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INTRODUCTION 
The Bureau’s work in Alaska, which pertains primarily to fishery 
and fur-seal management, was continued in accordance with the usual 
plan. The Commissioner of Fisheries spent several weeks in the Ter- 
ritory in July, inspecting both branches of the service. 
Regulations for the protection of the fisheries were revised early in 
the year to meet conservation requirements in various localities, and 
few additional restrictions were necessary during the progress of the 
season. In certain places where the salmon runs were late and suffi- 
ciently large to assure more than an ample escapement for seeding 
purposes, the regulations were relaxed to permit from 1 to 4 days 
additional fishing. Although somewhat below the record output for 
1936, the yield of salmon in Alaska in 1938 was well above average. 
Weirs for counting the escapement of brood fish were operated in 
11 representative salmon streams as a means of determining the ratio 
of escape to catch. Observations were made also of the numbers of 
breeding salmon in various important streams where no weirs were 
maintained. 
Under the authorization granted by the Act of August 2, 1937, for 
the protection of oyster culture in Alaska, two applications were made 
for lease of bottoms in Territorial waters of southeast Alaska for the 
bona fide cultivation of oysters. The leasing of such bottoms is on 
liberal terms, with a view to encouraging the development of this 
industry. 
A patrol of the fishing grounds was maintained by the Bureau’s 14 
vessels, 5 speed boats, and 14 other small power boats, supplemented 
by a number of chartered boats and launches. Some use was made 
also of chartered airplane service, both for patrol and for investiga- 
tional work. There were 134 persons employed for varying periods 
as stream guards and special workmen in connection with the enforce- 
ment of the fishery laws and regulations, in addition to the regular 
personnel of approximately 60 persons, principally wardens and vessel 
operators. : 
Incidental to fishery-patrol duties, attention was given to the clear- 
ing of salmon streams in order to make additional spawning areas 
accessible for seeding. The improvement of conditions for the nat- 
ural propagation of salmon involved also the destruction of predatory 
trout that feed upon salmon eggs and fry. This work was carried on 
chiefly in the Bristol Bay and Cook Inlet regions, through funds con- 
tributed by the Territorial legislature and the salmon packers. | 
Biological studies of salmon, herring, and trout were continued. 
The studies of the salmon this season were extended to include a com- 
prehensive investigation of the red salmon of the Bristol Bay area. 
No change was made in the regulations for the protection of walruses 
and sea lions. nt 
There were 58,364 fur-seal skins taken on the Pribilof Islands, an 
increase of 3,184 over the number obtained in the preceding year. 
Computations of the fur-seal herd as of August 10, 1938, showed a 
85 
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