Marine Resources Management— Thompson 285 







more areas, primarily from natural causes. A disproportion- 

 ately large part of these runs was reserved for spawning pur- 

 poses to provide for runs of normal volume in the next cycle. 

 There is every reason to be optimistic that this watchful man- 

 agement will maintain this resource at its most productive level. 

 Not all of the effort in the management of this resource is 

 directed toward regulating commercial salmon fishing. An 

 aggressive program of stream improvement is being carried on 

 by the Fish and Wildlife Service throughout the Territory. 

 A determined effort is being made to provide a maximum 

 amount of readily available spawning area by removal of beaver 

 dams, log jams, and other obstructions to the upstream migra- 

 tion of adult salmon and the downstream migration of vounsr 



O J o 



salmon. In 1949 construction was started on three fish ladders 

 over natural barriers, and more than 100 log jams and beaver 

 dams were removed where they blocked the ascent of salmon. 

 Of these barriers, 40 were impassable for salmon at all times, 

 and many of the others were complete barricades at certain 

 stages of water. 



The development of Alaska in itself presents some problems 

 in the management of the salmon fisheries, if we are to judge 

 by the experience of the Pacific Coast states. Indiscriminate 

 logging operations, with attendant rapid run-off of surface 

 waters, could cause scouring and silting of spawning streams. 

 Unrestricted disposal of pulp-mill and other industrial wastes 

 could do irreparable damage to salmon as well as other fishery 

 resources. Development of hydroelectric power by construction 

 of dams, as already proposed, could wipe out entirely the salmon 

 runs to certain rivers. We are aware of these potential dangers 

 of the future and studies are in progress now to develop the 

 facts needed for management guides. 



The razor clam fishery of Central Alaska is another example 

 of marine resource management. This resource supports an 

 industry which is insignificant when compared with salmon, 

 but nevertheless is extremely important locally because it offers 

 an opportunity to the small businessman in one of the few 

 virtually nonseasonal occupations. The most important razor 



