CXVI REPORT OP COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



may be agreed upon to all jiarts of this inclosed sea, and the information necessary 

 to accomplish that iiurpose satisfactorily could readily be obtained. 



(2) In the salt waters comprised within the State of Washington we see no reason 

 for prohibiting at iircsent any of the kinds of ai:)paratus now employed there, 

 namely, trap nets, purse seines, drag seines, reef nets, and gill nets, the bulk of the 

 sockeye catch being made in the form of net lirst mentioned. 



(3) We are in accord with the Canadian regulation which restricts commercial 

 fishing on the Fraser River and off its mouths to the use of drift gill nets, and 

 recommend that the rivers in Washington be subject to the same regulation. 



(d) Being uncertain as to the capacity of the contiguous waters in question in 

 respect to fishing operations, we are not prepared to suggest a direct limitation 

 upon the quantity of apparatus to be employed, but consider that the present require- 

 ments of the case Avill be met by the restrictive measures which follow. 



(5) The mesh in trap nets to measure in extension not less than 3 inches in the 

 crib and 6 inches in the leader when actually in use. 



Trap-net leaders not to exceed 2,000 feet in length. 



Not more than two traps to be placed in one continuous line, and when so arranged 

 to be separated by a gap of at least 100 feet between the inner crib and the liegin- 

 ning of the outer leader. All traps or strings of two traps to be separated by lateral 

 passageways of at least 2,500 feet. The inner end of all trap-net leaders to liogin in 

 a depth of not less than 1 fathom at low tide, and the space intervening between it 

 and the shore to remain entirely unobstructed. 



All trap-net stakes to be removed from the water, in the interest of navigation, 

 within thirty days from the close of the fishing season. 



(6) Drift gill nets not to exceed 150 fathoms each in length. 



The drift gill nets employed for taking quiunat salmon to have not less than 

 7f-inch mesh extension measure, and to be used only from Ajiril 1 to September 15. 



The drift gill nets employed for taking the sockeye and other smaller species of 

 salmon to have not less than 5|^-iuch mesh extension measure, and to be used only 

 from July 1 to October 1. 



All drift nets when in use to be kept at lor.st 250 yards apart, and to obstruct not 

 more than one-third of the width of the river. 



(7) We are not prepared to suggest any changes in the dimensions or in tlie man- 

 ner of employing drag seines, purse seines, and reef nets, nor do we consider any 

 such changes essential while the extent of fishing by these methods remains as small 

 as at present. 



(8) It is recommended that in all rivers commercial fishing with nets be restricted 

 to the tidal part of the river. 



(9) We consider it very important that the movement of the salmon toward their 

 spawning-grounds be facilitated by weekly close times of thirty-six hours' duration, 

 Avhich we suggest extend from 6 a. m. on Saturday to 6 p. m. on Sunday of each 

 week during the continuance of the fishing season. 



(10) We also recommend an annual close season, extending from October 1 to 

 April 1 of each year, during which all net fishing shall be prohibited. 



(11) We recommend that the Indians be allowed to fish at all times by their cus- 

 tomary methods, except the use of drift nets and sjiears on the rivers during the close 

 seasons, during which periods, moreover, they should be permitted to take salmon 

 only for the jjurpose of supplying themselves with food, and not for sale or barter. 



(12) As no evidence of a decrease in the abuudauee of any of the salmon species 

 has been obtained, we do not feel justified in recommending joint action at present 

 in the matter of their artificial propagation. While we feel confident that the 

 natural supply can best be maintained by early compliance with suitable protective 

 measures, we found it generally admitted that the efforts made by the Canadian 

 Go\ ernmeut to increase the stock of sockeye salmon on the Fraser River by fish- 

 cultural methods has been beneficial, the annual run of the fish being made more 

 constant and the off seasons being improved. In view of the growing demand for 



