12 V. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES 



seines and gill nets were purchased from the natives. In addition, 

 640,114 salmon taken in purse seines outside the reserve were pur- 

 chased. Except for 47,308 salmon that were sold to other companies, 

 the entire catch was packed at the cannery. In the operation of the 

 plant and the fish traps employment was given to 20 whites, 182 

 natives, and 2 Chinese. 



Profits to the Metlakatlan Indians of the reserve on the cannery 

 operations for the year 1933 under the provisions of the lease amounted 

 to approximately $37,000. Preliminary estimates for the year 1934 

 place the figure at about $50,000. 



STREAM IMPROVEMENT 



_ The reclaiming of former spawning areas that have become inacces- 

 sible to the salmon by reason of an accumulation of debris from slides 

 and windfalls is of recognized importance in the conservation of the 

 fisheries. Some work of this kind is accomplished from time to time 

 by Bureau employees in connection with patrol duties, but it is neces- 

 sarily limited by the amount of funds available. 



In 1934 an extensive program of stream improvement in south- 

 eastern Alaska was undertaken as a project of the Civil Works Ad- 

 ministration. The work was under the direction of three regular em- 

 ployees of the Bureau and was participated in by approximately 200 

 persons for varying periods. It was carried on throughout the first 

 4 months of the year, in which time 468 streams were cleared for a 

 distance of 621 miles, and more than 100 miles of trail were cut to 

 facilitate making surveys of the spawning beds. Expenditures for 

 this work amounted to approximately $35,000 for pay rolls of tem- 

 porary employees, and $2,660 for miscellaneous supplies, including 

 gas and oil for the operation of power boats. 



The fishway in Ketchikan Creek was reconstructed and improved, 

 the work being started under the C. W. A. project and completed 

 by the Bureau. By means of this structure the salmon are able to 

 ascend to the spawning grounds above the falls without difficulty. 



Other work to increase the returns from the spawning escapement 

 included the destruction of trout that feed upon salmon eggs and 

 fingerlings. This work was carried on throughout the winter of 1934- 

 35 in the Bristol Bay region, where a bounty of 2% cents each was paid 

 on predatory trout taken by bona fide residents of Alaska. Payments 

 were made from an appropriation for the purpose by the Territorial 

 legislature at its 1933 session and from funds contributed by Bristol 

 Bay packers interested in securing a maximum production from the 

 salmon-breeding reserve. In the Yakutat district, also, considerable 

 work was accomplished in clearing streams and destroying predatory 

 trout through funds supplied by one of the canning companies. 

 Captures of trout were made likewise by weir crews, particularly in 

 the Kodiak area. 



STREAM MARKING 



New markers defining areas closed to commercial fishing were 

 erected to replace those which had become illegible or damaged, and 

 changes were made in the positions of others to conform with changes 

 made in the regulations with respect to closed areas. 



