152 ALASKA FISHERIES AND FUR INDUSTRIES IN 1919. 



NUSHAGAK RIVER AND WOOD RIVER CENSUS.** 



The Nushagak River has had a different history from that of the 

 Kvichak and the smaller rivers which enter along the eastern shore 

 of Bristol Bay. It was the first to be exploited and very early 

 reached its maximum of production. The five years from 1900 to 



1904 produced a slightly greater yield than the succeeding five, from 



1905 to 1909. From 1910-1914 there was a material reduction of 

 about 3,000,000 fish below the preceding period, and the five-year 

 period which came to a close with 1919 shows approximately the 

 same reduction. Yet during these periods there has been greo-t in- 

 crease in gear and a complete shifting of the fishing grounds to the 

 channels outside Ekuk. Not only has increased fishing produced no 

 increased returns, it has been accompanied by a small but unmistak- 

 able falling off in the pack. To this extent the situation on the 

 Nushagak is more disquieting than on the Kvichak. 



The decreased packs on the Nushagak, as seen in five-3^ear periods, 

 are due to the more frequent appearance of poor years. From 1900 

 to 1904 the poorest yield of any year was 4,125,000, which was not 

 far below the average of the last two periods. From 1905 to 1909 the 

 poorest yield during one year was 2,500,000. From 1910 to 1914 there 

 was one year with less than 4,000,000 and one with less than 3,000,000; 

 while in 1915 to 1919 there is one year with less than 4,000,000 and 

 another probably with not to exceed 2,000,000 — the latter certainly 

 the smallest yield in 20 years, despite the enormously increased gear. 



No one can doubt that there is here evidence of close gleaning from 

 an early period, with the percentage of escape reduced to smaller 

 dimensions and with little provision made for any safety factor. 

 When in any stream the crests of the pack grow lower and the troughs 

 deeper, retrenchment is called for. It is our belief that this condition 

 is now declaring itself on the Nushagak. 



The Wood River census of salmon which have escaped the commer- 

 cial fisheries and are about to enter the spawning area of the river 

 has been taken annually since 1908, with the exception of 1914. 

 The actual number of fish escaping and the proportion these bear to 

 the total run have varied widely during these years. Omitting from 

 consideration the year 1908 and making allowance for an escape, of 

 which there is no record in the Nushagak, the Igushik, and the Snake, 

 tire percentages of escape may vary approximately from 7 to 25, with 

 an average perhaps in the neighborhood of 15 per cent. It is this 15 

 per cent omy which would be subject to further inroads resulting 

 from increase in amount of fishing gear. As the spawning reserve 

 grows less and less, the capture of any considerable part of it becomes 

 more and more difficult by open fishing of the kind employed at 

 Nushagak. Some amount of escape is nearly always provided by 

 adverse weather conditions, which usually slow up fishing at some 

 time during the season and may even cause its virtual suspension for 

 a short period. In addition a few fish pass around and through the 

 forest of nets, impossible as that may appear, and some pass through 

 the nets themselves. Many show net marks, indicating the manner 

 of their escape, and many others must pass through the meshes un- 

 scored; for tne average size of the fish captured in the upper bay, or 

 reaching the weir at the foot of Lake Aleknagik, is much below the 



o Upon recommendation of Dr. C. U. Gilbert, it has been decided to discontinue the Wood River census 

 Bee p. 33. 



