FISHERY INDUSTRIES. 



As in corresponding reports for previous years, the Territory of 

 Alaska is here considered in the three coastal geographic sections 

 generally recognized, as follows: Southeast Alaska, embracing all 

 that narrow strip of mainland and the numerous adjacent islands 

 from Portland Canal nortliv.estward to and including Yakutat Bay; 

 central Alaska, the region on the Pacific from Yakutat Bay westward, 

 including Prince William Sound, Cook Inlet, and the southern coast 

 of Alaska Peninsula, to Unimak Pass ; and western Alaska, the north 

 shore of the Alaska Peninsula, including the Aleutian Islands and 

 Bristol Bay and the Kuskokwim and Yukon Rivers. 



Detailed reports and statistical tables dealing with the various 

 fishery inihistries are presented herewith, and there are also given the 

 important features of certain subjects which were the objects of spe- 

 cial investigation or inquiry. 



WATERS CLOSED TO COMMERCIAL FISHING. 



Section 6 of tlie act approved June iHi, 1900, for the protection and 

 regulation of the fisheries of Alaska, is as follows: 



Sec. 6. That the Secretary of Commerce may, in his discretion, set aside any 

 streams or lakes as preserves for spawning grounds, in which lishing may be 

 limited or entirely prohibited ; and when, in his judgment, the results of lishing 

 operations in any stream, or ofC the mouth tliereof, indicate that the numlter 

 of salmon taken is larger than tiie natural production of .salmon in such stream, 

 he is authorized to establish close seasons or to limit or prohibit tishing entirely 

 for one year or more within such stream or within five hundred yards of the 

 mouth thereof, so as to permit salmcm to increase: I'roritled, however. That 

 such power shall be exercised oidy after all persons Interested shall be given a 

 hearing, (tf whieh due notice must be given by publication ; and where tlie inter- 

 ested parties are known to the Department they shall be personally notified by 

 a notice mailed not less than thirty days previous to such hearing. No onler 

 made under this secti<m shall be effective before the next calendar year after 

 same is macle: And provided further. That such limitations and prohibitions 

 shall not apply to those engaged in catching salnKm who keep such streams 

 fully stocked with salmon by artificial propagation. 



Pursuant to the provisions of this .section, action was taken in 1920 

 in regard to waters of southeastern Alaska; waters between Cape 

 Spencer and Cape Newenham, including Bering and Copper Rivers, 

 Kuskokwim River, and Yukon River. 



Under date of May 22, 1920, announcement was made of a hearing 

 to be held to consider the necessity or desirability of making changes 

 in the regulations in regard to the Yukon River. The text of the an- 

 nouncement was as follows : 



It having been recommended that the Secretary of Commerce amend the order 

 of December 14. 191 S, limiting or prohibiting fishing for salmon in the Yukon 

 River. Alaska, its tributary waters, and the waters of its delta, notice is herel)y 

 given uiKler the provisions of section (j of the act of (!<mgress approved .June liG, 

 190f;, entitled "An act for the protection and regulation of the fisheries of 

 Ala.ska," that a hearing, for the purpose of eliciting information as to what, 



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