INTRODUCTION. 



The bureau's work in Alaska was conducted along much the usual 

 lines in the calendar year 1922, the chief change being the adoption 

 of the policy of establishing reservations in districts that were 

 threatened with overfishing and the licensing of operators under 

 restrictions on output and apparatus. Two reservations were cre- 

 ated, the Alaska Peninsula Fisheries Reservation by Executive order 

 of February 17, 1922, and the Southwestern Alaska Fisheries Reser- 

 vation by Executive order of November 3, 1922. Special regula- 

 tions governing fishing operations in the Alaska Peninsula Fisheries 

 Reservation were in effect during the fishing season of 1922. 



A considerably increased force of temporary stream guards worked 

 under the direction of the bureau's permanent employees during the 

 active fishing season. Three patrol boats were added to the bureau's 

 fleet and were made use of for the first time this season. A larger 

 number of small boats was also chartered during the season. 



An expedition was again sent into the Bristol Bay region, which 

 during the early part of the season gave attention to the destruction 

 of predatory fishes and birds and during commercial fishing activi- 

 ties maintained a patrol for the enforcement of the fishery laws and 

 regulations. Two members of the party remained in the district 

 during the winter of 1922-23 to make an examination of spawning 

 beds and secure information as to the size of the escapement of 

 spawning salmon. 



A count of spawning salmon ascending the Karluk River was 

 again made, and similar operations were undertaken at Chignik 

 River, where a rack was constructed a short distance above Chignik 

 Lagoon. A special study of fishery conditions on the Kuskokwim 

 River was made. 



The bureau cooperated with the Federal Power Commission in 

 connection with applications for licenses for power projects in 

 Alaska. Inquiries were made regarding the use of salmon for fox 

 food on the numerous fur farms in Alaska. 



In connection with studies by Dr. C. H. Gilbert of the life history 

 of the Pacific salmons, and particularly the determination of migra- 

 tion routes, important work was inaugurated by the tagging of sal- 

 mon taken from traps along the Alaska Peninsula and at the Shuma- 

 gin Islands and by the collection of data on the time and place of 

 recapture. 



No change was made in the regulations for the protection of wal- 

 ruses and sea lions. 



Transportation of Government employees and supplies for the 

 Pribilof Islands was chiefly by commercial vessels, although valu- 

 able assistance along these lines was rendered by Coast Guard and 

 naval vessels in a number of instances. 



Operations in connection with the fur-seal and blue-fox industries 

 and the administration of the affairs of the natives on the Pribilof 

 Islands were carried on in a manner similar to previous years- The 

 improved methods of taking skins and the removal of blubber at the 

 islands was extended in operations on St. Paul Island. The total 

 take of sealskins in the calendar year 1922 was 31,156 ; and 888 blue 



