BRISTOL BAY AND ALASKA PENINSULA SALMON STATISTICS 47 



While other matters are involved, it is quite apparent that any Icnowledge of 

 the state of a fishers will depend primarily iipon the statistical records that are 

 available. The importance of accurate, reliable, and adequate statistical data can 

 not be stressed too strongly. They are, without doubt, the foundation stones of 

 scientific fishery conservation. The better the statistical records the more accurate 

 our knowledge will be and the better we can adjust our control to the requirements 

 of rational conservation. It is especially important that the continuity of the 

 statistical data be preserved, as we will want perpetually, as long as we have any 

 interest whatsoever in maintaining our fishery resources, to know their immediate 

 condition and future possibilities. 



We have pointed out above various weaknesses in the available data on the 

 Alaska salmon fisheries, and it is our belief that a more adequate system should be 

 devised and adopted at the earliest possible moment. The past records, which 

 form the basis of this report, are extremely valuable, but at best can answer our 

 many problems in a general way only. The proper care of these fisheries, for which 

 the Secretary of Commei'ce is now responsible, will depend in no small measure 

 upon such knowledge as statistics alone can supply, and these should be made 

 adequate at once to the demands of the future. 



It is pertinent to inquire what effect legal restrictions may have had thi'oughout 

 the history of the fishery in modifying the catch, and we give herewith a brief 

 chronological summary of the laws and regulations up to and including the act of 

 June 6, 1924. 



FEDERAL FISHERY LAWS AND REGULATIONS AFFECTING THE SALMON FISHERIES 



IN ALASKA 



Act of March 2, 1889. 



Section 1. Prohibits erection of clams or other obstructions in salmon streams. 

 Section 2. Directs Commissioner of Fisheries to investigate sahnon and salmon fisheries of 

 Alaska. 



Presidential proclamation, December 24, 1892. 



Establishes Afognak Reservation. 



Act of June 9, 1896, amended and reenacted by act of March 3, 1899. Treasury Department Cir- 

 cular No. 8, 1902, division of special agents. 



Section 179. Prohibits erection of dams, barricades, fish wheels, etc., in sahnon streams. 



Section 180. Prohibits fishing above tidewater in streams less than 500 feet in width, except 

 with rod or spear; setting gear across tidewaters of streams for more than one-third the width or 

 within 100 yards of another net or seine in such streams or channels; fishing from midnight Friday 

 to 6 a. m. Sunday, except in Cook Inlet, Prince WilUam Sound, and Bering Sea; fishing between 

 6 p. m. and 6 a. m., except by rod or spear, in streams less than 100 yards in width. 



Section 181. Authorizes setting aside streams for spawning grounds, close seasons, and limita- 

 tion of fishing season, but only after giving a hearing to interested parties. 



Section 182. Provides penalties. 



Regulations promulgated May 2, 1900, under authority of act of March 3, 1899. Treasury De- 

 partment Circular No. 57, 1900, division of special agents. Repeated in Circular No. 8, 1902. 



Paragraph 2. Prohibits movable traps, etc. 



Paragraph 3. Prohibits nets, etc., within 100 yards of stream mouths. 



Paragraph 4. Prohibits wanton destruction. 



Paragraph 5. Requires reports of operations. 



Paragraph 6. Requires information to be given as required. 



Paragraph 7. Requires establishment of hatcheries. 



100621—28 2 



