ALASKA FISHERY AND FUR-SEAL INDUSTRIES, 1934 23 



ing the year. These studies are being carried on in cooperation with 

 the National Canners Association of Seattle, and a rejwrt deaUng 

 with the seasonal change in the quality of the pink salmon in soutli- 

 eastern Alaska is being prepared for publication in 1935. 



OBSERVATIONS ON THE ESCAPEMENT OF SALMON 



Tlu'oughout the fishing season the runs of salmon were observed 

 closely to assure the maintenance of an adequate breeding reserve in 

 the streams of all districts, and the spawning grounds of representative 

 streams were inspected after the close of commercial operations. 



Southeast Alaska. — The pink salmon runs were late in entering the 

 inside waters of southeastern Alaska, except in the southern district, 

 where they were earl3^ The runs generally were large, but because of 

 low water m the streams the heavy earh^ run in the vicinity of Ketchi- 

 kan was prevented from reaching the spawning grounds. This run 

 continued until after the close of the season, however, and good escape- 

 ments were obtained when the fall rains began. The Behm Canal 

 region was particularly well seeded. Streams along the east coast of 

 Prince of Wales Island were well stocked with spawning pinks from the 

 late run in that section. The tributaries of Ernest Sound and Brad- 

 field Canal were satisfactoril}^ seeded in spite of heavy drains on the 

 pink salmon runs in those waters by commercial operations. The 

 escapement of pink salmon was good in all important streams on the 

 west coast of Prince of Wales Island, and in the Icy Strait, western, 

 and eastern districts the escapements of this species were reported to 

 be above average. In the Yakutat district the pink run was light, and 

 low water in the streams contributed to unsatisfactory spawning for 

 this species. 



The red salmon runs were below normal in all districts except Yaku- 

 tat and in the vicinity of Wrangell. The run of reds in the Yakutat 

 district was reported to have been better than in 1933, and good escape- 

 ments were observed in all streams. Good escapements of kings also 

 were obtained in the Yakutat district. 



The early runs of chums were small in all districts, and the escape- 

 ments were below normal in the Wrangell-Petersburg region and on the 

 west coast of Prince of Wales Island. Fail' escapements of chums in 

 other districts were derived from late runs, the bulk of which reached 

 the spawning grounds because of the relatively small amount of fall 

 fishing. 



The coho runs in all parts of southeastern .Uaska were heavier than 

 usual, and the escapements were considerably above average. 



Prince William Sound and Copyer River region. — The escapement of 

 all species in Prince William Sound streams was very satisfactory. Of 

 particular interest was the much improved pink salmon escapement in 

 streams tributary to Port Wells, where the runs are so seriously de- 

 pleted as to require prohibition of all commercial fishing. There was 

 a good run of red salmon to Co})per River and a good escapement was 

 obtained. The escapement of kings in Copper River also was good. 

 The run of reds to Bering River was much better than in 1933, and it is 

 believed that a 50-percent escapement was obtained. There was no 



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