296 U. 8S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES 
condition was most critical confirmed the conclusion that disease 
organisms were not responsible. 
It was found through experimental work that the highly congested 
areas in the salmon were caused by bruising in commercial handling, 
both before and after death. Although such bruising was severe in 
only a few localities, it was found to a limited extent in practically all 
the fishing districts of Alaska. In view of this fact and the evidence 
resulting from the examination of the texture of the flesh, it has been 
concluded that salmon composing the 1936 runs were unusually soft 
or tender and did not withstand the treatment they are normally 
subjected to in handling. 
Some peculiarity in the growth of salmon prior to their spawning 
migration has been advanced in explanation of the possible cause for 
the unusual, tender condition of the flesh. The occurrence of more 
bruised fish in some localities than in others may have been due to an 
accentuation of this tender condition by excessively warm weather 
and the accompanying abnormally high ocean temperature that pre- 
vailed in the localities where the bruising of salmon was most severe. 
That there was some relationship between the higher ocean tempera- 
tures and increased bruising of the salmon is evidenced by the fact 
that rains and lower temperatures greatly reduced the occurrence of 
bruised individuals in the catches. 
OBSERVATIONS ON THE ESCAPEMENT OF SALMON 
The volume of the salmon runs is closely watched in each district 
so that there may be the fullest possible commercial utilization of this 
resource without endangering its future. Upon the basis of these 
observations the regulations were modified during the season in such 
a way as to secure the most desirable spawning escapement. After 
the close of fishing operations, representative spawning streams in 
all parts of the Territory were examined to determine the adequacy 
of such escapement. 
Southeast Alaska.—Pink salmon were abundant in nearly all parts 
of southeast Alaska. The runs of this species were early in the 
southern part of the area, while in the northern part, as in other recent 
years, the runs were late. A long period of clear, warm weather in 
August caused the water level of many of the small streams to fall so 
low that salmon could not reach the spawning gravels. This con- 
dition was relieved by heavy rains in September and there was no 
appreciable loss of spawning fish except on the west coast of Prince of 
Wales Island. 
In the southern district the pink salmon run was in progress when 
the season opened, and, increasing steadily in volume until the close 
of fishing, it produced a pack exceeding all previous records. This 
exceptionally heavy run resulted in a generally satisfactory escape- 
ment throughout the district. The streams in Boca de Quadra, 
Smeaton Bay, Rudyerd Bay, and Walker Cove were especially well 
seeded. 
The run in the southern part of the Clarence Strait district, like 
that of the southern district, was early; and pink salmon were unusu- 
ally abundant throughout the season. Although the escapement of 
pink salmon in the streams along the east coast of Prince of Wales 
Island was not as large as in the southern district it was considered 
adequate. The run in the northern part of the district was small 
