The main topic is the U.S. Bureau of Fisheries at Woods Hole. First speaker is Charles Wheeler. He mentions the history of the lab and its name changes and changes in federal departments under which it has worked. Mention of the early history of fisheries off the New England coast including foreign fishermen-explorers such as John Cabot, 1497. Importance of cod for Massachusetts and the ports involved: Newburyport, Beverly, Salem, Boston, Scituate, Cohasset, Plymouth and Provincetown. He mentions the triangle trade of Europe, West Indies, New England. The 18th and 19th century wars caused a decline in fisheries. Peak of Labrador and Grand Banks fishing was reached in 1807, where millions of fish were caught using hand-line methods. Shore fishing reached its height in thee 1850s. Following is a history of Spencer Baird coming to Woods Hole in 1871 and then setting up the temporary lab in 1875 at Little Harbor, Woods Hole. He also traveled to Eastport, Maine; Portland, Maine and Connecticut. Why the Fisheries was established here. Hatchery attempts were not successful. 1880's-20th century efforts concerned migration and population studies. Dr, Graham, second speaker, talks of the informality of the Spencer Baird period administration. The original Victorian Fisheries buildings were demolished in 1958 and replaced by modern buildings. He speaks of summer only aspect of the science labs. The U.S. Navy occupied the Fisheries buildings during World War II.