INTRODUCTION 



The bureau's work in Alaska was conducted along the usual lines 

 in the calendar year 1925. On the basis of the previous season's 

 experience, some modifications were made in the regulations issued 

 under authority of the new fisheries law of June 6, 1924, for the better 

 protection and conservation of the salmon and other fisheries of 

 Alaska. Larger appropriations enabled a considerable expansion 

 of the fishery patrol during the season with resultant decrease in 

 illegal fishing and better escapements of salmon. The Commissioner 

 of Fisheries, accompanied by Representatives Wallace H. White 

 and Arthur M. Free, and Lawrence Richey, spent about two months 

 in Alaska for the purpose of observing conditions of the fishery indus- 

 try and fur-seal operations on the Pribilof Islands. 



The study of migration routes of salmon in southeastern Alaska 

 and along the Alaska Peninsula was continued, and nearly 16,000 

 fish were tagged during the season. Weirs for the counting of salmon 

 ascending streams to spawn were again operated in Chignik and 

 Karluk Rivers and two streams tributary to Alitak Bay waters, and 

 similar work was inaugurated at Anan Creek in southeastern Alaska. 

 Studies of the salmon, clam, and herring fisheries were made by 

 scientific assistants. Special attention was devoted to the marking 

 of the mouths of salmon streams and also the marking of the limits 

 of all closed waters. 



On the Pribilof Islands a sufficient breeding reserve of 3-year-old 

 male seals was marked as in the preceding season, a certain number 

 being given a permanent brand. Approximately one-half of the 

 sealskins taken on St. Paul Island were blubbered before being salted. 

 The total take of sealskins on St. Paul Island was 15,082, and on St. 

 George Island 4,778, a grand total of 19,860 skins. 



Satisfactory progress was made at the Pribilof Islands in replacing 

 dilapidated dwellings, thus providing more suitable quarters for white 

 employees as well as natives. New waterworks plants on St. Paul 

 and St. George Islands were put in operation. Road-construction 

 work on St. Paul Island also progressed satisfactorily. 



Foxing was carried on in the usual way and resulted in a take of 67 

 blue and 19 white pelts on St. Paul Island, and 638 blues and 1 white 

 on St. George Island, a grand total of 725 skins, in the winter of 

 1925-26. 



Two auction sales of fur-seal skins and one of fox skins were held 

 during the year by the department's selling agents at St. Louis. 



Acknowledgment is made of the great assistance rendered by mem- 

 bers of the bureau's staff in the compilation and preparation of this 

 document. 



VISIT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES AND OTHER OFFICIALS 



TO ALASKA 



The Commissioner of Fisheries and a party that included Congress- 

 men Wallace H. White and Arthur M. Free, members of the Com- 

 mittee on the Merchant Marine and Fisheries, and Lawrence Richey, 



66 



