BUREAU OF FISHERIES XXIX 
There was a further expansion in 1926 of the patrol for the protec- 
tion of the fisheries of Alaska and the enforcement of the laws and 
regulations. Identified with this work were 13 regular and 145 tem- 
porary employees, exclusive of those on the bureau’s 11 vessels and 
the 12 chartered boats, or an increase of 13 persons and 2 vessels 
over the previous season. In addition, a number of small launches 
were used for varying periods. This expanded patrol was of par- 
ticular value as a deterrent to violations, for with few exceptions 
there was satisfactory observance of the fishery laws and regula- 
tions. Before another season the bureau will have added two new 
patrol vessels to its Alaskan fleet, both of which will be capable of 
offshore duty when necessary. 
SALMON HATCHERIES 
The Federal Government operated fish hatcheries at Afognak and 
on McDonald Lake, at which 52,010,000 red-salmon eggs were col- 
lected in 1926. In addition, several million steelhead-trout and hump- 
back-salmon eggs were secured. ‘Two privately owned hatcheries 
took 41,420,000 red-salmon eggs, and in addition one of them ob- 
tained 6,640,000 humpback-salmon eggs. 
The Alaska Territorial Fish Commission maintained hatcheries at 
Ketchikan, Cordova, and Seward. At the Ketchikan hatchery 
3,337,/60 red-salmon eggs, 1,660,000 humpback-salmon eggs, and 
2,000,000 king-salmon eggs were collected and received. At the 
Seward hatchery 3,164,000 red-salmon eggs were collected. No 
eggs were taken at the Cordova station in 1926. 
SPECIAL STUDIES AND INVESTIGATIONS 
During the season of 1926, 13,530 salmon were tagged and released 
for the purpose of securing further information in regard to migra- 
tion routes. Scientific investigations of the life history of the salm- 
ons were conducted in various parts of Alaska, chiefly in the Kar- 
luk River region. Extensive observations were made on various 
salmon-spawning grounds to determine the adequacy of the salmon 
escapement and to supplement the information obtained at the count- 
ing weirs. Conditions were generally satisfactory, but in some in- 
stances the number of spawning salmon appeared to be instflicient. 
Additional scientific studies were made in regard to the herring 
and clam fisheries. 
PRODUCTS OF THE FISHERIES 
The pack of canned salmon in Alaska was the largess in the his- 
tory of the Territory, amounting to 6,652,882 cases. Compared with 
the preceding year, the pack of red salmon increased more than 100 
per cent, humpbacks about 58 per cent, cohos over 25 per cent, and 
kings about 5 per cent. The pack of chums decreased about 16 per 
cent. The increase in the pack was due largely to a greater take of 
red salmon in western Alaska and of humpbacks in central Alaska. 
The total value of the manufactured fishery products of Alaska in 
1926 was $54,669,882. The value of the catch to the fishermen was 
approximately $14,500,000. 
