REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 43 



and yet the department is powerless to prevent it under the terms of 

 the present hiw. No authority is given to the Secretary of Commerce 

 to limit the number of plants in a given area or the amount of gear 

 that ma}' be operated by them. In some instances by voluntary 

 agreement those engaged in the industry have limited their packs, 

 basing this action upon information compiled by the bureau showing 

 the critical condition of the fisheries in those sections, but in other 

 cases the shortsighted policy of certain operators prevents a full 

 appreciation of the actual condition of the industry and to an extent 

 nullifies the efforts of the bureau. 



Following studies that had been made in 1921 and preceding sea- 

 sons, the Secretary of Commerce called a conference in November at 

 which Members of Congress, representatives of the salmon industry, 

 the Territorial government of Alaska, the Bureau of Fisheries, and 

 others were present for the consideration of the needs of the fisheries 

 of Alaska and action to be taken for their conservation. As a result 

 of the conference a bill was drafted. A hearing Avas held before the 

 Committee on the Merchant Marine and Fisheries on H. R. 2394, 

 known as the White bill, then pending in Congress, at which repre- 

 sentatives of the fishing industry of Alaska and of the Territorial 

 Fish Commission were present and recommended the substitution for 

 the White bill of the bill prepared following the conference called 

 by the Secretary. Opposition to certain provisions of the substitute 

 bill developed, and it was never introduced. The White bill is still 

 pending in Congress. 



The serious depletion of the salmon runs, which has occurred in 

 certain parts of Alaska, has already caused the department to have 

 recourse to the authority of the President for the creation of reserves 

 within which a broader control could be had. It is now contemplated 

 that further use of the powers of the Executive may be requested for 

 the creation of a reserve to the northward and eastward of the Alaska 

 Peninsula Fisheries Reservation covering the great red salmon dis- 

 tricts of Bristol Bay and around Kodiak Island, and taking in Cook 

 Inlet in central Alaska. Publicity is being given to these plans in 

 order that the industry may be warned against undue expansions or 

 new projects in the district, and the comments and suggestions of 

 interested persons will be given due consideration. 



A great deal of discussion has occurred for a number of years as 

 to lejrislation needed for the conservation of the halibut industry. 

 The halibut banks lie chiefly beyond the jurisdiction of the countries 

 most interested, and it is "realized that efficient protection can be 

 given only through joint efforts of Canada and the United States. 

 The department has submitted to the State Department information 

 as to conditions and needs of this industry and has suireested that 

 a treaty be negotiated with Canada to provide a close season of 90 

 days annually. It is hoped that this can be accomplished. 



FUTURE DEVTlLOParENT OF ALASKA FISHERIES. 



Great development may be expected in some of the fisheries 

 that have heretofore held minor places in the utilization of the 

 aquatic resources of Alaska. The herring fishery made a record 

 production in 1921 and would seem to offer the greatest possibilities 



