FISHERY INDUSTRIES, 57 



and the fish seemed to disappear almost ontuely for a time. It is 

 now reported that tlie run has again resumed lieavy proportions. 

 Whether tlie temporaiy diminution was caused by heavy catches or 

 whether it resulted from the generally recognized natural tendency 

 to cycles in the runs of fish, showmg lean as well as full periods or 

 yeai"s, can not be answered definitely. But in the light of past 

 experience, it would seem safe to ascribe conditions in the Nanaimo 

 region more especially to the latter cause. 



In Alaska it is saiil by some that herring are no long<n" as numerous 

 as they were a decade ago, and the absence of large runs from Gasti- 

 neaux Channel is cited in support of this contention. Undoubtedly 

 it is true that Gastineaux Channel has shown but comparatively 

 lunited numbers of herring during the last few yeai-s, but this is not 

 heard with reference to Auk Bay or other near-by waters well known 

 for herring. It may be reasoned that the cycle theory — the periodic 

 preference shown by fish for certain waters — is the chief cause of 

 present conditions in Gastineaux Channel. It is said by an old-tune 

 resident of the region that from 1885 to 1890 there were almost no 

 herring in Gastineaux Channel, while for a few yeai-s thereafter the 

 runs were moderately good, and in 1901 and 1902 they appeared in 

 large numbei-s. Since that time an occasional school has been seen. 

 It should be noted that at no tune has this body of water been 

 recognized as a regularly heavy producer of herring. For 25 yeai"s 

 or more there has been a deposit of stamp-mill tailings in Gastineaux 

 Channel, but the quantity of detritus therefrom wliich is not dis- 

 persed by tidal action is so limited, relatively speaking, that it 

 scarcely can have had much effect upon the runs of herring, at least 

 up to the present time. 



There is need of regulation and the prevention of wasteful practices 

 in the herring fishery even as in the case of the salmon fishery, not- 

 withstanding that the runs of herring are heavy and that their 

 prolific breeding habits make the danger of depletion less imminent. 

 In this connection, citation is made of the doubtful practice of the 

 Indians at Auk Bay and other places of putting brush in the water 

 each spruig during the spawning season for the purpose of securing 

 hen-ing eggs which they dry and make use of as a food delicacy. 

 The adhesive tendency of herring eggs makes it an easy matter to 

 thus secure large quantities with but comparatively little effort. 

 Countless millions of eggs are in this manner destroyed by the Indians. 

 It Ls doubtful whether this practice of the Indians should longer be 

 permitted. 



The hen-ing industry is confined largely to the southeastern part 

 of Alaska, though of late considerable activity has developed to the 

 westward in the region of the Shumagin Islands. In the south- 

 eastern section the work has centered at Juneau, Killisnoo, Peters- 

 burg, and Ketchikan, At Juneau and Petersbui^ it is chiefly for 



