XXVI REPORT TO THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE 



name and address of the producer. With the further development of 

 rapid freezing processes, this innovation opens the markets of the 

 worhl to fresh and frozen fish. Preparing and packaging fresh and 

 frozen fishery products at points of production will make it possible 

 to utilize edible, nutritious fish, whose qualities heretofore have not 

 been known or fully appreciated. Ultimately it should be possible 

 to market every edible fish taken in the commercial catch, and it is 

 believed that much of the future of the trade in package fish rests 

 in marketing these varieties. 



ALASKA FISHERIES SERVICE 



FISHERY LAWS AND REGULATIONS 



Administration of the laws and regulations for the conservation 

 ■of the fishery resources of Alaska in 1927 involved no change in 

 policy from that followed since the passage of the fisheries act of 

 June 6. 1924. The requirement of a minimum escapement of 50 per 

 cent of the salmon necessitated additional restrictions on fishing 

 operations in various localities. During the salmon-fishing season, 

 the Commissioner of Fisheries spent several weeks in Alaska observ- 

 ing conditions and initiating modifications in the regulations neces- 

 sary to meet changing lequirements. 



Revised fisheries regulations were issued December 12, 1927, to be 

 effective in 1928. Further restrictions were placed on the use of 

 traps in waters where these had threatened the depletion of the 

 salmon runs. Seventeen additional localities were closed to commer- 

 cial fishing, but five of those previously closed were opened to fishing 

 with limited forms of gear or for part of the season. 



Patrol of the fishing grounds was maintained throughout the 

 season of 1927, and several violations were reported, most of them in 

 connection w^ith tlie taking of salmon for commercial purposes dur- 

 ing weekly closed periods. There were 13 regular and 151 temporary 

 employees identified Avith this Avork, besides the crews of 11 bureau 

 vessels and 10 chartered boats. Several small launches also were 

 used in the patrol. Markers were erected at the mouths of salmon 

 streams and at the limits of other closed waters. 



SALMON HATCHERIES 



At the Government hatcheries at Afognak and McDonald Lake, 

 24,465,400 red-salmon eggs were collected in 1927. In addition, about 

 1,000,000 steelhead-trout eggs were secured and shipped to Seattle. 

 At the one privately owned hatchery operated during the year, 

 20,240,000 red-salmon eggs Avere collected. The operation of 

 hatcheries by the Alaska Territorial Fish Commission has been dis- 

 continued, the Avork in 1927 consisting only of- handling the eggs 

 taken in the preceding year and the fry hatched therefrom. 



SPECIAL STUDIES AND INA'ESTIGATIONS 



Ten Aveirs for the counting of salmon ascending to the spaAvning 

 grounds were maintained as folloAvs: Anan Creek, southeastern 



