1890
The Albatross carries two presidentially appointed commissions to study
the plight of the fur seal; their reports confirm that seal populations
are being seriously harmed by pelagic (high-seas) seal hunting.
1891
September 6th, Vineyard Haven, Mass.: About 7 o'clock last evening,
during the southeasterly storm, United States Fish Commission schooner
Grampus, bound to Woods Holl (sic) from Hyannis, ran ashore on
L'Hommidieu shoal, Vineyard Sound. United States Fish Commissioner
Col. McDonald, his wife and daughter, Assistant Commissioner Capt.
J. W. Collins and Mrs. Bean and Patten, left the schooner in a dory,
and succeeded in making a safe landing at Falmouth.' The Grampus was
later refloated.
1892
Based on Stone's recommendations, Afognak Island, Alaska, is set aside
as a Forest and Fish Cultural Reserve.
One of the Commission's "fish cars"
The last of four carloads with 1,000 specimens of fish representing 40
species is delivered by the Commission to the Chicago World's Fair
for a fish culture exhibit.
A contract to complete a fishway at Great Falls, Va., on the Potomac
River is accepted for $15,000.
1893
The U.S. Fish Commission becomes responsible for northern fur seal
research.
1895
The Commission's Division of Propagation and Distribution of Food
Fishes is established.
Marshall McDonald
Marshall McDonald steps down as commissioner of the Bureau of Fisheries
and Herbert A. Gill becomes acting commissioner.
1896
Salmon research from the Albatross leads Congress to regulate Alaskan
salmon fishing with net restrictions, closed seasons, spawning
escapement requirements, etc.
The first successful Pacific coast sardine cannery is established at
San Pedro, Calif.
The rainbow trout is now successfully acclimatized in almost every
state east of the Rocky Mountains.
1897
The Fish Commission publishes "A Manual of Fish Culture," and 60 years
later it is still considered the most complete text on the subiect.
1898
In response to commercial obstruction of Alaska's Karluk River,
Congress passes its first salmon protection law.
George M. Bowers
George M. Bowers becomes commissioner of the Bureau of Fisheries.
1899
The U.S. River and Harbors Act allows Alaska fishermen to secure a
permit granted by the War Department to buy salmon traps. The War
Department's sole interest in the matter is to assure that the traps
would not obstruct navigation.
For the first time, total Commission production of fish eggs, fry, and
larger fish exceeds one billion.
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