18 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 



Ugashik, and Niishagak waters before the beginning of active 

 salmon-fishing operations and later were on guard duty near the 

 mouths of these rivers and also at the Igushik River. 



FISHERY PATROL. 



In 1922 the bureau maintained eight vessels in Alaska for patrol 

 work in connection with the enforcement of the laws for the protec- 

 tion of the seal and salmon fisheries. Of these the Murre^ Auklef, 

 Petrel, Widgeon, and Pufin were stationed in southeast Alaska ; and 

 the Merganser, Scoter, and Tern, at Chignik, Bristol Bay, and the 

 Yukon River, respectively. The Widgeon and Scoter were additions 

 to the bureau's fleet this year, and the Merganser was made use of 

 actively for the first time. In addition six launches owned by the 

 Bristol Bay packers were used both for the destruction of predatory 

 trout and in the bureau's patrol. During the fishing season 18 small 

 boats were chartered in the southeast district, 1 in Cook Inlet, and 

 3 in the Prince William Sound region for periods ranging from 10 

 to 75 days during the season from May to September. 



During the calendar year it is reported that the Auklet cruised 

 6,300 miles, Murre 7,708 miles. Petrel 5,478 miles. Puffin approxi- 

 mately 1,500 miles, Widgeon 3,588 miles, and Tei-^i 5,015 miles. The 

 AvJclet and Murre were in continuous commission except during the 

 time required to install in each new 40-horsepower engines and to 

 effect necessary alterations and repairs. These improvements have 

 made both vessels better for the bureau's service, and they are now 

 able to make headway against wind and sea that heretofore would 

 have sent them to shelter. The Petrel was redecked and remodeled 

 generally and was in commission four months. The Dusenberg 

 engine was taken out and replaced by the 25-horsepower Standard 

 engine from the Auklet. The Puffin was used chiefly in the protected 

 waters of the west coast of Prince of Wales Island. The Widgeon 

 reached Alaska late in August and was in commission the remainder 

 of the year. 



In February the Merganser was towed to Seattle by the Auklet, 

 where a new 16-horsepower engine was installed and certain repairs 

 and alterations were made. The Merganser was loaded on the ship 

 St. Paul March 27 for transportation to Chignik, reaching there in 

 April. 



The Scoter, a vessel about 60 feet long and of the seaworthy purse- 

 seine type, was purchased in April for the Bristol Bay district. It 

 was used throughout the season by the agent in charge of the district 

 and proved of great value in keeping in touch with the different 

 sections and in facilitating action in prosecuting law violators. 



The Tern was used as usual between Fairbanks and the mouth of 

 the Yukon River and in patrol of the delta. The Swan remained at 

 Fairbanks during the year but was not in use. 



The Coast Guard cutter TJnalga was stationed in southeast Alaska 

 and rendered cooperative service in connection with fishery matters. 



ALASKA FISHERY INTELLIGENCE SERVICE. 



The triweekly dissemination of telegraphic information regarding 

 the price of certain fresh and pickled fish to the important fishery 

 centers of southeast and central Alaska was continued by coopera- 



