The Scientific Investigation Of Marine Fisheries

Author : Will F. Thompson
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9781330499627
Total Pages : 38 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (996 download)

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Download or read book Fish Bulletin, Vol. 2 written by Will F. Thompson and published by . This book was released on 2015-06-30 with total page 38 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Excerpt from Fish Bulletin, Vol. 2: The Scientific Investigation of Marine Fisheries, as Related to the Work of the Fish and Game Commission in Southern California In June, 1917, the California Fish and Game Commission inaugurated scientific investigations of commercially important fishes of southern California. The writer, who is at present in charge of the investigations, has been asked many questions regarding the purpose of the work, and he has come to realize the necessity of an outline to which the various lines of research may be referred and thus understood. However, it is difficult to tell into what fields the pursuit of truth will lead in the case of each investigation, and it will be found that in this paper resort has been had to the statement of aims in terms which are perhaps applicable to fisheries research in general, rather than to that of the albacore in particular, the fish now being studied. The formulation is frankly tentative, due to the chaotic state of the branch of fisheries research concerned, and it is hoped that further experience will correct errors and enable clearer conceptions to arise. There is a fundamental need for the knowledge we are seeking, information regarding the life histories of, and the fisheries for, certain species. The comparatively recent and enormous development of our fisheries, the prospect of a far more extensive utilization of their products, and the perfection of the machinery of exploitation, has brought sharply to focus the question of the capacity of the species of fish to withstand the strain. Instances of overfishing are already well known, both on our own coast and in the Atlantic, and the stability of the supply is a real question everywhere. Those men intimately concerned with the fisheries, having as a rule decided opinions regarding the species in which they are particularly interested, frequently ask why the world should not accept at once and act upon their belief that the fish are becoming less in number, or their contradiction of such an assertion. However, proof that seeks to modify the ways of commerce or of sport must be overwhelming - and unfortunately the statements of those who know the truth are too readily contradicted by the assured arguments of those who regard the resources of the sea as inexhaustible, or of those who see in everything evidence of depletion. The same is true of opinions concerning the habits of fish, and of the measures which must be taken for conservation or for the aid of the fisheries. Not only do research and careful study along scientific lines produce the required weight of evidence, but they are far more likely to bring to light important considerations than even the combined powers of observation of the fishermen and dealers. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.