INTRODUCTION 
The duties of the Bureau in regulating the fisheries of Alaska and 
in protecting and managing the Pribilof Islands fur-seal herd were 
performed in accordance with the established program. During the 
month of July the Commissioner of Fisheries made a tour of inspection 
of all important fishing centers and also visited the Pribilof Islands to. 
observe fur-sealing activities. 
Regulations for the protection of the fisheries were revised early in 
the year to meet conservation requirements in the various localities,. 
and a few minor changes were made during the fishing season as con-- 
ditions warranted. In general, there were abundant runs of salmon 
in all districts, with the result that the catch was the largest in the 
history of the ‘industry and a record pack was produced, amounting 
to 8,437,603 cases, or nearly a million cases more than the previous 
record pack i in 1934. 
A patrol of the fishing grounds was maintained by the Bureau’s 
fleet of 14 vessels and 20 small power boats, supplemented by a num- 
ber of chartered boats and launches. Approximately 175 persons 
were employed for varying periods as stream guards and special 
workmen in connection with the fisheries-protective work. An effec- 
tive auxiliary patrol was provided by the use of chartered airplanes, 
especially during weekly closed periods. 
Eleven weirs were operated in typical salmon streams, through 
which the brood fish were counted as a means of determining the 
relation of escape to catch. During the season observations of the 
runs were made in all districts to assure that the regulations permitted 
maximum utilization of the resource consistent with the maintenance 
of an undiminished supply. An examination of spawning areas after 
the close of fishing indicated that the escapement in general was 
satisfactory. 
Attention was given to the improvement of conditions for natural 
propagation by the removal of log jams and other barriers that blocked 
the passage of salmon to the spawning grounds and by the destruction 
in certain areas of predatory trout that feed upon salmon eges and 
fry. The artificial propagation of salmon in Alaska, at private as 
well as at Government hatcheries, has been discontinued. 
Studies of the life history and fluctuations in the abundance of 
salmon and herring, which provide information of value in determining 
appropriate conservation measures, were continued. 
On the Pribilof Islands 52,446 fur-seal skins were taken, or 4,850 
less than the number obtained in the previous year. Killings were 
from surplus male seals, chiefly 3-year-olds, suitable provision being 
made for the breeding reserve. The census of the herd as of August 
10, 1936, showed 1,689,743 animals of all classes, an increase of 138,830 
over the corresponding figures for the previous year. Foxing opera- 
tions at the islands during the winter of 1936-37 resulted in the take 
of 999 blue and 13 white fox pelts. 
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