ALASKA FISHERIES AND FUR INDUSTRIES IN 1917. 



By Ward T. Bower, Agent Alaska Service, and Henry D, Aller, Assistant, 



Alaska Service. 



INTRODUCTION. 



Broadly considered, the work of the Bureau of Fisheries in Alaska 

 has been devoted to the enforcement of the laws and regulations for 

 the protection of the fisheries and fur-bearing animals; the adminis- 

 tration of the Pribilof Islands Reservation, and matters incidental 

 thereto; the collection of statistics and the dissemination of infor- 

 mation regarding the fisheries; the making of certain scientific in- 

 vestigations, chiefly in regard to the life history of the salmon and in 

 connection with tne fur-seal herd; and the conduct of fish-cultural 

 operations. 



In respect to the fisheries proper it may be said that much time 

 has been given to the enforcement of the laws and regulations. 

 Various prosecutions have been instituted when necessary from time 

 to time. In the season of 1917 the Bureau was enabled to extend its 

 patrol in southeastern Alaska by reason of having acquired two addi- 

 tional boats, the AuMet and the Murre. These boats were completed 

 early in the year, having been designed especially for the Alaska 

 fisheries service. Regular inspection of fishery operations was con- 

 tinued along the usual lines, and a census of the salmon ascending 

 Wood River (Lake Aleknagik) was again made. Private hatcheries 

 were inspected. Considerable work was also done in removing 

 natural barriers in streams, thus opening them up to spawning salmon. 



Hearings were held in regard to hmiting or prohibiting salmon 

 fishing in the waters of the Karluk, Bering, and Copper Rivers. As a 

 result, formal orders were issued by the Department restricting fishery 

 operations in these waters. Detailed statistics embracing practically 

 all features of importance pertaining to the varied fishery industries 

 of the Territory were assembled. 



Important work undertaken in 1917 was the introduction in Alaska 

 of the Scotch method of curing herring. For this work the Bureau 

 sent to the Territory a fishery expert and a number of special assist- 

 ants who gave practical demonstrations of the method to various 

 interested persons. 



In connection with the Pribilof Islands, attention was given to the 

 support of the natives, the taking and preserving of fur-seal and fox 

 skms and the repair and construction of dwellings occupied by the 

 natives and of other buildings used for the general work oi the 

 Bureau. Collections of bones were made from the deposits on the 

 killing fields of the Pribilof Islands. The steamer Roosevelt was 

 used for the transportation of freight and passengers to and from 



