ALASKA FISHERY AND FUR-SEAL INDUSTRIES, 1920. 37 



what with the commercial catch, were the salvation of the situation, for if but 

 a slightly Increased pack had been made the escapement would have been 

 practically nil and the beds would have been left nearly or wholly bare, with 

 an absolutely discouraging outlook for the future. 



We are thoroughly convinced that the predatory fishes, together with the 

 terns mentioned heretofore, constitute one of the most serious menaces facing 

 the salmon industry. In small years, such as 1919 and 1920, they will practi- 

 cally eliminate the cycle runs by their depredations, first on the eggs on the 

 spawning beds, next on the young fish in the first year or two spent in the 

 lakes, and last, but not least, on the migi-ating fish descending to the ocean. 

 The only hope of curtailing this loss is by waging a constant, aggressive and 

 exten.sive campaign against these marauders. In the performance of this work 

 a close tally can be kept on the escapement and spawning grounds, which is 

 the only method by which the industry can be advised with any degree of 

 assurance and safety. Our work of extermination this year will surely be 

 of invaluable aid to the future, and its continuance with an enlarged scope 

 will show its value within the next cycle. We also feel at this time that it is 

 one of the greatest hopes for the industrial future of the salmon industry. 



RECOMMEXDATIONS. 



I would respectfully recommend that this work be continued on as extensive 

 a scale as possible for tlu- elinunation of predatory fishes and birds. 



I recommend the purchase of three power boats of Columbia lUver type, 

 one for each section oiierated, with living ipiarters alxiard lor three or lour 

 people. They would facilitate tlie work of transferring crews to dilTerent 

 localities, and it would not then l)e necessary to embarrass the dilTi'rent can- 

 nery superintendents with n>(piests for the use of a launch when same is 

 needed for cannery work. It would also insure comfortable living and sleeping 

 quarters for the crew and thus eliminate the discomforts of tents and sleep- 

 ing on the grounil, which is nearly impossible in that section during heavy 

 rains. Witii such a boat many localities couhl be profitably operated with 

 .seines, set and gill nets, and bait traps, necessitating but a small crew at any 

 point of operation. Such a boat would al.so l)e of special value to stream 

 watchmen. As etficient work at the different points would cease at about 

 tiie time the eoinniercial season began. I would suggest that the boats be 

 utilized by some of our men who would be employed as stream watchmen. 



(Jood work can be elTectively continued with .Ugger trolls and bait traps dur- 

 ing the period the salmon are rumiiiig. A small crew can lu'ofitably oi)erate as 

 much of this gear as can be elficiently utilizt^l, thus releasing a portion of the 

 crew with the power boats for stream police fluty without detriment to the 

 predatory fi.sh work. 



Three new 20-foot fishing skiffs are needed, together with several gill nets 

 of large mesh, and material for making a number of bait trai)s, and three 

 larger and deeper seines, one for each locality. These added to our present 

 equipment will nn'et any emergency pertaining U> our work as outlined. 



I would further recommend that eniidoyees l)e engnged in the States and 

 that they reach the different localities in Bristol I'.ay as early as possible in 

 the spring months. They siiould be on the first boats reaching the region. 

 ICmployees should go to the Upper Ilianuia by the regular steamship line to 

 Cook Irdet, thence to Iliamna I'>ay and Ilianm.i village, arriving al)out May 1. 

 At that time the water is low and the trout schooling in large numbers. Seines 

 can then l)e u.sed to advantage, also the bait traps and gill nets. The necessity 

 of reaching Iliamna Ijy Cook Iidet is due to the fact tliat i)assage can not be 

 made from I'ristol Bay through the l(»wer end of Iliamna Lake before late in 

 the season owing to the ice in that locality. 



A fisbway should be installed in Koklionak River. 



These nvftmniendations are made to uu'et conditions as they exist in the 

 sections operated this season, but they can be enlarged in accordance with any 

 I)Uin formulatwl to broaden the scope of the work. 



AFOGNAK RESERVATION. 



Historical data have been published year after year showing the 

 f'stablisliiricnt of the Afognak Fishery Reservation by presidential 

 proclamation in 1892 and the object that was hoped to be attained 



