REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES XIX 



ditions here are in many respects exceptionally favorable for study, 

 and it is planned to continue the work for a number of years. Spe- 

 cial attention is being given to the efficiency of natural propagation 

 and to what coiistitutes a reasonable expectation for future runs 

 based on a known volume of spawning fish. The size of the runs 

 has fluctuated from year to year in the past, and the escapement has 

 varied proportionately from 1,330,000 spawners in 1921 to only about 

 330,000 in 1922. Such widely differing brood years should produce 

 equally differing results when their progeny reach maturity, unless 

 other factors interfere. This is a problem that has never been in- 

 vestigated, and it is expected that the results of the Karluk experi- 

 ment will throw much light upon it. 



On the Columbia River the marking experiments conducted since 

 1916 were continued and interesting results were secured. A report 

 presenting the data secured up to 1921 is now in course of prepara- 

 tion. These relate to the relative efficiency of various hatchery 

 methods and will doubtless prove to be of great practical value in 

 developing such methods. An investigation of the spawning grounds 

 of the blueback salmon resulted in the discover}^ of a spawning bed 

 in the Okanogan River, which is of considerable interest because 

 little is known of the present spawning areas of these fish and, 

 lacking such information, it has been impossible either to give them 

 adequate protection or to secure their eggs for artificial propagation. 



On March 16 and 17, 1925, a meeting of the fisheries executives of 

 the Pacific coast was held in Seattle and was attended by repre- 

 sentatives of the Bureau of Fisheries, the Departments of Fisheries 

 for Canada and for British Columbia, the State fish commissions of 

 Washington, Oregon, and California, and the Territorial Fish Com- 

 mission of Alaska. As a result of this meeting there was, formed 

 the International Pacific Salmon Investigation Federation, the ob- 

 ject of which is to foster and coordinate researches bearing on the 

 salmon resources. Recommendations were made looking toward the 

 negotiation of a treaty between the United States and Canada which 

 would provide for the investigation of the salmon fisheries. 



The halibut fisheries of the north Pacific have shown marked signs 

 of depletion, which has occasioned much concern. The annual yield 

 of this fishery is over 50,000,000 pounds, valued at over $5,000,000, 

 and approximately 80 per cent of this catch has been taken by 

 American vessels. Under the terms of the north Pacific halibut 

 treaty between the United States and Canada, consummated during 

 the preceding fiscal year, the International Fisheries Commission 

 was established and has begun an intensive investigation of the 

 halibut resources. This work has been placed in charge of W. F. 

 Thompson, a capable and experienced investigator of fishery prob- 

 lems, and rapid progress is anticipated. Plans and organization 

 were perfected during the winter, and active work has already 

 begun. 



FISHERIES OF INLAND WATERS 



A statistical canvass of the fisheries of the Great Lakes conducted 

 during 1922 disclosed the fact that the total production of fish in 

 tJiese waters exceeded 110,000,000 pounds, valued at $6,799,633. 

 Whitefish and cisco were the most important items, over 40,000,000 

 pounds, valued at over $2,000,000. having been taken. While the 

 59260—25 4 



