FISHERY INDUSTRIES. 



As in similar reports for previous years, the Territory of Alaska is 

 here considered in the four coastal geographic sections generally- 

 recognized as follows: Southeast Alaska, embracing all that 

 narrow strip of mainland and the numerous adjacent islands from 

 Portland Canal northwestward to and including Yakutat Bay; 

 central Alaska, the region on the Pacific from Yakutat Bay westward, 

 including Prince William Sound, Cook Inlet, and Chignik; western 

 Alaska, the shores of Bering Sea, tributary waters, and the islands 

 in Bering Sea ; and arctic Alaska, all that portion of Alaska facing on 

 or tributary to the Arctic Ocean. 



Detailed reports and statistical tables dealing with the various 

 fishery industries are presented herewith, and there are also given 

 the important features of certain subjects which were the object of 

 special investigation or inquiry. 



WATERS CLOSED TO COMMERCIAL FISHING. 



Section 6 of the act approved June 26, 1906, for the protection and 

 regulation of the fisheries of Alaska, is as follows : 



That the Secretary of Commerce may, in his discretion, set aside any streams or 

 lakes as preserves for spawning grounds, in which fishing may be limited or entirely 

 prohibited: and when, in his judgment, the results of fishing operations in any stream, 

 or off tTie mouth thereof, indicate that the number of salmon taken is larger than the 

 natural production of salmon in such stream, he is authorized to establish close seasons 

 or to limit or prohibit fishing entirely for one year or more within such stream or 

 \vithin five hundred yards of the mouth thereof, so as to permit salmon to increase: 

 Provided, however. That such power shall be exercised only after all persons interested 

 shall be given a hearing, of which due notice must be given by publication; and 

 where the interested parties are known to the Department they shall be personally 

 notified by a notice mailed not less than thirty days previous to such hearing. No 

 order made under this section shall be effective before the next calendar year after 

 same is made: And provided further, That such limitations and prohibitions shall not 

 apply to those engaged in catching salmon who keep such streams fully stocked with 

 salmon by artificial propagation. 



Pursuant to the provisions of this section action was taken in 1917 

 in respect to the waters of Karluk, Bering, and Copper Rivers. 



Under date of July 31, 1917, announcement was made of a hearing 

 to be held in respect to the Karluk River. The text of the announce- 

 ment was as follows: 



Whereas it has been recommended that the Secretary of Commerce limit or pro- 

 hibit all fishing in Karluk River and Lagoon, and tributary waters, Alaska, notice is 

 hereby given under the provisions of section 6 of the act of Congress approved June 

 26, 1906, entitled "An act for the protection and regulation of the fisheries of Alaska." 

 that a hearing to determine the advisability of limiting or prohibiting fishing opera- 

 tions in the above-named waters will be held in room 328, customhouse, San Fran- 

 cisco, Cal., on November 15, 1917, at 10 o'clock a. m., at which time and place all 

 persons interested will be heard. 



Following the hearing on November 15, 1917, the Department 

 under date of November 30, 1917, promulgated the following order: 



A hearing having been given at San Francisco, Cal., November 15, 1917, after due 

 notice in accordance with law, for the purpose of determining the advisability of 

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