INTRODUCTION. 



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

 in the calendar year 1921. A force of temporary stream watchmen 

 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. 



An expedition was again sent into the Bristol Bay region. It did 

 excellent work in the destruction of predatory fishes and during the 

 regular fishing season gave attention to patrolling the fishing grounds 

 and enforcing the laws and regulations. Three hearings were held 

 in the year, one at Juneau and two at Seattle, following which 

 further restrictions were imposed on commercial fishing for salmon. 

 Marking of stream mouths was continued in certain districts but was 

 discontinued in the southeastern district because of possible changes 

 in regulations which would require new measurements in the season 

 of 1922. 



A number of prosecutions of violations of the fisheries laws and 

 regulations were made, convictions being secured in most cases. 



A special investigation was inaugurated at Karluk in connection 

 with the counting of salmon ascending to the spawning grounds. 

 It is planned to continue this for a series of years, thus furnishing 

 reliable statistics and other data to furnish a basis for definite con- 

 clusions as to relation between escapement and runs of salmon. 



Regulations for the protection of walruses and sea lions in Alaska 

 were issued, as were also a circular, containing the laws and treaties 

 relating to fur seals and sea otters and the regulations in effect, 

 and a new edition of the circular containing the laws and regulations 

 for the protection of the fisheries of Alaska. 



Operations in connection with the fur-seal and blue-fox industries 

 and the administration of the affairs of the natives on the Pribilof 

 Islands were carried on in a manner similar to previous years. The 

 total take of sealskins in the calendar year 1921 was 23,681, and 712 

 blue and 21 white fox skins were taken in the trapping season of 

 1921-22. 



The Government employees and the necessary food, fuel, and sup- 

 plies for the natives and white employees were transported chieny 

 on vessels of the Navy Department and the Coast Guard, although 

 two shipments of cargo were made on commercial vessels that made 

 special trips to the Pribilofs for the purpose. 



Three sales at public auction of sealskins taken on the Pribilof 

 Islar^ds were held at St. Louis in 1921 by the selling agents of the 

 department. The fox skins taken in the two preceding seasons were 

 sold at one of the sealskin auctions. 



The author of this report is greatly indebted to Edward M. Ball, 

 assistant agent, for compilation of statistics of the fisheries and prepa- 

 ration of accompanying text. Acknowledgment is also made to A. H. 

 Proctor and Edward C. Johnston for assistance in the preparation of 

 statistics and text in regard to the fur-seal industry. 



