ALASKA INDUSTBIES. 403 



01' 50, and sometimes more, deerskitis. No use whatever is made of the 

 carcasses, and they are allowed to rot where the auimal has been 

 skiimed. At the present rate of destruction it will be but a few years 

 before deer will become extinct. He recommends the enactment of a 

 law similar to that in force in British Columbia, prohibiting the expor- 

 tation of deerskins. 



The report contains the draft of a bill the object of which is to better 

 protect the salmon fisheries in Alaska. A copy of such draft is hereto 

 annexed. 



AN ACT for tlie better protection of the salmon fisheries of Alaska. 



Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of 

 America in Congress assembled, That the erectiou of dams, weirs, barricades, or other 

 obstructious in auy of the rivers of Alaska with the purpose or result of preventing 

 or impeding the ascent of salmon or other anadromous species to their spawning 

 ground, or taking, catching, or tishing for salmon by any device, save and except by 

 an Indian or Aluet spear up unnavigable streams more than one thousand yards 

 from its confluence Avith the ocean, is hereby declared to bo unlawful; and the Sec- 

 retary of the Treasury is hereby authorized and directed to establish such surveil- 

 lance and regulations as may be necessary to insure that this prohibition is strictly 

 enforced, and every person or persons, corporation, or association or company who 

 shall be found guilty of a violation of the provision of this section shall be tiued 

 not more than three thousand dollars nor less than one thousand dollars and two 

 hundred and hfty dollars for each day of the continuance of such obstruction, and 

 the half of such "hues is hereby directed to be paid to the person or persons who 

 may give the information leading to the conviction of the guilty party or parties. 



Sec. 2. That for the purposes of this act all streams in Alaska shall be deemed 

 unnavigable when vessels of six-foot draft can not ascend the same with safety at 

 ordinary high water. 



Sec. 3. That the Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries is hereby empowered and 

 directed to investigate all charges of illegal fishing brought to his notice by respon- 

 sible parties and shall, if he finds them well founded, instruct the United States 

 attorney to proceed at once against the oft'ender. 



Sec. 4. Dams, weirs, barricades, or other obstructions shall be defined as being an 

 obstruction when a distance of one hundred yards is not left open at all times for 

 fish to ascend said rivers. 



Sec. 5. That during each week one day of twenty-four hours shall be set apart, 

 and fishing in any manner, shape, or form on said day will be illegal and unlawful 

 and punishable by the fines as set forth in section 1. 



Sec. 6. That for the purpose of preventing the further impairment or exhaustion 

 of the valuable fisheries this act shall take effect from and after its passage, and all 

 acts or parts of acts in conflict with this act are hereby repealed. 



