ALASKA FISHEKY AND FUR-SEAL, INDUSTRIES 77 



28, 1937. The new treaty contains only two major changes from the 

 former, namely, that the International Fisheries Commission is em- 

 powered (1) to legalize the sale of halibut taken by vessels fishing for 

 other species during closed periods for halibut fisliing and (2) to pre- 

 scribe the final date of departure of a halibut boat from port instead 

 of specifying a closing date for halibut fishing. The latter change 

 would permit a vessel on the banks to remain at sea until a full catch 

 is made. 



The enabling act, besides giving effect to the treaty and the regula- 

 tions adopted thereunder, closes markets of the United States to fish 

 taken by any vessel not of American or Canadian registry engaged in 

 halibut operations, and forbids the outfitting or provisioning of any 

 such vessel by persons within the territory or jurisdiction of the United 

 States. The act further makes it unlawful for any person within the 

 territory or jurisdiction of the United States or any American witliin 

 convention waters knowingly to possess any halibut taken, transferred, 

 received, or brought in, in violation of provisions of the convention or 

 the act. 



ALASKA FISHERIES LEGISLATION 



In August 1937 the President approved two acts further amending 

 the Fisheries Act of June 6, 1924. The first of these, approved on 

 August 2, 1937, authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to lease bottoms 

 in the Territorial waters of Alaska for commercial oyster culture, while 

 the second, approved on August 14, 1937, restricts commercial salmon 

 fishing in Bristol Bay by means of stake or set nets to persons who 

 have resided continuously for 5 years within 30 miles of the place 

 where such fishing is carried on. 



Oysters were first introduced into Alaskan waters in 1931, when 

 about 40 bushels from Puget Sound were planted in the vicinity of 

 Ketchikan. Since that time about 2,000,000 seed oysters have been 

 planted in Alaska, and in all instances a healthy growth has been 

 reported. It is expected that the legislation making it possible for 

 oyster growers to gain exclusive fishery rights on oyster bottoms will 

 give impetus to the new industry. 



The new law restricting stake and set net fishing for salmon in Bristol 

 Bay is expected to benefit the bona fide residents of that area, particu- 

 larly those who are physically unfit to engage in operations with drift 

 nets in offshore waters. 



The text of the amendments is as follows: 



Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of 

 America in Congress assembled, That section 1 of the Act of Congress approved 

 June 6, 1924, entitled "An Act for the protection of the fisheries of Alaska, and 

 for other purposes" (43 Stat. 464), as amended by the Act of Congress approved 

 June 18, 1926 (44 Stat. 752), is further amended by striking the period after the 

 words "Alaskan Territorial waters," where they occur at the end of the second 

 proviso, and inserting a colon in lieu thereof and after the colon the following: 

 "Provided further, That the Secretary of Commerce, in his discretion, and upon 

 such terms and conditions as he may deem fair and reasonable, is hereby authorized 

 to lease bottoms in Alaskan Territorial waters for bona fide oyster cultivation for 

 commercial purposes." 



Approved, August 2, 1937. 



Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of 

 America in Congress assembled. That section 1 of the Act approved June 6, 1924, 

 entitled "An Act for the protection of the fisheries of Alaska, and for other pur- 

 poses" (43 Stat. 464), as amended, is further amended by inserting in said section 

 83348—38 2 



