak
of the commercial catch.
"Although the fall peak of the total catch tends to be over-
emphasized by the intensity of the fishing at this season, and in general
economic factors prevent a complete correspondence, nevertheless, the i
fall catch rests on a period of marked abundance of shrimp. From this
1
peak the abundance declines and reaches a low point in late winter and E
I
early spring, coinciding with the low point of the catch which falls in l
February, March, or April. {
"The numbers obtained by experimental trawling then again in-
crease, reaching a second peak in April or May at the time of the spring
catch of large, mature shrimp so prized by the canners. The crest is more é
prominent and earlier than the spring catch would suggest. I
` “Frem.this peak of abundance there is a rapid and steady de-
cline. In the first half of July, when the young of the year make their D
first appearance in the commercial catch, the two groups are approximately
equal in abundance. By the latter part of the month the abundance of
12

    , , »    sn  he p   ______     ,_
 
l the group of large shrimp has already fallen below that of the growing
young. The group of large shrimp can be more or less clearly recognized {
in August by their greater length, but the rapid growth of the young soon
brings about an overlap, so that size alone will not suffice to identify
them. The group of large shrimp are at this time sexually mature, and
by this criterion a few may be found in September, but the number is very
small- two or three out of hundreds. A careful study of the size frequency
curves and those of sexual maturity fail to disclose further trace of them,
and we are forced to conclude that they disappear from the fishery in
Georgia. We have also been unable to find spent individuals such as should
be present after the spawning season if the adults remained within the
range of the fishery. Among the thousands of immature shrimp no undoubtedly
spent female has been found, although some males examined may possibly
belong to this category; the number of these, however, is small." d
  ·
i
Quoting again from the report of Eessrs. Lindner, Weymouth and {
‘
Anderson, it should be emphasized that depletion can only be detected by A
a careful analysis of the abundance of shrimp and that knowledge of abundance
requires adequate statistical data. Existing catch statistics are inade-
, quate, since they do not show the effort by which the indicated total catches Q
were obtained. In addition, the amount of gear and number of msn should be 1
known, or the individual boat catches should be recorded for analysis. A
Improvements in the method of gathering statistics have recently been made
by other States, and it is hoped that Georgia will so modify its regulations
15

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Com orcmghgnsherios _
covering the reporting of fish taken as to make possible the future ·
analysis of abundance.
Fortunately, it is not necessary to take an alarmist attitude;
at the same time common prudence should make impossible a complacent
inaction which would result in the depletion of the available supply.
While there is yet time, a concentrated effort should be made to insti-
tute th