In North America fishery research is approached by almost as many administrative avenues as there are agencies engaged in it. Between these agencies differences exist in needs, plans, staff organization, methods of enlisting public support, and in the application of research findings. This situation is desirable. In the comparative infancy of fishery science any tendency toward development of stereotyped doctrine should be deplored. Originality and eclecticism should be encouraged, both in training institutions and in research and administrative bodies. An objective review of apparent successes and failures to date, however, may prove of value in illuminating pitfalls and in pointing out procedures which have resulted in progress. From this review profitable methods and promising areas for future activity may be inferred by the reader.