30 ALASKA FISHERIES AND FUR INDUSTRIES IN 1918. 
An investment of $48,000 was made in the plant. One stern 
wheeler, the Martha Clow (65 tons net), one gas boat, the Althea (17 
tons net), and three smaller power boats were operated in connection 
with the cannery. Salmon were taken with 124 gill nets aggregating 
9,869 fathoms, and 6 wheels of the two-scoop pattern. Employment 
was given to 169 men, 55 being fishermen, 102 shoresmen, and 12 
transporters. Of these 36 were natives, 13 of whom were listed as 
fishermen. : 
Stokes & Stokes operated a small saltery on the lower Yukon, 
packing 15 barrels of chum salmon. Their plant was valued at 
$1,500. Equipment consisted of one power boat and 300 fathoms 
of gill nets. They report having located too far up the river, but 
before another season will move to a point lower down. 
Warden C. F. Townsend epee that one Sepella operated a 
saltery on the Yukon about 12 miles from salt water and that a pack 
of 110 barrels of chums and cohos was made. Salmon were taken 
with gill nets and one wheel. Mr. Townsend also advised that the 
Delta Fishing Co. was in the field in a small way. 
Statistics compiled at the close of the season of 1918 indicate that 
exclusive of gear operated by the cannery and salteries near the 
mouth of the river, ie whites and natives on the Yukon and tributary 
waters used 393 fish wheels, valued at $19,650, and 130 gill nets 
aggregating 3,250 fathoms, valued at $6,500. The estimated catch 
for local requirements was 1,400,000 salmon, which when dried 
represented approximately 700 tons of fish, valued at $140,000. 
he total population of the Yukon region of Alaska, dependent in 
some Measure on the fisheries, was estimated late in 1918 as being 
10,907, of which number 6,638 were whites and 4,269 were natives. 
_ The number of dogs in the region was estimated at 6,183. 
Prior to the season of 1918 the size of the run of salmon in the 
Yukon was an almost unknown quantity. The belief was expressed 
in some quarters that a comparatively small run ascended its waters, 
but others who were interested in the commercial exploitation of its 
fisheries held the opinion that a run aggregating many millions of 
salmon annually ascended the river. The necessity of maintaining 
the fisheries is paramount at all times, and if it is reasonable to 
suppose that a serious depletion of the supply by unrestricted fishing 
seems imminent, limitations must necessarily be imposed. This 
was done on December 14, 1918, by the promulgation of regulations 
affecting commercial fishing for salmon in the Yukon River. The 
closing order which is published in full on page 11 in this report be- 
came effective January 1, 1919. 
COPPER RIVER FISHERY. 
Unusual interest was centered in the Copper River fisheries in 
1918. The combined catch of red, coho, ne ee salmon was con- 
siderably in excess of 1,000,000 as against 890,000 in 1917. ‘The catch 
undoubtedly would have been heavier had it not been for certain 
restrictions imposed upon fishing by the regulations of December 20, 
1918, although as the result of misunderstandings and for other rea- 
sons the regulations were more or less disregarded. The regulations 
were unsatisfactory in some respects, chiefly because of the fact that 
areas in the delta were included apparently not technically within 
