ALASKA FISHERY AND FUR-SEAL INDUSTRIES tad 
the south side of the Peninsula intercepted a smaller portion of the 
run than in past years. Pinks and chums were late in arriving but 
were abundant after July 22, with the exception of a slack period 
from August 7-10. The run was characterized by the unusually 
small size of pinks, which in some instances were packed 40 or 50 
to a standard case of 48 1 pound-cans. Although not as compre- 
hensive as desired, the survey of spawning areas indicated a rather 
spotted escapement. It is believed that the Peninsula streams 
generally were not as well seeded as in other recent years. 
Bristol Bay.—The best red-salmon run in the history of the area 
occurred in Bristol Bay this season, reaching its heaviest volume in 
the Kvichak-Naknek district and in the Nushagak district. In most 
sections the run started on July 5, and held up well until the 23d, 
reaching its peak about the middle of the month. Reds appeared in 
the Ugashik district at least a week later than in other sections, but 
the run in this section, as well as in the Egegik district, was weak. 
Extensive observations were made, by airplane and boat, of -the 
spawning areas accessible to Bristol Bay red salmon. Of the four 
important watersheds, the Kvichak-Naknek and Nushagak systems 
received excellent escapements, the Egegik region was rather poorly 
seeded, and the Ugashik streams were only thinly populated as usual. 
Taken as a whole, however, the spawning beds of the Bristol Bay 
area were well seeded. 
GENERAL STATISTICS OF THE FISHERIES 
The total number of persons engaged in the fisheries of Alaska in 
1938 was 28,084, or 2,247 less than in 1937. Fishery products were 
valued at $42,869,726, a decrease of $8,873,494, or 17 percent, from 
the value in the preceding year. Of the total amount, 91 percent 
represented the value of salmon products; 5 percent, herring; 2 per- 
cent, halibut; and 2 percent, the value of all other fishery products. 
