XXVIII REPORT TO THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE 
The isolation of several microorganisms that cause diseases in fish 
and the devising of methods of control were accomplished during the 
past year, and reports on this work are almost completed. Through 
the conquest of disease, it is anticipated that a marked increase in the 
output of the many State, Federal, and private hatcheries throughout 
the country will result, for fish culturists generally are recognizing 
the fact that fingerlings held in hatcheries for a long time have a 
greater chance of survival after planting than those planted in the 
fry stage. To avoid heavy losses in many hatcheries, the fish are 
planted in early stages of development and thus fall prey to many 
enemies when least able to care for themselves. Reducing hatch- 
ery diseases, therefore, will increase the output of fingerling fish, and 
hence the effectiveness of fish-cultural stations. 
ALASKA FISHERIES SERVICE 
ADMINISTRATION OF FISHERY LAWS AND REGULATIONS 
In administering the fisheries of Alaska in 1926 there was no 
marked departure from the general conservation policy adopted upon 
passage of the act of June 6, 1924, which expanded the authority of . 
the Secretary of Commerce to denote the time, place, and manner of 
commercial fishing operations. During the progress of the season’s 
operations some extensions of the regulations were necessary to pre- 
vent overfishing in certain places and to meet unusual conditions that 
arose. ‘The Commissioner of Fisheries was in Alaska during much 
of the active salmon-fishing season to give immediate attention to 
necessary changes in the regulations. 
The act of June 18, 1926, reenacting and expanding section 1 of the 
act of June 6, 1924, further broadened control over the fisheries of 
Alaska by giving the Secretary of Commerce authority to permit the 
taking ot fish or shellfish, for bait purposes only, at any or all seasons 
in any or all Alaskan Territorial waters. This made possible more 
satisfactory regulatory measures for the taking of herring for bait 
purposes in the halibut fishery. 
Under date of December 22, 1926, there was a general revision of 
the fisheries regulations to be effective in 1927. The chief change 
was the closing to commercial fishing for salmon of 14 localities, in 
addition to the 99 previously closed. Three of the latter were opened 
part of the season, and in two others fishing with limited gear was 
permitted in specified periods. 
With few exceptions, the 1,200 or more streams ascended by salmon 
had good escapements to the spawning grounds. The constant aim 
and purpose is to secure full compliance with that part of the act of 
June 6, 1924, which declares it to be the policy of Congress that there 
shall be an escapement to the spawning grounds of at least 50 per 
cent of the runs of salmon. The effect of the existing regulations 
upon the escapement can be gauged satisfactorily by maintaining 
weirs, through which salmon can be counted, and then checking the 
results with the commercial take of salmon in the vicinity. In 1926 
such weirs were maintained in eight streams in Alaska. Additional 
weirs will be constructed from time to time as funds and facilities 
permit, 
