ALASKA FISHERY AND FUR-SEAL INDUSTRIES, 1922. 25 



ring, aie used to some extent in southeast Alaska, but are not re- 

 garded as the best fox food. Fish that can be dried are preferable, 

 as the foxes do not relish sahed fish. Few of the fox farmers do 

 their own fishing, usually purchasing salmon from packing com- 

 panies and operators of independent traps, purse seines, and other 

 tishing apparatus. 



In the Prince William Sound, Cook Inlet, and Kodiak-Afognak 

 regions of central Alaska a careful survey of the situation was made 

 under the direction of Assistant Agent Shirley A. Baker. In this 

 part of the Territor}' 87 fox farms were listed, upon 42 of which 

 1,649 foxes were reported. The reticence of operators made it prac- 

 tically impossible to get an approximation of animals on quite a 

 number of farms. It was computed that in the season of 1922 in 

 this district 270,770 salmon were taken for fox food, of which 26,600 

 were reds, 191,000 humpbacks, 29,200 chums, and 23,970 cohos. 

 These fox farmers supplement the supply of salmon with other foods, 

 including herring, cod, skates, sharks, hair seals, porcupines, rabbits, 

 and cereals. 



Fishing for salmon for use on fox ranches comes strictly under 

 the head of commercial operations and is subject to all restrictions 

 imposed by the laws and regulations. Fishing on the spawning 

 beds and within streams in order to supply fox ranches is as much 

 in violation of the regulations as if salmon so caught were for can- 

 nery' use. There is no more certain method of depleting the runs 

 of salmon than to take them from the spawning beds. Some fox 

 farmers have seemed concerned lest such full protection of the 

 salmon might work an undue hardship by depriving them of enough 

 food for their foxes. It is not the intention to burden the fox farm- 

 ers or to prevent in any way the legitimate de\'elopment of their 

 business, but at the same time care must be taken to preserve the 

 salmon industry by absolute avoidance of commercial fishing within 

 the streams. It is believed that reasonable foresight upon the part 

 of fox farmers in securing the heads of salmon from canneries and 

 in obtaining surplus salmon, particularly of the cheaper grades, 

 from outside waters will fully meet all needs along this line. 



BRISTOL BAY DISTRICT. 



In 1922 a special force consisting of two regular wardens and a 

 number of other employees under the direction of Agent Dennis 

 Winn was again sent into the Bristol Bay district. As in the pre- 

 vious season, eliorts were devoted during the spring to the destruc- 

 tion of predatory fishes, and after the beginning of active salmon- 

 fishing operations a patrol was maintained on Bristol Bay and in 

 all tributary rivers. Very satisfactory work was accomplished. 

 Two employees were detailed to remain over the winter and make a 

 thorough survey of the spawning grounds of the W^ood River lake 

 system. The report submitted by Mr. Winn follows : 



GENERAL REPORT OF SEASOn's OPERATIONS. 



Operations in the season of 1922 were conducted along the line of previous 

 years. The operators necessary to conduct the work of the different sectors 

 were engaged in the States and Alaska, preference being given to suitalile help 

 procurable in Alaska. Owing to the scarcity of such help around Bristol Bay 

 it was necessary to send most of the employees from the States. 



