INTRODUCTION. 



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

 in the calendar year 1920. Shortage of funds handicapped the work 

 of the fisheries service early in the season before the new appropria- 

 tions became available July 1. A force of temporary stream watch- 

 men was again made use of during the active fishing season, working 

 under the direction of the Bureau's permanent employees in the 

 patrol of the fishing grounds for the enforcement of the laws and 

 regulations, ^"essels of the subchaser type and one mine sweeper 

 were stationed in southeastern Alaska to aid in law enforcement. 



A further study was made of the condition of the salmon fishery 

 of the Yukon Eiver, and an expedition was sent' into the Bristol 

 Bay region which did excellent work in the destruction of preda- 

 tory fishes and gathered certain information in regard to the spawn- 

 ing beds and runs of red salmon in streams tributary to Bristol 

 Bay. Five hearings were held by the Bureau at Cordova and Seattle 

 late in the year, and further restrictions imposed on commercial 

 fishing for salmon in Alaska. 



Private salmon hatcheries were inspected as usual, and work was 

 continued by the Bureau at its hatcheries on McDonald Lake and at 

 Afognak. Excellent progress was made in the marking of the 

 mouths of salmon streams, one vessel in the southeastern district be- 

 ing almost exclusively engaged in the work. Detailed statistics of the 

 fishery industry of Alaska were collected and compiled as heretofore. 



In accordance with the recommendation repeatedly made by the 

 Secretary of Commerce and the Commissioner of Fisheries, the De- 

 partment of Commerce has been relieved of jurisdiction over certain 

 minor fur-bearing animals in Alaska. The act of May 31, 1920, 

 contained a section placing the land fur-bearing animals of Alaska 

 under the control of the Bureau of Biological Survey, of the De|)art- 

 ment of Agriculture, and transferred to the Department of Com- 

 merce jurisdiction over walruses and sea lions. The Department of 

 Commerce retains jurisdiction over the fur seals and sea otters, and 

 over the blue fox herds of the Pribilof Islands. The Bureau's files 

 and all matters pertaining to the land fur-bearing animals, including 

 the leasing of islands for fur-farming, were promptly delivered to the 

 Bureau of Biological Survey, which assumed jurisdiction upon the 

 approval of the act. This report, therefore, does not contain a section 

 dealing with the protection of the so-called minor fur-bearing 

 animals of Alaska. Employees of this Bureau in Alaska have co- 

 operated with representatives of the Bureau of Biological Survey 

 whenever possil)le in the establishment of their work. 



The Bureau's activities in connection with the taking of fur-seal 

 skins and administration of the natives' affairs on the Pribilof Islands 

 were carried on in the usual manner. The total take of sealskins in 

 the calendar year 1920 was 26,G48, having an estimated value of 

 about $1,000,000. The take of ])lue fox skins on the Pribilofs in the 

 winter of 1920-21 was the largest for nearly J50 years, totaling 1,125 

 blues and 14 whites, Avith an estimated A'alue of about $100,000. 

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