INTRODUCTION 3 



Article V of the Sockcyc Fisheries Convention prescribes in part as 

 follows: "Whenever, . . . the taking of sockeye salmon in waters of the 

 United States of America ... is not prohibited under an order adopted by 

 the Commission, any fishing gear or appliance authorized by the State of 

 Washington may be used in the United States oi' America by any person 

 thereunto authorized by the State of Washington . . . ," The Commission 

 is in complete accord with this provision but in view of our serious dif- 

 ficulties brought about by the rapid increase in fishing fleet size and gear 

 efficiency we ask that United States Government transmit a statement of 

 our current problem to the State of Washington; further that we believe 

 it desirable in the interest of good management that a regulatory formula 

 be designed by and satisfactory to the State of Washington which will 

 reduce fishing efficiency in United States Convention waters by a minimum 

 of 25 per cent effective if possible prior to the 1959 fishing season. 



In making this recommendation the Commission recognizes that a 

 similar problem exists in other major fishing areas of the Pacific Coast of 

 North America and that attempts to control fleet size and gear efficiency 

 have not been entirely successful to date. We do, however, believe that 

 the State of Washington will, upon receipt of our recommendations, take 

 such action as it deems most desirable in an attempt to correct a very 

 serious and difficult situation. 



Yours very truly, 



INTERNATIONAL PACIFIC SALMON 

 FISHERIES COMMISSION 



/s/T. Reid 



Senator Thomas Reid 



Chairman 



The problem was also stated forcefully by Mr. DeWitt Gilbert, 

 a more recent chairman of the Salmon Commission, at the Commis- 

 sion's meeting in Bellingham on December 19, 1961, and I quote: 



Now let's consider some of our problems. One of them is high-lighted 

 by that fact that the industry generally considers 1961 a disastrous season, 

 despite the fact that it yielded the third largest pack made on this cycle 

 since 1917. 



What is wrong when third-best in 1 1 cycle years is a "disaster"? 



Why do many purse seiners of both fleets report they failed to make 

 expenses? Why do all types of gear fishing around Point Roberts report 

 consistently declining returns? Why do Eraser River gillnetters say they 

 are catching fewer fish than formerly? 



The answer, plainly, lies in over-development of the fishery. 



For years the Commission has reported to the two Governments, 

 and to the industry, that increasing gear efficiency, increasing fishing effort 

 and expanded fishing areas are making it most difficult for the Commission 

 to fulfill its management responsibilities. 



