REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES XXXV 



the law. A number of operators joined in an application for an 

 injunction against the Commissioner of Fisheries, the United States 

 attorney, the United States marshal, and certain employees of the 

 Bureau of Fisheries to enjoin them from enforcing the law in re- 

 gard to opening the heart walls of traps in the manner described 

 ill instructions issued by the bureau to its employees. The judge 

 of the district court denied a temporary restraining order and 

 on appeal his decision was confirmed by the Circuit Court of Ap- 

 peals for the Ninth Circuit. As the season progressed it became 

 apparent that with slight alterations traps already constructed 

 could be operated lawfully. 



ALASKA SALMON HATCHERIES 



At the Government hatchery on McDonald Lake 30,080,000 red- 

 salmon eggs were collected in 1924. The Afognak hatchery was 

 closed for repairs. At two private salmon hatcheries operated 

 under the provisions of the act of June 26, 1906, there were col- 

 lected 31,690,000 red-salmon, eggs. 



The Alaska Territorial Fish Commission carried on hatchery 

 operations in 1924 at its stations at Ketchikan, Cordova, and 

 Seward, handling a; total of 16,352,000 humpback, chum, red, and 

 chinook salmon eggs. All of the chinook eggs were received from 

 the State of Washington. 



SPECIAL STUDIES AND INVESTIGATIONS 



In 1924 counts of red salmon ascending to spawning grounds were 

 made in two small streams entering Olga Bay, Kodiak Island, and 

 in the Chignik and Karluk Rivers. These weirs are being main- 

 tained again in 1925, and in addition weir operations are being 

 undertaken for the first time at Anan Creek in the southeastern 

 district. 



The tagging of salmon to determine their migration routes in the 

 waters of southeastern Alaska was undertaken for the first time in 

 1924. Five localities were selected and 2,716 salmon were tagged, 

 of which 662 were later recaptured. Studies of the data are being 

 made and a special report on the results will be published. 



EXTENT OF THE ALASKA FISHERIES 



In 1924 the Alaska salmon industry as a whole showed a slight 

 increase in number of persons employed, investment, production, 

 and value. A notable feature was the greatly increased catch of 

 salmon in the central district, amounting to 161 per cent, which 

 more than offset the losses in the southeastern and western districts, 

 where the catches declined 18 and 32 per cent, respectively, from 

 the figures for 1923. The net increase in the catch of salmon for 

 Alaska as a whole in 1924 was about 3 per cent. 



A comparison of Alaska salmon-canning operations in 1923 and 

 1924 is as follows : 



