142 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE 
season was shortened in parts of southeast and central Alaska, and 
in some localities the season was extended slightly, in view of the 
satisfactory runs. In order to promote the use of claims for out- 
lying areas that had previously been but little exploited, the limi- 
tation on the pack for the Seward-Katalla district as a whole was 
increased, while a limitation was placed on the output of certain 
well-known beds in the district. Some additional restrictions were 
placed on commercial fishing for herring and crabs. 
Two 15-year leases of oyster bottoms in Alaska were executed dur- 
ing the fiscal year 1939 under the authority granted by the act of 
August 2, 1937, for the protection of oyster culture in Alaska. Lib- 
eral leasing terms have been established in order to encourage the 
development of this industry. 
Fourteen vessels of the Bureau, five speedboats, and a number of 
other small power boats were used in the patrol of the fishing grounds. 
The personnel identified with fishery-protective work numbered 209, 
including wardens, stream guards, weir operators, vessel crews, and 
biologists. Chartered airplane service was used to some extent to 
supplement the vessel patrol, and also for surveys of the spawning 
grounds and transportation of officials to isolated districts. 
Attention was given to the reclaiming of former spawning areas 
that had become inaccessible to the salmon by reason of accumulated 
débris from slides and windfalls. This work was largely incidental 
to the patrol of the fishing grounds. The destruction of predatory 
trout that feed upon salmon eggs and fry was continued in the 
Bristol Bay and Cook Inlet regions through funds supplied by the 
Territory and by local salmon packers. An appropriation of $25,000 
was made by the Territorial Legislature in 1939 to continue the im- 
provement of salmon streams and the payment of bounty on preda- 
tory trout during the next 2 years. 
Biological studies of the salmon and herring were continued, the 
work in connection with the former being extended to include a 
comprehensive investigation of the red-salmon fisheries of Bristol 
Bay. Further studies concerning the effect of predatory trout in 
reducing the numbers of young salmon were carried on in the Kodiak 
region. Weirs for counting the escapement of spawning salmon were 
operated in 11 representative salmon streams. 
PRODUCTS OF THE FISHERIES 
Notwithstanding the fact that several plants stood idle because of 
prolonged labor negotiations in the spring and the consequent delay 
in preparation for the season’s operations, the volume of fishery 
products in Alaska compared favorably with the average for recent 
years. An outstanding feature was the unusual abundance of red 
salmon in the Bristol Bay area, resulting in the largest catch ever 
recorded for that region. 
The total output of Alaska fishery products in 1938 was 446,664,000 
pounds, valued at $42,870,000, as compared with 452,545,000 pounds, 
valued at $51,748,000 in 1937. The estimated value of the 19388 catch 
to the fishermen was approximately $12,040,000, or about $2,198,000 
less than in the preceding year. There were 28,084 persons employed 
in the various branches of the industry, as against 30,331 in 1937. 
