5RIB3 RESEARCH BOARD OF CANADA

SUMMARY REPORTS

of the

PACIFIC BIOLOGICAL STATION

for

1939.

CONFIDENTIAL

Mfr< • .. i I -'tS'

SA3M0N HTVESTlQiglQMS

_i 17 W. A. Clemens No. 1

Contributions to the Life History of the Sockeye

Recollection of scales and data from the sockeye salmon run to the were made in 1938 by the Provincial Fisheries Department in view of an investi gation now commenced by the International Paoifio Salmon Fisheries Commission. Bivers inlet - The sockeye salmon run to this inlet in 1938, produced a pack of 87,942 cases representing over 1,000,000 fish# The escapement was reported as "better than usual", better than the brood years of 1933 and 1934. There is reason therefore to be lieve that the return in 1938 was very good. The 42 age-group constituted 27 per cent of the samplings and the 52 age-group 70 per oent. In the former the males formed 49 per oent while in the latter only 32 per oent. The average lengths and weights were as follows:

42 tf L. 23.1 in. 4.7 lbs.; 9 L. 22.8 in. W. 4.5 lbs. 52 <* I». 26.6 M 7.1 » : 9 L. 25.5 "' W. 6.4 •» Skeena rj.ver - The Skeena sockeye run produoed a pack of 47,257 oases and an escapement reported as very good. While the number of fish appearing on the spawning grounds is somowhat encouraging, it may bo pointed out that tho run of 1938 was comparatively small Taking the actual counts of fish in the streams tributary to , it is estimate- that approximately 80,000 fish spawned there. making liberal allowances for the numbers of sookeye appearing in the Babine river, Lakelse lake, and other areas, it is doubtful if the spawning population for the entire river system exceeded 125,000 fish. The pack represents 575,000 fish. To illustrate the significance of these figures, it may be pointed out that had the escapement been equivalent to tho catch there would have been four times as many fish in tho stroams as woro observed and such a numbor of fish would have been striking. On the basis of results obtained at Cultus lake, on the Fraser river, it is probable that a pack of 150,000 oases or better cannot be expected on the Skeena until an escapement of 400,000 to 500,000 fish is provided for; that is, about three or four times the escapement of 1938. The age-groups were represented as follows: 4g - 64 per cent; 5g - 15 per cent; 53 - 16 per cent; 63-5 per cent. The females were considerably in excess in the 4g group. The average lengths and weights follow:

4g o* L. 23.3 in. W. 5.2 lbs.f 9 L. 22.5 in. W. 4.6 lbs. 52 J L. 25.3 » W. 6.6 "; 9 L. 24.4 •» W. 6.1 " 53 o*L. 23.6 H W. 5.3 " 5 0 L. 23.1 " W. 5.0 " 63 (5 L. 25.6 " W. 6.9 S 9 L. 24.3 » W. 5.9 " Sass river - The pack of sookeye salmon on the Uass river amounted to 21,462 cases, representing between 250,000 and 275,000 fish. The escapement was reported as large and the seeding as heavy. The packs from 1912 to 1938 inclusive have varied from 5,500 to 39,300 cases, so that of 1938 may be considered as a medium-sized one. The age-class percentages were as follows: 42 - 21 per cent; 52-4 per cent- 53 - 70 per oent; 63-5 per oent. The males were slightly in excess in all the age- groups except in the 53 where they formed only 40 per cent. The average lengths and weights were as follows:

42 o* L. 24.1 in. W. 5.9 lbs. 9 L. 23.5 in. W. 5.8 lbs. 52 <* &• 26.0 " W. 7.4 " 9 L. 24.8 " W. 6.3 •• 53 tf L. 25.2 » W. 6.5 " 9 L. 24.4 » W. 5.8 " 63 d L. 26.6 " W. 7.6 " 9 L. 26.1 " W. 6.8 " A. L. Pritchard and W. M. Cameron No* 2 The Sockeye Salmon Stan of 19?9 to the Iakelse lake Area, Skeena Biver, B. C, Daring 1939 general stream surveys on the tributaries of the were not carried out by the Fisheries Research Board but attention was focused on the Iakelse lake area. Counting fences were installed in the three mouths of the largest tributary. Williams creek, for the purpose of accurately estimating and examining all spawning fisho Information for the other streams, viz.- Sehullabuchan, Salmon, and Granite creeks, was obtained from the reports of visits made by the investigators and the fishery guardian. The sookeye salmon run to Williams creek commenced on July 23 with the ap pearance of one male. On July 30 the first female was taken. The numbers of both sexes steadily increased thereafter. From August 3 to September 3 the daily count amounted to more than fifty fish with a maximum of 3|Ol8 on August 16. The last individual passed the fence on September 16. The complete migration consisted of 12,350 males and 11,735 females - a total of 24,06*5. J lt ,. As has been already indicated the first male arrived seven days earlier than the first female. During the early portion of the migration - until August 14 - the daily count of males exceeded that of tho females. From that time until August 29 females were in preponderance. As the run fell off, males again wore present in larger proportion. The final disposition of sexes on the spawning grounds was: males - 51-3? females - 48,7 < The variation of this ratio from 50 : 50 is significant but no logical explanation can be offered on the basis of the date available. It is of interest to note that in reapeot to time of migration of the sexes and the final ratio on the spawning beds, sockeye salmon at Williams creek in 1939 were quite similar in behaviour to the pink salmon at McClinton creek, inlet, during the natural runs to that area. The numbers of fish reaching tho weir each day was closely correlated with the maximum water height, i.e. when the water rose, the numbers increased. The relation ship between daily migration and rainfall, however, was not so exact horo as at McClinton creek for the pink salmon. The difference was due to the fact that the heavy rains caused the snow in the mountains to melt. The run-off would maintain the height of the water and the numbers of fish for quite a period even though the rainfall might be limited. Sockeye salmon reaching the mouths of Williams creek were found to be almost all at the same general stage of sexual maturity. The eggs in the ovaries "fere in most cases just ready to be deposited. Tho sperm was ejected if the males were too roughly handled. As a matter of fact it was discovered that 10 to .16 days after tho fish passed the fence, they wero spawned out. Only occasionally after a heavy freshet did a green silvery individual appear. Suoh a condition was not unexpected since tho fish had spent some time in the lake during which period they had advanced sexually. They approached the rivers only when almost ready to spawn. From the information obtained by visits of tho writers and the guardian to the other creeks the following general observations may be recorded. Sohullabuchan received only a fair run of sockeye salmon estimated qualitatively at 2,000. No reason for the scarcity was evident. Salmon creek, noted in last year's report as very small and limited, was extremely well seeded with approximately 2,000 sockoyo. Unfortunately, mainly because of its small size, bears preyed heavily on tho spawning fish. Granite or Hatchery creek considering its extent was the recipient of a very large run. The numbers were estimated at from 5,000 to 10,000, an amount which would tax the spawning beds severely. In summary it might be stated that the spawning grounds in the Lekolse lake area were very well seeded with sockeye salmon. .The total numbers wore estimated as between 33,000 and 40,000. Of this amount Williams creek received 24,085 or well over sixty per cent. A. L. Pritohard No. 2

Reoommenda tions

It is espeoially recommended that the fence on Williams creek be operated during the autumn of 1940. If, as is shown to be probable in another report in this series, the sockeye salmon in the Lakelse run are mainly in their fourth and fifth years, and since the last hatchery operation was on the brood year of 1935, all four year fish must be assigned to* natural propagation. In 1941, of course, none of the salmon oould be the result of artificial methods. It would be interesting to watch the run closely in order to see if any differenoe could be noted. In addition it is felt that a fairly accurate estimate of the esoapement to the area can be obtained by counting the run to Williams oreek and Visiting the other tributaries periodically for estimation. Such figures are very desirable for conservation purposes. The expense should not be heavy now. that the material for tho fence is at hand. jji^'N A. L. Pritohard and W. IE, Cameron No. 3

Size and Egg Content of Adult Sockeye Salmon at WilliamsLgreek. Lakelse Lake, in 1939.

As erne phase of the examination of the sockeye salmon run to Williams creek, Lakelse lake, coincident with a tagging programme described elsewhere, 1,000 males and 1,000 females ohosen at random throughout the migration were weighed and measured. Weights were taken to the nearest tenth of a pound, and lengths to the closest tenth of an inch. The data have been summarized to the nearest quarter inch and quarter pound. Male sookeye salmon ranged in length from 18 3/4 to 28 3/4 inches with a general average of 25 1/2 *_ #036. The females were distinctly smaller, the range being 19 1/2 to 26, and the average 23 l/2 +_ ,024. Although it is usual in Pacific salmon to find the male fish en the average larger than the females, the difference in this case was probably accentuated because of the fact that the secondary sexual characters, viz.- long snout of the male, etc., were greatly developed. Coincident with the variation in length between sexes, there was also a differenoe in weight. The males varied from 2 1/2 to 9 1/4 pounds and the females from 2 3/4 to 7 l/2. The averages v/ere 6 1/4 +. .026 and 5 1/4 ^ .016 respectively. In order to check the possibility of change in the size of the fish during the run, the sample was averaged in quarters, the first 250 being those measured earliest in point of time, etc. It was discovered that there was a gradual drop in length and weight in both sexes with the progression of the migration. The average for the last quarter in every case differed significantly from that of the first. For the males such a oondition was expected sinoo a larger proportion of small individuals was present at the end of the run. With pink salmon at McClinton oreek it has been found that tho size increases as tho run progresses. The cause has boon suggestod in this oaso to bo tho inoroaso duo to sexual maturity. Undoubtedly tho same inoroaso occurs in sockoyo salmon yot a significant dooroaso is ovidont. Wo arc thoroforo forcod to tho oonolusion that smaller individuals appoarod as tho run wont on. A sample of twenty-four females were taken for ogg counts. These did not differ significantly in average weight and length from those of the general sample They may therefore bo coneiderod typical. Tho avorago number of oggs por female was found to bo 3,888 +^ 73. As has boon found to bo tho case for most runs of Pacific salmon, tho num ber of oggs oontainod in a female variod with tho length and woight, tho largor indi viduals having tho most oggs. The correlation cooffioiont botwoon length and numbor of eggs was .68 +,.07 and woight and numbor of oggs .72 +, .07. A. L. Pritohard and W. li» Cameron No. 3

Due to the advanced sexual condition of the fish reaching the fence, the scales were badly absorbed and it was impossible to get a representative sample on which to base an age analysis. Three fish only were examined giving the following determinations: 1.- approximately 25 inches - 52s approximately 19 inches - 4g; and 14,1 inches - 3*. In an effort to get a more general idea of the age composition of the group, the frequency distributions of the males and females were plotted with the frequency distributions of tho two sexes in the samplo taken in the fishing areas on the river during 1938 and examined as to age by Dr. W. A. Clemens. The ranges in size of the fish in both series aro similar. The ago may therefore bo assumed to be com parable. In general then tho run at Williams oroek consists ohiofly of fish in thoir fourth and fifth years with scattered individuals in tho sixth. Tho throe yoar old hore reported would bo so small that it would escape the gill nets and for that reason would not appear in a sample such as that taken by Dr. Clemens.

A. L. Pritohard and W. M. Cameron No. 4

The Distribution of Spawning Sockeye Salmon in Williams Oreek. Lakelse Lake. Studied by a Method of Tagging Designed to Allow Easy Identification of Individual Fish.

In the autumn of 1938 a system of tagging spawning pink salmon in order to permit the identification of the individual fish was initiated at McClinton creek, , B. C. In this method a pair* of small circular discs of coloured celluloid, one of which was serially numbered, was affixed to the salmon by means of a long nickel pin. Two hundred sets of each of five colours - white, yellow, blue, red and green, - were combined in each of four anatomical regions along the dorsum of the fish. In each of these areas except the one farthest posterior, the pin was placed at one of three angles to the body. The resulting permutations amounted to 250. Thus two-hundred and fifty individuals of each sex could be separated. Certain difficulties were revealed in the method. In later observation it was difficult to be certain of the angle of the pin, and hence the number. In addition some indications were given that the tags were prone to work lose in the areas behind the dorsal fin. For theso reasons a modified method v/as triod on the sockeye salmon in Williams creek, Lakelse lake, during the present year v/ith a view to attaining perfec tion for the run of pink salmon at McClinton oroek in 1940. In tho now experiment fivo colours wore employed, - black, groen, rod, white and bluo. Thoso wero assigned tho numbors 1 to 5 rospoctivoly. Discs of two sizes wero also obtalnbd. By moans of tho nickel pin four plocos of colluloid woro attached to ovary fish, viz.- one small disc and one largo on oaoh sido. As an oxampla, if on tho loft sido tharo appeared a largo black cirolo and a small groen, and on tho right, a large rod and a small white, tho numbor would bo road as 1234. In other words, in reading the numbers, the left side was always considered first and the large disc before the small one. Two anatomical regions - in front of the dorsal fin, and underneath the dorsal fin, - were chosen* The number of combinations possible under this systen can easily be calculated at 1350 of whioh snly 1000 were used. It was thus possible to identify one thousand males and one thousand females. After the fish were tagged, periodic inspections were made of the spawning grounds when a record was set up of the numbers and looations of the tagged fish. This information was transferred to cards oompleted for eaoh individual for ease of analysis. A. L. Pritchard and W. M. Cameron No. 4 The first inspection trips which showed a definitely smaller proportion of tagged fish in the upper reaches of the river, caused some discussion. The suggested explana tion was that these fish were constituted mainly of the first of the run, very few of which it had been possible to tag. Statistical analysis of the data from inspection trips have shown, however, that, although slight evidence may be present in one or two cases, there is no significant correlation between the time of migration of the fish into the creek and its spawning location. There appeared to be a slight tendency for fish of the larger sizes to proceed further upstream, this distribution being more apparent for those which entered the oreek at the first of the run, and for the females than the males. A statistical analysis of the difference in average weight and length between individuals observed in the upper third of the river and those seen in the lower third, shows that, although the variation is always in the same direction, the large size range produces a large probable OMoart and prevents drawing the conclusion that there is definite significance. The present method of tagging is a distinct improvement on the old one used at McClinton oreek in 1938. Undoubtedly if it is employed on pink salmon in 1940, in conditions more familiar to the observers and on a homogeneous group of fish, some light may be thrown on the interesting problems suggested this year. There still remains the necessity for improvement in respect to ease of reading the numbers. Work on this phase of the subjeot is proceeding.

A. L. Pritchard and W. M, Cameron No. 5

The Estimation of a Spawning Population by the Use sf a Tagging Batio* It has been suggested by Dr. W.F. Thompson of the International Sookeye Salmon Commission, that the numbers of spawning fish in a river might be deduced by comparing the percentage of tagged to untagged fish on the spawning grounds with a known number of fish tagged at the mouth of the lake or river. In the summary report of 1938, by the junior author, on the "Distribution of Spawning Fish in McClinton Creek", the following statement was madet "This finding indicates the danger of draw ing any quantitative conclusions from the observation of tagged fish without a most thorough and continuous survey of the grounds throughout the length of the spawning run". Because of the tremendous advantages of such a system of estimation if it proved practical, the investigators seized the opportunity to thoroughly check this theory ^p^ again at Williams oreek, and to further investigate the difficulties made apparent in Z the preliminary investigation at McClinton oreek. To this end, coincident with the surveys of the spawning fish in the creek, a record was kept of the numbers of btth tagged and untagged fish observed in various regions of the stream. On August 22nd, the upper half of the oreek was explored. 1343 live fish were counted, of which 40 were tagged. Up to August 21st, 1575 fish had been tagged at the fenoe. The theoretical total population was therefore 1575/40 x 1303 » 51,000 fish. The actual population at this time from the count at the fenoe was 19,596c When the next surveys were made, a considerable number of fish had spawned and died. The count of dead fish was therefore stressed since it was apparent that more accuracy would thus be possible than by attempting to count the live individuals. In making the counts of dead fish, every accessible portion of the oreek was explored— each fish was examined to avoid the possibility of sverlooking a tag. The following table gives the results of these examinations: A. L« Pritchard and W. M. Cameran Ho. 5

Date ef Tagged fish Untagged fish Calculated Actual survey observed observed population population

August 28 13 *277 43,000 . 22,677 30 10 155 31,000 22,939 31 18 426 47,000 23,110 Sept. 7 10 251 50,000 23,880 8 9 299 66,500 23,918

There was definitely extreme variation from inspection to inspection. It was a&ffd discovered that difference in proportion existed between various regions in the creek. Finally, there seems to be a tendency for the proportion of untagged fish to be higher at the beginning and at the end of the run. The actual tagging this year, because of the variation in numbers migrating into the creek from day to day could not be arranged so that a constant proportion of the fish migrating each day were being tagged. During the first few days of the run, when over one quarter ef the total prooeeded upstream, approximately one per cent were tagged. Past the peak of the run, when fewer numbers were migrating, the percentage tagged each day ranged as high as forty. Tagging was discontinued on the 25th of August—over two thousand fish migrated after this date. The effect of this disproportionate tagging is strikingly brought out by a careful consideration of the recoveries of dead and dying fish brought down from above by the current onto the fence. Ii.« cleaning the fence eaoh day, a record was kept of the dead fish appearing on it, the numbers tagged, and untagged. These figures have been examined closely and from them the following conditions are evident: The average life of the fish in the oreek was males - 13 days, females - 12 days* If each day's recoveries at the fense are considered singly, the variations in the calculated theoretical counts are equally as great as those submitted above. If, however, the cumulative percentages are considered, those for tagged fish reflect very elosely those for the number of fish tagged up until 13 days previously, But, there is always a constant error which makes the theoretical population twenty-five per cent larger than the actual. The reason for this constant error was found to lie in the peculiar fact that tka number of tags recovered from the first 1,000 fish tagged was 81, while the number recovered from the second 1,000 was 206 — over three times as many! One might im mediately jump to the conclusion that the first 1,000 went preponderantly to the upper portion of the creek, or at least to a part of the creek where they would not drift onto the fence. The information obtained from the study of distribution described in an accompanying report does not favour such an explanation, and there appears no obvious /^^ reason why such a number of these tagged fish did not appear at the fenoe with fish which presumably migrated at the same time. The only conclusion that can be drawn is that the use of this system for estimating the population of a stream such as Williams creek, is subject to a wide range of error, when 10$ or less of the migrating fish are tagged, and that in any case, unless a definite proportion of the fish are tagged per day (a condition admittedly impossible when no count can be made of the total migrants), it is absolutely essential that a Continual and thorough reconnaissance be conducted throughout the whole duration of the run* It is interesting to record that the fishery guardian was asked to estimate the number of fish in the creek. His figure at the time of his survey was 18,C00# At this time there were approximately 22,000 fish in the stream. His estimate, be it due to chance or ability, was closer than any that could be conceivably calculated from the use Of this system of oensus. A. L. Pritohard and W. M. Cameron IT0, 6 The Extent of Fertilization of Sookeye Salmon Eggs In natural Reproduction During the last two weeks of the spawning run of sockeye in Williams creek, Lakelse lake, an opportunity was afforded to determine the percentage fertilization in the redds of this species. The method used was essentially the same as that employed in connection with similar work on pink salmon at McClinton oreek as described in the Summary Reports of 1938. ' Certain complications which were not encountered in the work on pink salmon necessitated a modification in the examination of eggs obtained from some of the nests sampled. This was apparently due to the heavy concentration of redds in the area represented by these samples, which resulted in the inadvertent collection of oggs from an adjacent deposition. Three samples obtained included a large proportion of eggs which had not developed sufficiently to show embryonic growth visible to the naked eye. The absolute deteimination of the fertility of such eggs has so far been found possible only by dissection and subsequent histological treatment and examination of the germinal disk. This treatment of twenty or thirty eggs selected at random from each of the samples showed them all fertile. It was considered pormissable to disregard those three samples in tho final calculation of tho averago offioiency of fertilization. In all, 19,429 eggs were obtained from 13 samplings. The ten redds con sidered yielded 14,627 eggs which showed fertilization ranging from 96.9$ to 99.6$, the average being 98.6$. 1.2$ were infertile, and 0.2$ doubtful, the last category inoluding eggs which were partially collapsed or in which infection prevented a minute examination. It is concluded that fertilization in the case of sockeye saibnon spawning in Williams creek under average natural conditions is most efficient, and comparable to the figure of 98.2$ obtained for pink salmon in 1938 at McClinton oreek.

W. A. Clemens No* 7

Sookeye Salmon in the Hanaimo River In 1932, approximately one million sockeye salmon eggs were collected at and planted as eyed-eggs in the Nanaimo lakes area early in 1933. During the spring of 1934, the Board maintained an observer at the outlet of the lakes but no eeaward migrating sockeye were seen or entered the trap. In the autumn of 1935, four 4-year-old sockeye were taken in a gill net an the lower section of the Nanaimo river. In 1937, 22 fish were taken in gill nets and the Supervisor of Fisheries in Nanaimo and the local Fishery Guardian report having seen over 100 fish ascending the river. Examination of the scales of the 22 fish mentioned above revealed that they were all in'their fifth years, having spent two years in the lake. In 1938, 6 fish were taken in gill nets and scale examination showed that they were all in their sixth years, having spent two years in the lake. The Fishery Guardian is of the opinion that twelve fish observed in the canyon about this time were sockeye as judged by size and colour but he cannot be positive of the identification. In 1939, the Indians fishing in the Nanaimo river were instructed to watch closely for sookeye salmon but to date (December 4) not a single individual has been reported* W. A. Clemens *0# ' There thus seemed to be reasonable circumstantial evidence that there was a return of sockeye to the Nanaimo river as a result of planting eyed-eggs. Absolute proof could only have been obtained by rearing the young fish to the fingerling or yearling stage and then marking and releasing. The presence of Kokanee in the lakes has been a complicating factor in that there would seem to be no reason why these fish should not in especially favourable seasons proceed to sea and later return to the natal stream system. It must bo left to investigations in tho future to clear up this point.

A. L. Pritohard No- 8 The Natural Run of Pink Salmon in McClinton Creek. Masset Inlet. B. C. - The Count of Fry Migrants in the Soring of 1939» The investigation of the natural runs of pink salmon at McClinton creek, Masset inlet. B. C. was continued in 1939 with the count of the fry migrants in the spring. These fish were the progeny of the adult spawning run of the autumn of 1938. The first seaward migrating fry was taken at the fenoe on February 19 but only scattered individuals appeared for a month thereafter. From March 20 when 422 were captured, the numbers gradually increased. The main portion of the run occurred between April 18 and May 15 reaching a maximum of 146,345 on May 6. The last young pink salmon was taken on June 2. In point of time and behaviour the migration was similar to those of the previous cycles. Freshet conditions again interfered with the counting tc some extent. For six nights out of a total of one hundred and six the fenoe had to be removed for the whole period of the run. Fortunately five of these mishaps took place before April 18 when the migration was small. Estimates could only be obtained by averaging the catch of the day previous and the day following. In eight other instances the fence had to be taken out for a part of the nightc The total run was then calculated from the knowledge of the tiine when the fence was in operation, the number of fry taken during that period, and the length of the daily migration time. The total of 2,020,000 was obtained as follows: Counted - 1,256,000; Weighed - 567,000; and EstLoated - 197»°00« The following summary has been compiled from the results of the counts of the five cycles investigated: 1930 1932 1934 1936 1938 ifflP'A Males 32,955 8,003 77,477 24,221 5,549 Females 33.198 7,597 77,719 28*091 i^Of! Total 66,153 15,600 155,196 52,312 10,577 No. of eggs 1,535 +. 12 1,758 +. 15 1,799 +. 11 1,899 +. 12 1,698 +. 19 Prssix&sd Deposition 50,950,000 13,360,000 139,000,000 53,345,:000 8,500,000 Fry Migrants 5,384,000 2,230,000 12,600,000 3,675,000 2,020,000 $Hatoh 10.6 16.7 9.1 6.9 23.3 In the summary reports for 1938 the writer pointed out that the smallest egg deposition of 1932 (13,360,000 eggs) had produced the largest percentage hatch (16.7), and stated that it would be interesting to assess the numbers of fry in the spring of 1939 to discover whether the percentage would be raised or lowered when a still A. L. Pritohard M>* 8 smaller egg deposition (8,500,000) was involved. The final count submitted above (2,020,000) produoes the highest percentage yet found (23«8)o We may confidently point out that the effeot of the small egg deposition has been overcome to a certain extent by the large percentage hatch. The migration in fry was almost as large as that of 1932 although in the lattor year more than one and one half timos as many eggs were deposited.

Recommendations

In 1936 with somewhat limited material it was suggested "that the low ef ficiency which results on the spawning beds after a large egg deposition is carried through the life cycle to a greater or loss extent". The inference was also made that the opposite condition would ooour in the case of small egg depositions. If such a premiso should hold, a largo run might be expected at McClinton in tho autumn of 1940. The examination of tho 1940 spawning migration thus becomes exceptionally important in chocking a promising load which has bt«on indicatod by tho oarlior counts.

A. L. Pritchard So. 9 Efficiency of Oountlng, and Weighing in Assessing Numbers of Pink Salmon Fry. In the investigation of the efficiency of natural propagation of pink salmon being carried out at McClinton creek, Masset inlet, B. C, necessity has arisen for as sessing large numbers of fry. This has been accomplished mainly by two methods - "counting" and "weighing11. The former is usually employed when the daily migration is sufficiently small. The latter however is resorted to when the numbers are evidently too great for actual counting. The following experiments were cfinducted to produce information as to the efficiency of these two methods with a view to working out eventual ly the general accuracy of the wholG experiment. Counting - In the procedure of counting the fry are removed from the pens to shallow cheesecloth trays set in a trough filled with water. From those they are dipped four or five at a time into a wire basket which is also suspended in the water. Bach hundred is recorded on a tally conveniently located. The only possibility of checking this manipulation is to have different operators make separate counts on groups of fry. The difference which appears is considered to be tho possible error. In 1933 a numbor of parcels of fry woro counted and placed in the hatchery troughs. An acourato rooord v/as maintainod of all losses, and finally a count was mado as tho fishworo marked. In 1937 two groups wero oountod and raoountod almost immediately. Tho following data woro obtainod.

Virst count Second count Brror 1933 70,960 71,031 71 or .10$ 1937 5.570 5.578 8 or .14$ 76,530 76,609 79 or .10$

From those figures it is ovidont that tho orror is practically negligible. In ovor sovonty thousand fish it amountGd to only one in one hundred or .1 por cont. A. L. Pritohard No* 9 Weighing - In the method of weighing a number of fry are placed in a rectangular wire basket and weighed on a Pelouse dairy scale. Certain of these groups are counted while others are released without estimation. From the ratio between weight and number in those counted, the number released is calculated. lu order to minimize error, every effort is made to cany through the procedure in the same manner each time with the same operator performing the manipulation. In checking certain groups which would ordinarily have been released were placed in the hatchery troughs and later counted* The following results have been obtained:

Year Weight Estimated No* Actual No« Error

1931 24.51 lb. 30,562 33,407 + 2„845 or + 8.5 $ 1935 48.60 lb. 77,974 77,583 « *391 or - .50$ 1937 11.14 lb. 17,450 17,936 + 436 or + 2.7 $ 1939 60.15 lb. 87.738 87,299 439 or - .5 $ 144.40 lb. 213,724 216,225 + 2,501 or + 1.1 %

The largest error apparently occurred in the weighings of 1931o This was undoubtedly due to the fact that the check was made at a time when there were large numbers of chum and coho fry mixed with the pinks. At any time a dip net scooped at random might strike a school of either of these "foreign" species which were distinctly larger and heavier than the pinks. In later years counting only was applied at such times. In 1937 the same cause was assigned for the discrepancy,, • The composite error amounts to only 1.1 per cent. It is possible that with larger numbers this would become even less. In any event it is considered that the accuracy is sufficient in view of the possible errors which may occur in other phases of the investigation* Other methods of weighing have been suggested, viz„- the displacement method etc. Undoubtedly these would slow down the operation considerably. For this reason the original method has been maintained with certain modifications. The chief of these is to confine weighing to the time when only SLiall numbers of chums and cohoes are present.

A. L. Pritchard and W. M. Cameron No. 10

The Marking of Pink Salmon at McClinton Oreek in the Spring of 1959o

To date a number of marking experiments have been carried through on pink salmon in . Due to one cause or another only one of these has produced sufficiently reliable data on which to base any conclusion. In the Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada whore the information is summarized the following statement is made: "the majority of fish return to the parent stream but that isolated individuals may wander almost four hundred miles from the original area". In order to complete the data for a number of years and thus gain an idea of the general behaviour of the species, further experiments were neoossary. During tho spring of 1939, 178,629 fry were marked at McClinton creek by the removal of both ventral fins* A study of the results to date has revealed that it is bettor in such experiments to use a mark involving the removal of two or more fins. The lack of one fin may oocur in nature and thus introduce confusion. On the other hand, the number of faulty marks appears to increase in proportion to the numbor of fins operated,, The use of two should produce therefore a greater number of clean soars than would the A# L. Pritchard and W# K, Cameron ' No. 10 removal of three. For these reasons it was deoided that both ventrals should be excised: la addition the sear produced from the removal of these fins has been found to be most easily recognized in the fishing industry when the adults are being canned. Throughout the period of the run while the marking was being carried out, samples were taken to check the efficiency of the original manipulation. From a super ficial examination of those it would appear that fewer parts of fins wero neglected than at any previous time. S-vich success may bo duo to the fact that tho operators woro ex perienced and that the fish woro in excellent condition whon they woro handlodc

Reotmmendations It has already been pointed out many times that the results which may be obtained from a marking experiment such as this will be in proportion to the efficiency and the energy expended in the collection of the scarred adult fish. Fnr that reason it is strongly reoommended that recourse be had to the collection system employed in 1934 when examiners were placed in roprosontative cannorios in each district. Troir sole duty was to inspect tho catches as thoy caao into tho plants. This proceduro is much more officient than paying rewards for recoveries or relying upon the mon in tho industry to watch for and roturn tho marked individuals. At the time of canning these men are muoh too busy to givo the necessary and propor attention to tho task. Arrangements are under way to gain tho co-oporation of the Uritod States Bureau of Fisheries in placing collectors in some of the cannories in south-eastern Alaska to watch for British Columbia fish. It is to be hoped that thu funds will be available for an oqually thorough search in tho fishing areas of British Columbia.

W. Iff. Cameron No* n Losses Experienced by Pink Salmon During the Fresh Water P;riod of Their Life In a summary report for 1938 it was reported that an investigation had been initiated into the allocation of the losses occurring in the life of the pink salmon from the time of Qgg deposition until the fry migrated to sea. The method of recovery of eggs from the redds was described together with the results obtained for the period of fertilization. Further samples of developing eggs were taken during the first two weeks in December, and from the first of February until Maroh when migrating fry ap peared at the counting fenoo. A general summary of tho findings is submitted herewith. Fertilization - In tho summary roport for 1938 the loss resulting from tho non-fertilization of oggs was shown to average 1,'d por oont. Later Stages - Information on the later stages of incubation and hatching hai?: been obtained from the analyses of the collections made during the winter. Inclement weather oondititns during the sampling roado it diffioult to obtain as many eggs as would be considered desirable. In Docembor, of tho 3,384 eggs recovorod from five redd' 2*1 per oent had died beforo eyeing, and 0.7 por cont thoroaftor. Groat variation was notod, however, a loss of 11 per oont boing disoovorod in one nost. During February and March five redds were examined from which were obtained 4,665 eggs or larvae. The following table sets out the results of the detailed examina tion: W. M. Cameron No,, 11

Bedd No. Total Unallottable Pre-eyed Eyed eggs Dead Live obtained eggs eggs larvae larvae $ $ $ *

11 1,108 9o8 3.9 • 23ol 12,5 50 06

12 633 2,6 - - 5.2 92.2 13 709 7,8 5.1 11.7 13=8 61.6 14 1,137 12*2 8.3 47.0 • 3,7 28.8 15 1,078 21.1 16.9 37*6 12.3 12.1

Average 933 10.7 6.8 23»9 9,5 49.1

It will be noticed at once that the losses in the pre-eyed stage in the February-March collections are distinctly higher than those for the same phase in December. Such a condition would indicate that the sampling in the earlier month was too limited to present the true picture. The variation in the percentages shows the impossibility of choosing like areas by superficial observation. Redds which before disruption appeared comparable in the observer's judgment apparently presented widely different conditions to the developing eggs. Eggs (10o7$ of the total eggs and larvae) which were broken or too heavily infected with fungus could nob be allotted to their proper category. Unfortunately the degree of infection is not proportional in any marked extent to the length of time an egg has been dead. In many cases badly infected well-eyed eggs were found in the same redd as uninfected pre-eyed eggs* It is instructive to note that at least 23.9$ of all losses occurred some time after eyeing and before hatching. In view of the number of unallottable eggs, this figure might be as great as 30$<, There are a number of interesting complications made evident by a closer examination of the losses* In some cases heavy losses can be seen to have occurred within a short period in the history of a particular redd„ In one sample, one stage seems to be the most vulnerable: in another, few losses have occurred in the same period. An attempt to correlate these with external conditions, such as temperature or water height would require a constant observation of these factors throughout the whole incubation period. It is possible too, that with more investigation, the relative efficiency of various types of spawning beds may be established. These figures show that about forty-nine per cent of the eggs actually deposited have resulted in live larvae almost ready for emergence from the gravel, In another report it is shown that twenty-four per cent of the possible egg deposition actually developed into seaward-migrating fry. The remaining percentage must be accounted for either as a loss due to the effect of predators on the adult fish, the incomplete spawning of all eggs, or the effect of predators on the fry. Experiments have already been begun in an attempt to determine the effect of predators on both adult fish and fry. Data have been collected on the completeness of spawning. It is possible that the remaining percentage as yet unaccounted for may be discovered. W. ST. Cameron No» 12 « A Preliminary Investigation of a Method fo Determine the Effect of Predators on Migrating Pink Salmon Fry. During the early portion of the seaward migration of pink salmon fry at KcClinton creek in the spring of 1939, certain preliminary experiments were carried out with a view to developing a method of assessing the effeot of predators on the young fish without the necessity of investigating directly the numbers and habits of the predator fish themselves* The procedure which appeared to lend itself most readily to the existing conditions was the determination of the predation on a known number of fry. A number of fry captured at the counting fenoe were marked by the removal of both ventral fins. In the evening they were carried up the stream to a point approximately one-fifth of its length above the fence, and released. The next morning and for several days there- f** after each fry captured at tho fonoo during the preceding night was closely examined, and tho numbor of*marked individuals was rccordod. One person was able to handle ap proximately five thousand fry per day. It was therefore practicable to porform these oxporimonts only during tho poriod of tho run which yielded comparatively small numbors. It might be pointed out that in the course of tho three oxporimonts which woro complotod no attempt was made to roloaso tho fry at tho cortain hypothetical distan' upstream which would result in them suffering "avorago predation", nor was it possible to discovor the longth of timo that thoy should bo subjeotod to tho attacks of tho prodators to approaoh such a moan. The wholo aim was to find out who tho r tho idoa was sufficiently practical to incorporate its principlos into tho study of tho fry run in 1941. As is shown in the following table, the fry appeared at the fence on two successive nights after release, the greater number being taken during the first nights The fact that the recoveries occurred during these two intervals necessitates the consideration of a certain correction faotor which must be applied to determine the actual percentage loss during the first night. In calculating this factor it has been assumed for the time being only, that the effect of predators on the marked fry during the second night is in the same pro portion as that on the fry during the first night. This assumption will possibly requir; certain modifications when the behaviour of the migrating fry is more oloeely studied especially in cases where the total numbers of unmarked fry migrating on successive nights differ to a large extent.

If na" is the number of marked fry released ^ "b" is the number of marked fry recovered the first night \ • "c" is the number of marked fry recovered the second night "d" is the number of fry unreoovered (d « a - (b*-o) ) then, with the above tassumption. , »—g j the percentage loss per night » 100. id - J(yb + 4ac - (b + 2cH Example; If, of 100 fry marked and released, 48 are recovered the first night and 2 on the second, then a « 100, b = 48, o » 2 and d » 50. the percentage loss = 50 - |(|/2304 + 800 - 52) = 50 - £(55.71 - 52) - 48,15

The following table is set out on the basis of the data from the throe expe riments i NO. 12 W. M. Cameron

Percentage No. unmarked fry Ho. marked Recoveries Recoveries first night second night loss counted at fence fry during first night

2,476 109 59 42.7 360 103 22 71.7 4,773 100 64 36.0 It is obvious that with the data at hand no final conclusions as to the total predation can be drawn from these introductory experiments. It may be possible that the numbers of fry in the stream influence the percentage loss oach night. For com parative purposes theso numbors havo boon sot down for tho throo nights undor discussion Physical conditions in tho stream as thoy may chango from night to night, may affect tho amount of prodation. It is felt, however, that theso promising loads might bo furthor oxplorod with advantage during tho spring run of 1941. It is hoped that a system of identification may bo developed which can be used whon a largo number of fry aro migrating.

A. L. Pritchard and W. K. Cameron *°* 13

4 Parentage Saturation of Dissolved Oxygen in McClinton Creek. February to May, 1939 The periodical determinations of dissolved oxygen in McClinton creek were continuedoontinued ^throughout^g reportedthe durationin a SUiimaryof therQportfry migrationfor 1938 thatin theinspringperiodsofof1939.clear weather during the autumn, the percentage saturation of dissolved oxygen showed a daily_rhythm and that a definite interference with this rhythm was observed during a rain. J**** the spring at McClinton creek, the weather was very rainy and practically no bright day* were experienced. This condition appeared to be reflected in the amount of dissolved oxygen in the stream water. No regular rhythm was noted and the percentage saturation fluctuated^irregularly. ^^ ^ ^^^^ ^ ^ ^^ ^^ Qf diasolvQd oxygen coincident with rainfall was so definite as to preclude any likelihood of its being due to errors in the method of determination. The lack of the daily rhythm as a basio con dition in the spring introduced the contingency that the variations noted might be due to errors inherent in the Winkler method as enployed under the laboratory facilities a- McClinton creek camp. The construction of an apparatus involving the use of a dropping mercury eleotrode is now planned. It is hoped that this will eliminate some of the sources o. error which were possible in the one used to date. During the autumn run of 1940 the use of the new instrument will serve as a check on the general acouracy of the observa tions in 1938. A. L. Pritohard and A. L. Tester No* 14 The Food of Spring Salmon in British Columbia During 1939. With the increasing intensity of the spring salmon and herring fisheries, the need has arisen for infoimation concerning the extent to whioh the stocks of the former are dependent on those of the latter as a food supply. Accordingly in 1939 the writers began a study of the food of spring salmon. The necessary equipment for the collection of stomachs was supplied to a number of fishermen chosen so that their areas of operation would be distributed as widelv as possible throughout the fishing distriots of the previnoe. The following samples were taken from April to August: West Coast of the Queen Charlotte islands - 14, Langara island to Shag rock - 75, Seven Mile point to Rose spit - 15, Dundas island area - 19, Stephens island area - 50, Banks island area - 19, Goose Island to Estevan island - 13, area - 118, and area - 10: a total of 333. #* In these stomaohs the following organisms have been enoountered: Pacific herring (Olupea pallasii). Sand lance (Aramodvtes personatus). Whiting (Theragra ohaloogramma). Tomood (Microgadus proximus). Gray cod (Gagug, maorocephalusj, Surf smelt (Hypomesus pretiosus). Bulachon (Thalelohthys ^paoifious). Oapelin CBOallotus cater- varius), Sand fish (Trichodon trlchodon). Rookfish (Sebaetodes sp.), Stickleback (Gasterosteus aouleatus). Squid or Cuttlefish (Lollgo opalescens), and Red feed or Etaphausids (Thvsanoessa spinifera). For each sample the kind of organisms have been reoorded, the numbers of eacn, and the percentage by volume which each constitutes of the whole content. The result ing figures have been averaged for each area for each month and for the whole season. In addition the general average has been obtained for the complete colleotion. It would appear unnecessary to list here a mass of detail. Only a few general conclusions obtained from the estimates of percentage volume are submitted. The general average for all the stomachs shows that herring and sand lance occur in almost equal amounts by volume and together constitute about eighty-seven per oent of the food. All other fish make up about six por cent. Red feed also forms about six per cent. Squid, whioh occurred in only one stomach, may be considered In the case of four districts, viz.- Langara island to Shag rock, Dundas island, Stephens island, and Banks island,- herring were the most important food item forming from 60 to 73 por cent. Sand lance ranked second in every case. In the last three (Prinoe Rupert district) other fish made up 10 to 14 per cent but from Langara Island to Shag rock their occurrence was infrequent. In the localities from Seven Mile point to Rose spit, from Goose island to Estevan island, on the west coast of the Queen Charlotte islands, and at Barkley sound on the west coast of , herring, while of considerable importanoe, did not predominate. The percentage volume varied from 29 to 46. In the first three dis tricts mentioned sand lance constituted all but a small part of the remainder. In Barkley sound, however, red feed was found to be of second rating, followed by other fish, with sand lance the smallest contributor. At Kyuquot it was discovered that herring were represented in the very smal,. amount of only 4 per cent. Sand lance predominated at 82. Red feed ocourred in a proportion second only to that observed at Barkley sound. A change in the percentage volume of occurrence of any one organism in one area from month to month has been demonstrated. Whether this is due to the migration of food species into or out of the area under consideration oannot be determined from the data available at present. A. L. Pritchard and A, L. Tester No* 14 Due to the faot that large variation has been shown to exist, it is felt that further collections should be made to oover all seasons and all districts over a period of at least two or three years. After these have boen obtained and analysed, it may bo necessary to investigate tho abundance and migrations of tho principal food organisms ir. order to roach a definite understanding of what gives promiso of being a somowhat oomplioatod situation.

A. L. Pritohard and J. P. Tully No. 15

Mortality of Salmon at Sooke Traps in July. 1939.

On July 10 Mr, Goodrich of the Sooke Harbour Fishing and Packing Company brought to the Pacific Biologioal Station three dead spring salmon and reported that these were a sample of similar fish from the area. Apparently the salmon merely became slow in reaction, appeared near the top of the water, turned over, and succumbed with little struggle. On July 13 when the traps were again lifted, the mortality had assumed a much greater proportion. Post-mortem findings - Two of the spring salmon delivered at the station were completely empty of food. The third which was sent to Dr. D.C.B. Duff for bacterio logical examination, contained large quantities of herring. In all three no foreign organisms were found in the intestines. The gills appeared to be quite pale and the internal organs, especially the lower part of the Intestine, showed signs of hemor rhaging. On a visit to Sooke on July 13 gills and intestinal traots from dead epring and sookeye salmon and herring were inspected. In these also were noted the paling of the gill filaments and the hemorrhages in the internal organs. Field observations - On July 14 the Fisheries Patrol Steamer, Malaspina, oarried the investigators along the northern shore of the strait of Juan ds Fuca. Calls for inspection were made at the Beeohey head and Sherringham point traps. The latter was closely observed throughout the period of slaok tide when the fish were dying. Dead individuals were immediately compared with those whioh did not seem to be affected. The description of the slow death without struggle given by Mr. Goodrich and the interna'.' hemorrhage accompanied by blanching of the gills, were confirmed. Water samples were taken at various places both inside the traps and outsider It was discovered that in water of fourteen fathoms outside the trap, the percentage saturation of oxygen was 74.1 per oent while at the surface it was 114070 In the collecting portion of the trap, which was slightly over four fathoms in depth, the percentage varied from 102.1 to 117.1 from four fathoms to the surface,, At slac3k water the surfaoe sample gave a reading of 118.0. At the same time an extremely heavy bloom of plant material was noted on the top of the water. In streaks, one of whioh included the trap, this gave the water a definite murky appearance. Diagnosis - The exceedingly heavy growth of plants were producing oxygen at such a rate that, even in the strait* where the tidal movements were great, super- saturation resulted in the surfaoe layers. The leads to the traps guided the fish fror,^ the deeper water where the oxygen content was relatively low, into the collecting pen where the depth was about twenty-five feet and the oxygen oontent high. A certain oxygen-carbon dioxide relationship is known to be necessary for proper respiration, Tho high oxygen values would indicate that this balance was upset. For this reason in the area of supersaturation the fish could not carry on the gaseous exchange needed for efficient respiration. That all species and individuals were not affected similarly, A. L. Pritohard and J. P. Tully No- 15 was said to be probably due to individual variations in respect to physiological constitution. It was not unreasonable to find a few dead fish outside the traps because some might have succumbed in the high oxygen content of the shallow shore waters. The decrease in the catch of the traps at the time might have been due to the fact that the fish were avoiding the shallow zone and keeping to deeper water. Remedy - The prediction was made that the cause of the condition would be removed just as soon as the bloom of plants was over* In the meantime the death of fish could not be prevented in Hhe shallow water. That the dead fish were quite edible was proven by the fact that one of the investigators ate large quantities without ill effects. To save them for the markets therefore, the traps should be emptied frequently and collection made before decomposition set in. Another remedy would be to deepen tho collecting portion of the trap to seven fathoms so that the fish could remain below the five fathom level. Conditions did right themselves with the conclusion of the heavy plant bloom*

J. P. Tully and J. L. MoHugh No. IS

Death of Sookeye Salmon in English Bay. 1939 A report that sookeye salmon were dying in English bay was communicated tc the investigators on August 21. The fish were observed swimming in a weakened con dition at the surface, and beoame gradually weakBr until they turned over slowly and sank to the bottom. Post-mortem examination of two affected individuals revealed no clues as to the cause of death. Water samples and plankton hauls were taken at three different stations in English bay. Two unusual conditions were found to exist - a large concentration of diatoms and a high degree of supersaturation of oxygen. Weather conditions had per mitted intensive growth of algae, which generated so much oxygen as to cause a super- saturation in the upper layers. The fish would naturally endeavour to stay below this zone of supersaturation, but in passing through shallow water where the condition extended to the bottom, it is possible they encountered oonditions where the no^-al gaseous exchange necessary in respiration was Impossible. As a result, since they could not avoid the zone they died. With the passing of the bloom of plants and the establishment of normal oxygen conditions, the situation was remedied.

J. P. Tully and J. L. McHugh *°* 17

Sinking of 0111 Kits off the Fraser River. 1939. During the month of August salmon gill net fistosnnen off Point Grey and Bowen island experienced trouble with accumulations of "silt" whioh caused th3ir nets to beoome heavy and sink. The blame for this condition was placed on dredging operations in the Fraser river, which the fisheimen claimed had caused an unusual amount of silt to be present in the waters of the Gulf of Georgia. The matter was investigated at the request of the Department of Fisheries. J. P. Tully and J. L. McHugh ' No* 17 Information was obtained by means of plankton hauls and water samples and by personal interviews with fishermen. It waw found that the mud content of the river water was considerably less than at freshet time, even in the vicinity of the dredge, the basis for comparison being provided by plankton hauls taken in May during the eulaohon investigation. Fishermen stated that they had experienced no trouble with ^ silt in the river itself, that the phenomenon occurred only outside the river, but thau at the time of investigation the condition had passed. Plankton hauls taken in English bay showed the presence of considerable amounts of algae. The fishennen referred to this as increased "muddiness" of the water, and stated that jellyfish had also been numerous reoently. Although it was not possible to examine the actual deposits or. the nets, there was reason fbr the belief that the amount of silt present in the water was not excessive* Conditions were similar to those reported in the Uass river in 1929 and 1930 when the same trouble occurred. Thus the following suggestions as to the cause was advanced. The trouble coincided with a period of south-easterly winds which would tend to oarry the river water farther to the north-west. Large numbers of jellyfish or algae, both of which were reported present at the beginning of the period, in all probability were killed by the incidence of frosh water, and in dying would tend to cling to the nets. This would offer a suitable surfaoe for deposition of the river mud. The combination of circumstances leading to the trouble was entirely coincidental and could not be prevented, It was statsd that the conditions leading to such an occurrence could be recognized in advance by the fishennen, and that ex&ra care should be taken in handling nets while the condition persisted. Reoommendations included clearing the nets by towing, or by stretching and washing in fresh water. It was also suggested that buoyancy of the nets could be increased by waterproofing the oorks or by adding more corks.

/jP^S OCEAN JISHERIES J.L. Hart No. 18

The Pilchard Fishery in 1939.

There can be no doubt but that from the point of view of availability of fish the 1939 pilchard season was the worst ever experienced since the inception of the fishery. The total catch of 5,220 tons is considerably in excess of that of the previous failure of 1933 with a catch of 3,27C tons, but consideration of the various factors involved make it clear that if the experience, boats, and gear used in 1939 had been available in 1933, the production during the earlier year would have been much higher than was the case and in the writer1s opinion would probably have been large enough for profitable operation by the best equipped plants. During the past season the average catch per boat was approximately 210 tons or about one«*tenth that in the 1938 season or tho requirement for profitable production. Once again the fishery took place off the Washington coast. The body of fish appeared to have elements in common with the schools of former years as tags from 1938 (west coast of Vancouver island) and 1937 (Washington coast) taggings were recovered during the soason. The future of the fishery is not promising. The frequency of typical seasons, the greater distances traversed for fish, and the failure of catch per boat to increase with the improvement of gear indicate a decline in the supply of raw material. The hope of the fishery depends upon the ability of the small sardines at present rather abundant in California waters to survive the intense fall fishery long enough and in sufficient numbers to replenish the stock of large fish. However unfavourable the long- term prospects for the fishery may be, it is not impossible that one or two good seasons may be experienced. The chances of pilchards lying off the for a long enough period to supply fish for a profitable operation appear to be declining, but it is the writer's belief that there are still enough pilchards to supply fish for one or more successful seasons. The occurrence of pilchards in localities which will render them available to the British Columbia industry will depend either upon chance or upon oceanographic conditions which are not yet understood.

J.L. Hart ^0t 19

Sampling the Pilchard Catch in 1939.

The programme of sampling the pilchard catch for length, weight, sex, and ver tebral numbor has boen continued. The average lengths aro compared with those for the two previous years in the following tabulation:

Year Males Females

1939 241.0 243.3 1938 246.4 251.0 1957 248*0 252.©

The decline in average length during the last three years is evident» Females were stil more numerous than males, but it may be noticed that during the last two or three years the sex ratio is more erratic in individual samples than in earlier years. The average vertebral number was 50.69 as compared with 50.68 in 1938 and 5C.65 in 1937. This comparatively low count suggests that the dominating group which entered the British Columbia fishery in 1931 is still playing a prominent part in supply ing fish even although its growth has ceased to have a noticeable influence on the JiU Hart No. 19

average size of the pilchards captured. Other explanations of tho low average counts are possible, especially since an analysis of vertebral number acoording to length gave inconclusive results. In order to make a more detailed study of length distribution, tho lengths have been arranged in frequency arrays, smoothed twice by threes, weighted to one thousand and the sexes plotted separately for the years 1939, 1938, and 1937. Washing ton coast and Vancouver island coast fish for 1938 were treated separately. This treat ment allows the detailed comparison of the lengths in different seasons, and the separ ate treatment of the sexes provides a check on errors of random or personal kinds. The figures illustrate the length difference with sex which has been recognized since the earliest sampling. In general, length distribution curves for males and females have similar shapes, but the curve for females is moved several millimetros to the right owing to the larger size of the fish. The differences in locality indicated in tho summary report for last year (1938) were rendered capable of general analysis. Evidently the greater average length of the Vancouver island samples was due to a reduction in the numbers of smaller fish and an'increase of medium sized ones rather than a general shift of the length frequency distribution. In general, the difference between Vancouver island and the Washington ooast in one year was less than that betwoon sexes in one year or between the same sex in successive years (during the last three). In comparing the length distributions of the fish taken off the United States coast during tho three years the following points appoar worthy of comment. In general, form the curves appear to be similar, that is, one could, with minor changes, replace another by an adjustment of the coordinates. The 1938 curve differs from the other two in indicating a smaller proportion of fish below 225 millimetres in length. The 1939 curves indicate unexpectedly low numbers of males around 238 millimetres in length and unexpectedly high numbers of females around 225 millimetres. The modes on both 1939 figures aye unusually steep. It is safe to conclude that during the last three years successively younger fish have" been exploited by the fishery. Such a situation in itself is not necessarily a danger signal, but taken with the increasing difficulty of catching fish it is disquieting.

J.L. Hart No. 20 ^ Application and Recovery of Pilchard Tags in 1939.

The programme of pilchard tagging and recovery has been continued. This work, planned to provide definite information in regard to tho sources of supply of pilchards, was less extensive in 1939 than in either of the two preceding seasons owing to the poor season experienced by the industry. The curtailed season offered reduced opportunity for tagging and the small tonnage processed led to a reduction in the number of tags re covered. Only 2,400 tags were used, all of them off the coast of the United States, some of them as far south as northern Oregon. Sixty-two tags have been recovered since the preparation of the last summary reports. They may be summarized as follows: 7.L. Hart No. 20

Recoveries of Canadian tags used off Washington-Oregon coast in 1939 By Vancouver island plants, off United States coast 6 By Washington plants, off United States coast 14 By Oregon plants, off United States coast 8

Recoveries of Canadian tags used off the coast of Vancouver island in 1938 By Vancouver island plants, off Washington-Oregon coast 2 Qy Washington plants, off Washington-Oregon coast 4 By California plants, off California coast (ttinter 1938-39) 17 Recoveries of Canadian tags used off the coast of Washington in 1938 By California plants, off the California coast (winter 1938-39) 2 Recoveries of Canadian tags used off the Washington coast in 1937 By Washington plants, off the Washington-Oregon coast 2 3y California plants, off the California coast (winter 1938-39) 2 Recoveries of California tags By Canadian plants, off Washington»Qregon coast 5

Total for the year 62

In examining the tabulation attention should be given to four points; (l) The ab- sence of returns during the 1939 season of any tag used off the Washington coast in 1938; (2) The mixture of tags tihich-was evidently present among the fish on the grounds; (3) About one-half as many tags were used in 1939 as in 1938; and (4) The amount of fish processed in British Columbia was about one-tenth that of the previous year. (1) raises the point of the near disappearance of the first series of tags used in 1938. Either the schools of fish tagged at that time have to a large extent moved beyond the range of the fishery or the failure to recover tags is due to some detail of technique. If the latter is the case the opinion expressed in the summary report for 1938 that the movement from off the Washington coast to off Van couver island was ms-.de by only a small portion of the Washington coast population may not be warranted - a substantial part of the population may have taken part in the migration. (2) indicates that the fish -anion were on the Washington and Oregon coasts had been on the fishing grounds of the Canadian fleet in previous seasons. As tags from former years were relatively abundant, it is likely that this applies tc all ov nearly all of the 1939 fish. (3) and (4) suggest that to make the numbers of recoveries comparable with ??S! Z* p*evious yQa*s, all recoveries by Vancouver island plants should be multi plied by 10, all recoveries of 1939 tags should be multiplied by 2. An estimate of the pilchard population on the fishing grounds made by a modification of the method used for tho last two years gives some 1,1^0,000 tons (no+ fish taken after midpoint in tagging) (no. tags used) (efficiency of tag recovery). (no. tags recovered) This figure is considerably less than those obtained in either of the two previous year*, but the value of the comparison is reduced by the large number of uncertain * elements involved in the calculation. A.L. Tester No. 21

Catch Statistics of the Herring Fishery During 1938-59.

The object of collecting daily catoh statistics is to determine as accur ately as possible the total quantity of fish removed from each fishing area, the number of boats fishing, and the number of days during which active fishing- is in progress. From these records it is possible to calculate the availability of herring, i.e., the average catch per seine per day, for each area. The ultimate purpose is to trace and explain fluctuations in availability and abundance. The season 1938-39 was marked by the largest total catch on record - 107,267 tons. This was distributed amoag general fishing areas as follows: South-east coast Vancouver island 26,323 tons West coast Vancouver island 15,066 tons Central B.C. coastline 43,914 tons Northern B.C. coastline 19,193 tons Queen Charlotte islands 2,771 tons On the south-east coast of Vancouver island, the availability (98.2 tons/- seine/day) was somewhat less than that of last year (144.0), but close to the average over a six-year period. It would appear that the abundance of herring during the fishing season has shown no definite trends over the period. Fluctuations in availa bility are related in part to variation in tho number of seines in operation. During 1938-39, the availability per lunar week fluetuated for the most part in accordance with tho results of previous years and thus served to substantiate the theory that influxes of fish are related to tidal cycles, On the west coast of Vancouver island tho total catch was about half that of the previous year and the quota was attained only at Qiatsino sound. That herring were scarce in all areas but Qtiatsino is shown by the following availability figures: Barkley sound, 14.9; , 14.4; , 13.6; Kyuquot sound, 4.4: and , 51.4 tons/seine/day. Considering the first four areas as one, a procedure suggested by tagging returns, a steady decline in availability during the past four seasons is shown: 1935-36, 67.9; 1936-37, 50.2; 1937-38, 31.6; and 1938-39, 12.7 tons/seine/day. When spawning reports are also taken into consideration, it is diffi cult to escape the conclusion that there has fcecn a steady decline in abundance over tho four-year period. In central B.C. small catches were made during the summer or fall at Klemtu n^ft Cousinsuinlet> and ^vers inlet, but the availability of herring was very low. During January herring were located at Kwakshua passage and Safety cove, and, there, fo^f/f^ 5 8P°0*°<"*;» success. The availability was probably well a>ove the calculated 111 tons/seine/day, which was based on partial returns. Good catches were also made at Laredo and Kent inlets following the closure of the Kwakshua fishery. wherewh«™ +v,the availability^7??? B*C#was a54.4g°0dtons/seine/day.run of he*ring occurred in Prince Rupert harbour, ^o + * J?1*!! the buildinS of a reduotion plant at Pacofi, a new area on the east coast of the Queen Charlotte islands was opened to fishing. During the winter and early spring over 2,000 tons were taken, but the availability was relatively low. .Q+rtv, + * .1Dany reSions the use of Pilot House Record Books for collecting daily ?rat\2» t 1CS ™3*&1t1? successful, yielding from 80 to 100# returns. In the cen- EExTSj t^ason*l/tyC ™ """^ *" **" r6SUlted * *** *»*** ««•* If fluctuations in availability and abundance are to be traced and their C+f* "S 2^1 " iS absolutely ^cessary that more complete daily records be col lected. Two methods of ensuring this may be considered. The first involves the estab- A.L. Tester No# 21

lishment of a uniform system of recording landings at each plant and the submission of these records to the Fisheries Research Board. With this system, accurate infor mation on the daily catch of each seine boat, together with the locality of capture of the fish, would be available; but there would be no accurate information on size of individual sets, time of sets, and, most important, fishing effort. The second method involves the continued use of Pilot House Record Books under compulsion. If the tab ulation of these data by seine boat captains were rendered compulsory, complete infor mation would be obtained, although some degree of accuracy and reliability might be forfeited.

J.L. Hart and A.L. Tester No 22 The Insertion and Recovery of Herring Tafta. The investigation of movements and local populations of herring by tagging methods has been continued. »©*•"© The tagging may be considered under three headings. The first is the tagging of former years, already reported upon. It covers some 37,600 tags applied on fishing grounds and spawning grounds during the years 1936-1938 in southern and central British Columbia. These taggings have produced 152 of our most valuable returns. The second heading covers tags used since the preparation of the last summary reports and prior to the present fishing season. It includes 10 fall and winter (essentially fishing ground) taggings using 8,322 tags. Tagged fish were released at the following places: sou^ east coast of Vancouver island, Sooke and Swanson channel; west coast of Vancouver island, Barkley sound, Nootka sound, Quatsino sound; in central British Columbia, «^?Ua PaSS aniLarodo inleti in northern British Columbia, Tuck inlet. During the o? Z^^011 AiS£,W!r° t8eeed at 17 Places and 18>71$ ta«s *ere ****• m th7strait n^™^* ^^ V!! a6S WGr° U3ed at to&rtMTe bay, Qualicum beach, Kuleet bay, ^^ ? *\?°™ narrows» Ponder harbour, Victoria gorge, Holmes harbour (through tilwest coastn ?SVfrof Vancouver^ L°ydislandR°yal °f5,947thQtagsWas*iBS*>nwore usedStatein MsteAos5differentDepartment).localities, *«!,On tee sZ* M^r in S^Sf S0Und> Maikal° in ^^^ 80und> Kendrick arm in Nootka 3 X't^t IttCrQ^ *? °lay°^ot so™d> *** Sydney inlet. In central British Columbia bfvofthea^da?ovT^!SSGrelnVttg^SRlV6rSi?V0lTine,inl6t CannerythG USG andof 2>^96at Brovmstags werePass- carriedIn th0outnorthernat Duncanpart llLZ\Tllll cov°-.4.At*Gnti°n is called to the continuation and expansion of the pro- ^ STE t ntpal ™vltlSh Columbia «* the extension of the work into the northern part C £oke MteZ^T9 *?***<*»* ***•• tags used during the current season! It oTLoTarTr ZTZ^T^Z^ *MB"1 ^ "»* *-»» «* ** ~»« k„ •*• Rec°Terios "»de during the 1938-39 season numbered 960. It is imoossibl*. +n ttaeo.IrTmXdfelsuin* ftt.™?*»d"Sn:SS "♦MB°',i,,ln°f T-°free0TOriQstheS6 ta8Smake°"iaecondensedto inheren*summary^"ioul^odifficult.in re!°In

+,,™»^ «s. 0t^ retums from ta6s "sod on the oast coast, 41 have certainlv been re-

appears reasonable to consider the uncertain returns as distributed in proportion to tte J#L» Hart and A.L. Tester No. 22

0 tags concerning which tho origin is certain. If that is done, an overwhelming majority of tho returns (49 out of 51) are from oast coast areas. If the doubtful tags are di vided equally between the two groups tho majority of east coast returns is still very substantial (45 out of 51). Of 42 returns from west coast tags, 22 wero certainly returned frcm the west coast and 2 wero definitely returned from fishing grounds other than west coast, while there is uncertainty concerning the origin of the remaining 18. Repetition of the cal culations indicated in tho foregoing paragraph indicates majorities of 38 and 31 out of 42 returns from west coast areas. Out of 63 returns of tags used at Bella Bella 2C wero definitely from the cen tral area, 2 were certainly from outsido the central area (Quatsino sound), and there was doubt concerning 41. Repeating the calculations indicated above gives majorities of 57 and 41 out of the 63. Tho fact that the element of doubt concerning 31 of the 41 doubtful returns is largely academic, and that there is reasonable certainty that they originated in central British Columbia, indicates that the larger majority better repre sents the actual state of affairs. As it is almost impossible to obtain returns for west coast fish about which there is no doubt concerning point of origin, it is impractical to present an analysis of movements and local populations in regard to different parts of the west coast. Im-*' partial consideration leads to the opinion that there is a considerable amount of inter change of fish between areas and it is not possible to say with certainty whether there is a definite tendency for fish to frequent the same sound in successive years. It appears that Quatsino sound is fairly distinct. The returns up to November 25, 1939, may be summarized as follows:

Tags reported as coming from Barkley sound (some of them may have come from Nanoose bay} Plumper harbour Spring, 1938 1 Swanson channel Ball ,1938 1 Toquart harbour Spring, 1939 30 Departure bay Spring, 1939 1 Kuleet bay Spring, 1939 1 Kendrick arm Spring, 1939 1 Sydney inlet Spring, 1939 1 Matilda creek Spring, 1939 1 57

Tags reported as coming from Nanoose bay or Porlior pass (some of them may have come from Barkley sound) • Socke Fall , 1937 1 Ganges harbour Spring 1938 1 Union bay Sipring 1938 2 Birch bay Spring 1938 1 Sooke Sail 1938 . 1 Swanson channel fall 1938 2 Departure bay Spring 1939 2 Pender harbour Spring 1939 7 Dodd narrows Spring 1939 4 Matilda oreek Spring 1939 t Sooke lali 1939 1 Swanson channel lull, 1939 & 25 J.L. Hart and A.L. Tester No. 22

Tags reported as coming from Nanoose bay or Barkley sound. Pender harbour Spring, 1939 1 Dodd narrows Spring, 1939 1 Toquart harbour Spring, 1939 1 3

Tag returned from Sooke traps. Sooke Pall , 1939 1. 1

Tag returned from central or northern British Columbia. Butler cove Spring, 1939 1 1

Tag returned from Klemtu or Belle isle sound. Laredo sound Spring, 1939 1 1 68

These recoveries sustain the conclusions of previous work concerning the near but not complete independence of the east and west coasts of Vancouver island. Tagging operations have been greatly facilitated by the loans of boats for this work by British Columbia Packers Limited and the Nootka Packing Company (1937) Limited.

A.L^ Tester No. 23

Sampling of the Commercial Herring Catch of Southern British Columbia.

The sampling of the purse-seined herring catches for length and age composi tion, sex, weight, and vertebral count was continued during the 1938-39 season. As pointed out in previous reports, the object is to trace natural fluctuations in abun dance which may be caused by year class variation, and to obtain information to supple ment that of tagging on the extent of intermingling of the runs. During the seascra, 46 samples comprising some 4,600 fish were obtained from both fishing and spawning grounds in the vicinity of Vancouver island. As usual, herring from Quatsino sound were the largest (205.3 mm.). Those from other localities had the following average lengths: Nanoose bay, 199.3; Nootka sound, 194.9; south-east coast, 187.1; Sydney inlet, 182.9; and Barkley sound, 182.3 mm. No samples were obtained from Kyuquot sound, where fishing was practically a failure. Compared with last season, ^^ herring sere larger at Quatsino and Nootka sounds and smaller at Barkley sound and on " the south-east coast of the island. Length frequency distributions showed that on several of the fishing grounds there was present a group of fish with an unusual modal length (175 mm.) which was inter mediate between that for fish in their second and their third years. Only rarely, in the past years of sampling, has such a modal length been encountered. Because of its presence, fish below 175 mm* formed an abnormally high percentage of the total (30.5$) on the south-east coast. A study of age composition revealed another perplexing situation. It was difficult to decide from the soaies \shethor the fish with tho unusual modal length wore large II»s or small Ill's in many cases. The scales were often indistinctly marked and false (?) annuli were present. A preliminary study of the 1938 growth of Ill's and IV's from scale patterns suggested that there might bo two groups of fish prosent: (1) a less abundant group with a large average length, but with a rolativoly small growth in 1938; A.L, Tester No. 23

and (2) a gore abundant group with a small average lerigth, but with a relatively large growth in 1938. It is conceivable that the fish of unusual length were It's belonging to this first group, which was relatively more abundant than in the older age classes. This interpretation, which at present seems to be the most reasonable, yields the fol-* lowing age composition for herring of the south-east coast: II, 28.4; III, 35.6; IV, 23.2; V, 8.0; VI, 3.2; VII, l»ft#. The percentage of II»b is the largest that has been encountered in almost 20 years of sampling of this run. Until the problem of age composition has been solved it ia impossible to pre sent comparisons of age composition for 1938-39 and to adequately analyse racial data for indications of intermingling of the runs.

A.L. Tester No. 24

\ 3foe Age Composition of Herring Runs in Southern British Columbia in Relation to the Extent of Intermingling.

In the past it has been assumed that, if the age composition of one run differs radically from that of another, evidence ia presented of the essential isolation of the two runs at least during the period of sampling. This assumption is true provided that the individual samples of each run do not differ significantly from each other in age composition. A close examination of age composition may throw considerable light on the homo- or heterogeneity of the runs. The results of tagging in 1937-38 gave proof that there was a limited movement of fish from the Nootka-Kyuquot spawning grounds in the spring to the Barkley sound fish ing grounds in the fall, and indications that some of the Barkley sound fish moved up to Nootka sound during the fall and winter. An analysis of age composition can be made in the light of this knowledge. On the basis of age composition, two groups of fish may be recognized in both Barkley sound and Nootka sound in 1937-38. The difference between the groups showed chiefly in the average ages and ratio of tho numbers of V's and IV*s in individual samples. The data may be summarized as follows:

AGE V/IV Average Range Average Range

Barkley sound 6 samples 3.3 3.2 - 3.4 0.44 C.21 - 0.68 Nov. 18 3.7 1,00 Nov. 25 4.0 0.96

Nootka-Kyuquot area 12 samples 3.7 3.4 - 4,3 1.49 0.80 - 2.76 Dec. 17 3.3 0.50 Dec. 18 3.3 0.54

It may be seen that the averages for the two aberrant samples from Barkley sound fall within the ranges for the Nootka-Kyuquot area, and that those for the two aberrant samples from Nootka sound fall within the ranges for the Barkley sound area. Thus age composition indicates the possibility of intermingling of Nootka-Kyuquot with Barkley sound fish. The aberrant group of presumably Nootka-Kyuquot fish in Barkley A.L* Tester No. 24

* sound very probably yielded the Nootka-Kyuquot tags* The aberrant group of presumably Barkley sound fish in Nootka sound quite probably yielded the Barkley sound tags, for these were recovered on a magnet during and following the processing of the catches of Dec* 17 and 18, which were sampled. None was recovered prior to the first date. It seems very likely that analyses of age composition similar to the above may yield considerable information on the extent of intermingling of the runs even when tagging results are not available* These studies will be continued in the future.

R.V. Boughton No. 25

Sampling the Schools Tagged in Northern British Columbia.

During the 1939 spring tagging operations in northern B.C.. samples of herring were obtained wherever possible. At the Rivers inlet cannery in Rivers inlet, Browns passage in the Bella Bella area, and at Duncan bay in the Prince Rupert area, samples were taken labile spawning was in progress. In addition, one sample was taken in Laredo inlet from a commercial set about two weeks previous to general spawning activity in that area, and another from Butler cove in the prince Rupert area from a commercial set during the spawning period. Por the sake of conveniencet all samples taken during tagging operations will be referred to as spawning samples. Sampling lasted from March 11 to March 25. These samples may be compared in length, age composition and recial characters with those representing the commercial runs which occurred earlier in the season. The spawning sample frcm Rivers inlet is similar to a single sample from the commercial run to Kwakshua passage in average laigth and age, and to the average for all the Kwakshua samples in vertebral count, and in the count of the 1937 year class (IIrs)0 The apawning sample from Browns passage is almost identical in average length and age composition to a single sample from the Kwakshua run, to the whole of the Kwakshua run in average vertebral count and in the average vertebral count of the 1935 year class. .The spawning sample from Laredo inlet resembles the catch from Cousins inlet in average age and vertebral count, but not in length and age composition. However, it resembles one of the Kwakshua samples in theso two respects. In addition, the average vertebral counts of the 1935 year olasses only differ by .01. Spawning samples from Butler cove and Duncan bay are somewhat similar and both correspond closely to the commercial catch from Prinoo Rupert. The avoyage length and age.of the two samples are slightly lower than the Rupert samplos. Howevor, on tho whole they are similar in age composition, average vertebral counts, and in the avorage vertebral count of the 1936 year class. Tho foregoing comparisons provide indications as to the origin of schools en countered on the spawning grounds or while tagging. The spawning samples from Rivers inlet and Browns passage may have originated from the Kwakshua run, while those from Butler cove and Duncan bay may have formed part of the run to Prince Rupert harbour. The spawning sample from Laredo inlet may have originated from runs to either Cousins inlet or Kwakshua, or from an independent group. The relationships are based on simi larities rather than differences. Proof as to the origin of the spawning samples is not forthcoming, as statistical procedures do not allow positive conclusions to be drawn from similarities. R*V# Boughton No# 26

Length and Age Composition of the Herring Catch in Northern British Columbia. With the expansion of the herring fishery into the northern waters of B.C., sampling of the commercial catches has been extended into that area. Variations in length and age composition are being studied to determine natural fluctuations in abun dance caused by year class variation. During the past fishing season a total of 36 samples was taken from various localities throughout the northern waters of the province. Three distinct areas were exploited: first, the central area in which fish from Kwakshua passage and Laredo inlet contributed the major portion of the catch - smaller amounts were taken from Rivers inlet, Cousins inlet, and Klemtu passage; second, the northern area in which operations were limited to Prince Rupert harbour and nearby ' waters; and third, the east coast of Moresby island in tho Queen Charlotte islands - ra now fishing area. The waters north of Vancouver island contributed 61 percent of the total oatch of 107,267 tons. Distinct differences occurred in both length and ago composition between sample* from the three areas and considerable variation occurred between samples from different fishing grounds within the central area. In average length the samples may be arranged in the following order: Queen Charlotto islands, 206.9; Prince Rupert harbour. 192.0; Cousins inlst, 185.4; Kwakshua passage, 180.0; Rivers inlet, 162.3; and Klemtu passage, 130.1 mm. The great variation between localities is noteworthy. A study of age composition revealed corresponding differences. The great var iation is illustrated by the following figures giving average age and dominant age f??2t( * °f in brackets>; Quoon Charlotte islands, 5.7(V); Prince Rupert harbour, 4.4(V); Cousins inlet, 4.9(IV); Kwakshua passage, 3.6(IV); Rivers inlet, 3.4(11): and Klemtu passage, 2.3(11). " Comparisons in length and age composition with previous years are limited as a number of now areas were fished during the past season. Compared with last year, Prince Rupert herring were slightly larger (192.0 : 189.7 mm.), Rivers inlet fish were somewhat smaller (162.3 : 170.2 mm.). Cousins inlet herring (185.4 mm.) were similar in average length to the smaller of two distinct groups which were present in the pre- 7«°?om 1936-37,J6« {lherring# andwere207#9verymu)imuch G°W*™gsmaller (130.1samples: 187.5from Klemtumm.). passage with ones taken Changes in age composition have also occurred. Compared with last year the ?Iieate?/f *? 5rince,H»Port harbour has remained stationary (4.4 yrs.)* In Rivers inlet 13.4J4.5 yrs.) it has decreased, and in Cousins inlet (4.9 yrs.) herring aver- t! a o *1 Vl* Sa?e aS the smallor °* **» distinct groups which were present in 1937-38 ^ iV% o 2 '* * average age in Klemtu passage is much smallor than in 1936-37 jp^ i**z i 2*3 yrs./. +*** i A «onsi<*erable decrease in average length and age composition appears to havo 1936-37££*andand 1938*90wSS samples^ ^from1938"39Klemtu passage.in SampleSThef*°*Rivers***»inlet?nlet>runandPbe^eonmay have beenthe made up mostly of immature fish which had not yet joined the commercial schools. Be cause tho Klemtu area constitutes a summer feeding ground, catches may be made up of either immature or mature fish; consequently tho average ago may vary greatly from year •o year* ««•*•«*< The/a^ af******* *> date are not sufficient to demonstrate either natural S ttllti * in abundance caused *y y^r class variation or the effect on the abundance lL«tlrJns.due t0 ^©/ecent intensive exploitation of the northern area. For this thernS££ areaftiLXLr9C0IDnDnfefover a period oftha*several8anPlin«years*of *h* commercial catch be continued in the nor R.V. Boughton No. 27

Racial Studies on Herring North of Vancouver Island.

Studies are being made on the racial characters of herring runs in northern B.C. with a view to procuring evidence of the extent of intermingling. Areas which were exploited during the past season have been outlined in another report. The accompanying table shows the differences in average vertebral counts of year classes from different areas and the "statistical significance" of these differ ences. The table does not include comparisons which do not show significant differences. By a careful examination of the table it will be noted that significant differences occur in year classes between the following areas: Prince Rupert harbour and Kwakshua passage (1935, 1936 yr. els.); Prince Rupert harbour and the Queen Charlotte islands (1932, 1935 yr. els*); Prince Rupert harbour and Rivers inlet (1933, 1935, and 1936 yr. cls.)j Prince Rupert harbour and Cousins inlet (1936 yr. cl.); Queen Charlotte islands and Rivers .inlot (1933 yr. ol.). In addition, oases which indicate lack of extensive inter mingling occur between Prince Rupert harbour and Kwakshua passage (1934 yr. cl.); and Prince Rupert harbour and Queen Charlotte islands (1936 yr. cl.)* There are neither significant differences nor differences which approach significance in the vertebral counts between year classes in the runs to the Queen Charlotte islands and Kwakshua pass age. The table further indicates that local runs may exist within the central area. Significant differences in vertebral counts occur in year classes between the following: Klemtu passage and Rivers inlet (1936, 1937 yr. els.); Rivers inlet and Cousins inlet (1935 yr. cl.); and Cousins inlot and Kwakshua passage (1935 yr. ol.). The data on vertebral counts do not demonstrate that intermingling is limited or absent between runs to the Queen Charlotte islands and Kwakshua passage. However, studies in age composition suggest the isolation of these two runs and also the Prince Rupert run. The Kwakshua run differs from the other two in having a large percentage of II»s and IV's and a small percentage of Ill's, The Prince Rupert run differs from the other two in that Ill's, IV's and V's comprise practically all of the run, and by the almost complete absence of II's. The Queen Charlotte run was unique in containing a small percentage of II's and.Ill's and a very large percentage of fish older than six years of age. The following conclusions may be made from a consideration of the data pre- ShSJt&^S1*?6?!110?.8 *? S1?11?* vertebral counts or in age composition, or in both these characters, indicate that intermingling of herring was limited or absent between runs to the Queen Charlotte island, the northern and central areas. Significant differences in vertebral counts suggest the isolation of runs in the northern area from the Queen Charlotte islands and central areas, but the isolation of runs to the Queen Charlotte islands from those of the central area is based on differences in age composition. In only one case is the difference in vertebral count sufficient to indicate the isolation of runs to the Queen Charlotte from those to the central area - namely, the 1933 year class from Rivers inlet. Evidence suggesting that inteimingling was limited or absent between runs within the central area is furnished by significant differences in vertebral counts oc curring between Klemtu passage and Rivers inlet, Klemtu passage and Kwakshua passage, Rivers inlet and Cousins inlet, and Cousins inlet and Kwakshua passage. Racial studies will be continued in northern B.C. in an effort to determine the extent of Intermingling between runs, and to procure further evidence with regard to the extent of intermingling or migration within particular areas. R.V. Bough ton No. 27

Comparison of Vertebral Counts of the Same Year Classes from Different Localities.

Year Difference in Localities Compared Class Average Counts D/S.E*.

Prince Rupert Rivers in. 1933 ^545 4*50 Prince Rupert Rivers in. 1935 .369 5.43 Prince Rupert Rivers in. 1936 .559 6.21 Prince Rupert Kwakshua p. 1934 .170 2.42 Prince Rupert Kwakshua p. 1935 .245 4.69 Prince Rupert Kwakshua p. 1936 .381 4.48 Prince Rupert Cousins in. 1936 .280 2.70 Prince Rupert Queen Ghar. is. 1932 .414 3.30 Prince Rupert Queen Char. is. 1935 .297 3*45 Prince Rupert Queen Char. is. 1936 .417 S.64 Klemtu p. Rivers in. 1936 .384 3^31 Klemtu p. Rivers in. 1937 .223 3*28 Klemtu p. Kwakshua p. 1937 .202 2.84 Cousins in* Rivers in. 1935 .230 2.77 Cousins in. Kwakshua p. 1935 .206 3.C3 Rivers in. Queen Char. is. 1933 .386 3.26

A.L. Tester and R.V. Boughton No. 28

Affinities of the Kwakshua Run,

The largest herring run in B.C. during the 1938-39 season was to Kwakshua pass, which lies between Calvert and Hecate islands and is about one half mile wide. For the first time herring were taken in commercial quantities in this pass.. The occurrence of such a large run caused considerable speculation as to its origin and affinities. Could the Kwakshua run have represented the run which usually enters Barkley sound; could it have been related with runs to either Rivers or Cousins inlet; or could it constitute an entirely different run which has been hitherto unexploited? No evidence has been found to suggest that the Kwakshua run comprised the •taissing" Barkley sound fish as reported by one of the local newspapers and as suggested by some fishermen. Tagging returns to date indicate that at least some, if not all, of the larger fish comprising the Kwakshua run had spawned in the Bella Bella area during the previous spring. Vertebral counts also indicate that the Kwakshua run originated in the central area, for the average (52.08) is practically identical with what would be expected in that region. The average is very different from that encountered in Barkley sound during 1938-39 (5L.85) and during the previous seven years (51.78 - 51.90).. Significant differences in vertebral count occur between the best represented year class (1935) at Kwakshua and the same year class in both the small autumn run to Rivers inlet and the very small autumn run to Cousins inlet.. On the other hand, there are similarities in both vertebral oount and age composition between the older fish and some of those present in Cousins inlet in 1937-38.. While similarities in vertebral count do not offer positive evidence on the identity of runs., they are suggestive. Comparisons of age composition between the runs to Kwakshua passage and those to Cousins and Rivers inlets in 1938-39 are of little value because fishing in these A.L. Tester and R.V. Boughton No. 28 last two areas was a failure and only a few isolated schools were captured. In compar ing the age compositions of the 1938-39 Kwakshua run with those to Cousins and Rivers inlets in 1937-38 certain difficulties are encountered. The run to Cousins inlet in 1937-38 was made up of two distinct groups of fish. One consisted of old fish with the 1931 year class (VII»s) predominating. The other consisted of younger fish with the 1934 year class (IV's) slightly predominating. At Rivers inlet the fish caught during the 1937-38 fishing season differed radically in age composition from both groups at Cousins inlet in that the 1933 year class (V's) was strongly dominant. Before comparisons can be made between the 1938-39 Kwakshua run and those to Cousins and Rivers inlets in 1937-38, it is first necessary to "predict" the approximate age composition had the runs to Cousins and Rivers inlets in 1937-38 returned in 1938-39, The data from Jap inlet was used to determine the average change in the rela tive abundance of a year class from one year to the next, and from this was calculated the "expected" age composition in 1938-39 of the younger Cousins inlet group of 1937-58, and for the Rivers inlet run of 1937-38. Those may be compared with the actual age composition of the older fish.only (expressed in terms of 10055) at Rivers inlet, Cousins inlet, and Kwakshua passage in 1938-39.

Younger Group Rivers inlet Cousins inlet Kwakshua passage

Actual Expected Actual Expected Actual Age 1937-38 1938-39 1937-38 1938-39 1938-39

IV 65 55 45 61 68 V 12 15 18 22 21 VI 19 25 21 12 9 VII 5 5 15 5 2

By an examination of the table it may be seen that the expected age composi tion of the younger group of fish from the Cousins inlet 1937-38 fishery is very similar to that actually encountered at Kwakshua. The expected age composition of the Rivers inlet run continues to resemble the 1937-38 composition in that IV's dominate, but VI»s also foxm an outstanding group. The theory is advanced that the older Kwakshua fish belonged to a run whioh spawned in the vicinity of Bella Bella the previous spring. This run contributed to the Cousins inlet fishery in 1937-38. After spawning the fish headed out to sea. Eor some unknown reason they were joined by large numbers of immature fish which were hatched in the spring of 1937. On their return to inshore waters and the Bella Bella spawning grounds they were intercepted by the fishermen at Kwakshua passage and Safety +u «^ ,ATai*!:ab?\e data d0 not suPPo:rt the suggestion that the Kwakshua run comprised the "missing" Barkley sound fish. Indirect evidence shows that the older fish com prising the Kwakshua run in 1938-39 formed part of the run to Cousins inlet in 1937-38. ♦ ^Sf ^^^ show ^at these ^^ spawned in the vicinity of Bella Bella in the spring of 1938. While this theory is speculative, it does fit the facts whioh are derived from tagging returns, vertebral count, and age composition. A.L. Tester No. 29

Herring Spawning Conditions in 1939.

Tho collection of spawning reports from fisheries inspectors of the Department of Fisheries was continued in 1939. These reports not only furnish valuable information on general spawning conditions, but are becoming increasingly useful as a means of roughly assessing abundance. In the various areas of the spawning ranged in intensity from light to very heavy. On the average it could be classed as heavy and, therefore, equal in intensity to that of last year* There was a particularly good deposition in the Comox region and the area of the spawning grounds was estimated to be at least twice that of 1938, An exceptionally early spawning, Jan* 30, took place in the Cowichan area and an exceptionally late spawning, May 7, in the Pender harbour area. Mortality due to the feeding of birds was average and that due to storms was less than usual. On the west coast of Vancouver island spawning was haavy in the Barkley area, medium in the Kyuquot area, light in the Nootka and Quatsino areas, and very light in the Clayoquot area. On the whole, the intensity was definitely below average, but was slightly greater than that of the previous year. At Quatsino sound spawning lasted but one week, March 2*8, and the short season prevented the successful operation of a bait pound* The low intensity of spawning and the low availability of herring during the fishing season, together show a relative low abundance during 1938-39* This justifies the early closure of the fishing season (Jan. 19) on the west coast* In the Alert bay area spawning appeared to be extensive, but slightly lighter than the previous year. It might be mentioned again that this unexploited area offers commercial possibilities. Along the central coastline spawning was medium at Smiths inlet, light at Rivers inlet, and medium at Bella Bella. In the last it was reported as "possibly heavier" than in the previous year, in spite of the heavy exploitation. There appears to have been a good escapement from the Kwakshua passage fishery and a resultant heavy spawning in the vicinity of Spider island. Mortality, however, was high (up to 50$) because of stormy weather and the subsequent activity of birds feeding on the eggs. In, some cases, spawning took place at a considerable depth on broad-leaved kelp* Spawning was above average intensity in the Butedale, Granvillc-Principe, and Skeena areas, in spite of the heavy fishing in this northern district. At Laredo inlet, where a late fishery was centered, spawning was reported to have taken place in numerous spots over a shore-line of at least 20 miles. On one of these grounds spawn was reported at a depth of 4 fathoms. Mortality in the northern district was low. On the south-east coast of the Queen Charlotte islands spawning was light and storms resulted in a considerable loss. At Masset and inlets, however, it was heavy and as usual took place during the early summer (June 25)• /#^V

J.L. McHugh No. 30

Investigations Dealing with Vertebral Number in Young Herring. The sampling of young herring schools, as carried out since 1932, was contin ued in 1939. Examination of the material collected in previous years was completed and only a few of the samples taken this year remain to be worked over.. Sampling operations in 1939 were planned with the object of covering more fully the areas being investigated. For this reason a special effort was made to secure material from the islands bordering the strait of Georgia, although particular attention J.L. McHugh No. 3C

was still given to the localities which had been sampled regularly since the programme started. Areas sampled for the first time this year included Porlier pass, , Bedwell harbour (South Pender island), and Boot cove (Saturna island), was also visited and a sample taken in Bi dwell bay» The spocimens from Kwakshua passage were taken from the commercial catch* The additional data presented hero add evidence in support of the conclusions drawn last yoar. Worthy of special mention are two samples taken in 1936 from Patricia bay and Fulford harbour. Theso differ significantly from all other samples, including those taken in tho same locality in other years* They are further noteworthy in having the highest vertebral count ever recorded in herring from British Columbia waters. The proportion of abnormal vertebral columns (7 percent) does not differ from the value ob tained previously. The standard deviation is slightly lower and compares oven more closely than before with that of the adult fish. /0^ A definite correlation between length of fish and vertebral count within a homogeneous sample has been established. The following figures represent a sample taken in Departure bay in 1939, and illustrate the relationship. Length groups containing less than ton fish have not been included.

Number of fish Average length Average vertebral in group in millimetres number

11 26 51.636 35 27 51*714 62 28 51.758 55 29 51.764 61 30 5J..885 71 31 51*930 33 32 51.788 12 3& 52.083

Summary of Material Examined

Year NumVer Av« vert. Percent Locality class of fish number O PM Abnormalities

Departure b* 1934 300 51**74 0*686 0*041 9.0 Nanoose b. 1935 300 52.000 0.6P* 0.043 14.0 Nanoose b* 1936 300 51.839 0*637 0.039 13.0 Departure b* 1936 31 51.731 0,875 0.172 16.1 Patricia b. 1936 55 52.636 0.620 0.083 im Fulford har. 1936 300 52.708 0.699 0*041 2.0 Ladysmith har* 1936 74 51*972 0.751 0.088 2.8 Departure b* 1937 163 51.854 0.669 0.056 11.7 Fulford har. 1938 181 51*948 0.711 0.054 5.0 Fulford har. 1938 90 52.023 0*664 0.071 3*3 Preedy har. 1938 293 51*752 0*644 0.038 3*8 Tod in* 1938 42 51*732 0.77* 0.121 2,4 J.L. McHugh Ko# 30

Summary of Material Examined, (cont'd)

Year Number Av. vert* Percent Looality class of fish number O oM Abnormalities

Nanoose b* 1938 197 51*819 0.700 0.054 13.2 Kwakshua pass. 1938 77 52.104 0,681 0.078 -» Matilda cr. •mt 106 52.048 0.617 0.061 2.8 Peep b. 1939 209 51*959 0,669 0.048 5.7 Ladysmith har* 1939 31 51,903 0.598 0.107 Porlier pass. 1939 135 51.833 0,562 0.050 6.7 Active pass. 1939 307 61*956 0*666 0.039 3.9 Bidwell b. 1939 229 51*977 0,667 0.04* 6.5 Departure b. 1939 478 51.900 0*653 0.030 Departure b. 1939 475 51.752 0.722 0.033 »j»

Average (weighted to no. of indiv,) 0.67 7.0 Previous material 0*68 7.3 Adults (Tester) 0.66 2.3

J.L. McHugh No. 31

Vertebral Variation in Young Pacific Herring. One of the obstacles encountered in racial work with Pacific herring has been the occurrence in significant numbers of abnormal vertebrae. The practice has been adopted of ignoring the vertebral columns in which such abnormalities appear when cal culating the average vertebral number of a population. It is realized, however, that such omissions may seriously affect the result, particularly in the young fish where they sometimes occur in as many as fifteen peroent of the backbones examined. For this reason, a more detailed study of the material has been commenced. Abnormalities may be associated with either the centra or the spines or both. Since the vertebral count of a herring is actually the number of centra present, only cases involving this element have been considered. More than five hundred "abnormal" vertebral columns collected during the course of the work on young herring have been re-examined in detail* The most striking feature observed was the asymmetrical nature of the phenomenon. In practical^ all cases' the departure from normal was more apparent on one side of the fish than on the other. Cer tain definite types of abnormalities have been observed, which may in turn be separated into smaller groups. The point to be emphasized, however, is the artificial nature of the groups. In reality, abnormality in the true sense of the word does not exist. No two vertebral columns are exaotly alike, and it would be possible to demonstrate a whole series of intergrading forms bridging the gap between-the most "normal" and the most "abnormal" case. The following types of structural abnormality have been recognized: Cl) Centrum showing incipient division into two parts on one side and apparently normal on the other. The ribs, spines, or arches are geneially duplicated on the divided side. Considerable variation exists in the degree of distinctness of the two parts, the two extreme oases being: ?«I* McHugh No. 31

(a) Asymmetry in a single centrum - one aide being longer than the other; (H) Two distinct centra - entirely separated on one side and somewhat fused on the other* Between these two extremes a complete series of intermediate stages may be discov ered, and it is possible to demonstrate a succession of intergrading examples at all stages between one and two complete centra* (c) A wedge-shaped segment inserted between two centra and fused more or less with them* This occurs only rarely, but may indioate a further complete series be tween two and three centra. (6) Dorso-ventral asymmetry, in whioh the suture occupies only the upper or lower half of a centrum. Not common. (2} A spiral arrangement of the suture, which starts generally either at the mid-dorsal or mid-ventral line, makes at least one and a half complete circles, and ends freely on the opposite surface of the centrum. (a) In appearance there are two large centra on one side, and three rather small ones on the other, with oblique sutures. (b) Spiral suture, showing three centra on one side and four on the other. («) Spiral suture, four centra on one side and five on the other. (d) Spiral, with ends of suture lateral rather than medial* (3) Two or more centra heavily oalcified and rigidly fused with eaoh other, but with . sutures distinct* As many as twenty centra may be fused in this way* (a) Bilateral symmetry in the number of centra present not disturbed* (b) Similar fusion of several centra with symmetry disturbed. Probably an incip ient division of one side of a centrum, but difficult to recognise the particu lar element affected* (c) Similar to (a) but with considerable deformity and asymmetry of individual cen tra, the fused section generally curved laterally. (4) Occasional symmetrically multiple centra, with multiple sets of ribs, spines, or arches on each side* (a) Symmetrically double centra. (b) Symmetrically triple centra. (5) Variations in single centra which are not considered as subnormal in making counts* Those include variations in length and in shape from the normal type. Since cor responding centra in different fish are never exactly the same, it is reasonable to suppose that these are merely the extreme variants. It has been noted in previous reports that the proportion of abnormal vertebral columns is considerably greater in the young herring than in the adults* Whether this differenoe is roal or only apparent is open to question, since great differences occur in the frequency of abnormality in young herring from different localities. In some eases the vertebral columns of young fish show lower percentages of abnormalities than do the adults, and it is particularly interesting to note that theso local differences remain fairly constant from year to year. Further study of the data now on hand is expected to yield much useful information concerning these relationships. J.L. McHugh No* 52

Studies of Young Herring in Departure Bay. 1939. Previous attempts to determine the rate of growth of young Pacific herring have met with varying degrees of success* The chief difficulty encountered has been the lack of a satisfactory method for sampling the actively-swimming post-larval stages, which are able to evade successfully the plankton net and are too small for capture by means of a seine. It was found that these stages could easily be taken at night by means of a 200 watt lamp and a lift net. Within one or two hours large numbers of young herring were attracted to the light. The period of greatest concentration of fish generally coincided with the time of alack water. Weekly samples were taken success fully by this method until the fish reached a length of 40 to 45 millimetres. At this stage the method was no longer successful, even though schools of young herring were observed in the vicinity during the day. After this a seine was resorted to. Samples were thus collected first with a plankton net, later with the light, and finally by means of a seine at fairly regular intervals throughout the spring and summer. Fortunately, two distinct spawnings occurred in 1939 in Departure bay. These wero far enough separated in time so that the length frequency curves for many of the samples had two distinct modes, and thus it was possible to recognize the product of each spawning. When the average lengths of each group were plotted against the time of capture, it was found that the points representing the growth of each lay on a straight line. Further evidence as to the identity of the two groups of fish was gained by means of vertebral counts. Although the results of this method can never be cited as definite proof of similarities or differences between populations, the data obtained here are remarkably consistent, and speak for themselves in justification of the use of vertebral counts as a tool in fishery investigations. Data concerning the two groups of young herring are presented in the table. Groups 1 and 2 were originally formed on the basis of length frequency distributions, and represent the two known spawnings which occurred in Departure bay in 1939. The samples of May 17 and June 1 were bimodal, those of May 23 and June 8 were unimodal, and in each case the position of the mode falls on the straight line growth curve for the particular brood of fish. In the case of the bimodal distributions an arbitrary dividing line was selected to separate the groups for vertebral counts. The close correspondence between samples in the same group, and the highly significant differences between the two groups is evident without further discussion.

Number Av. vert* Date of fish count O °k Group 1 May 17 102 51.912 0.691 0.068 May 23 197 51.887 0.624 0.045 June 1 181 51.906 0.672 0.050

Group 2 May 17 31 51.710 0.588 0.106 June 1 164 51.744 0.614 0.048 June 8 280 51.761 0.716 0.043

Group 3 July 4 32 51.633 0.491 0.089 Sept. 7 74 51.635 0.587 0.068

Group 3 includes a sample of smaller fish which does not lie on either of the other growth curves. This may represent a third unreported spawning. The vertebral J.L. McHugh No. 32

count for this group differs again. The sample of September 7, used in tagging experi ments* may belong in this group. A negative correlation between average air and water temperatures for the two weeks preceding hatching and the average vertebral count for each group of fish is il lustrated in the following tabulation: Degrees Fahrenheit Av. vert.' Mean water Mean air number temperature temperature

Group 1 51*900 46.8 42*4 Group 2 51.752 47.2 46.7 Group 3 51*633 51.7 49*1

J.L. McHugh No* 33

Enemies of Young Herring.

Each year many millions of larval herring are produced on the various spawning grounds* Each spawning female deposits from eighteen to thirty thousand eggs, and, as suming that on the average each fish spawns for two years in succession, only one mature fish need return to the spawning grounds for each twenty thousand of the original po tential supply in order to keep the abundance of the species constant. It is evident, therefore, that a tremendous mortality occurs between deposition of the eggs and the en* suing development of the fish to maturity. Previous work has shown that only a small proportion of this mortality occurs during development of the eggs, and it therefore follows that a considerable percentage of the original numbers of eggs reach the free- swimming stage. Examination of the digestive tracts of organisms taken in the vicinity of young herring schools was begun in an effort to determine the nature and effect of the factors tending to reduce the numbers of these fish. It is probable that the most cri tical period in the life of the herring occurs in the larval or early post-larval stages, and some interesting facts concerning possible predators during these periods have been Uncovered* While making tows with a plankton net, a small medusa (unidentified) was taken with its manubrium and tentacles securely attached around the head and gill covers of a small post-larval herring. In the same manner, a comb-jelly (Pleurobrachia) was cap tured which had half-engulfed a small herring* Large numbers of these organisms, partic ularly of the latter species, were present in the water at this time, and if they are able to capture herring with success their presence in large numbers when the herring are small and relatively weak might constitute*a serious factor in determining abundance. The stomachs of approximately one hundred fish of various species were exam ined in an effort to gain some idea of the extent of their depredations. On the basis of this work it appears that salmon and ling cod are among the chief offenders. Adult 8Prin« tOncorhvnohus tsohawytscha) and cohoo (0. kisutch) salmon, taken in the vicinity of Departure bay, had fed on young herring to a great extent*. One stomach contained at least 25 individuals. Fingerling cohoes and particularly young chum salmon (£. keta) in their first year had also fed largely on these young fish. Young ling cod (Ophiodon elOngatus) of the year apparently feed to a great extent on young herring. Of 26 stom- aohs of this species examined, 15 contained herring. Dr. Hart reports that adult ling J,L* McHugh No. 33 ood taken in the vicinity of Race rocks in October were gorged with young herring. Other species in whose stomachs herring have been found are: cut-throat trout (Salmo clarkii clarkii)* anchovy (Engraulis mordax). gray cod (Gadua macrocephalus). smooth cabezon (Leptocottus armatus), and midshipman (Porichthys notatus). Suspected species, for which direct evidence is not yet available, are: squid (Loligo opalescens), dogfish (Squalus sucklevi), and rockfish (Sebastodes spp.). The continuation of this work will no doubt provide information on many other predators. It will be of particular interest to measure the destructiveness of birds, two of which, namely the seagull and the kingfisher, have been observed diving on schools of young herring*

J*L* McHugh No. 34

Experimental Retention and Tagging of Young Herring.

The retention of young herring in captivity was attempted with two main ob jects in view; first, to determine the feasibility of tagging these small fish of about 70 mm, standard length with internal tags, and second, to endeavour to raise them to maturity for a study of scale development. Attempts to hold adult Pacific herring in captivity for any length of time have not been successful* The author considered it probable that mortality was due mainly to the construction of the floating tanks, in which no special provision was made for removing growths of hydroids, etc. which might interfere with the circulation of water and decrease the supply of plankton food. The two floating tanks used in the ex periment were, therefore, constructed with solid sides and bottom and were provided with interchangeable screens at each end which could bo removed at will for cleaning. Herring were captured along the shores of Jessie island in Departure bay on September 7 and 13, 1939. Since it was not feasible to tow the tanks to the fishing area, the fish were placed in ordinary buckets containing sea water and were taken as quickly as possible to the tanks. They were then held for several days until all deaths due to injury had ceased. In spite of the handling to which they were subjected, mortality was low, being less than ten percent of the total number of fish* The first tagging was carried out on September 22. Tags of three types were used: small pilchard tags 13 mm. by 3 mm. by 1/2 mm.; sections of #L6 gauge wire cut in lengths of 1 cm.} and similar sections of the same wire hammered out to a thickness of about 2/3 the original diameter. The ordinary procedure for hand tagging was used, one man dipping the fish and the other holding them, making the incision with a fine acalpel, and inserting the tag. The second tagging took place on September 25. Since the pilchard tags appeared to result in considerably less mortality in the first lot, this type only was used. The chief cause of mortality during the early days of the first experiment was apparently puncture of the swim bladder, and in an attempt to avoid this the second series of tags were inserted farther back, near the tip of the pelvic fin. Results of the experiment are presented in the following table. On October 10 both tagged fish and controls commenced dying in about equal numbers from some undiscov ered cause, and this terminated the experiment* However, at this time tagging mortality had apparently ceased, and the value of the results is therefore not affected. At the time of writing (November 2) some thirty or forty fish are still alive in the tanks. J.L. McHugh No. 34

RESULTS OF TAGGING EXPERIMENTS

Type Number Tagging of tag inserted mortality

Sept* 22 Pilchard 50 58 Flat wire 25 100 Round wire 24 92

Sept. 25 Pilchard 46 75

The most successful tagging was apparently that of September 22 with the small pilchard tags. The attempt to reduce mortality with this type of tag by making the in sertion farther back on the fish failed. Further attempts should be made with tags of smaller sizes. Since recovery of young herring tags will depend on the efficiency of electromagnets already installed in the reduction plants, it is important that tests be carried out to determine the efficiency of these magnets in recovering tags of various sizes. Until a more suitable method of tagging is developed, it will hardly be possible to tag herring smaller than those used in this experiment (standard length 70 mm.). , Discovery of a marking method which would eliminate individual handling of the fish would be a significant contribution to science.

J.L. McHugh No. 35

Proposed Young Herring Investigations.

Preliminary studies on the early life history of the herring have included the collection of information on vertebral number, distribution of larvae and early post- larvae, predators, rate of growth, and tagging. Some aspects of this work are of purely scientific interest, while others promise results which may be applied with value in the regulation of the fishery. It is proposed to employ the knowledge thus gained in planning a programme which will make most efficient use of the available time and resources. Young herring sampling as carried on since 1932 has resulted in the collection of much interesting data, particularly with respect to vertebral counts. It has been demonstrated that highly significant differences may exist between the schools of young fish whioh supposedly unite to produce the supply of commercial herring. What the pre sent system of sampling cannot readily demonstrate is the contribution made by each of these groups of small fish to the commercial supply. Furthermore, the preparation of vertebral columns for examination is, in the case of the young fish, a particularly dif ficult and time-consuming operation. Counts have been made on more than seven thousand individuals from more than forty samples, and several samples still await examination. The collection of additional material would add little to the knowledge already available and it is felt that the time could be spent more profitably on other phases of the prob lem* It is, therefore, proposed during the coming year to curtail work such as this, which is qualitative in nature, in order that time may be gained for an attempt to place the investigation on a more quantitative basis. This will take the form of experimental work on the estimation of abundance of young fish on the various "nursery grounds". Factors which produce mortality throughout the life of the fish determine the abundance of adult herring. Hart and Tester have already shown that the greatest mor tality must occur in the sea at some time between tho larval and adult stages. It is J.L. McHugh No. 35

hoped that studies which were commenced during the past year on the distribution of larvae and post-larvae and on organisms preying on young herring will throw some light on the subject when pursued farther. Efforts should be made to determine the critical periods and the factors, favourable and unfavourable, which are acting at these times. Further studies are recommended on young herring distribution and its relation to plankton organisms and physical factors. This should include also the relation of pre dators to their prey. The growth rate and general condition of the fish are important as indices of the resultant of all factors influencing abundance. One important factor influencing growth and survival is the food supply, which in turn is dependent on oceanographical conditions such as temperature, light, and currents. More detailed investigations of growth rates would then be advisable, planned in such a way as to permit comparisons be tween areas. Also of value will be studies in the periodical distribution and abundanoe of the food organisms and the relation, if any, between physical conditions and rate of growth and abundance of the herring. Preliminary experiments on tagging technique have shown that a smaller tag is desirablec Reduction in tag size will probably reduce mortality, but may also reduce the chances of tag recovery. By further tagging experiments and tests on recovery of various-sized tags by reduction plant magnets the optimum size may be determined. Tagging of adult herring has produced much direct evidence concerning movements of the fish and has shown that a certain amount of interchange of individuals may take place between supposedly distinct populations. Since all tagging has been done on fish captured either on the commercial fishing grounds or on the spawning grounds, it may be argued that all fish tagged to date are "conditioned". That is to say, they have all migrated from the "summer feeding grounds" to the area of tagging at least once, and, therefore, might be expected to respond in a similar way to the same set of conditions a second time. Fish tagged in their first year will have had no such previous exper ience to govern their movements and it may be that a tagging programme of this sort will lead to an entirely different conception of the nature of "wandering". Tagging of year ling fish may also be useful in other ways. Since a small proportion of fish in their second year generally appears in the commercial catch, the proportion of tags returned from these fish may be a clue to the strength of the year class, and thus lead to suc cessful predictions of abundance in future years. Another reasonable possibility is that tagging will show the relative contribution of each nursery ground to the supply of mature fish. It is realized that many difficulties will arise in translating information of this sort into terms of the abundance of a commercial fishery. However, the value of the herring fishery to the Province and the importance of research of this nature in solving many of the problems relative to the fishery would seem to justify the enlarge ment of the present programme.

A*L. Tester and R.V. Boughton jj04 3g

Methods of Calculating the Growth of Herring from Their Scales. The importance of being able to oalculate the growth in length of herring from the scales and the bearing of such calculations on the problem of intermingling of the runs has been pointed out elsewhere. If, as found by Norwegian investigators, the scale grows at approximately the A.L. Tester and R.V. Boughton No. 36

same rate as the body, the scale-body relationship is represented by a straight line through the origin and calculations may be made by direct proportion, e.g., L«» = lnl/l where L is the length of the fish at the time of capture, L^ is the length of the fish when the first annulus forms, 1 is the length of the scale at the time of capture, and 1^ is the length of the scale when the first annulus forms. In the Pacific herring, calculations of Li by this method have been made, e.g., 89.0, 78*8, and 78.0 for fish of ages III, IV, and V. The values decrease as calculations are made from fish of in-* creasing age (Lee's phenomenon) and are all smaller than the actual average length of fish at the end of the first year (about 100-115 mm.). If a correction is made for the average length at which scales are formed and the scale-body relationship is assumed to be a straight line through that point (33 mm.), the following values of Lj. may be calculated for fish of ages III to V: 106.5, 98*8,. and 98.3. Lee's phenomenon is still evident, but the values are closer to the actual averages for fish of age I. Calculations of In, L^ and L« for fish of age IV (197*4 mm.) are as follows: 98.8, 156,2, and 181.3 mm. If calculations are made from the graph portraying the true scale-body rela tionship (discussed elsewhere), the following values of Lx for Ill's, IV»8, and V's are obtained: 105, 99, and 98 mm. These are somewhat similar to those obtained directly above. Calculations for Lx, L2, and L3 for fish of ago IV from the graph give the fol lowing; 99, 159, and 183 am* Those for Lg and L$ are higher than those obtained by the previous method, due to the departuro of the curve from a straight line. It is believed that these values come closest to the true longths of the fish at the respective ages* Lee's phenomenon of apparent decrease of growth rate is present in all three methods of calculation. Actual measurements of 1^, e.g., 2.15, 1.97, and 1.95 mm* in fish of ages III to V, show that the phenomenon is "real" rather than "apparent" for the population of mature fish* It is presumably caused by the early addition of fast- growing fish by recruitment and the early loss of fast-growing fish by natural mortality in the commercial schools. Investigations are at present directed toward constructing a movable arm de vice, employing the true scale-body relationship, to compensate for variation in the size of individual scales and to enable calculations to be made for individual fish. The graph of scale-body growth, plotted at working magnification, has been transferred to a movable arm which is pivoted et an origin on the body*length base line corresponding to the length of the fish at the time of scale formation. It is believed that this me thod will enable the desired result to be attained.

A.L. Tester-and Agnes M. Gwyn No. 37

The Development and Relative Growth of Herring Scales* As progress is made in the investigation of the Pacific herring, it becomes increasingly apparent that a means of segregating growth types in individual fish may help materially in solving the problem of inteimingling of the runs. As the segregation of growth types must depend on calculations from scale patterns, it is of primary impor tance to determine the true relationship between scale and body growth. This is the main object of the present investigation. Studies of the structure, size, and shape of the scales have been made. It is found that scales are most uniform in size and shape in an area bounded by the 4th to 9th longitudinal rows and the 8th to 15-20th vertical rows. This area of "side" scales includes those which are usually taken for age studies in the herring investigation. A.L. Tester and Agnes M, Gwyn No. 37

The fi„t ^Tifem0Pfnt °/ the 8*ales appea*8 to start from three growth centres. r«tS*PaP if f \formed "^-laterally in the region posterior to the anal fin at and %£l\lQ^th °f*ab?Ut f m- *** next appear in the region of the "side" scales, titfor%t the dorsalJ ? rows,6 VentPalat aanterior length of^rface35-38 mm.of the fishi Squamation is complete,"»«*•, exceptexcep* ift™+>> ^ n*iT' ^J*2 the anterior field of tne scale, form on "side" scales at a • *«£? l«i* o^f T\ ^tef^r field at 35 mm. forms only 26# of the total longitud inal scale axis but grows relatively rapidly to form 50% at 45 mm. and 67# at l» mm. .m« v.+_ , 1 first year> there ia ^e variation in the scale-body relation- *»£ III T samples/roE1 fi^rent localities in the same year, and between samples f^hothe^f6 l°call*y/n different years, In general, however the longitudinal axis l^t\ 1 Wh0lf :S°ale and tne Verier field undergo an initial period of rapid growth during which the scale is growing at a faster rate than the body. Following this, the longitudinal axis of the whole scale grows at approximately the same rate as tie ' tf fish, whereas that of the anterior field grows more slowly than the fish. «^«. «* ??Q 80ale""b0dy relationship of fish of ages II to VI may be depicted by a *t£!L°f discrete cu?ves* *i8h °f «» same body length but of different ages will have $15 lit T .SCa^G ^enStns' thQ va^e increasing with age. Thus, slow-growing fish 52?«?+ ! relatively larger scales than fast-growing fish. The oldest fish show a definite retarding of scale growth in relation to that of the body. +< •.* * ±lhQ 6eneral curve showing the relationship between length of the anterior field of the scale and standard length of the body has been established. Its most con spicuous feature is its radical departure from a straight line relationship. Starting from its origin at 33 mm., it may be divided into four components: (1) 33 - 45 mm. Scale growing relatively faster than body, 12) 45 - 140 mm. Scale growing relatively slower than body* (3) 140 - 205 mm. Scale growing relatively faster than body, (4) above 205 mm* Scale growing relatively slower than body. The shape of the curve shows that considerable error will bo introduced in calculations of the length of the fish at tho time of formation of any annulus if a straight line relationship were assumed. Now that the true relationship has been established, it should be possible to make Calculations which are free from that source of error. How ever, the curve will have to be adjusted to compensate for slow and fast growing fish to be reasonably accurate in individual calculations.

A.L. Tester No. 38 A Specific Gravity Method of Determining fotness (Condition) in Herring. I*™** . -In/aS! yeaptS report " TO8 Pointed out that condition factors based on «™!? ^ data were unsuitable as measures of fatness. The results of preliminary tS f^Lh?^ SiVe? Tic^^dicated that a factor related to the specific gravT^f it hf« t^L i^t ffihiS PUXP°Se- These experiments have now Seen completed and witn^hswith the oilmiPcontent+^ of*2 5flnethe fish.and USe a "fat factor" *hich is closely correlated +h*the «,«^+*hlweight of thef!* £f°!°rfish inWairisandrelatedwater to(ffatheandspecificWw) by thegravityfollowingof theequations:fish (G) and to A.L. Tester No. 38

F = G(G-l) » Wa/%. In determining the weight in water, care was taken to ensure the complete expulsion of air from the body cavity, air bladder, and gills; to keep the • water temperature constant; and to weigh the fish as quickly as possible. When a con stant technique was used, the average F values of samples dropped from 23.2 to 21.4 to 19.7 as approximate oil yields of herring in reduction plants dropped from 40 to 25 to 15 gal. per ton. These results were sufficiently encouraging to warrant a comparison of fat factor with percentage oil content of individual fish. The F values of 20 herring were determined and the fish were canned individually. They were later analyzed for "oil" (ether extract) content by Mr. Harding under the direction of Dr. Brocklesby of the Prince Rupert Station, A significant positive correlation (0.84) was obtained between percentage oil content (#0) and fat factor (F). Significant correlations were not ob tained between $0 and condition factors based on length-weight data. These results demonstrate the superiority of F over other condition factors as a measure of fatness. Composite samples of male and of female gonads were also analyzed as above. The F and %$ values showed some discrepancy; whereas F was higher, #0 was lower in male than in female gonads. This discrepancy was explained by either a difference in the specific gravity of the basic gonad substances, or a difference in the solubility in ether of these substances. The difference between F and $Q in the gonads warranted the recalculation of the correlation coefficient for the individual sexes. As was expected, the correlation between F and $0 in males and in females (0.88 and 0.93) were both higher and more sig nificant than that obtained with the combined data (0.84). With demonstration and formulation of this fatness (condition) factor which re flects closely variation in percentage oil content of the fish, this investigation has been brought to a temporary completion. The results have been prepared and presented for publication. They are thus available to help solve any problems which may arise regarding variation in the oil content of herring. It is recommended that at some time in the future further experiments involving this faotor be made^ possibly with the assistance of temporary or voluntary workers. These should deal with the use of the factor in tracing fluctuations in oil yield in other fishes, and its use in tracing variation in oil content of parts of tho fish such as flesh, liver, gonads, etc. It seems very probable that the method could be adapted for these purposes.

J.L. Hart No. 39

Ling Cod Life History.

During the course of ling cod tagging operations opportunity was provided for sampling ling cod on a variety of fishing grounds. This sampling revealed differences between different reefs and regions which are probably partly due to their exploitation history and in part due to other not-understood causes possibly related to movements. The fish on one reef, which was not subject to exploitation, were found to have changed in length distribution when the reef was sampled a second time. Collections of young ling cod made by Mr. J.L. McHugh incidental to young her ring collections and other lots of young ling cod at the Pacific Biological Station have been measured and seem to provide a reasonably satisfactory picture of the growth during the first year of a ling cod»s life. Assuming hatching toward the end of February, the following approximate lengths and ages may be given: 7.L. Hart No# 39

Age in Length in months millimetres

* 70

* 85

4 85 - 110

4 12$ - 160

7 215

JPN 16 290 There can be little doubt concerning the correctness of these interpretations. The as signed age of 26 months to a specimen 370 millimetres long taken during tagging opera tions and the estimation of the age of the smallest fish regularly taken on the fishing grounds (from 460 mm.) as about 36 months is subject to confirmation by the examination of many more specimens of juvenile fish. The regurgitated food of ling cod captured for tagging has been recorded in many cases. The following forms have been listed: squid, octopus, dogfish (3 lb., 710 mm.), adult herring, herring of the year, sand lance, rockfish, short-finned eelpout, and perch.

J.L. Hart No. 40

Ling Cod Tagging.

Ling cod tagging has been in progress for almost a year. As outlined in a summary report for last year, this work is designed to investigate the movements of ling cod, their abundance, and their rate of growth. Tagging was done from a chartered boat fitted with a bait tank and operated by an experienced fisherman. Ducood monel metal tags were used exclusively at first, but recently aluminum tags have been employed also* All tagging has been done on the gill cover. Tags were recovered by fishermen in response to tho announcement that rewards would be paid for the return of tags with information concerning the date and place of recovery and the length, weight, and sex of the fish. On the whole, ling cod proved to be more difficult to capture than was antici pated. However, 587 tags have been used - 502 in the strait of Georgia, 7 north of Van couver island, and 78 in the area surrounding Race rocks between Albert head and Sher- ringham point. Ninety-eight of the tags have not been out long enough for recovery to be expected and 68 others have been used in places where commercial fishing is not carried on. Accordingly, 35 of the 36 recoveries which have been made may be considered as coming from 421 tags. Twenty-nine of the recoveries showed little or no movement of the fish. Seven showed considerable movement and it may bo significant that of theso seven, four were tagged at East point. It has been suggested by fishermen that every autumn ling cod move past East point into tho strait of Georgia from the strait of Juan de Buca. J.L. Hart No. 4C

The study of growth from tagging wrk has proved to be more difficult than was expected. This is because length is difficult to determine accurately on a fish which is actively moving and which must be treated gently, and because weight in itself is an unreliable measure apt to change rapidly, either up or down, in an individual. What data seem most reliable suggest that ling cod of medium size may increase four or five centimetres and up to two'pounds during a season. It is hoped that, as the period of the investigation is prolonged, the increases in length and weight will be larger in relation to the unpreventable errors and rates of growth may consequently be calculated with increased confidence. Irritation was observed around the tag in a number of cases. In others the condition of the wound was reported as being very good and such returns promise well for future recoveries* A larger aluminum (salmon) tag is being tried out with larger fish among which most of the cases of irritation were reported* It is too early to make a statement concerning the intensity of the fishery. The present returns of 35 tags from open areas out of 421 tags put out represents an #^ intensity of fishing of 8.3 percent for some eight months. The total intensity would be about 10.4 percent for the ten months of open season (plus whatever correction is necessary for sloughed tags and tags not turned in). It is believed that improvement is possible in the methods of obtaining recoveries.

J.L. Hart and J.L. McHugh No. 41

Sampling of Capelin Runs.

In connection with life history studies of the British Columbia smelts, obser vations wore made and samples taken of the spawning runs of capelin in three localities. Spawning commenced at Lantzville on September 28, 1939, one mile north of Departure bay on October 2, and at the head of Departure bay on October 5. Samples were taken of the first two runs, but the run to Departure bay was so light this year that a sample of reasonable size could not be secured* Observations made on the spawning grounds indicate that a specific type of beach is selected and that apparently gravel of from one to five millimetres diameter is most suitable. The eggs are adhesive and are deposited in the surf at the water's edge, becoming attached immediately to the gravel particles. A marked tendency to become attached to sharp corners and edges rather than to flat surfaces was observed. Dis tinctly sandy or rocky portions of the beach are apparently avoided and intensity of spawning varies noticeably according to the amount and size of the gravel present. The samples were examined for length, sex, age, and vertebral number. In length the fish were fairly uniform, males being somewhat larger than females. The sex ratio was very unbalanced, each sample containing about 88$ males. A study of length frequencies and examination of scales indicated that all fish were in their second year. Fish from the two localities did not differ significantly in average vertebral count. • Females produced an average of 4,590 eggs each. Apparently only the left ovary is fun- sam^esfollow1^1115 ^^ **** 8Xa&11 *** containins no *»*«* eggs. Asummary of the two Number of fish Average length Average vertebral Males Females Males Females count-Males Lantzville Sept. 28 384 58 lf>6.3 99.3 65.706 Outside De

parture bay Oct. 4 149 6 106.7 65.701 J.L. McHugh No, 42

A Quantitative Estimate of Capelin Spawning.

The capelin (Msdlotus catervarius) spawns on gravelly beaches in the vicinity of Departure bay in late September or early October* Since spawning takes place gener ally during the hours of darkness, it is difficult to gain any idea of the numbers of fish involved, although the impression is given that they are present in large quantities. An attempt to obtain a quantitative estimate of the number of fish on a spawning ground was made by determining the number of eggs deposited on the beach. The area chosen for study is situated about one mile north of the entrance to Departure bay. The beach is approximately 300 yards in length and slopes fairly sharply to the water's edge, which at low tide lies about 16 yards from the high tide mark. The surface is composed.of varying amounts of sand, gravel, and small stones (up to 3" di ameter) and is limited for spawning purposes by an abrupt change from gravel to rock at each end* The available spawning area covers approximately 46,600 square feet. In 1939 ^v spawning commenced on this beach on October 2and continued for about one week. ^ The spawning survey was carried out on October 13. Samples of eggs were se cured in the following manner: several lines at right angles to the water line were marked off along the beach. Samples of known area (approximately 42 square centimetres) were taken at random along these lines from high water to low water. Twenty samples taken in this way were placed in bottles for examination in the laboratory. In addition, numerous samples were examined roughly by eye in the areas between the lines sampled. Ml the eggs in each of the twenty samples were counted. From these figures it was pos sible to calculate the number of eggs per square foot, and, therefore, the distribution of oggs over the whole area. +<« + 4.uThe averaee number of eggs deposited by each female was determined by examine- IvlL ! ovaries of ten fish. About one thousand eggs woro counted in each case, follow? WQishGd' and the weight compared with that of the whole ovary. The results

Length of fish Total number in millimetres of eggs.

108 5*850 104 3,333 103 $,670 103 3,860 102 4,590 100 5,940 100 3,550 99 Jp^ 5,250 98 3,840 95 3,015 Average: 101 4,590 »«. a^JtLT !J 0t tmaleB positing eggs was determined by dividing tho total S?L£K! £ 5*. I aTOraee nUmbBV »* ie*"le' LTalue *« *** sox ratio «8 obtains* years,years^!and SLfromthisTJTit was"^\possible•*»«•*to calculate« the spanningthe totalgroundsnumberoverof kperiolfish present!o? sovoral this beach mif*™ ? 3 t0tal ?f 90°'000 capelin was e»t^*ed to have spawned on ™»,?i™rection_was™2 madeaisforfigureeggsiswhicham absolutehad diedminimum,and disintegratedsinoo in examiningor had beentheeaWbysamples preda^no cor t^J c if? C6rtfa that a SBa11 *"«*««• of oggs was missed in going oVeTthe er^r" of tSv^atTE^* ^'^^^ aftSr C0Unts had beea rSeHLwed an lirfLVsplwTed'rtniTbe^ch iTl^.^010' " la 9MmML ^ S* lea3t a^ J.L. Hart and J.L. McHugh No. 43

Fraser River Eulachon. As a result of an inquiry concerning the possibility of exporting eulachons to the state of Washington as food for fur bearing animals, the Department of Fisheries requested information from the Pacific Biological Station whioh would have a bearing on the ability of eulachons to sustain a greatly increased fishing strain. Information was obtained by making inquiries cf fishermen, by making two visits to the Fraser river to examine conditions there; and by examining samples secured through the courtesy of Department of Fisheries officers* Questioning yielded the information that eulachons appeared to be becoming less numerous in the Fraser than formerly and this view is supported by fisheries statistics. The 1939 season, however, was a good one and it is doubtful if the same opinion would prevail* Members of the fishing industry also supplied the information that eulachons appear to be becoming more popular on the fresh fish markets. The run is indubitably a spawning migration. Studies of length distributions and scales indicated that most of the fish were in their second year, but that a small proportion of threes was present. All scales showed edges which were greatly eroded. None of the third-year fish showed signs of earlier erosion in the region of the second annulus and it is, accordingly, concluded that eulachons spawn only once. This conclusion is supported by the great number of dead fish which were found floating in the river or washed up on the bars. The following features of the life history were found out: spawning is pro tracted over April and May; the sexes are readily distinguishable by their secondary characters; their representation in samples is so erratic that statements concerning sex ratio in nature are not possible; average vertebral numbers were 67,78 and 67.97 for * males and females respectively; the average number of eggs per female (2 counts) is about 25,000; no food was found in fish taken in the Fraser river and feeding probably ceases soon after the commencement of the spawning migration. Winter-caught specimens in Barkley sound were found to contain Crustacea (euphausids)* In view of the increasing appreciation of eulachons and the reports of de clining abundance as well as such features of the life history as the single spawning, the encouragement of new low-priced markets was not recommended. It is suggested that the results so far obtained be confirmed and that attempts be made to find actual spawn ing grounds and the habitats occupied by various stages of the young.

F.H.C. Taylor JR)# 44 Life History Studies of the Pacific Anchovy. This is the first year that the anchovy has been used commercially in Canada. During June, July, and part of August, the B.C. Packers Cannery at Kildonan, B.C. used 892 tons, reducing the fish to oil and meal. These fish were caught throughout the Barkley sound area by the use of herring seines. Opportunity was thus afforded to begin preliminary life history studies of the species. The anchovy (Engraulis mordax) is a member of the Engraulidae which, Jordan says, is regarded by many as a subfamily under the Clupeidae from which it differs in no characteristic of importance". In British Columbia the species is known to occur on the west coast of Vancouver island from Quatsino to Victoria and around the east coast to the neighbourhood of Ladysmith, and on the mainland from to Pender har bour. Its general distribution is more numerous and more regular on the west coast than in the other two districts. F.H.C. Taylor No. 44

The material consisted of 550 specimens sampled at random in groups of 20 to 100 from the catches as they were brought into the cannery from mid-July to mid-August. On each fish the following measurements were mader the total length (snout to fork of tail); the standard length (snout to end of last vertebrae); the head length (snout to end of operculum), measured as the fish lay on tho measuring board and measured again with a pair of calipers; the depth, measured in front of the dorsal fin. A sample of the scales was taken; the otoliths and stomachs were removed and preserved; the gonads were examined; and, finally, the vertebrae were counted. In this count the small ver tebra at the base of the skull was included, but the hypural bone was excluded. Out of 550, only 420 vertebral counts were accurate. The others were dis carded, since some vertebrae were lost as the backbone was being removed from the fish. Of the 420 counts considered, 234 were from males and 186 from females. The mean for the males was 44.68 - .199 and for the females 44.62 * .231. These counts correspond closely with those obtainej by Dr. Hart for a small sample of fish taken in 1933 from the Barkley sound area (44.54 -* .34). Both these results are slightly lower than those ob tained by Dr. Hubbs for the ocean species Engraulis mordax mordax from the San Francisco bay region. His counts were 45.77 * .03 for the males and 45*65 * *02 for the females. The otoliths were dehydrated in absolute alcohol and cleared in cedar oil* This procedure brought out the clear and opaque areas. An opaque area and clear area were taken as indicating a year's growth. By this method the majority of the anchovy appeared to be in their third year, with a few in their fourth year and several young ones in their first and second years. -« * There does not seem to be any sexual difference in this species. Slight indi- aflUtlflon^little longer i^^f8and that*their meangiVQnvertebralby ihe factcountthatwasthQslightlyfemaleslower.geared to average INVESTIGATIONS * n o« i No. 45 G.C* Carl

Cowichan Lake Hatchery From the standpoint of the numbers of fish liberated and the number of fish in stock at the time of writing, the Cowichan Lake Hatchery has experienced a more successful year than in 1938. Two reasons may account for this increased Pf>auct*on> one' a number of the fish liberated were from stock kept over-winter from the previous year, and two; diseases did not occur this season to deplete the fish on hand. Changes in water system ~~~^ Certain changes were made during the spring months converting the water sys- tern to one of the closed type, eliminating the use of river water which was thought to be responsible for the disease epidemics of 1938* These changes included tho construc tion of a reservoir measuring 20» by 20' by 5«,J a rapid sand filter measuring 10« by 15' by 7* and the installation of several valves and pipe connections in the old system* The new structures are so arranged that the overflow water from the hatchery and ponds en* ters the reservoir, from which it is pumped back to the filter and redistributed to hatchery and ponds* Since the new system encloses about 70,000 gallons of water and since the pump capacity is 180 gallons per minute one complete turnover takes place in about 6 hours. In addition, the system receives a constant flow of fresh water from the regular gravity supply at the rate of about 60 gallons per minute which produces a change of water every 20 hours* The new system has apparently proved to be entirely successful since no diseases or parasites have appeared during the summer and water temperatures have remained much lower than in the previous season, when river water was used* The cost of the additional structures was as follows:- Reservoir\ including connections to old system (materials, $130; labour §76) #206 Filter, including pipe connections (materials, §341; labour $105) $446

Fish fence and trap construction During the past season fences and traps were installed in a number of streams in the district and one old structure was remodelled. The first of these is in Bear creek running from Mesachie to where traps were installed to catch both up stream and downstream migrant cutthroat trout* Two other fences, each with one trap, were placed in Holmes and Crossland creeks flowing into Somenos lake near Duncan also for the purpose of collecting spawning cutthroat trout* During the period of low water a trap was constructed in the Cowichan river channel near the hatchery for the purpose of catching fish for a tagging programme and a trap was installed at the exit of the Skutz falls fish ladder with a view to making a census of the salmon run during the fall of 1939* An old weir in Oliver creek near the hatchery was replaced with a new structure with a more permanent foundation* This fence is used for the collection of cohoe salmon, cutthroat, brown and steelhead trout moving upstroam to spawn and is also modelled to catch fry of those specios when moving downstream to the main river* Egg collections On January 1/39 the hatchery contained 56^000 spring salmon eggs and 104^000 cohoe salmon eggs which were collected during the previous fall. During January, Feb ruary and March 80^000 steelhead and 10,000 cutthroat trout eggs were collected. In the early summer 40,000 eggs of cutthroat trout from Cultus lake stock and 60^000 eggs of Kamloops trout from Lloyd1s creek were received through the courtesy of the Provin cial Game Department. Except for 6^000 cohoe fry which were released in the Cowichan river,' the fish resulting from the incubation and hatching of these various lots of eggs were retained and transferred to the rearing ponds. Liberations and fish on hand The number of fish reared, marked and released in the Cowichan river this season is as follows:- NOc 45 G.

Brood year Numba: Mark

,ngs •..1938 4,539 Adipose, rt0 ventral clings 1939 23,601 AdipQse, both ventrals 8,568 Miposo J dorsal 1939 6.J000 No mark lings 1938 '303 Adipose %3.3ft ventral •lings 1938 '281 Adipose\ left ventral ,»lings 1938 7,'613 Adipose) right ventral gerlings 1939 *645 Adipose,' right ventral ^gorlings 1939 25,'525 Adipose\ both ventrals

.being retained to be released in tho spring of 1940:- .ops 28,000, Cutthroat (Cultus lake stock) 18j000o

•, ish . fish, marked and released from this hatchery have b3en recovered

' ipecies Brood year Number released Locality of recovery

Cohoe 1936 io;000 Cowichan bay n it • h Skutz falls « ______1937 26;'ooo Cowichan bay ~ "~~—-__ Cutthroat B3_ 10,000 Cowichan river, "~~~"~-— Gordon's pool 1 tf If It Grant lake 6 i? ft tf Oliver creek 7 tt If II Cowichan lake 1 tr II tt Cowichan river near '7uncan 1 Steelhead 1938 7,J613 Oowichan river, Hatch ary pool 2 Brown 1937 303 Cowichan river\ Hatch ery pool

Diet and food costs • During the current year the fish rare fed a diet similar to that of last year J made up as follows:- liver (wet weight) 25 parts, heart (wet weight) 25 parts, dry in gredients (equal parts of skimmed milk powder^ pilchard meal and cottonseed meal) 25 parte, stock mineral mixture 1 part and water 24 parts. The cost per pound of this mix ture, including delivery charges, varied from 7 to 9 cents and the approximate cost per ' fish for two lots reared and released this season was as follows:- Spring salmon (25^525 fish; age 22 weeks) $.0030 Cohoe salmon (32,169 fish; age 32 weeks) $.0033 In addition to the above diet two lots of steelhead trout are receiving ground cabbage and tettuce in an effort to determine if these plant materials will prevent the occurrence of dcrsal »finrot* which usually appears during the winter months. No re sults of these feeding experiments are available yet. G*C. Carl No* 45

Diesel operation Commencing on July 11 and continuing until October 2 the Diesel engine was operatsd almost continuously to pump water from the reservoir to the filter\ maintain ing a circulation through the ponds and hatchery* Due to the fact that the dry seasdn was much shorter than, during the previous year the total cost of operation was lower] being $69.79 (including repairs) as compared with $144.46 for the previous season* This gives an average daily running cost of $1.01 over a period of 69 days which is slightly less than in 1938.

G*C* Carl No. 46

Bfethods in Bgg Collections

The series of experiments commenced in 1937-38 to determine factors influenc ing the efficiency of egg collection methods at the Cowichan Lake Hatchery was contin ued during the past season and additional data were gathered* During the first season it was demonstrated that high losses in eggs appeared to be mainly the result of the presence of broken egg material before fertilization and that washing such eggs with supertonic saline solution tended to reduce this loss* During the second season some of these experiments were repeated and others were carried out to tost tho effeot of measured quantities of broken egg material upon the efficiency of fertilization and to determine the effect of various concentrations of saline solution upon unfertilized eggs, The following table will serve to indicate the nature of the results in the case of bro ken eggs:-

lo. broken eggs added to each # loss up to time £00 unbroken coho eggs of hatching

0 12*2 5 25.2 10 37.5 15 76.2 20 79.2 40 97.0 80 100*0 Begarding the saline experiments it would seem that a 0.6$ solution which is supertonic to the blood of coho salmon, is approximately isotonic to the eggs and that "green" eggs may be left in such a solution for at least 1 hour before fertili zation with no appreciable harm* It is planned to continue these experiments during the coming season using spring salmon eggs in addition to coho eggs. G.C. Carl No. 47

Incubator Experiments The Cowichan lake hatchery receives water from a small stream tributary to the Cowichan river and as a result, water temperatures in the hatchery are considerably lower than in the river. For this reason eggs in the hatchery undergo a corresponding ly longer incubation period than those spawned in the river. In an attempt to deter mine if any advantages result from incubating eggs at temperatures higher than those of the hatchery watorj a thermostatically controlled drip-incubator was constructed in 1938 and experimental lots of coho and steelhead eggs wero subjected to various tem peratures over various periods of time, Tho coho eggs were held in the incubator at 7 to 12*C. until the commoncomont of hatching after which time they were placed in tho hatchery trough at about 4°C. for the remainder of tho experimental period* The steel- hoad eggs wore retained at 4 to 10° in the incubator until the hatching stage and then transforrod to aerated water at 10°C* until the yolk sac was absorbod, after which time they wore held in the hatchory trough for tho remainder of the experiment. The results are as follows:-

Incubation Temperature Loss of Loss of Free Weight of period range eggs • sac fry swimming 200 fry COHO 6000 eggs in 7 to 12*C. incubator 30 days 'Av. 10° 25.955 3.1$ April 12 89*3 gm* 6600 eggs in 3.5 to 6° hatchery 90 days Av* 5°C. 2,5$ 0*3£ April 24 107.5 gm*

STEELHEAD 7040 eggs 4 to 10ttC. in incubator 45 days Av. 7.5* 18*9$ 3.7$ April 15 49*0 gm* 6710 eggs 3 to 7°C. in hatchery 75 days Av. 5*C. 3.7$ 0.1$ May 7 48*0 gm* It will be sqqh that development was hastened by the higher temperatures^ in the case of cohos by 60 days and in steelheads by 30 days* The incubated eggs and sac fry suffered losses considerably greater than the eggs and fry held at hatch ery temperatures. At the end of the experimental period however, the coho fry from the incubator were of a much smaller size than those held at hatchery temperatures while the steelhead fry of the two lots were approximately the same size. One advan tage only is evident, namely, that fry resulting from incubated eggs and retained at temperatures higher than the hatchery water reach the free-swimming stage much sooner than those held in hatchery water through the whole period of development. It is planned to repeat these experiments in part this coming season using in addition the eggs of spring salmon which are normally spawned in the river where temperatures are considerably higher than those obtaining in the hatchery. G*C* Carl No* 48

Gravel Planting Experiments

To test the effect of light upon the viability of the egg and upon eye dia meter of the fr^yj experimental lots of coho eggs were incubated under various con ditions of exposure to light. In the first experiment three lots of 2^000 eggs each were counted by hand. The first was placed in a hatchery basket under usual light conditions,1 the second was held in a hatchery basket covered to exclude light and the third lot was planted in gravel in a hatchery trough* After the eggs had hatched end the fry had reached the free-swimming stage the gravel was remold, the resulting fry were counted and samples were taken from each lot. The ratio of eye diameter to total length was obtained from eaeh lot and the results demonstrated that there was no significant difference in eye diameter of fish hatched in gravel as compared with those hatched in an open basket. The mortality experienced by each of tne three lots of experimental eggs up to the time of hatching was abnormally high and differed con siderably as foliows:- Open basket Covered basket Gravel planting 12.1$ 17*6$ 46*3$ The high losses in general were probably the result of the extra handling necessitated by blending the separate lots of eggs followed by counting. In the case of the gravel planting the mortality was probably increased by faulty circulation of water* Al though the gravel was picked over carefully^ 160 eggs were unaccounted for* In the second experiment, eggs taken from one coho salmon were divided into three lots. The first was placed on the surface of gravel exposed to daylight: the second was planted in gravel and the third was retained under usual conditions in the hatchery. The losses up to the time immediately before hatching were as follows:- On gravel m gravel In hatchery

In addition to experiencing a high mortality, the eggs exposed to daylight appeared to hatch prematurely, producing weakened fry. This would seem to indicate that eggs exposed on spawning beds by freshets or other agencies have an equally poor chance of survival, m the case of the lot incubated in gravel the eggs were replaced after counting and were re-examined six weeks later when the fry were free-swimming. The results are as follows:- ^' lfl° No* eyed eggs planted Dead eggs Dead fry Live fry Unaccounted for < loss 818. 2 * 797 13 2,6 Since only 1.2% loss was experienced by this lot of eggs tap to the time of hatching'' it would appear that the heaviest losses are suffered after this stage that is" between hatohing and emerging from the gravel as free-swimming fry. ' ' It is planned to repeat these experiments in part during the coming season. G.C* Carl NO* 49

"Jack" Salmon Experiments

.Among spring and coho salmon there occurs a type known by fishermen as "jack" salmon which appears to be invariably a male fish, becoming sexually mature one year or more before the normal time. Owing to their small size these "precocious" males are not desired by commercial or sport fishermen. The number of these small males as com pared with the number of normal-sized males sometimes reaches a large figure. In the 1938 run of cohoes up two tributary streams near the Cowichan Lake Hatchery, Jack sal mon formed 12*8% of the number of males. During the current season jack springs formed 64% of the spring salmon examined at Skutz falls fish ladder in the Cowichan river. Al though figures are yet incomplete it would seem that the proportion of salmon of the Jack type has been increasing in the Cowichan river system. In connection with the large number of small males appearing in this river system during the past few years a major question arises. Is the tendency to produce these small precocious Aales a result of inheritande or of environment? In an attempt to answer this question,' during the season of 1938,' 20,'000 eggs of cohoe salmon were taken and fertilized with milt from the Jack type of male. As a control ah equal num ber of eggs was taken using milt from normal-sized males for fertilization. These two lots of eggs were cared for separately in the hatchery and equal numbers of the result ing fry were placed in separated ponds where they were given the same diet rationed ao- coring to their number and rate of growth. At the end of the season the two lots of fish were marked differently and released after measurements of lengths and weights were taken. The losses in eggs; fry and fingerlings and the analysis of the population in each pond at the end of the season are given in the following table.

Recorded Size composition losses Losses losses in up to between above larg•- av* Dhraocr- in eggs in fry fingerlings 75 mm* 75 & 95 95 mm. est wt* ded loss 23*000 eggs (14,000 finger 33.0% 4.7% 22.6% 45.3% 23.3% 31*4% 123 .4*30 lings) 16.0$ mm* gms* "Jack" males 51^000 eggs (14,000 finger 26.7% 0.' 6.7% 43.5% 18.5% 38*0% lings ) 135 4*19 16.7% mm* Normal males gms* „ „ xt "f ]» a60a that «» mortality among the Jack offspring was higher than Z^w^S^ Particularly during the fingerling stage. At the end of the expertamtai period, 32 weeks after hatching; there was an indication that the progeny tt.the averageSLlS^ST88weight per IT?**fish waslagreater.lengtl1 thaaWhetherthosethese»«"*"«variations*«• "OMlare significantmales buthasthat ^J£«^911^eEm^ed ^thB, Usual •*•*!•«<»«• Procedures. It remains to be seen what ?f^!aia planned ffor the^Secoming*"? l0tSseasonasTelop usinglnt0 themales eggsof springthe ',;rack"salmon.^e. Asimilar experiment G.C. Carl No* 50

Effect of Calcium on Metabolism of Trout It has long been known that calcium is one of several elements necessary in the growth of an organism and lately it has been demonstrated that this substance may be absorbed, by fishes from an aqueous solution* To determine the practicability of in troducing calcium into a hatchery water 3"npply^ an experiment was conducted at the Cowi chan Lake Hatchery in which eggs and fry of trout were held in water containing added cal-» eium. Two lots, each containing 10,000 eyed eggs of brown trout which were available at the time,' were placed in two hatchery troughs receiving equal amounts of water* To the experimental trough was added 10 pounds of finely ground calcium carbonate so placed that the flow of water passed through the substance before reaching the eggs. A series of water analyses commenced at this time showed that the water in the experimental trough contained 10 p.p.m. of acid carbonate as normal carbonate as compared with 5 p.p.m* of acid carbonate in the control trough but that after 24 hours the value dropped to 6 p.p.m. and at the end of the second day there was no measurable difference in calcium carbonate content of the water in the two troughs. In a second attempt to increase tho amount of dissolved calcium the almost in soluble carbonate was replaced by the easily soluble chloride which was dissolved in wator and added to the experimental trough drop by drop to form a solution containing about 0.1 gms. CaCl2 per litre. Aftor a period of about 12 weeks at temperatures rang ing from 3.0 to 5.0°C. the oggs hatched, those in the experimental trough being slightly in advance of the control lot, and after the first 8 weeks of the fry stage the exper iment was discontinued and samples of fish were taken from each trough. The losses and final calcium content of the two lots of trout are given as follows :-

Calcium content Egg loss Fry loss mg. per g. dry wt. mg. per g* ash Control 6.6% 26.1% 16.12 144.4

Experimental Plus 6.2% 20.3% 16.69 144*9 calcium

From the above it will be seen that the losses in eggs.-and fry were less in the experimental trough containing added calcium than in the control trough but that at the end of the experimental period there did not appear to be an appreciable differ ence in the calcium content of the two lots of fish. It is possible that had higher concentrations of calcium been used more definite results may have been obtained* The writer is Indebted to Mr* Iyle A* Swain of the Fisheries Experimental Station at Prince Rupert for the calcium analysis of the fish samples*

G*C. Carl No# 51

A Preliminary Investigation of the Space Factor in Rearing Ponds It has long been recognized that the amount of available space has some effect upon the rate of growth and ultimate size of fish but the mechanism .Tor the effect is not definitely known. • The effect of this space factor is often particularly evident in small bodies of water, especially hatchery ponds where spaee is at a premium and the hatcheryman must find out by experience the largest number of fish of a desired size a G.C. Carl No# 51 pond can produce. With this end in view an experiment was carried out at the Cowichan Lake hatchery in which coho salmon fingerlings were reared under different degrees of crowding. The experimental fish were held in two ponds of equal dimensions, 14,000 fish in one and 28,000 in the other and under identical conditions* The two lots of fish received the same diet rationed in proportion to the rate of growth and number of fish present each week over a period of 23 weeks* The total loss, both recorded and unrecorded, and the sizes and weights of the fish at the beginning and end of the ex perimental period are given in the following table ;- Size composition Initial Total up to between above largest final unrecorded av* wt* recorded 75 mm* 75 & 95 95 mm* fish av* wt* loss loss i4;ooo • echo 0*5? gm* 6*7% 43*5% 18*9% 38*0% 135 mm* 4*19 gm* 16*7% 28,000 coho 0*53 gm* 13*9% plus 43*5% 21.9% 34*6% 112 mm* 3*61 gm* 28*6% 11.2% by accident

From this it may be noted that the fish in the more crowded tank suffered the heavier mortality, even omitting the loss by accident j and tended to be smaller in both size ahd weight. Moreover^ if the unrecorded loss is a measure of the extent of cannibalism, the fish in the more crowded pond suffered much greater losses through this factor than did the fish in the less crowded pond. In factr if it is more desir able^ to produce a larger number of medium sized fish than a smaller number of larger fish, the extent of cannibalism may be the most important factor to be considered in the practice of pond roaring. It is probable that the results havo been affected by tho accidental loss of 11.2% of the population of the more crowded pond but despite thisJ a measure of the ill effects due to crowding has been obtained*

Ferris Neave jjC. 52

Coho Production of a Small Stream

In order to obtain information regarding the productivity of tho smaller streams of the Cowichan river system, in which tho coho is the dominant species,' a ~ record was kept of the adult fish passing into Oliver creek during the season of 1938-39* Before the appearance of tho fry the weir was screened and a trap was in stalled to catch the young fish migrating downstream*

Figures relating to the spawning run were as follows: Number of cohoes entering stream 607 Number of females 151 Number of females stripped for hatchery 17 • Number of females released in stream '134 Average number of eggs per female 2?464 Total number of eggs removed 41:888 Eggs available for deposition 330,176 Ferris Neave No. 52

Fry and fingerlings were counted at the trap during the spring and summer, with the following results:

• Itonth April May-.May-, Jung June* July August Total

No* of fish 5^8615,861 30**38 2;824 521 175 47,613 The peak of the downstream was reached on May 18 and 19, on each of which days more than 3J600 fish were taken from the trap. At the end of August an attempt was made to estimate the number of fingerlings remaining in the stream^ which at this time was in general very low and was entirely dry over part of its length. Representative portions of the water-bearing sections of the stream were screened and the contained cohoes removed and counted* About 10% of the habitable length of the stream was examined in this way. The total population of first-year cohoes was estimated as 3,J800C This^ added to the number recorded from the trap gives a total figure of 51,238, accounting for 15*52% of the estimated figure of 330,176 eggs available for deposition in the stream. The possibility that some unre corded adults entered the stream during a flood period when the weir was covered with water is not considered to invalidate tho general picture. It is proposed to repeat this in-vestigation during the present season.

Ferris Neave No< 53

Salmon Run of the Cowichan River The object of this investigation has been to obtain qualitative and quantit ative data regarding tho salmon of the Cowichan river. General observations were made at the river mouth and at Lake Cowichan. M investigation was mado of the main run of salmon passing Skutz falls\ situated about 8 miles by river below Cowichan lake. At this point ascending fish can circumvent the falls by means of a fish ladder or by passing up a narrow rock channel which communi cates with tho upper end of the ladder. At the beginning of October a trap was instal led at a point above the junction. The situation at the falls varies considerably ac cording to the tevol of the river* During the fall of 1939 it was evident that the great majority of fish travelled up the ladder, though a small proportion succeeded in ascending ths falls. While a few spring salmon "Jacks" had reached the upper end of the river by September 9, the first noticeable migration of this species into the river occurred on September 15. Thereafter, no activity was apparent until October 18^ when the main run of spring salmon and cohoes commenced. The first of these fish reached Skutz falls on October 20 and observations were continued at this point .until November 10 when high water forced suspension of activities. Counts of the fish ascending the ladder and rock channel were made at frequent intervals during the day and night and daily samples were taken from the trap. During the three week period an estimated total of 54J450 salmon passed the counting points, of which about 23,'400 ascended on October 22 and 23* The composition was considered to be: Spring salmon 11^764; Cohoes 42^560; Chum salmon 125* Fish were still ascending in considerable, though reduced numbers when observa tions were discontinued* The spring salmon run was characterized by the presence of a very large num ber of "Jacks". Fish of this type were estimated as constituting 64% of the total num ber of this species. In the case of the coho, "Jacks" probably constituted about 3%. Astrongly marked diurnal rhythm was evident during the run, the number of fish travel ling at night being exceedingly small. Ferris Neave No* 53 Oten marked cohoes were taken from the trap. These were survivors of 10,'000 wild fingerlings marked and released at the Cowichan lake hatohery between September 23 and October 5' 1937* The ratio of marked to unmarked fish among those critically exam ined at the trap was 1:148. If this proportion held good for the whole run it would in dicate a population of 1^480j'000 fingerlings in the upper part of the river system in September-October^ 1937. On the same assumption a return of ]about 4% of the marked fish to the neighbourhood of the spawning grounds is indicated if\ as seems likely, the total coho run of 1939 above Skutz falls amounted to 60,'000. Further deductions may be possible from these figures in the course of time. It is felt that every effort should be made to continue investigations along these lines in future years.

Ferris Neave No. 54

Angling Records

In order to obtain information regarding the composition of anglers1 catches and the fishing effort which is being made by them^ fishermen are being encouraged to keep records on forms supplied by the Board. In the absence of an extensive patrol of the river system the records so far available can only be considered as covering a small and unknown fraction of the angling activities which have taken place in recent months. Very little fishing took place between June and September* Records of fall fishing are not included here since many of these are not yet to hand* In view/of apparent differ ences in the fish population of different parts of the river system,' the latter is di vided into sections for the purposes of this report.

Lower river. Available reports apply mainly to the portion of the river between Duncan and the river mouth^ with a few records from Sahtlam. The data" exclusive of steel head fishing* may be summarized as follows: Total number of fishing hours 189.5 Number of fish caught 93 Average number of fish per hour 0*49 The composition of the catch was: Cutthroat 68; Rainbow 18; Steelhoad 6; Dolly Vardon 1. April was the most popular month for angling and also showed the highest average yield of fish in relation to time spent in angling* A marked decline in number of anglers and also in yield per hour was evident in May and June* Steelhead angling records for a period extending from January 29 to February 27 were: Total number of fishing hours 112 Number of fish caught 31 Average number of fish per hour 0.27

Upper river. Lfost of the records refer to the half-mile stretch of river between Cowi chan lake and the E. & N. railway bridge. A few apply to localities between this point and Skutz falls. Total number of fishing hours 431 Number of fish caught 302' Average number of fish per hour 0*71 Composition of catch: Cutthroat 48; Rainbow 241; Steelhead 1; Brown trout 6; Dolly Var- den 6. The maximum angling intensity was in March* The yield per-hour was almost equally great in this month and in February* Ferris Neave No* 54

Cowichan lake* JQbst of the fishing in Cowichan late takes place after the river fish ing has declined. Records obtained in June and early July were as follows: Total number of fishing hours 165.75 Number of fish caught 153 Average number of fish per hour 0*80 Composition of catch: Cutthroat 98; Rainbow 35*

It is evident that the cutthroat is the prevailing game fish in the lower part of the river and in Cowichan lakej while the rainbow is dominant in the upper portion of the river.

Ferris Neave No* 53

Salmon Angling in Cowichan Bay

Salmon which enter Cowichan bay preparatory to ascending the Cowichan river provide an extensive salt water sport fishery in the late summer and autumn* In order to gain information concerning the magnitude and character of this fishery~ a recorder was stationed at the bay for two months commencing on August 25* This period covers the most important part of the fishing season* Records were kept of the number of boats and lines engaged^ number and species of fish caught and,' so far as possible' of the lengths and weights of the fish. Completed records for the period were as follows:

No. of No. of No* of Spring Salmon Cohoes Total boats lines line hours Large "jacks" Large Grilse fish 2,'803 5^278 19,006 553 750 3,410 1,^069 5^788 Average number of line-hours per fish caught during the entire period was 3*3 Spring salmon fishing reached a peak at the beginning of September. "Jack' Springs" constituted 60% of the catch of this species. ThQ height of the coho fishing was during the first half of October. In ad dition to the 3,410;iarge cohoes for which complete records are available an estimated total of 1,200 to 1.500 was landed at a point about one mile from tho main settlement k-j£WiC^ b8y* Allowing for unrecorded fish it can safely be assumed that more than 5,000 cohoes were tefefen by anglers in or close to Cowichan bay. Three large cohoes and seven grilse: marked and released at the Cowichan Lake Hatchery in 1937 and in 1938-39 were reported. It is felt that records of this fishery taken over a number of years would' provide valuable indications of the trend of salmon production in the Cowichan river*.

Ferris Neave NOf 56

Life History of the Steelhead The life histories and interrelationships of the various types of native and introduced rainbow trout present problems of practical importance in the development of a policy for the Cowichan river* As one of the elements in this complBX,J the steel- head and steelhead fishery are being investigated* Methods at present in use involve Ferris Neave No* 56 the marking and tagging of fish, examination of socles and collection of anglers' re cords, supplemented by observations of a general nature* The winter run of steelhead may begin as early as October but the majority of fish arrive much later* During the latter part of the winter of 1938-39 and in March fish were plentiful on the spawning grounds and the opinion has been generally expres sed that the run was one of the best in recent years* Some fish were still present in April and May. A few steelhoads onter the Cowichan river in summer. Average lengths of fish examined from the winter run were; males 26 1/2 inches; females 26 inches (standard length). Average weight (both sexos) was between 8 lbs. and 9 lbs. Scales from 80 fish were examined*, The age composition of theso was considerod to be as follows:

Croup 3g 42 4g 5g 53 6g 63

No, of fish 4 40 17 6 11 0 2

Those figures indicate that 71% of the fish had entered the river in their fourth yoar and that the majority of those had gone to sea after one full yoar in fresh water* In the fifth year group the greater number had spent two full years in fresh water* Only 7 (8.75%) of the 80 fish appeared to have spawned previously, and none more than once. Data regarding the length of stay on the spawning grounds are scanty. A tag ged male released at the hatchery on February 6 was found dead at tide water (about 28 miles downstream) two weeks later. On the other hand, spawning fish are known to have remained for at least 46 days in a small stream near the hatchery. ' Females utilized for hatchery purposes yielded an average of 2,J460 eggs per fish, the minimum and maximum numbers being 1,'760 and 3^630 respectively. Numerous smolts of this speoies were present in the river within the limits of tidal action during the latter part of May. They were presumed to be entering the sea. High water during the early part of the season practically limited the steel head fishing to the month of February. It is considered probable that only about a hundred fish were removed in this way during the season. This would represent an insig nificant proportion of the run. It is anticipated that an increasing number of records of marked and tagged fish will be obtained in the future and that these will throw light'on the movements and life history of the species.

Barris Neave No# 57

Cutthroat Populations of the Cowichan River System The cutthroat trout of the Cowichan river system show considerable variation in life history and growth rate. Definition of the various populations or types of in dividual and a knowledge of their movements and interrelations are necessary for an understanding of the general problems of the Cowichan river. The methods that are being Used to these ends include the measuring and weigh ing of fish from different localities^ the examination of scales and the liberation ot marked and tagged fish at various points within these waters. Ferris Neave No* 57 At the present time provisional recognition is accorded to the following types of cutthroat* !• River type* These fish commonly spawn in the smaller tributaries of the river and the young fish inhabit these streams during all or part of their first two years. A considerable part of their later life is apparently spent in the main river. They Com monly reach a weight of between 2 lbs. and 3 lbs. These fish do not migrate to the sea. 2* Lake type. The cutthroats inhabiting Cowichan lake and the closely related Bear lake differ from the foregoing in colour and growth rate, some of them reaching a weight of at least 7 lbs. or 8 lbs. Some of them apparently spawn.in certain tributaries of the lake, such as Sutton creek and the Robertson river. The females of this type^ while producing more eggs than the females of type lt are less productive in relation to the weight of the fish. 3. Somenos lake type* Certain small tributaries of Somenos lake provide spawning grounds for cutthroats many of which mature at a length of only 11 to 14 inches and a weight which may be only one third as great as the spawning fish of type 1. Fish tagged in these streams in March have been recovered from Somenos lake in April and October and it is believed that in general they do not migrate outside Somenos lake and its tributar ies* A few larger fish also occur in these streams. The view that these are represen tative of type 1 received support through the subsequent recovery of a tagged individual from the Cowichan river* 4* Sea-run type* Many cutthroats from the Cowichan river system spend part of their lives in salt water* It is believed that such fish are not common in the upper part of the Cowichan river,' though an individual of this type was taken in the Skutz falls trap on October 21^ 1939. Little is known concerning tho migrations of those fish. In spito of marked differences in size the fish of at least the first three types appear to mature at the same age. Spawning fish are usually in their third or fourth year, tho latter group being the more numerous. Fifth year fish are relatively scarce. It is proposed to continue and extend this investigation during the present season.

Ferris Neave No# 58

Identification of Young Cutthroat and Rainbow Trout

Identification of these two species is occasionally difficult even with fish of good size. The difficulty is much greater in the case of small individuals. The latter are of course the most numerous class and it is frequently desirable to sample a population of small fish. Scale counts afford the most satisfactory criterion. A procedure has been adopted for enumerating scales or scale papillae at a very early stage. Ail opportunity has also been taken to test the various methods of scale counting which are in current use for these and other Salmonids. In the case of small fish, on which accurate scale counting is difficult or impossible in the whole individual, a method was evolved whereby the skin could be rapid ly removed and the scale pockets or scale papillae distinguished with great clearness. Methods in current use involve the counting of scales throughout the length of the trunk. These methods were found to be unsatisfactory in some respectsJ particular ly in their application to very small fish. A method was adopted which consists in count ing the scale diagonals corresponding to the anterior 60 scales of the lateral line,' the count being made at a level about one third of the distance between the lateral line and the mid-dorsal line. In a preliminary series of hatchery bred fish the average numbers Ferris Neave No<> 58 were: Rainbow (steelhead) 67; cutthroat 88. In a number of instances this method pro ved to be more diagnostic than those in current use. By using it in conjunction with removal of the skin and a consideration of the body length in relation to degree of scale development it is usually possible to identify the native trout of the Cowichan river down to a length of 35 mm. or less. Its applicability to other populations has not yet been tested on a large scale.

C. Idyll No* 59 Food of Cowichan River Trout

**•>- riverT«fc» »2£ksystem^be^ifis^' f^. i. 3 '•*!!*was °fcontinued2" *??duringspeciesthe ofsunniertroutof«"»>***1939 at the1» Cowichantne Cowichan etLfhsstomachs &*»AJ^tbsrfor the threo-yearseriesperiod.of *««t.These stomachsinclude was352 rainbow'collected-making154 cutthroatalotal»dofo88lvs brown trout stomachs. Amongst the 1939 collection was aSmber of stomacnTrromtro*ut of the fingerling stage which make the series reasonably complete. a%am&Cb8 trm trou* exists in thTfi!^.8 °*taiaea from tne examination of the stomachs show that there S£?b£c£. oTtrtul "'*"* *^^ differettoe ia th* *•«»« habits o??h* numbers of m^SusL*^*^ S<^n!rl) feed alaost entirely on insects; with small «rt*L£ tontera) ^a ™^ •MBSS" StageS 0f ^i^s (Triohoptera),' blackflies increaseinse^ foodin sizeft rfhlitWiSTSeVS^nTTPtSfa)Vma?"° significant changeUp inthefoodmosttakesImportantplace itemswith ofthe It has been^o^?Lf^tthioafu71o-,ab™t t f f* Ty a°re "Sh taaa d° the «**•". immature stages of oJd^fSel^bLSlies! ^elh^^11 ****** ***** theand morelargesttocutthroat a fish diet.takiSTheimSamountelLfntWS I* *> nearly equal eatrconsiderabiT^antiti^ S-fSSt'fJW V^ 10 incheS th9 brom *™* tentcompletelyon insects.as they^do with tne ouxtnroat.cuUhroat £venEven tVl^ff™the largest browninS6°tStrout relyln theto somedlst ex--" ' 20 inches; ££?£ & Sr^Lhef^^L^ *rDttt' ?h0Se **««» 10 inches and

0. Idyll No. 60 Bottom Fauna of the Oowiflhan River

ofthistheproblem(to-lSKi^Srlng tJ^SSswToLun oft,8year T11*,1*^^ ^ StudyfoUowinSof the*•fama*PreliminaryProductivitywork on «. -ious^ilSfol^e^i^r^r0 ^bu^st^f "" ""*"™* <* C* Idyll * No* 60

Ten stations were chosen as representative of these habitats, including var ious types of bottom,! depths of water, speed of current, etc0 Samples were taken by means of an Ekman dredge in deep water j and by a bottom sampler in shallow water J each sample consisting of a known area of the stream bottom* These samples were pictod over and the animals recovered from them were coun- tedj weighed and preserved. No analysis of the results has yet been made*

G.C. Carl No. 61

limnology of Cowichan Lake

The limnological study of Cowichan lake has been continued during the past season and data regarding physical and chemical conditions of the water have been ob tained for comparison with those collected in former years0' In general^ conditions dur ing 1939 were much the same as were found to obtain in 1938. A minimum surface temper ature of 5.2°C. was reached on February 10/39 as compared with 5.0°C. on February 14 of last year. A maximum surface temperature of 22.6*C* was attained on August 12/39 which was 16 days later than in 1938 when the water was heated to 21,60C. The bottom temper ature at 35 metres rose from 5*4°C to 706°C* during the season as compared with 4*9*C* to 7.8°C. in 1938. The time of formation and position of the thermocline,' the amounts of dissolved oxygen and the plankton population remained much the same as found in the previous year. One series of samples was taken at the upper end of the lake on July 26. Daily records of temperature and water level of the river have been taken dur* ing the year. A mooring buoy has been placed at the sampling statical in the lake so that readings and samples may be taken at one position regardless of wind conditions. It is planned to continue the taking of limnological series during the coming year and to com mence a more intensive study of the plankton population.

G.C. Carl No. 62

Lamprey Life History

Lampreys (Entosphenus sp.) ere found in most water systems connected with the sea but they appear to be particularly numerous in the Cowichan river system where a con siderable amount of damage is done to game fishes. Both in the main lake and in tribut ary lakes such as Bear and Mesachie it is rare to catch a fish bearing no scars or wounds resulting from lamprey attack. It is impossible at the present time to estimate the pro portion of fish that fail to survive an attack but the number may be considerable. When more is known of the life history it may be found possible to effect some measure of control of numbers during the spawning run or in the larval stages. An opportunity to observe the spawning of lampreys was afforded during the]past season in Holmes creek which flows into Somenos lake near Duncan. ]0n May QJg 1939," when this stream was visited following a report of lampreys being present,' a group'of spawning individuals was observed at one point and many nest sites were discovered in other portions of the stream. Several spent lampreys were caught and freshly-spawned eggs were collected in various areas by sifting the sand through fine screens. The eggs were "retained for in cubation and a series of drawings of developmental stages was obtained. The eggs hatched G.C. Carl No« 62 about the fortieth day at temperatures ranging from 7°C. to 12°C. On the spawning groundi where temperatures were higher\ hatching took place in about half the time. Later in the season larvae of several size groups were obtained by sifting mud from back eddies through fine screens. Some of these and other larger specimens taken from the Cowichan river were retained in sutanerged wire cages to obtain rates of growth. It is planned to collect further data regarding numbers of spawning adults, rates of growth of lar vaeJ etc. during the coming season.

G.C. Carl No, 63 0* Stickleback life History The stickleback fGasterosteus aculeatua) is exceedingly common in the Cowichan river system where it is often seen in large schools sometimes mingling with the coho fry. Although it is -fee most abundant for6ge fish in certain areas the adults do not" appear to be eaten'in any numbers by trout," possibly on account ]of their sharp spines. The younger stages^ however^ particularly the free-swimming fry^ appear to be readily taken by fry and fingerlings of game fish and may prove to be of considerable value as food. In general,' since the status of the stickleback in the ecology of the lake and" stream is not well understood^ a study of its life history would seem to be desirable.' The adults which attain a length of 54 to 67 mm. \ begin spawning in the Cowi chan river by the end of May when the water temperature is between 12 and 14°C. and the egg laying appears to continue throughout the summer and as late as the first week of September. A nest is constructed by the male by fastening together bits of weed and other organic material apparently by means of a sticky secretion from the genital open ing. It is usually in the form of a shallow covered dish with a central opening, the whole structure being about 6 or 8 cm. in diameter and 1 to 2 cm. in depth. In no case was a nest observed to be built resembling a barrel with both ends open as is usually shown in text books. The eggs are large, averaging about 2 mm. in diameter and the num ber found per nest varies between 500 and 1200 with the average about 1000 eggs. The male tends the nest assiduously driving off all intruders and at intervals circulating the water over the eggs by a fanning action of the pectoral fins. At 15°C. the eggs develop rapidly, reaching the eyed stage at 72 hours and hatching by the eighth day at which time the fry are about 7.2 mm. in length. Ohree days after hatching^the egg cac is completely absorbed and the young fish begin to swim away from the nest^ still zeal- #^ ously guarded by the male* After the free-swimming stage, development continues to be rapid and a length of 2 or 3 cm. may be obtained before the end of the summer* It is planned to examine more closely the relation of the stickleback to the other more valuable fishes of the river system* FISH DISEASE IN73STIGATI0N D*C*B. Duff No. 64

Fa.^mcul.osis Investigation

Object of Investigation; ' (a) to explore the possibility of immunizing hatchery fish* particularly the cutthroat trout, so that resistance may be gained against infection by Bacterium salmon icida. • (b) to investigate the effectiveness of the acriflavine treatment of fertili- ' zed trout eggs.

Progress; (1) at Stanley Park Hatchery. In my last summary report of November 30,' 1938^ it was stated that' definite protection results had been attained on a small acale^ working with goldfish^ that spe-' oial efforts were being made to apply the findings on a larger scale to cutthroat troutJ and that to further these efforts* a water heating plant had been installed in the hatch ery laboratory at Beaver Lake. * During part of December,' 1938," and through January, 1939^ the heater functioned in an apparently satisfactory mannerf and it was used to build up a virulent strain of B. salmonicida. with the object of using the strain to test the resistance of previously vaccinated trout* The testing was not accomplished, since the hatchery caught fire in the early hours of February 21st. As a result all equipment was lost J the building de stroyed, and about 25% of the fish stocks on hand were killed* The cause of fire,' though unproven, was considered by the Fire Warden to be due to faulty installation of the heat ing unit. Reference may be made to correspondence in this matter in the files of the pacific Biological Station. Following the fire* further losses of fish occurred due to the activities of mischief-makers. Lids and padlocks had been provided the exposed tanks and valves, but in two instances the padlocks were broken and fish destroyed. As a re sult the entire experiment on effectiveness of acriflavine was lost. Sufficient fish were left in the vaccination experiment, however* to warrant carrying onJ especially in the light of the success of previous small-scale experiments. ' The Provincial Game Commission^ whose hatchery premises had also been damaged by the fire, decided to rebuild on higher groundj and negotiations were begun through the Fisheries Research Board for obtaining quarters in the new building for the Furun- culosis Investigation. Authority to proceed did not become available until late in May. Work on the building proceeded very slowly and it was not until the middle of July that the new premises were available. A further six weeks elapsed before electric rpower was brought in. At this point a further batch of valuable experimental fish was lost due to neglect of the assistant to turn on the water after a feeding period. Due to the above damages and delays, experimental work on a new water heating device was not commenced until September. *fe are now able to report the installation of an all-electric heating and circulating unit," which has been approved by the electri cal inspector as safe. Water is supplied to the unit through a specially-designed fil ter. The usual arrangement for sterilizing the infected outflow by chlorination has been provided. This unit has so far been used to build up afresh a virulent strain of B. sal monicida for infection experiments. During the summer and fall certain batches of~cu~ throat trout have regularly been fed vaccine,* and are now in condition for testing. A change in staff is to be reported, since Mr. W.D. Mbttley resigned as of October 31, 1939. His place has been taken by Richard Morgan. Fallowing a brief period of training under Mr. Mbttley and myself, Morgan is carrying out his duties in a satis factory and intelligent manner. D*C*B. Duff No. 64

Progress: (2) at the bacteriological laboratories of the University of British Columbia. It was possible during the spring and summer months to re^eheok oertain lab oratory findings on the ability of a variant of B. salmonicida. under specified condi tions^ to pass through Berkefeld W filters* The manner of this accomplishment has thrown considerable light upon the mechanism df bacterial dissociation. The experimental re-" suits were read* upon invitation, at the Third International Congress for Microbiology,' Section on Variation and Taxonomy. The Congress was held in New York, September 2-9,' 1939, An abstract of the material presented is appended to this report. A fnrther^ more detailed treatment, is at present in manuscript form, for publication in the "Journal of Bacteriology". Diagnostic Service for Furunculosis; In July a furunculosis-like disease broke out in certain hatcheries in Oregon, and was investigated by Doctor Griffiths of the Fish and Game Department and by Doctor Shaw of the Oregon State Agricultural College. Cultures were forwarded to the writer for investigation. The cultures were thoroughly tested, both culturally and serological ly, and were conclusively identified as B. salmonicida. Furunculosis would therefore now appear to be quite widespread on the Pacific Coast. Cultures of British Columbia strains have been sent on request to the State of Wisconsin Fish and Game Department.

D.C.B. Duff No. 65

The Filtrable Forms of Bacillus salmonicida and of Other Sueexes

Attempts to obtain filtrable elements from cultures of several microbic species failed when the material to be filtered consisted of stable G-forms as broth cultures or suspensions, or when filtrations were attempted from S-or R-phase cultures which were hot demonstrably in a stage of dissociative activity* Berkefeld W filtrates from serial,' fluid cultures of S-or R^phases showed the pressnoe of filtrable elements at two stages only; (a) when the culture was known to be undergoing S to R or R to S dissociation with concomitant production of few to many G colonies; (b) when the oul- ture,' in its series of transfers, had reached the stage of the "sterile tube"* The presence of living elements in filtrates was demonstrated by*the tech- • niques laid down by Hauduroy (1927) and by Hadleyt Delves and KLimek (1931)," the oper ations consisting of serial plate cultures, ageing, or combinations of these methods. These procedures resulted in the appearance, under the defined conditions, of typical " G colonies which frequently appeared to develop from a surface film. Certain G cultures J so recovered, have been caused to revert to the parent S or R form. Possibility of entry of G forms of heterogeneous microbic species into the plating series is recognized* SHELLFISH INWSSPCGATION. D.B. Quaylo No. 66

Shellfish Statistics.

Up to the present time shellfish statistics in British Columbia have consisted merely of tho total production in each of the three large districts. No differentiation has been made regarding species and no record of the number of persons employed in the industry was kept. Thus no use can be made of the catch statistics in determining any fluctuations in abundance. Therefore, in order to obtain some information of some value in this regard, a clam report form has been devised, the purpose of which is to gain information on the catch of clams per unit of effort on the various beaches. In tho case of the clam in dustry, the logical unit is the catch per man-tide. Details will be seen on tho accom panying form, which is a slight modification of the one used during the 1938-39 season. It is expected, with the new type of form and the experience of the industry during the rlast soason, bettor results will be obtained in 1939.40. Tho distribution and collection of the forms is in the hands of the Department of Fisheries, and thoir co-operation in this and in other ways is most helpful. The clam buyers are responsible for entering the information. The Department of Fisheries will probably require that clam diggers and clam buyers be licensed so that a record of the numbey of persons employed in the industry in the various districts will be available. The method of returning oyster statistics is also very unsatisfactory and could be profitably reorganized. A system for the collection of adequate statistics in the shrimp and crab fisheries would be valuable as a preparation for the time when fur ther biological work will be-necessary with these species.

D.B. Quayle No# 67

Plot Experiments with Clams. In order to test the productivity of various clam beaches, as well as the most efficient method of exploitation,;plot experiments were begun. Fisher's method of plot experimentation using the Latin square was chosen because of its ease of application to the problem in hand. At least six years will be required for the completion of these experiments. A Latin square is a block which is divided into a number of square plots, the number of plots along the side of the square depending upon the number of treatments to be used in the experiment. The treatments are distributed at random with the condition that each typo ••occurs only once in each row and in each column. In this case, a square block is laid out on a suitable beach and divided into plots from which, according to the various treatments, the clams are dug, weighed, and measured. The plots are dug in such a way as to simulate commercial conditions as nearly as possible• The following are the projected treatments for these experiments{ 1* Plots to be dug twice a year. 2. Plots to be dug once a year. So Plots to be dug every other year. /. Plots to be dug every third year. 5. Plots to bo dug only at the end of the experiment. D.B. Quayle No# 67

One of the conditions in an experiment of this type is that it should not be disturbed except by the experimenter. To maintain this condition on a coast such as the one in question is rather difficult and a little trouble has been experienced. However, after a little preliminary trouble and careful selection of beaches, the exper iments are now running fairly smoothly, and in time should provide some useful informa tion. Experiments are located at the following points on the east coast of Vancouver island whioh extend over a distance of 270 miles. Others will be installed as the oppor tunity presents itself.

1. Knapp island (near Victoria). 2. Mackenzie bay. 3. Ladysmith 4» False narrows. 5. Departure bay. 6» Seal island (Comox) • 7„ Echo bay (Alert bay). As indicated above, a six-year period will be required for the complete re sults. Presentation of the very small amount of data obtained so far would be of no significance«»

D.B. Quayle No# 68

Growth Experiments on the Commercial Clams. Growth experiments on the two main commercial species of clams (the "butter" clam, Saxidomus giganteus; and the "little neck", Paphia staminea) have been instituted. The purpose of these experiments is. (1) to discover the seasonal and annual growth rates in various localities and at different tidal elevations (the exploitation of B.C. clams is carried on only in the intertidal zone); and (2) to test the validity of the annual ring" method of age and growth detenainations and, if the procedure is estab lished, to provide experience in the interpretation of such rings. Numbers are engraved on the left valves of the clams by means of an electric drill with a carborundum point. With the same instrument a small notch is made in the anterior edge of each valve. Since growth of a now shell takes place only on the in terior and outer edges of the valves, such marks are permanent. Groups of thirty to forty clams so marked were weighed and measurements of the length, height, and width were taken. In the case of the "butter" clam, the measurement of the width was neglected duo to the fact that the valves have different degrees of "gape" at different times. When the "little neck" clam is removed from the water it closes its valves tightly together. These groups of clams were planted in boxes at three different tidal elevations; one below the point of lowest low water, another just above the point of lowest low water* and the third at about the half tide mark. Some variation in the placement of the boxes exists from beach to beach, owing to the nature and slope of those beaches. The box used in holding tho clams below the lowest low water mark was one of cedar planking, open only at the top. The other boxes were sunken into the beach and consisted of a 2» x 2» framework to which was attached £" mesh galvanized chicken wire. D.B. Quayle No. 68 ^♦S8"8^ months. She lowest?h8 twovupperbox canb°XeSonly beareexaminedremoved onceand wi^deach yearandduemeasuredto tidaleveryconditions.three hav in.->iT „:?£ i°nS °5 ^he e3*erimen*a already installed are as follows; Mackenzie

«ovL^covered hby the^ *°experiments,***!' ?"°rtSand bywmincreasing* •"*»• t0thoenlare°numbert^of scopeclems usedby orten^nTSeon each beachrange KTSSS £* *» «** * «*«» **««« •""* onlhYpoee^bil- Sufficient time has not yet elapsed to provide comparative results. Recommendation. |PN ™„. u,. P°/i!ld wo* in this a"14 ^ otner experiments is continued throughout the ITlL ^ttf th!v,TOrk,has t0 *• d°ns on isolated and exposed beaches durinfthe night Is tSe ^fJ^%/0r *Vafety °* «* equipment such as the boat.^tcf, as well ?hirtv-3^ZSSS'J?*™»!f* £ ^ °at h!f "greatly*£* !hatfacilitatedacaB aidallisphasesneodea'of Ms°the investigation,«* acquisitionhasofin-a Efte *?£ llTrSr? th^rntity °f neceasary routine non.scienfific detail and, vettiXion?that ST.JSJ?..; ? I aPn°n-teClmloali0n °f thea"^^t"°* i8 Per*°"5e"e consideredneglected.for theItuse is £recommendedSs in-

D.B. Quayle No. 69 A Quantitative Investigation of Bl-valve tervae.

carried oJ^fJ-out in order TTSto obtain°f more1939 !definite*»»*i*«i«informationPlanktonon theinvestigationspavins ceriodshas beenot +hB IZ1Z IFflZS0*? * **»«*» harbour and ^P"*™ bay ZTt ?hePsa^ time de! cou^fcourse, laidStn8™"^on theratecommercialof the larTOespecies.•"* the i"«t>« °f larval life, itophasisp is!' ofx „* K < Six Permanent stations were chosen in each harbour and bi-weekly nlankton to™ ?Lv ™TS%dUra!i0n "ere taken' m tons TOr° considered taken at the surface altnZh well irio thHimcStfi0: t0 *^ee/oet ln W> *» *> *- —tidaHonditions T waswisofof NoNo. 25 bfitf^Lbolting silk, J^in*aiIlinSwith a ten-incha oonstantdiameter^wingand total•?••«.lengthTheofplankton30 inchesnet usedTt butLeHsedi™„?!r^V*?*,nD ?he/ea!011S**** ^^the "»*°»^^ Departurebeen obtein9dbay were« areducednefof tocofonerserVTtm^shwee*,hal andan* sodiumS* bicarbonate,h? v10 fnUte8contrifugeddurati°n.as »•soonPlanktonas possiblewas andpreservedstored.immediately in formalinforSlin dlfficmti^e*T?*i!a!iTe detelminati°a of marine bi-valve plankton is one fraught with thfthe towt^cis beingt < !°,taken.*he PresenceAlso bi-valveof bo manyplanktonfactorsis usuallythat aresmallinvaryingquantityItcontinually wlfeven as ttothe toSZFi^KV"desired information,m°th0dand wouldCh°Senprovide"0uldalndicat9'basis fora*furtherle™t consideration™f\helroiin agen^ra^se^ of The number of larvae of each species will be detemined by means of a counting D.B. Quayle No# 69

cell, tho numbers in the six tows will bo averaged and that figure will be taken as a measure of the relative abundance. Measurements will be made of representative samples of the larvae and from the frequency distributions so obtained the growth rates and tho time of the larval period may be estimated. The material has not yet been worked over.

D.B. Quayle No. 70

The Identification of Bi-valve Larvae*

The investigation on the recognition of bi-valve larvae has been continued with emphasis on the commercial species of clams. Its importance lies in the fact that it provides a method of determining spawning seasons and of indicating to what degree spawn ing has been successful. There are two methods which may be used in attempting to identify larvae. The first consists of collecting young clams of known identity, and correlating the prodisso- conch (larval shell) shapes and measurements with advanced larvae taken from the plank ton. The second method is the one in which the clams are reared to a recognizable size, starting with the eggs or with young straight hinge larvae segregated from plankton hauls. This cultural method is the most direct, but it requires the full time of the investigator - therefore, the former method has been used entirely in this work. In addition to others previously reported, the larva of Cardium corbis. the cockle, has now been identified. Most of the important species have now been worked out in this investigation and descriptions and analyses of data will be presented as soon as time will permit.

D.B. Quayle No. 71

Reproduction in Clams.

The histological study of the gonad and its development in the "little neck" clam, Paphia staminea, has been continued and the investigation extended to include the "butter™ clam, Saxidomus giganteus. The purpose of this investigation is to determine:

1. The size and age at maturity* 2. The spawning season. 3. The time and the method of gamete formation. 4. The most suitable period for exploitation in regard to edibility.

The investigation consists of taking samples of clams at various intervals throughout the year and of making slide preparations of a portion of the gonad by stan dard histological technique, or by smear preparations. Some results of the "little neck" clam investigation have already been pre sented. The work is being carried on in order to fully substantiate those conclusions* In the case of the "butter" clam much of the prepared material is still to be examined and analysed. | N? 3078 CLAM REPORT Name of Buyer

Name of Officer Fisheries Research Board of Canada

L This sheet must not be destroyed. All forms are to be accounted for. Date Collected _„ 2. This report will be collected by the fishery officer at the end of each month. 3. The purchase from each digger is to be entered separately. Snipped From 4. White Form— retained by the buyer. Shipped To „ Pink Form— retained by the fishery department. Yellow Form— sent to the Pacific Biological Station. (to be filled in by fishery officer.)

Quantity BEACH . Date of Purchase Name of Digger Number of Digging Tides Butter Horse Little Neck (To be defined as accurately as possible) 601b box 601b box 801b box

>•*•••*****—*****.*>**»**

=# The aim of this report is to gain information regarding the quantity of clams dug by one man in one tide. Therefore the number of digging nights (or days) to produce EACH man's delivery must be reported accurately D.B. Quayle No. 72

Oyster Propagation in Ladysmith Harbour,

Since major emphasis has been placed on the clam problem, the oyster work has been reduced chiefly to maintaining a record of the breeding activities of oysters in Ladysmith harbour, and.in carrying out a small programme of stimulation with the Japan ese oyster, Japanese oyster. In examining the Japanese oyster situation in general, it may be said that the industry is growing rapidly, and promises to increase greatly in importance. The entry of one of the large fishing companies into the fresh oyster mar ket as well as the canned oyster business is expected to give impetus to the industry as a whole. During the spring of this year, approximately 1,000 cases of seed oysters were imported into British Columbia from Japan. The guaranteed number of spat per case is ten thousand. This quantity of seed (1,000 cases) should yield from 2,500 to 3,000 tons rof oysters with:'.n three years. Propagation in Ladysmith harbour has again boon a failure in 1939. Low tem peratures during the spring and early summer retarded the development of the spawn and it was not until well on into summer that the eggs were ripe enough to be fertilized. Some artificial spaming did take place, as well as a large amount of natural spawning. However, larval mortality was very high. No spat have been found to date on the experi mental cultch shells that have been examined, but judging from the number of larvae that existed in the bay from time to time throughout the summer, there will doubtlessly bo a very light spatfall. On August 1, when surface temperatures were 71 degrees Fahrenheit, some stic*-» ulation was attempted. Moderate success was obtained in the spawning floats but no re sults were observed on the beds. On August 3, a small portion of one oyster bed spawned after the oysters in the spawning float had spawned of their own accord. (Often the loading of the oysters into the floats is sufficient to cuase them to. spawn near the peak of the flood tide with no other stimulation). On August 4, some success was obtained from stimulated spawning, when the temperature was 73.4 degrees Fahrenheit. On the same day several half grown oyster larvae were found in the plankton, but by August 11 none could be found. Also on August 4, the natural spawning of a number of oysters was observed as the water flooded over them after they had been exposed on the ebb tide. The temperature of the flooding tide in the shallows was very high, averaging 86 degrees Fahrenheit, in examination of all the oyster beds in the harbour showed that most of the oysters at the upper tidal levels had spawned, as had a number in scattered areas at lower levels. On August 11, several spawnings covering a considerable area, occurred in var ious parts of the main oyster beds. The plankton of August 14 contained tremendous num- /pfs*H bers of straight hinge Japanese oyster larvae ranging from 75 u. to 100 u. in length, v By August 16, only a few straight hinge larvae could be found and within a few days they had all disappeared. On the day of spawning, August 11, the surface water temperature was 71 degrees Fahrenheit, and the salinity measured 26 parts per thousand. By August 16, the temperature had fallen to 68 degrees Fahrenheit, the salinity remaining prac tically unchanged. With the water temperature at 68 degrees Fahrenheit, a large spawn streak was observed over an oyster bed at the extreme west end of the bay on August 21, and on the next day more spawming occurred on a neighbouring bed. No larvae were observed in the plankton till a week later, when 25 to 30 of them could be found in a standard plankton tow. However, the numbers decreased day by day until none could be found by September 1. The temperature had fallen to 65 degrees Fahrenheit by this time. Native oyster* The native oyster situation has not changed much within the last yoar. Tho oyster growers at present operating in Ladysmith harbour are not making D.B. Quaylo No# „

any moves to culture this species* In Boundary bay, after several seasons when the spatfall was sparse and the aault mortality high, conditions have recently improved and production will shortly re sume normal proportions* Spatting of native oysters in both Ladysmith harbour and Boundary bay has been excellent during the last summer. In spite of the lack of culture the native oyster population in Ladysmith harbour, at least, is gradually increasing.

D*B* Quayle No# ?3

Test Oyster Plantings on tho West Coast of Vancouver Island. In the summer of 1937 an experiment was initiated to test the value of the west coast of Vancouver island as a potential Japanese oyster raising area. Seed ob tained from the extensive brooding of 1936 in Ladysmith harbour was sot out in tho fol lowing localities; Berkley sound, Ucluelot inlet, Clayoquot sound (several districts), Refuge cove, Matilda creok, Esporanza inlot, and Kyuquot sound. In tho summer of 1939, several plots in Barkloy and Clayoquot sound and Roftigo cove wero examined* In Barkloy sound, only the Bamfield inlet planting showed growth comparable to that obtaining on tho oyster areas of the eastern coast of Vancouver island. Oysters at this spot were of good shape and flavour. Tho available area is limited. The examina tion of the plantings at several other places in Barkley sound showed in most cases that 5-o years would be nocossary to grow an oyster of marketable size. Unfortunately sever al plantings could not bo examined. In the Clayoquot sound area, growth was also found to have been slow, apparent ly due to the elevation of tho beds. In some places strong currents caused considerable shifting of the oysters. The area here is very large, comprising several thousand acres. Growth in Refuge cove was also slow. Verbal reports have been received about other plantings, and apparently nothing exceptional has been noted. It is evident that areas exist on the West coast of Vancouver island where oysters of good quality can be grown* The relatively low water temperature prevailing throughout the area is an adverse factor in causing slow growth and undoubtedly preclud ing spawning. However, spat may be introduced annually and if time is not a considera tion to the oyster grower, there is no reason why areas in Barkley sound such as that at Bamfield and in Clayoquot sound, as for example Browning passage, should not produce con siderable quantities of oysters of good size, shape and flavour. At the present time, though, the market demand is not sufficient to make production profitable on these dis /jlpswt tant and somewhat isolated areas*

D.B* Quayle No# 74

Pollution in Ladysmith Harbour. The problem of pollution in Ladysmith harbour in relation to the oyster in dustry there, has been one that has required attention for some time. A brief report, covering the topography of the area, with reasons for the possibility of pollution of tho oyster beds, was prepared and submitted to the Executive Committee of the Board D.B. Quayle No# ?4 early in 1939. 4.* ,, Subse^uently appropriate signs were put up in the neighbourhood of the sewage outfall by the local Medical Health Officer. In June, an examination of the situation was made and a preliminary report was prepared by a sanitary engineer attached to the Department of Pensions and National Health. Later, during August, an extensive bacteri ological examination of the harbour waters at all stages of the tide was carried out by an officer of the same department. Assistance and the facilities of this Station were provided in each case. It is expected that the Health Department will provide a comprehensive report which will be a starting point for the satisfactory settlement of the question of sani tation in all phases of the British Columbia shellfish industries. EZDROqRAPHXC INVESTIGATIONS J.P. Tully No. 75

The Program in Oceanography

It seems advisable at this time to give a review of the program in oceanography in order that the summary reports which follow may have their proper settings* The nearest approach]to a general statement of the problems of research in Oceanography is; "To determine," define,' and describe the conditions in the sea which may affect the fishery". This object allows of a great many interpretations depending on whether it is approached from the viewpoint of the physical or biological scientist^ fishery conser-' vationist or the fishing industry] and to some extent the interests of all must be con sidered* The policy has been to develop methods of observation and to accumulate data sufficient to develop those branches of Oceanography that are of the most immediate value to fisheries research in general. rThe previous work that has been done in this area are the isolated studies of Fraser, Cameron, Hutchinson and Lucas on distributions of temperatures and chlorinities and the chemical nature of the epithalassa of Georgia strait in the summer time^ and the recorded observations of T.G. Thompson et al on the temperatures and chlorinities of the waters of the San Juan archipelago. Therefore it was first necessary to mate exploratory studies to determine the nature and limits of the problem^ at the same time to give at tention to work that has been done elsewhere, m some oases it has been sufficient to apply known principles or methods to the present studies and in other cases it has been necessary to develop hew methods and even to make fundamental studies of the nature of coast water mo'vements* In order to keep the program within the economic limits and to develop the proeddure, it was deemed advisable to limit the first researches to a relatively small natural area whioh would present as many as possible of the difficulties of investigation* Then, in the light of these experiences to extend the operations to other areas* On this basis the major program] up to the present time, has boon tho study of the mo-voment of the Fraser river waters to the sea through Georgia and Juan de Fuca strait and the nature and limits of their influences in these waters and in the ocean. In order to do this^ it is first necessary'to determine the nature of the flow of the Fraser riverf secondly, to know the characteristics of the water and water movements in Georgia and Juan de Fuca 3traitsJ thirdly.' to know the nature of the flow in the ocean in the approaches to Juan de Fuca strait, and the effect of the above systems on this flow] and fourthly, all these data must be correlated to ahow the effects of each factor and group of factors on the whole system] in order that the influence and movements of any part of the system may be demonstrated* The nature of the flow of the Fraser river has been established from the ^ meteorological records over the whole of the Fraser river basin and the records of the run-off in the Fraser and other rivers draining into Georgia and Juan de Fuca straits* The water movements in these two straits]depend on the combined influence of land drainage J ocean water present and'the weather,- and these depend on precipitation, wind, temperature] insolation, run-off * wind and tidal water movements I and the geo graphical nature of the area* The nature of the flow in the approaches to the area is dependent on the sys tems in the straits and that in the ocean* The former is outlined above] and the latter is dependent on the amount of'land drainage present in the coastal zone' precipitation, temperature, insolationJ wind]! aa^L oceanic water movements* „ Much of the necessary data has been obtained from the J&teorological Bureau, the Water Power and Hydrometric Bureau,' the Land Survey departments, the Iftrdrographie services] and Tidal Surveys of both United States and Canada* JVP. Tully No* 75 Those data adequately describe the geographical,' meteorological and tidal con ditions* To determine the character and variations of the sea wator^ surveys were car ried out in 1931 and 1932 of the]chemical and physical properties of the Georgia strait waters and tho contiguous inlets^ and in 1933* 1934 and 1935 this work was extended to the ocean ooast in conjunction with the Hydrographic service. Following this a program of daily sea water observations at a number of points strategically located along tho coast was instituted to determine the physical properties and rate of change of the coast waters in relation to the changes in the weather* This program has boon largely carried on through the co-operation of the Light-house Service* In addition a program cf dynamic surveys was carried on in conjunction with the Royal Canadian Naval Service to determine the nature of the oceanic circulation off the west coast of Vancouver island and in the approaches to Juan de Fuca strait* These surveys have been repeated at frequent inter vals to determine the seasonal and annual variations in the current systems, and to de fine the general coast conditions so that they may be related directly to the quantities Ip^- observed daily at the lightstations* Tha time required for the collection of these data is governed largely by the amount of original work to be done. In this program a great deal of exploratory work was required* Carter and Tully worked two years developing methods end studying Georgia strait and the contiguous inlets* Tully spent two years in exploratory study off the west coast of Vancouver island and the Queen Charlotte islands and three years intensive dynamic study of the waters in the approaches to Juan de Fuca strait. This of course does not mean that this has been the sole interest but these studies have bejen the major program for seven years and the research is now in the fourth stage,' namely^ the corre lation of the various factors to determine their relative influence in various parts of the system* The mass of data collected is very large and the process] of correlation in clude many series of tedious calculations, preparations of charts^ and comparisons of different situations. All this requires time and in the intervals between expeditions it has only been possible to partially develop the data to the stage where they are ready for consideration* In this connection, and in the collection of the data and the chemical work necessary to determine the properties of the sea-water] specially trained technical]as- sistence is required* Since such assistance is not available from the universities]! or , by experience elsewhere9 it has been necessary to develop the technical ability within the department* The present staff represents the culmination of four years intensive training and is highly efficient in all phases of this work. It is natural that in a study of this breadth that the results expected should cover a very wide field* Some of the conclusions that are probably of most interest to fisheries research would concern. 1. The limits of influence of the Fraser river for its effect on salmon migration* £• The character of the waters and the nature of the flow in Georgia and Juan de Fuca strait for its effect on salmon and herring migration* 3* The character of the waters and the nature Cf the flow in the approaches to Juan de Fuca strait for its effect on the salmon] pilchard and herring migrations. 4* Conditions in each part of the system during poor] fair and good fishing. 5, Differentiation of physical conditions in poor end good fishing years* 6* Conditions which indicate the possibility of poor or good fishing and the possibil ity of forecast. Some valuable data in the study of pure physical oceanography are also avail able from the same data such as:- 1. Studies in the dynamics of steady ocean currents* 2. The nature of turbulence iii coastal ocean currents. 3. The interrelations of wind,' gradient, and land drainage current systems on each other. J.P. Tally . No* 73 4* Study of the upwelling of deep ocean water near the coast. 5. "dynamics of rapid oooan currents* 6* Dynamics of the flow v* stratified waters in channels* anda** hydrographioalw*~ ^fto •cesultastudies arein thisto be area,expectedsuchthatas:*are of interest to the meteorological*"«*««. l' S^stpS**0 ^ G90rgia ®-d Juan de Iaca straita "* *» the approaches to Juan de 2. The relation of coast meteorology to coast ocean conditions* ,ao

Annual Variations in the Character of the inland Waters

Practically all the attention to date has been given to those waters affected by the Fraser river disoharge, that is the southern part of Georgia strait and Juan de Fuca strait* m the summer there are three layers or zones in the Georgia strait waters; namely:- (a) the surface zone or epithalassium which is comparatively fresh and warm* The salinity varies from 4% to 28% and the temperature from 15° to 22°C. (69° to 72°F*)* The lower limit of this zone is marked by a sharp density change at a depth of four to twenty metres, below which the (b) hypothalassium extends to about two hundred metres depth. The salinity of this latter zone is of the order off 28% to 31% and the temperature 8*5* to 12°Co (47° to 54°F.). (c) Below this in the deepest parts of the Strait there ia a bottom zone of nearly stagnant water whose salinity is 31% to 34% and the temperature is of the order of 7° to 8°C. (42? to 45*0. )'• The greatest variation in properties occurs in the epithalassium which reacts to the daily changes in meteorological conditions end land drainage. The seasonal chan ges are reflected in the hypothalassium, but not the daily differences; and the bottom zone remains practically constant throughout the year* In the winter the water tends to become nearly homogeneous from surface to bottom, the temperature and salinity approaching the values of the bottom zone* The detail of the character of the annual cycle was observed in 1931 and 1932 and since then it has been'sufficient to record the daily fluctuations of the surface waters at the Sraser river; at the northern end of the Strait at Cape Mudge, in the middle at Entrance island, and at the southern end through the courtesy of the Oceano graphical Laboratories of the University of Washington at Friday Harbour. The variations in the waters of the southern passages through the San Juan archipelago and in Juan de Fuca strait are much more limited. Mixing is so thorough in these southern passages that little or no variation of the properties of the water with depth is observed* However in Juan de Fuca strait dilution occurs due to land drainage from Puget • sound and in the summer there is a slight gradation of properties with depth on the sou thern side of the strait but this does not occur to any extent on the northern side or near the entrance to the Strait. There is no distinct epithalassium in these waters since there is no sharp demarcation between the properties of the surface and deep waters* The annual variation in temperature of the waters passing through the southern passages is from about 11°C (52°F.) in the summer to about 8°C* (46°F.) in the winter and in the salinity about 2%. The variation in the surface waters of Juan de Fuca strait is simi lar to this on the northern side and about twice as great on the southern side* Complete series of observations have been made for the study of the variation] of the other chemical and physical properties of these waters such as; dissolved oxygen; phosphates; nitrates; nitrites; but these have not yet been considered in relation to the water movements*

J.P* Tully No. 77

Circulation in Georgia Strait

It is impossible to give a discussion of so complicated a circulation system as Georgia strait in the space available and it is simplest to express the outstanding conclusions to date as a series of statements* J.P. Tully No. 77 1. The Fraser river waters spread out fanwise from the mouth of the river; where the maximum depth is about 20 metres. This depth diminishes logarithmically with distance to the outer limits of the fan which is four to five miles from the mouth of the river in the winter and covers practically the whole of Georgia strait during the summer freshet. 2. The rate of movement of these waters is fairly constant] consequently the river waters mix with the underlying tidal waters in regular proportion and the salinity increases lo garithmically with distance along the line of flow, 3. There are three zones in depth during the summer in each of which the current velocity decreases regularly with the depth. ., (a) Epithalassium in which the current is the resultant of the wind and fresh water flow, and the whole zone is carried on the tidal curio'nts which are transmitted in the hypothal assium. This tidal zone varies in depth with the season and location. It is of small ox- (^ tent in tho winter and covers the whole area of the strait in the summer and hence varies as the vertical stability of tho water mass. (b) hypothalassium in which the current is largely due to tide. There is a sharp boun dary] called the thormocline or salinooline, between this and tho opithalassium in the summer, but this disappears in tho winter. (c) Bottom zone which is stagnant in the summer and merges with the hypothalassium in the winter. In each of these zones the salinity increases exponentially with depth, but the rate of increase is different in each zone. 4. The rate of mixing of stratified waters varies as the velocity, hence high velocity flow tends to mix the waters thoroughly so that they become homogeneous. In Georgia strait the rate of movement is not sufficiently great to overcome the vertical stability in the summer] but does so in the winter. In the passages through the San Juan islands however the velocity at all times is great enough to completely mix the waters from to* to bottom. Then since there is a great deal more hypotnalassal water than epithalassaj., the resultant character of the mixture more nearly approaches the former than the latter* That is] in the southern passages and Juan de Fuca straits the waters are always cold and of high salinity. 5. In general two weeks are required for the surface waters to complete the circuit in Georgia strait. There is evidence to show that this normal lag is approximately the earns in the summer as in the winter and that there is no tendency for the Fraser river water to be conserved in the Strait during the summer* The Fraser river has a greater effect in the summer than the winter because land drainage is greater. 6. The general epithalassal circulation under the influence of south-oast winds is north westward along the mainland sido of tho strait with a small surface compensation current #* south-eastward along the island side* Under these conditions there is a large cyclonic eddy in the northern end of the Strait. Under the influence of north-westerly winds the current on the Vancouver island side increases and that on the mainland side decreases* 7* The tidal exchange of water occurs largely at the southern end of the Strait, the flooding waters moving in along the mainland side and the ebbing waters being drawn from the Vancouver island side. J.P, Tully Bft No. 78 Tidal Circulation in Juan de Fuca Strait An analysis of the tidal current information from the United States and Canadian tide tables has been made. From these 'data it has been shown that there is no such condition as a general period of slack water, but rather that the ebb flow grows at the expense of the flood, and then the flood at the expense of the ebb' and that both currents exist in the Strait at the same time* .' The flood stream persists practically all the time on the bottom and approach es the] surface on the Canadian side and expands across the Strait towards the American shore, obliterating the ebb as it grows. The ebb tide begins at the surface across the whole width of the Strait and grows by- expanding downwards* It follows that "slack water" is a boundary zone between the two tidal flows. When the flood tide is increasing the boundary is more or less vertical, about one mile in]width and migrates across the Strait at a rate of about three to five knots, that is, at any one point slack water lasts from twelve to twenty minutes. When the ebb tide is increasing the boundary is more, or less horizontal and migrates downwards and the thickness of the slack water zone varies with the depth to which the ebb flow penetrates. The velocity of the ebb flow is in general greater than the flood since it must transport slightly more water than the latter and through a smaller cross section. The average tidal velocities are two to three knots on the strength of the ebb and one to two knots on the strength of the flood. Both ebb and flood velocities become less with increasing depth; reaching a minimum at the boundary zone of slack water* It has been shown by recent studies at the entrance to Juan de Fuca strait that the ebb •tceem seldom if ever completely displaoes the flood movement near the bottom, The bottom flood stream has a velocity of the order of one to two tenths of a knot* These findings are very significant in that it is demonstrated that in the surface zone (20 to 50 metres depth) the movement is predominantly ebb; while below that level the movement is predominantly flood.

J.P. Tully No. 79

Circulation in the Approaches to Juan de Fuca Strait

The program of ocean current surveys has been based on the seasons as defined by the program of daily sea-water observations, each expedition being planned to observe a typical seasonal condition so that the fundamental systems and their standard varia •gp* tions may be studied. From Juan de Fuca strait there is a permanent outflow superimposed on the reciprocal tidal circulation* This flow,' but not the temperature or the salinity of the water,' varies with the discharge from the Fraaer river. That ia; the hydraulic pressure from the river discharge is felt at the entrance to the Strait but there is no effect of fresh water at this distance. It has been shown that the Fraser river waters are so completely mixed with the tidal waters which are almost continuously al ong the bottom of the Strait that the resulting salinity is as high or higher than that normally found in the open sea in this area. This stream flow enters the sea to meet the wind currents and the course of the stream is the resultant of these two movements* The north-westerly winds; which are at a maximum in the summer; set up an offshore surface current moving southwards which constitutes the so-oalled Japanese current and is made up of the surface coast waters which have been warmed by the sun* J.P* Tully ff0# 79

Beneath this there is a shoreward compensation current which ia many times thicker than the surface current and consequently much slower. This latter draws water from the ocean depths bringing them to the surface along tho shore and so giving rise to the cold shore zone. During the winter when the southerly winds are most prevalent the surface cur rent is towards tho coast and tho deep currents seaward. Consequently there is a ten dency for the surface waters to sink along the shore and tho land drainage waters which are too light to sink accumulate along the coast. Under the influence of the north-westerly winds tho stream flow from the Strait veers sharply to the left forming an eddy which brings deep water to tho surfaco in tho middle and throws it off around tho sides in the form of smaller eddies. This phenomenon creates an area of very dense water in the entrance to the Strait which in turn creates a difference of pressure with the surrounding ocean waters and as a con sequence the rate of flow of the stream is accelerated* Under the influence of southerly winds the stream flow veers to the right around Swiftsure banks and towards Cape Beale. Tho stream itself causes upwelling on tho seaward side which in turn oreates a pressure difference and the combination of this and tho land drainage from Barkloy sound causes the stream to veor to the left, so that it has an - shaped path. Tho stream grows broader as it flows and wastes itself in eddies along tho path end is finally dissipated in this manner. The zone of upwelling in the entrance to the Strait is less apparent under these conditions than formerly, and may be completely obliterated under the influence of strong south winds* These studies indicate that the character ccf the Fraser river water is lost before it reaches the sea; and in fact that it is lost in passing through the San Juan archipelago. The hydraulic force however persists into the open sea for a distance of thirty to fifty miles during the most favorable conditions and may be lost in the first five miles during the most adverse conditions.

J.P. Tully No. 80

Variations in the Character of the Ocean Waters in the Approaches to Juan de Fuca Strait.

The character of the coast waters is largely determined by the particular location; season; and wind. There are three more or less distinct areas in these approaches; (1) the en trance to Juan de Fuca strait between Cape Flattery and Swiftsure banks (2) ]the coast zone comprising the continental shelf area within twenty miles of the shore; and (3) the offshore waters which are twenty miles or more from the coast and over the continen tal slope. ] Due to the topography of the sea bottom in the first area; upwelling of the deep ocean waters occurs under practically all wind and tidal conditions, but most par ticularly under the influence of the north-westerly winds which prevail in the summer. The surface temperatures under these conditions are of the order of 11*0. (52*F.) and the salinity is at a maximum, being about 18%, In the winter, upwelling is at a minimum since the prevailing winds are from the south, but at this time^the general water temperatures are also at a minimum (7° to 8°C.) (44° to 48*F.),' consequently these waters are always cold* This zone supplies the dense water that moves into Juan de Fuca strait on 3*»P* Tully No* 80 r^^terfn£T^!aL1S£?\7?TU «* «*-*«tly mi»a with the ftaaer alalia* o^^ater^SSSv-i-hTT*** aaUai*y "S?SL**»»» *&• normal« °h ?h°aooaanapp98rswateroainthe the*"**«»area and•»is*toalware«"***»cold.. Georgia strait. waa8,Jre or ™e rate of liberation of the Fraser river waters from i£f£i/**•* \ w^JVhea^J*1!^00*3*uprninSzone durin6occasioned*te summerby thethonorth-wester^water is generallywinds! "HuScold" abouttLe"I3«r»«£ ches iroTTeUT^^ ^^^^ ^orally rea- welled wat^d»^n!fwaters along the coastiS &! soama?mimthat theinsalinitythe 3UnBl9r of ***the-surfaceaffectivelywatersdilutesis ofthetheup- issameconsiderablyorder as thelessnormalthansurfacethat inoceanthe entrancewater intothisJua^^^cTstrai?farea* namely about 17'*'5*' but thi*W* ten*.. wJ^T1,^ tbe,w*ater the wk°le water mass to the depth of the continental shelf tends towards Shermal homogeneity at about 7° to 8'C. (44« to 46*F.). Th^ra^^ce of sinkings^nkiT^lyand conservingWind%tealsthe t0land***drainage,«» »«*«whichwatersis attowards a minimum'the ^asfUsllfaalong the shore zone tZITiTXV^during the minimum8U^freshets!allnltythan ininthethe summercoast whenzotte theis lo^run-offWois greatest.M?f * «£ winter *,,^ 4 fu ls evident that variation in the wind conditions may cause almost as much change in the properties of the water as the extremes of seasonal change*. Upwellins ^tteCfi^™W^rin the summer may bring 2!the whola^thereffacer!ducsofthetho*****sea **.lowa fairlytemperaturesconstantortemporatura.south-winds alon* thA ?.?! f^\? th! ^f1081 Characteristics of the waters as observed daily ™S«J5Z ^ fth *? »*°«*>8i«»l records it is possible to define the particular theseZ«« dataa^\f the conditionscir^ta*<*8throughout^at is thein effectarea, at any one time and to extrapolate*«-«*«» A™ufroT

J*P* Tully

Daily Observation of Sea Water <+ *. ^ ^retoforo in most European end American Ifeseareh in physical oceanography 1<~?J?IZ customary to regard the determination of water movements and annual varia- £atW th! *™S*S °£ !!a water f ?9Parato though related subjects, Bovver the T^2»l iJSli.?properties of the sea water, and the nature of the circulation are coin- f«n« 1^* **2* <*** durations of any set of conditions in the sea is largely depend* £2h£ 2S J^a^» ^ " »•* *• PWJy masoned that if these relationship; arT r«£rWi ^/m L0^,86- could to a

1-49% ss^;lasersss, «tra<* waters -*—-—- i* .ffififfi "^ir1"**""aaitttain their maxl-m but lana **-•• *»«—

. I* !• obviously inefficient to undertake arduoua and exnens±v» <**«« m,-m^«+ 0* •SSSJI^W^r^^t^r^V'^state offT*8change,^thePor the thelimits«^*i~of their,™2ttduration. Hr factitis K°«™fthe j»nwiMinn? ofr!Ty the oce^nisgr^phlcalWith0Ut SUCh *»*»m»*conditions.information in practt.tlUy ***a-w*s..iAJLlaaa II . «^ «o^ ^0 daily seawater observations establish these criteria and whan the surveys '-<- S5JTS*il. 7 Possible to ascurately relate the current systems observed to their fi»- dSlti^ S ** determim the ^«^larity of their QG&xaxac* and their v, 4. * *P th8S6 obseOTations served this purpose alone they would be found profitableJ m in addition they serve as a link in the relationship of the weather to the sea con ditions, since they indicate the degree of the changes in the sea occasioned by the wea ther, the lag of one or the other, the type of changes -chat occur; and the relative in tensity of the changes from one part of the coast to another. Once these relationships are established it may be possible jfco extrapolate-Ifce information to the past and estab lish the conditions surrounding the fishery before these investigations uerc Inaugurated. The following table shows the various stations at which these data are being collected, the date when observations were commenced and when some were discontinued*

Station Observer Starting date Observations discontinued .

Amphitrite C. Fletcher .. -4ug. ••?2i;i934 Nootka H*F* Chamberlain Aug. 20; 1934 Quatsino C,B. Carver Jan. l' 1935 Cape St* James J.N. Kelly July 4* 1934 • Langara island J. Peve Oct* 22, 1936 Aug. 281 1937 ^ w C. Khapton Sept* 1939 Green island J* Iforan Feb* 1, 1935 June 28* 1937 Prince Rupert P. Sunderland Feb* 7* 1934 Nov* 11* 1935 Stevens island Mar; 7, 1934 Deo* 29, 1934 Masset # H*.Frost Nov,' 1939 Shannon Bay P* Dwyer Nov* 1939 Triple island G.M. Robertson Oct; * 1939 Ivory island J.W. lobster Nov* l! 1939 Pine island G*L. Smith Jan* 14j 1937 Cape Mudge J*E. Pettingell Nov. 1* 1936 .Entrance island J.A. Flemming May' 14* 1936 "Poplar island (Fraser r*) W.A. Bowcott Feb. 22! 1937 William &ad Capt* G. Hansen Jan. I* 1921 J.P. Tully ' No# 81

It is evident that conclusions from these data are closely involved with the interpretation of the circulation system and it is not likely that major deductions ' would be made from these alone. Some points of interest however should be mentioned. 1. There are on the average six to eight major changes of weather per month in the area covered by the Fraser river investigation, but there are only about one third that number of changes in the character of the water, 2* Fluctuations of temperature of a week or less duration are not reelected in the sea. 3. Major changes of wind direction are not reflected unless the new wind exceeds twenty miles per hour or endures for a weeks time. 4. Fresh water from land drainage does not affect the sea until some time after the freshet. This time lag is specific for each individual system, (i.e.) (a) 14 to 16 days from the Fraser river to Juan de Fuca strait; (b) eight days from Alberni inlet to the open sea on the north side of Barkley sound. 5. Offshore winds cause the observed sea water temperatures to fall and the salinity to increase, and vice versa for onshore winds. A lag is also noticeable in this pheno menon. 6. The nature of the seasons varies with the latitude. In the south temperatures re main at a maximum after the summer freshet while in the north around Dixon entrance the autumn conditions set in immediately after the summer freshets.

J.P. Tully NC. 82

Salmon Catch Records and Physical Conditions in the Sea In 1936,J at the request of several salmon trollers in ; thermom eters were loaned to some fishermen with a view to obtaining temperatures of the water during fishing operations* The next year this was extended to Kyuquot sound fishermen and in addition to the temperature and weather observations a confidential report of the catch was obtained. This program was continued in 1938. Various means of combining the data have bee]n tried to determine whether there was any relation between the various factors of wind," size of sea, temperature; and catch of spring and cohoe salmon* ] The data are not very extensive or conclusive; but there appears to be much better fishing just before and during a major change in weather conditions than during stable conditions* That is fishing is good when the wind is changing from south to north-west and vice versa; but not during the prevalence of these conditions* ^ Mare data are required to establish these indications. It is not proposed; hoTrOver; to expand this program beyond its present limits; but to carry on in this man ner until some definite trend develops. J.P. Tully No# 83

Pollution

On June 21 the Fisheries Department submitted some water samples taken from the Zeballos river below gold mining operations* The samples were examined for Cyan ides which were found present in lethal quantities* The sampling was repeated in a more elaborate manner on August 14 and it was found that cyanides were present in the mine effluent but were dissipated before reaching the fish inhabited waters* The cyan ide was absorbed by vegetation in the water* There was a report from the Fisheries Department of waste from a laundry sewer in Port Alborni, polluting a creek so that young Cohoe salmon would not go down to tho sea. The difficulty was overcome by digging a cesspool about ten feet from the stream and allowing tho water from the sewer to filtor through the gravel from the cesspool to the river. #^

J*P, Tully No. 84

Alberni Inlet Investigation

The Department of Fisheries advised that Messrs. Bloedel, Stewart and T?felch, Ltd., loggers] proposed to build a sulphite pulp mill at Port Alberni and requested that the Station make a survey of conditions in Alberni canal with respect to the pos sible introduction of mill effluents. From the standpoint of the mill engineers it is most efficient to dispose of the mill waste in the mouth of the Somass river at the mill site. It is evident that this would constitute a serious pollution since there is a considerable salmon run in this river, and a considerable fishery in Alberni inlet and Barkley sound. The waste from such a mill is all in liquid form and consists of (a) digest liquor containing calcium sulphite; calcium sulphate] lignins and wood sugars. (B) wash- water containing a smaller concentration of the above ingredients and a certain amount of wood fibres. Both of these wastes are distinctly harmful to fish life. The first greatly reduces the oxygen content of the waters and the second tends to clog the gills of the fish. The nature of these chemicals and corrective measures that have been employed elsewhere were studied and it appeared that there were several possibilities. 1, The waste liquors could be impounded in a large pond; aerated; and be allowed to fil ter into the inlet at some distance from the river mouth* 2, The digest liquor could be piped directly down the inlet and be released at depth of 70 metres (38 fathoms) depth where it was possible that tidal action would lead to great dilution of the harmful liquors and eventually carry them to soa* The relatively inert wash waters could then be impounded as above and allowed to filter into the inlet* 3, The digest liquor could be concentrated and burned in the mill, and the wash waters disposed as described* Due to the cost it appeared that one of the first two possibilities was to be preferred, and in order to discuss these it was necessary to determine the circulation systems to be encountered at various levels in the inlet* Msssrs* Bloedel, Stewart and Hfelch agreed to provide a boat and crew for the investigation which was carried out between October 8 and November 18. Direct current measurements were made at the surface; 6j 30; 70, and 100 metres depth at 45 minute in tervals during full tidal cycles, on each of the spring and neap tides at four stations. In addition a number of observations were made of the temperatures, salinity and dis solved oxygen at suitable intervals; and sectional hauls for phyto- and zoo-plankton at J.P, Tully mm 34 each of eight stations on the ebb and the flood tides* During these surveys the dis charge of the river into the inlet was observed* From these data it is planned to work out the circulation system in the inlet in detail and to estimate the seasonal variation by analogy with the data from the in let investigations of 1931-32, These data have just been observed and require careful consideration before any suggestions can be made. In event of the mill being installed it is hoped that the effects of the waste disposal on the inlot waters and the fishery may be observed as closely as pos sible, so that information regarding the disposal of this important industrial waste may be obtained. OTHER UTOSTIfiATIffi CU and B. Berkeley M * Mo. do Polyohaeta of the Paeifls Coast «f g.A, Work on the collection of PolyChaeta from Southern Oalifornia, referred to in previous reports, is now complete. It has proved a vary extensive and interesting col lection comprising some 150 speoits* Of these only 5 are new to science and 4 are new varieties of speoies already known, but a considerable number of them are new records from California and many are new to the whole coast. In several oases the species has been known previously only from the type. The material has afforded us many opportuni ties for study of variation in, and integration of, speoies occurring over a wide range of the ooast* Particularly interesting is the occurrence in this collection of a specimen of a now speoies of the aberrant Hesionid gonus Loandalia, of whioh genus only two representatives have previously been found, one from Angola and tho othor from the Dutch East Indies* A paper on this work is now being prepared for publication* Examination of the material from the west coast of Vancouver island, whioh was interrupted pending a study of that from the more southerly regions of the ooast, will be resumed shortly. We have been able to identify various specimens of Polychaeta for workers both at this and eastern Stations during the year.

Josephine ?• L. Carl No. 86

Rentant Deea-pod Oruatacea cf the West Coasts of Vancouver and Queen Charlotte Islands. British Columbia*

During the summer of 1934, Mr. E.G. Hart, while serving as Biologist for the Paclfio Biological Station on the O.G.S. "%n. J. Stewart", made a collection of decapod oruatacea on the west coast cf Vancouver island. Dr. C, MoL. Fraser, in a similar capacity in 1935, collected on the Queen Charlotte islands. The 750 specimens of roptant Dooapoda (crabs and hermit crabs) thus obtained havo been workod over and found to consist of 44 speoies, two of whioh had not been reoorded previously from British Oclumbla waters. The latter are Pachychelos 'pubosoens and Pagurus oonfragosus. Eleven others woro found to ooour farthor north than hitherto boliovod. Theso oollootions, combinod with previous records indioate a restricted distribution of certain shore dwelling species which aro apparently confined to tho southern and wostern shores of Vancouver island and to tho Quoon Charlotte islands.

J. L. McHugh No. 87

good and Growth of the Rooky Mountain Whitcflsh. Prosonium Williamson! fGlrard). Samples of Prosonlum Williamson! from Banff and Yoho parka were collected by Dr. D.S. Rawson in 1938 and examined by the author during the summer of 1939. These supplemented collections of the same speoies taken in Banff and Waterton lakes parks In the summers of 1936 and 1937* The material examined this year included samples from Emerald, Bow, and Heotor lakes, lake Louise and I»ao des Arcs, Ghost river and Kananaskis reservoirs, Pipestone river, and from several sections ef the Bow river. J. L. McHugh No. 87

Stomachs of fish in their first year contained bottom organisms almost exclusively* Chironomid larvae and pupae predominated, mayfly nymphs wore frequent, free-swimming aquatic fonus appeared occasionally, and terrestrial inseot material rarely. Yearling fish therefore appear to be restricted in their feeding habits, taking food mostly at the bottom, and only occasionally rising to swimming or floating organisms* The food of older fish appears to be more varied, and to depend somewhat on environment. In general, the bottom feeding habit persists, Chironomid larvae and pupae and other bottom forms such as mayfly and oaddis larvae, .snails, eto*, being the most commonly found organisms. This applies particularly to lake-dwelling fish. Those taken in streams are apparently less selective in their feeding, and the stomach con tents are characterized by the presence of large numbers of terrestrial insects, particularly winged ants and grasshoppers* m reservoirs, the bottom feeding habit predominates, but greater variety exists in the type of organisms taken* Growth rates vary considerably in -the different localities* The additional data obtained this year are in agreement with the statements made in Summary Report Ho. 73 for 1938 0 They show that in the cold, heavily silted glacial lakes, such as Bow lake and lake Louise, the growth is relatively slow, while in the olearer, warmer lakes and streams the growth rate is considerably greater,.

J. Lc McHugh NO. 88 Variation in the Rooky Mountain White fish. Prosonium willlamsonl (Girard)* In continuation of the studies of racial characters in this speoies, detailed measurements were made on an additional series of 137 specimens. These were obtained from the collections of the University of Michigan and were loaned through the kindness of Dr. Carl L. Hubbs. The collection included nine samples from the state of Wyoming, three from Montana, three from Idaho, two from Oregon, one from Washington, and two from British Columbia waters. On the basis of growth rate the fish examined may be placed in two general groups. The growth curve for group one rises sharply from a fairly small size in the first year. This includes the samples from Hobaok river, Snake river, and Fremont lake, in Wyoming, and from a diversion ditch in Oregon. The fish in the second group arc apparently larger at the end of their first year, but grow more slowly in later years. In this group may be placed the material from Green river, Wyoming, Stanley lake, Idaho, and Fraser river at Golden, British Columbia* The remaining samples consist mostly of young fish, for which growth curves cannot be established* With minor variations, fish from most of the localities are intermediate in specific oharaoters and resemble the typioal williamaoni in body proportions. Two exceptions are the samples from Fremont lake, Wyoming, and Walla Walla, Washington* The former are distinguished by high dorsal and anal fins with very long bases, and long pectorals. The Walla Walla material is characterized by a long dorsal with a short base, long pectorals, very long pelvios, and a small adipose* J.A. BEunro No- Q9 Studies of the Ba

J. A. Munro iro# 90

The Pood of Ducks and Coots at An enquiry into the feeding habits of ducks and coots was undertaken to detenuine the validity of a general belief that coots are serious food competitors of the more valuable duoks. A study at Swan lake in the autumn months based on the examination of 136 stomachs and co-related field work indicates the following con clusions, pond duoks had eaten 78 per cent plant material, 12 per oent chara and 10 per cent animal organisms; the food of diving ducks was 65 per cent plant material, 31 per oent chara and 15 per cent animal matter, \foile that of ooots was 97 per oent chara and 3 per cent plant material. Chara is the dominant growth in the lake. It is produced in unlimited quantities so that the food requirements of ooots do not seriously compete with those of ducks.

J. A. Munro No. 91

The Relation of Loons. Holboell's Grebe and Ooots to Duck Populations In connection with a general study of waterfowl populations in the Cariboo region an enquiry was made into a possible oo-relation between loons, Holboell's grebe and ooots and mortality in duok broods. The methods of study were: (1) quantitative treatment of 108 waterfowl enumerations (2) field observations of mixed waterfowl populations and (3) systematic search for dead young on nesting or feeding grounds. The results indicated that any predation that might be traoed to the speoies studied was casual and sporadic, that there was no appreciable differenoe in the size of duok broods when these birds are present and when they are absent. It was concluded that the predation involved does not represent an important drain on waterfowl production*