the fishery, the Industry will again be 

 dependent upon the 1953 year class, which 

 as five-year-olds are expected to be about 

 25 percent less abundant numerically In 

 1958 than In 1957. However, this will be 

 offset somewhat by an increase in the size 

 of the individuals. 



The catch, catch per unit of effort, 

 and number of boats for Southeastern 

 Alaska are shown in figure 35. Although 

 fishing started slowly with the catch per 

 boat-ton day down, by July 21 (period 6), 

 when the 22, 500 -ton quota was reached in 

 Southeastern Alaska, the catch per boat-ton 

 day greatly exceeded the seasonal average 

 (Figure 36). 



Spawning surveys by the Fish and 

 Wildlife Service were extended in 1957, and 

 good coverage of all beaches in Southeastern 

 Alaska was obtained. These surveys provide 

 an indication of the relative size of the 

 herring spawning population. In 1957 the 

 spawning was about the same as in I956, 

 both years being exceptionally good. A 

 total beach mileage of I32 was located this 

 year as compared to l48 miles in I956. This 

 difference is not considered statistically 

 significant. As figure 37 shows, there are 

 three major spawning areas, possibly only 

 one of which contributes to the present 

 fishery. 



Figure 36. --Catch per boat-ton day 

 Southeastern Alaska herring 

 fishery, 1957 



Figure 37. --Herring Spawning Areas in 

 Southeastern Alaska, 1957 



20 



