342 U.S. BUREAU OP FISHERIES 



is done. However, at times when tliere is a relatively large escape- 

 ment of pink salmon there is not only overcrowding on the pink- 

 salmon spawning grounds, but serious overcrowding on the red- 

 salmon spawning grounds. This condition may be severe enough to 

 result in almost total loss of all pink-salmon spawn, and a very 

 serious loss of red-salmon spawn through the suffocation of un- 

 spawned pinks and reds and damage to the eggs already laid in the 

 gravel beds. 



A report submitted to Commissioner Bell pointed out that although 

 the data for use as the basis for the prediction of a future run of 

 pink salmon are meagre, all the evidence at hand points to an ex- 

 tremely large run of that species to the Karluk Kiver in 1934. Rec- 

 ommendations were submitted as to the most advisable remedial 

 action in case a large run does materialize. 



CHIGXIK RED-SALMON INVESTIGATION 



An investigation of the red-salmon runs of Chignik River, Alaska, 

 was continued by Harlan B. Holmes, assisted by George B. Kelez, 

 As a result of shortage of funds, field work was restricted to what 

 could be done by one man. This consisted essentially of collecting 

 routine data relating to the season's run of mature fish and recover- 

 ing mature fish that had been marked as fingerlings. 



The principal object of this investigation is to determine the num- 

 ber of fish that should be permitted to spawn each year so as to 

 produce the greatest surplus for the commercial fishery in the suc- 

 ceeding generations and at the same time protect the run. The pro- 

 cedure has been to observe the results of propagation of varying 

 numbers of spawners. With a few minor interruptions, the number 

 of spawners has been counted each year from 1922 to 1932. In 1933 

 high water prevented counting. 



As a significant proportion of the fish do not mature until in their 

 sixth year, returns from only the first six broods are now available. 

 Complications in the life and habits of the fish have delayed exact 

 analysis of the results. Tentative interpretations suggest that the 

 relation between number of spawners and number of adults pro- 

 duced is not as regular as we hoped to find it. The ratio of number 

 of spawners to return has varied from approximately 1/1 to 1/7. 

 The largest ratio accompanied the smallest number of spawners, but 

 the smallest ratio did not coincide with the largest spawning escape- 

 ment. The largest total return was produced by the largest spawn- 

 ing escapement, but in contrast to this the second largest escapement 

 produced the smallest total return. It, therefore, will be impossible 

 to state, even approximately, the most desirable number of spawners 

 until more experience is available. It is hoped that in the mean- 

 time we may acquire a greater knowledge of the life of the fish and 

 the conditions that affect their mortality, both of which will permit 

 more exact analysis of the data and application of the findings to 

 other streams. 



A peculiar feature of the Chignik red salmon is the fact that 

 fingerlings are found in the river below the lakes from May through 

 September or later. In other streams the fingerlings are found in the 

 lower river only during a short period of seaward migration. It 



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