BUREAU OF FISHERIES 103 



bination of C. C. C. and W. P. A. labor made possible the continua- 

 tion of the long-range developmental program. 



With the installation of hatching troughs and completion of the 

 dvrellings by the United States Forest Service, the Walhalla, S. C, 

 hatchery reached its final stage of development. 



ALASKA FISHERIES SERVICE 

 ADMINISTRATION OF FISHERY LAWS AND REGULATIONS 



The excellent condition of the fisheries of Alaska in 1937 reflects 

 the wisdom of conservation policies which have been in effect since 

 1924. The salmon industry, which is the backbone of Alaska's eco- 

 nomic structure, produced the third largest pack on record, and other 

 minor fisheries also continued on a high level of development. Com- 

 mercial fishing operations in 1937 were closely checked in all areas, 

 and regulations were amended where necessary to assure an adequate 

 escapement of brood fish. The Deputy Commissioner of Fisheries 

 and other officials spent several weeks in Alaska inspecting the fish- 

 eries and the Pribilof Islands fur-seal industry. 



Revised fishery regulations for 1938, issued on February 15, con- 

 tained only minor changes from the regulations in force in 1937. 

 The restrictions on herring fishing in southeast Alaska were relaxed 

 to some extent, while additional restrictions were placed on herring 

 fishing in the Kodiak and Prince William Sound areas. In a few 

 instances areas open to trap fishing were redefined in order to relieve 

 the drain on certain runs and more nearly equalize the intensity of 

 fishing operations. Clam-fishery regulations were modified to per- 

 mit a slight increase in the take of razor clams in the Prince Wil- 

 liam Sound, Copper River, and Bering River areas. 



A patrol of the fishing grounds was maintained by 14 Bureau ves- 

 sels, 1 chartered vessel, and numerous small craft. Twelve statutory 

 employees and 165 temporary stream guards and special workmen, 

 in addition to the crews of the patrol vessels, were engaged in en- 

 forcing the fisheries laws and regulations in Alaska, As in previous 

 years, some use was made of airplanes to supplement the vessel 

 patrol and to transport Bureau employees to isolated districts. 



No collection of salmon eggs for artificial propagation has been 

 made in Alaska during the past 2 years. The conditions for natural 

 propagation of salmon, however, have been improved by the removal 

 of log jams and other obstructions that hindered the passage of salmon 

 upstream, and by the destruction of predatory enemies of salmon. 

 Funds were made available by the Territorial legislature and by local 

 packers for the payment of a bounty on predatory trout taken in the 

 Bristol Bay and Cook Inlet areas in 1937. In this connection also 

 the Bureau began a scientific study of the migratory habits of Dolly 

 Varden trout in order to pi'ovide a rational control program. 



Biological studies of salmon and herring were continued and weirs 

 were operated in 12 representative salmon streams to count the escape- 

 ment of brood fish. The information obtained by weir counts is neces- 

 sary in determining conservation measures and is also of great value 

 in connection with the life-history studies of salmon. 



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