62 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES 



INTRODUCTION 



The work of the Bureau of Fisheries in Alaska includes two distinct 

 lines of activity — the conservation of the salmon and other fisheries 

 of Alaska and the protection and management of the Pribilof Islands 

 fur-seal herd. 



The most important fishery in Alaska is for the salmon. The per- 

 petuation of this great resource depends largely upon the escapement 

 of a proper supply of breeding salmon to the spawning grounds. 

 To bring this about each year and at the same time permit proper 

 utilization of salmon for food requires regulations based on thorough 

 knowledge of local conditions, a comprehensive imderstanding of the 

 natural history of the salmons, and as complete data as can be obtained 

 in regard to the methods and intensiveness of fishery operations in the 

 past and the present. Regulations must be reviewed constantly 

 and revised from time to time to meet existing conditions. The 

 regulations eft'ective in 1926 were revised very carefully for 1927, 

 and supplementary regulations were issued from time to time. Com- 

 missioner O'Malley was in Alaska during the greater part of the salmon 

 fishing season, keeping in personal touch with the various problems 

 that required immediate administrative action. 



About 200 persons were employed for varying periods to enforce 

 the fishery laws and regulations. A fleet of 11 vessels belonging to the 

 bureau was engaged in patrol work, and in addition a number of 

 other vessels were chartered for brief periods to assist in the patrol. 

 Scientific studies, principally in connection with salmon, herring, 

 and clams, were continued. 



Ten weirs were maintained in various streams of Alaska, at which 

 counts of salmon escaping to the spawning grounds were made for 

 comparison with the commercial take. Observations were made of 

 the numbers of breeding salmon in various important streams where 

 weirs were not maintained. 



Detailed statistics of the fisheries of Alaska are published herewith. 



At the Pribilof Islands 24,942 fur-seal skins were taken — 2,811 

 more than in the preceding year. An adequate number of 3-year-old 

 male seals was reserved from the killing operations to maintain the 

 breeding stock. The computation of fur seals in the herd indicated 

 808,870 animals, an mcrease of 47,589 over the figures of the previous 

 year. In the foxing season of 1927-28 on the Pribilof s 278 blue and 

 15 white fox skins were taken. A patrol of the waters frequented by 

 Pribilof Islands fur seals was maintained by the United States 

 Coast Guard. 



Very satisfactory progress was made in the construction of new 

 dwellings for the natives on the Pribilof Islands. Nearly all the 

 dwellings, built many years ago when the islands were under lease, 

 require replacement. Progress also was made in the construction 

 of roadways, so urgently needed in connection with sealing operations. 

 The annual shipment of general supplies for the Pribilofs was made 

 on the U. S. S. Vega, detailed for the work through the courtesy of the 

 Navy Department. 



Two public auction sales of fur-seal skins were held in the year. 

 At one of these fox skins from the Pribilofs were sold also. 



Acloiowledgment is made of the assistance rendered by members 

 of the bureau's staff in the compilation and preparation of this 

 document. 



