TITLE 16.
-CONSERVATION
Guard whose services cdn be spared for such duty. (Mar. 8,
1885, c. 300, 23 Stat. 494; Jan. 28, 1915, c. 20, 38 Stat. 800.)
744. Investigations; fish propagation; annual statement of
expenditures; investigations of damages by predacious fishes;
executive assistance.--The Commissioner of Fislerles shall
prosecute investigations aml inquiries on tile subject, with
tile view of ascertaining whether any and what diminution in
the number of the food fishes of the coast and the lakes of the
United States has taken place; and, if so, to what causes the
saine is due; and also whether any and what protective, pro-
hlbltory, or precautionary measures should le a,)1oied in tie
lrenises; and shall report upon the same to Congress. Ilo
shall submit annually to Congress at the beginning of each
session a detailed statement of expenditures unler all appro-
priations for "propagation of food fishes." Ie is authorized
and directed to conduct investigations nd experiments for the
purpose of ameliorating the damage wrought to the fisheries
by dogfish and other predacious fishes and aquatic animals.
Said Investigations and experhients shall be such as to de-
velop the best and cheapest means of taking such fishes and
aquatic anhinals, of utilizing them for economic purposes, e-
pecllly for food and to encourage the establishnent of fisheries
and markets for them.
The heads of the several executive departments shall cause
to lie rendered all necessary and practicable ahi to the comnls-
sloner in the prosecution of his Investigations and Inquiries.
(R..S. §§ 41390, '1397; Mar. 3, 1887, c. 362, 24 Stat. 523; Juno 21,
1910, c. 160; § 1, 2, 39 Stat. 232.)
745. Powers of commissioner.-The comnilsstoner may take
or cause to lie takeu at all tlies, in the waters of the seacoast
of tie United States, where the tide ebbs and flows, and also
in time waters of the lakes, such fish or speciens thereof as
may inI hIs judgment, from time to time, be needful or proper
for the conduct of his duties, tiny law, custon, or usage of any
State to the contrary notwithstanding. (11. S. § 4398.)
746. Vessels of Bureau of Fisheries.-The Secretary of the
Navy is authorized to place tile vessels of the United States
Bur.lau of Fisheries on the same footing with the Navy De-
partmnent as those of the United States Coast and' Geodetic
Survey. (May 31, 1880, c. 113, § 1, 21 Stat. 151.)
747. Vessels of bureau; commutation of rations of o-fl-
cers and crews.-Coninuttlon of rations (not to exceed $1 per
day) may be pald to ofilcers and crews of vessels st the Bureau
of Fisheries under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of
Commerce. (Mar. 28, 1922, c. 117, Title I, 42 Stat. 484; Jan.
5, 1923, c. 24, Title 1, 42 Stat. 1125; May 28, 1924, c. 204, Title
III, 43 Stat. 238; Feb. 27, 1925, c. 364, Title III, 43 Stat. 1047.)
748. Expenditure of appropriations for propagation of food
fishes.-Appropriations for propagation of food fishes shall not
be expended for hatching or planting fish or eggs In any State
in which, in the judgment of the Secretary of Commerce, there
are not ndequate laws for the protection of the fishes, nor in
any State ia which the United States Conmmissioner of Fisher-
ies and is duly authorized agents are not accorded full and
free right to conduct fish-cultural operations, and all fishing
and other operations necessary therefor, in such manler and at
such times as is considered necessary amd proper by the said
commissioner or his agents. (July 1, 1918, c. 113, § 1, 40 Stat.
693.)
749. Advisory committee; designations; duties; expenses.-
There shall ibe an advisory counmittee of not to exceed two
members from the Atlantic coast, two niemners from tie Pacific
coast, and four mnemlers from the inland waters, Great Lakes,
and Alaskan sections of the United States, to be designated
from time to time by the Secretary of Commerce, to consist
of men pronlhnently identified with tile various branches of the
fishery Industry, qualified in aquatic research, and experienced
in fish culture, who shaU visit the Bureau of Fisheries at such
§ 762
times as the Secretary of Conmerce may deem necessary and
report to the Secretary of Conmmerce on the condition and
needs of the service, the immibers to serve wlthout eomlclsa.
tion, but to be paid the actual expenses icurred itiattending
the meetings. (June 16, 1921, c. 23, § 4, 42 Stat. 0W.)
750. Station on Mississippi River for rescue of fishes and
propagation of mussels.-There shall be established oil the
Mississippi River, at a point to be selected by the Secretary
of Comnerce, a station for the rescue of flishes and the prolla-
gation of mussels in connection with fish-rescue operations
throughout the Mississippi Valley, to be under the direction
of the Bureau of Fisheries of the Departnet of Coimmerce.
(Apr. 28, 1922, c. 153, § 1, 42 Stat. 501.)
751. Same; personnel.-In connection with the establishlent
of such fish-rescue station there Is authorized the following
personnel, namely: One district supervisor, to have general
charge of fish-rescue uind fish-cultural oelirations in tlhe Missis-
sippil Valley; a superintendent, two field foremen, four fish-cul-
turists at large, one engileer at large, one clerk, two coxswains
at large, and two apprentice tish-culturlsts, whose respective
salaries shall be paid In accordance with the provisions of
section 676 of Title 5, EXECUTIVE DI'ATITMENTS AND GOVERN-
2.iENT OFFICFRS AND EM'IPLOYEES. (Apr. 28, 1922, c. 153, § 2,
42 Stilt. 501.)
Chapter 10.-NORTHERN PACIFIC IIA 1BUT FISHERY.
See.
701. Deflaition of terms " clo~e selsoti," " territorial waters," " pro.
hibited waters."
762. Fishing unlawful, when; exceptions.
763. Unlawful port use; departures,
764. Unlawful port entry; possesslon of limit unlawfully caught.
765. Canadhin vessels nod nstlonals.
766. I'atrols ; searches.
707. Seizure and forfeiture.
708. Penalty ; Fiherles Conmmission exempted.
769. Duration of chapter.
Section 761. Definition of terms "close season," "terri-
torial waters," "prohibited waters."-For the lulrposes of tils
chapter "close season" shall mean tile period front the 16th
dlay of November in any year to tile 15tlh day of February ii
the next following year, both days Inclusive, or ily otiher
close season hereafter fixed by agreement between till' United
States and Canada ; " territorial waters of the United States "
shall imein tile waters contlguous to ti1e western coast of the
United States and the waters contiguous to the coast of
Alaska ; "territorial waters of Canada shall Inenll tile waters
contiguous to the western coast of Canada, and "prohibited
waters" shall mean tile territorill waters of tie United States,
tile territorial waters of Canada, and tlhe high sells, includling
Bering Sea, extending westerly from the limits of tile terri-
torial waters of the United States and of Canada. (June 7
1924, c. 345, § 2, 43 Stat. 648.)
762. Fishing unlawful, when; exccptions.-It shall be unlaw-
ful for any person to fish for, or catch, or attemipt to catch,
any halilbut (hippoglossus) at iny tile during tile close season
ill the territorial waters of tile United States, or for aliy
national or Inhabitant of the United States to fish for, or catch,
or attemlt to catch, any halibut at any tine during the close
season In prohibited waters. Tile unintentional catching of
halibut, when legally fishilng for other species of fish, shall not
constitute a violation of this section if suchilhalibut shal lie
used for food by the crew of tie vessel catching the samIe, or
be landed and Immediately delivered to any authorized uifll-
clal of the Bureau of Flherihs (if the elrlartment of Commerce
of the United States or the fishing aulltritles of tile l)omiion
of Canada. The halibut delivered to any olliclal of the United
States pursuant to the provisions of tills section shall ie sold
by the Department of Comlerce to the highest bidder for
cash and the proceeds therefrom, exclusive of necessary ex-
 i TI'.TLB 16.-CONSERVATION
§ 763
penses in connection therewith, shall be covered Into the Treas-
ury of the United States. (June 7, 1024, c. 345, § 8, 43 Stat.
649.)
763. Unlawful port use; departures.-No person, firm, or
corporation shall use any port of or place In the United States
to furnish, prepare, or outfit any vessel, bout, or other craft
intended to be used in violation of this chapter. nor shall any
person permit, or cause to be permitted, any vessel, boat, or
other craft intended to be used in violation of this chapter to
depart from any port of or place In the United States. (June
7, 1924, c. 345, § 4, 43 Stat. 6,19.)
76,4. Unlawful port entry; possession of fish unlawfully
caught.-It shall be unlawful for any vessel, boat, or other
craft having on board any halibut caught contrary to the pro-
visions of this chapter to enter any port or place in the United
States, or for any vessel, boat, or other craft to enter any such
port or place while upon or in the prosecution of any voyage
during hich the vessel, boat, or other craft fished or was
used In fishing for halibut in prohibited waters in the close sea-
son. It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to have in
his possession any halibut unlawfully caught under the pro-
visions of this chapter. (June 7, 1924, c. 345, § 5, 43 Stat.
649.)
765. Canadian vessels and nationals.-Every national or in-
habitant and every vessel of Canada found violating the pro-
visions of this chapter sliall be delivered as soon as practicable
to all authorized oficial of Canada at tile nearest point to the
place of seizure or elsewhere as the officials of the United
States seizing tile saie and the authorized officials of Canada
may agree upon, and the witnesses and proof necessary to the
prosecution of said persons and vessels of Canada shall be
furnibied with reasonable promptitude to the authorities of
Canada having jurisdiction thereof. (June 7, 1924, c. 345,
§ 8, 43 Stat. 649.)
766. Patrols; searches.-The President shall cause a patrol
of naval or other public vessels designated by him to be main-
talned in such places and waters as to him shall seem bxpe-
di,,nt for enforcing the provisions of this chapter, and any
ollicer of any vessel engaged in such service, and any other
oiicers designated by the President, may search any vessel,
boat, or other craft in the territorial waters of the United
States and any vessel, boat, or other craft of the United States
on the high seas when suspected of having violated or being
alout to violate the provisions of this chapter. (June 7, 1924,
c. 345, § 7, 43 Stat. G19.)
767. Seizure and forfeiture.-Every vessel, boat, or craft
employed in any manncr In violating the provisions of this
cliter shall be seized by any collector, surveyor, inspector,
ofilcer of a revenue cutter, or person specified in section 766 of
tilis title, and except as provided in section 705 of this title,
every such vessel, boat, or craft, including its tackle, apparel,
lurnliture, cargo, and stores, shall be forfeited to the United
States by proper procebdlings In any court of the United States
In Alaska, California, Oregon, or Washington. (Juno 7, 1024,
c. 3.15, § 9, 43 Stltt. 650.)
768. Penalty; Fisheries Commission exempted.-Any person
violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be fined
not less than $100 nor more than $1,000 or imprisoned not
more than one year, or both, but none of the inhibitions con-
tained In the chapter shall apply to the International Fisheries
Commission when engaged in any scientific investigation.
(June 7, 1924, c. 345, §§ 6, 10, 48 Stat. 649, 650.)
769. Duration of chapter.---This chapter, which may be cited
as the Northern 'acific Halibut Act shall continub in force
ulil the termination of the convention concluded by the United
States and Great Britain on Mar-ch 2, 1924 (Forty-third Stpt-
utes, page 1841), for the protection of the halibut fishery of the
northern Pacific Ocean. (June 7, 1924, e. 345, j§ 1, 12, 43
Stat. 649, 050.)
Chapter 1 1.-REGULATION OF LANI)ING, CURING,
AND SALE OF SPONGES TAKEN FROM GULF O10
MEXICO AND FLORIDA.
Sec.
781. Takina or catching, In waters of Gulf or Straits of Florida, com.
merelal sponges of less than preerlbed size, and landing or
possefsion of same.
782. Some; possession prima face evidence.
783. Punishment for violations of law; liability of vessels.
784. Jurisdiction of prosecutions.
785. Enforcement of law prohibiting taking of sponges of specified
sizes; employment of vessels of tho Coast Guard and of em-
ployees of Customs Service.
Section 781. Taking or catching, in waters of Gulf or Straits
of Florida, commercial sponges of less than prescribed size,
and landing or possession of same.-It is unlawful for any citi-
zen of tie United States, or person owing duty of obedience to
tile laws of the United States, or any boat or vessel of tile
United States, or person belonging to or on any such boat or
vessel, to take or catch, by any means or method, in the waters
of the Gulf of Mexico or the Straits of Florida outside of State
territorial limits, any commercial sponges measuring when
wet less than five inches in their maximum diameter, or for
any person or vessel to land, deliver, cure, offer for sale, or
have in possession at any port or place in the United States, or
on illy boat or vessel of the United States, any such commercial
sponges. (Aug. 15, 1914, e. 253, § 1, 88 Stat. 692.)
782. Same; possession prima facie evidence.-Tho presence
of sponges of a diameter of less than five Inches on any vessel
or boat of the United States engaged In sponging in the waters
of the Gulf of Mexico or the Straits of Florida outside of State
territorial limits, or the possession of any sponges of less than
the said diameter sold or delivered by such vessels, shall be
prima facie evidence of a violation of the provisions of this
chapter. (Aug. 15, 1914, c. 253, § 2, 88 Stat. 692.)
783. Punishment for violations of law; liability of vessels.,
Every person, partnershlip, or association guilty of a violation
of the provisions of this chap ter shall be liable to a fine of not
more than $500, and in addition such line shall be a lien
against the vessel or boat on which the offense is committed,
and said vessel or boat shall be seized and proceeded against
by process of libel in any court having jurisdiction of the
offense. (Aug. 15, 1914, c. 253, § 3, 38 Stat. 692.)
784. Jurisdiction of prosecutions.-Any violation of the pro-
visions of this chapter shall be prosecuted In the district court
of the United States of tile district wherein the offender Is
found or Into which he Is first brought. (Aug. 15, 1914, c. 253,
§ 4, 38 Stat. 092.)
785. Enforcement of law prohibiting taking of sponges of
specified sizes; employment of vessels of the Coast Guard
and of employees of Customs Service.-The Secretary of
Commerce shall enforce the provisions of this chapter, and
he is authorized to empower such officers and employees of the
Department of Commerce as lie may designate, or such officers
and employees of other departments as may be detailed for the
purpose, to make arrests and seize vessels and sponges, and
upon his request the Secretary of the Treasury may employ tle
vessels of the Coast Guard or the employees of the Customs
Service to that end. (Aug. 15, 1914, e. 253, § 5, 38 Stat. 692.)
Chapter 12.-VATERI POWER.
See.
701. Short title of chapter.
792. Creation of Federal Power Commission; members, quorum, seal,
and chairman.
713. Executive secretary; detail cf engilneer offlcLr.
704. Performance of work of commission generally.