XVIII REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OP FISHERIES 



FUR-SEAL SKINS TAKEN BY NATIVES 



During the 1925 spring migration of the fur-seal herd Indians took 

 1,765 skins in waters off the coast of Washington and 279 skins in 

 southeastern Alaska waters, all of which were duly authenticated. 

 Through the courtesy of the Department of the Interior, the super- 

 intendent of the Neah Bay Indian Agency was authorized to authen- 

 ticate skins taken by Indians of the reservations in the State of 

 Washington. A representative of the bureau at Sitka, Alaska, 

 authenticated the skins taken in that vicinity. A considerable num- 

 ber were taken by natives of British Columbia also. 



FUR-SEAL PATROL 



Vessels of the United States Coast Guard maintained the cus- 

 tomary patrol for the protection of the fur-seal herd in its annual 

 migration through waters off the Pacific Coast States, British Co- 

 lumbia, and Alaska. The bureau's vessels also took part in the 

 patrol, particularly in southeastern Alaska, during the time sealing 

 operations were being carried on by Indians in that district. 



PROTECTION OF SEA OTTERS, WALRUSES, AND SEA LIONS 



Announcement was made that the' Federal law absolutely pro- 

 hibits the killing of sea otters in Alaska except under authority of 

 the Secretary of Commerce. It was stated that no such authority 

 has been granted by the Secretary, and that therefore the prohibition 

 of the law continues in force. A new edition of the circular con- 

 taining the regulations affecting walruses and sea lions in Alaska 

 was issued as of May 1, 1926, which extends the closed season on these 

 animals for two years. 



PROPAGATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD FISHES 



FISH-CULTURAL OPERATIONS 



Each year it becomes necessary to carry over until the next year a 

 large number of applications for fish for stocking waters, due to the 

 fact that the resources of the division of fish culture are taxed to the 

 limit to supply the general public with fish. At the end of the fiscal 

 year 1926 approximately 5,000 unfilled applications were on hand, 

 which constitute a heavy draft on next season's production. It is 

 quite evident that the general public is taking more and more interest 

 in fishing, especially for bass and trout. The bureau has endeavored 

 to meet this demand by increasing the efficiency of several of the 

 hatcheries, where additional trough room and the enlargement of 

 ponds make it possible to produce more fish, especially larger finger- 

 lings, for distribution. At many of the stations the water supply is 

 very limited, which, together with the unfavorable topography of 

 the grounds, makes it impracticable to construct additional ponds. 

 It will be necessary, therefore, to resort to other methods to produce 

 larger fingerling fish in greater numbers if the output of the stations 

 is to be increased. 



