284 Alaskan Science Conference 



trols. The age at maturity had been determined with certainty, 

 routes of migration through the coastal waters of the Territory 

 had been charted, the time of arrival and duration of the 

 various runs had been determined, and actuarial data had been 

 amassed to indicate the size of runs to be expected from broods 

 of varying size. It was known also that all species of Pacific 

 salmon exhibit a strong tendency to return to the stream in 

 which they were hatched, and invariably die after spawning 

 once. 



The salmon resource is very much like an agricultural crop 

 in that we must plant if we are to have a harvest. If too few fish 

 are allowed to escape the commercial fishery to properly seed 

 the spawning grounds, the run of the succeeding cycle will be 

 smaller than it should be. If more fish escape than are required 

 for seeding the spawning grounds, there is an immediate eco- 

 nomic waste. All statutory and regulatory controls are directed 

 toward reserving salmon in sufficient numbers so that over the 

 years there will be the greatest return. 



Long range forecasts of abundance are made upon the basis 

 of the best information available concerning extent of spawn- 

 ing in the parent year and survival of young. The industry is 

 notified and regulations are adjusted so that the optimum es- 

 capement may be achieved. While the runs are on and fishing 

 is in progress, daily records are kept of the catch per unit of 

 effort within the several independent producing areas, and 

 further regulatory adjustments are made to correct for devia- 

 tions from the predicted runs or to correct for deviations from 

 the anticipated intensity of fishing. When the runs of salmon 

 are larger than expected or when the drain of the commercial 

 fishery is less, it is possible to permit additional fishing time so 

 that all surplus salmon may be taken. The converse also is true; 

 when the runs are smaller than anticipated or when the num- 

 ber of units of gear is greater, fishing is curtailed. Regulatory 

 changes are made in the field simultaneously with the determi- 

 nation of their need. 



Total salmon production has been below normal in Alaska 

 for the last six years because of reduced abundance in one or 



