ALASKA FISHERY AND FUR-SEAL INDUSTRIES, 1020 259 



Data were collected in regard to fishing operations and the runs of salmon in 

 the several rivers. In all, 01.3 fishins boats were operated by the canneries and 

 160 by independent fishermen, local whites, and natives, who sold the catches to 

 the canneries. Of the indei)endent boats, 35 were used by white residents and 

 125 by natives, as C()nii)ared with 30 used by whites and 88 by natives in 1928. 

 The number of commercial stake nets o])erated increased from 104 in 1928 to 139 

 in 1929. 



RUNS AND ESCAPEMENT OP SALMON 



While the pack in the Bristol Bay district compared favorably witli the tiver- 

 age production, the run was not proix)rtionately abundant. Weather conditions, 

 although rough on occasions, were favorable to the fishermen throughout the 

 season and little or no loss of time because of inclement weather was experienced 

 while good numbers of fish w^ere in the bay. Moreover, the fish were of unusually 

 large size — the largest in the history of the industry, according to canners oper- 

 ating in the district for many years. ,. , ^ u 



Kvichak-N aknek Rivers.— TYxe runs of salmon were spasmodic, but never heavy. 

 The early season pack was larger than in the previous year and there were pros- 

 i)ects of a big season. On July 4 a good run set in along the west shore at the 

 Gravel Spit, and excellent catches were made by the fishermen on the flood tides 

 of Julv 4 and 5. During the following week small numbers were taken, but a 

 good run set in on Julv 12 and continued over the weekly closed period to July 16, 

 after which small catches were made to the end of the season. There were but 

 tw^o good periods of run, each of short duration. Escapements over the weekly 

 closed periods were good but not adequate for efficient seeding of the vast spawn- 

 ing areas in these river systems. 



Egegik River. — Set nets operated bv Indians showed good small runs before 

 the opening and at the beginning of the commercial fishing season, which con- 

 tinued until June 29, when thev diminished to negligible numbers. A heavy 

 run set in on July 12, but inclement weather at that time assisted the escape- 

 ment, as very few fishermen were out. On July 16 the run dropped off to fair 

 numbers, which condition prevailed to the end of the season. While the escape- 

 ment was not on a par with that of several previous years, it was considered fair 

 in comparison with the run and the commercial catch, but not sufficient for the 

 available spawning area. ,. ., , ,., t oc 



Ugashik River.— The run into the Ugashik River was negligible until June 25, 

 when a few fishermen made small catches. It increased slowly, a few fish per 

 boat being taken each dai' until July 2, when boats averaged about 400 fish 

 each. The catch then declined to small numbers until July 12, when a fair run 

 set in and fishermen who braved rough weather averaged 900 to 1,000 fish per 

 boat. After that date a rapid decline occurred and there were negligible num- 

 bers at the end of the commercial season. At no time were there fish in 

 encouraging numbers. The count of salmon at tlie Ugashik weir show^s a steady 

 falling off each year, the escapement in 1029 being less than one-fifth that of 1926. 



Nushagak River. — The red salmon run came in early, the fish making then- 

 first appearance in good numbers on June 28, and the run continued strong 

 over the w^eekly closed period and through July 8. Then followed two days of 

 light run. A second heavv run developed on the 11th and continued through 

 the 14th, after wdiich it tapered off to light numbers. Although not as heavy as 

 in 1928, the run and escapement at Nushagak were good, comparing favorably 

 with other good years. Heavy runs during the w^eekly closed periods insured a 

 proportionately large escapement. 



DESTRUCTION OF PREDATORY FISHES 



As in the previous season, a bountv of 5 cents was offered for every predatory 

 trout taken in the Bristol Bay district, payment thereof in the current year being 

 made from the special appropriation by the Territorial legislature for improving 

 conditions of the salmon spawning grounds. The natives catch the trout, dry 

 the tails, assemble them bv the hundred on strings, and deliver them to a lep- 

 resentative of the bureau, who prepares an affidavit on the form provided by 

 the Territorial Government. Arrangements have been made whereby the 

 owners of various trading posts will accept these trout tails as cash for purchases 

 made by the natives. The promptness with which payment can thus be effected 

 is a further incentive to the capture of trout by the natives. 



