ALASKA FISHEEY AND FUR-SEAL INDUSTRIES, 1924 



115 



SALMON TAGGING IN SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA 



The tagging of salmon in the waters of southeastern Alaska to de- 

 termine their migration routes was undertaken for the first time in 

 1924. As salmon come from the ocean to the streams through sev- 

 eral entrances, it seemed advisable to carry on the experiment at five 

 places in order to get in one season a general knowlecfge of the move- 

 ment of salmon after entering the district. Accordingly the following 

 points were selected: Inian Islands in Cross Sound, Kingsmill Point 

 in Chatham Strait, Ruins Point in Sumner Strait, Cape Chacon at 

 the southern entrance of Clarence Strait, and Tree Point at the 

 southern end of Kevillagigedo Channel. It was intended that 1,000 

 salmon be tagged at each place, and all species except king salmon be 

 tagged in approximately equal numbers. So far as possible tagging 

 was to be done weekly through the period of the run. However, bad 

 weather and other pressing duties interrupted and prevented the 

 perfect execution of this program. Ruins Point was the only place 

 where it was possible to follow closely the prearranged schedule. 



The total number of salmon tagged at Inian Islands was 214; 

 Kingsmill Point, 400; at or near Cape Bendel, 597; Kanagunut Island, 

 24; Tree Point, 275; Duke Point, on the east coast of Duke Island, 

 295; at or near Point White on the west shore of Duke Island, 199; 

 and at Ruins Point. 987. making a total of 2,716. Of this number, 

 662 tags, or a little more than 24 per cent, have been reported as 

 recovered. Analyses of the data will be covered in another report. 



The work was under the general direction of Assistant Agent 

 Edward M. Ball. The salmon tagged were purchased from or 

 donated by the eight concerns in whose traps they were originally 

 caught. A reward of 50 cents was paid for each tag returned with 

 data regarding time and place of recapture. 



HATCHERIES 

 EXTENT OF OPERATIONS 



Salmon propagation in Alaska, exclusive of Territorial activities, 

 was carried on by the Government at McDonald Lake in south- 

 eastern Alaska, by the Alaska Packers Association at Heckman Lake, 

 and by the Northwestern Fisheries Co. at Hugh Smith Lake. Col- 

 lections of red-salmon eggs at these stations in 1924 amounted to 

 61.770.000. or 2 855 000 more than in 1923. No eggs were taken at 

 the Government's hatchery on Afognak Lake in 1924, as the hatchery 

 was being rebuilt. 



Operations of Federal and private hatcheries in Alaska in 1924 



' At the Fortmann hatchery 1,150,000 humpback-salmon fry were released in 1923-24, and 900,000 eggs 

 of this species were taken in 1624 



