414 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES 



This is the first of the salmon -tagging experiments conducted in 

 Alaska that includes a series of consecutive laggings at one point. 

 It is hoped by this method to secure a more detailed analysis of the 

 migratory routes and parent localities of the pink-salmon runs that 

 pass through Clarence Strait during the entire fishing season. The 

 returns from this experiment have thus far amounted to more than 

 33 percent of the total number of tags placed on the fish. Since the 

 pink salmon have a complete 2-year life cycle, there are t.wo distinct 

 populations in each stream; viz, those spawning on the odd years 

 and those spawning on the even years. In view of this fact, it is 

 planned to conduct a similar tagging experiment in Clarence Strait 

 in the summer of 1936 to determine any differences that might occur 

 in the migrations of the pink salmon that comprise the even year runs. 



Although the native distribution of the Pacific salmon has been 

 discussed from time to time by various icthyologists, no one has made 

 a study of the environmental conditions in the different habitats in 

 which these salmon are found. Furthermore, no attempt has been 

 made to compare the environmental conditions found in the foreign 

 habitats whither they have been successfully or otherwise trans- 

 planted, with the conditions in their native habitats. Such a study 

 was started during the past season for the pink salmon and then 

 extended to embrace all species of the Pacific salmon. It is hoped 

 that this study will indicate some of the limiting factors that are re- 

 sponsibile for the geographic distribution of the salmon. 



ALASKA SALMON FISHERY STATISTICS 



There has been an ever growing need for an investigation dealing 

 with the collection, compilation, and biometrical analysis of the 

 daily catch records of the various types of fishing gear employed 

 in the Alaska salmon fisheries. These records form the basic data 

 for studies concerned with changes in the abundance and character 

 of the salmon runs, and the competition between the various types of 

 fishing gear. It is through such studies that the conservation of 

 the salmon runs is assured for they provide the factual basis for the 

 proper regulation of the fisheries. 



Through a cooperative arrangement between the Alaska Division 

 and the Divisions of Scientific Inquiry and Fishery Industries, funds 

 were made available for the establishment of this investigation 

 during the past year. Leroy Christey, who has had experience in 

 fishery studies of this type, was employed to take over the duties of 

 the investigation under the direction of Dr. Davidson. 



In 1927-28 the daily catch records of a large number of salmon 

 traps in southeastern Alaska Avere collected and studied for the pur- 

 pose of providing information concerning the delimitation of the 

 fishing districts and closed seasons for fishing in each of the dis- 

 tricts in this region. This study was resumed in 1930 as a part of the 

 pink-salmon investigation, and since then effort has been made to 

 continue the collection of such records which have provided informa- 

 tion for the further delimitation of the fishing districts and closed 

 seasons for fishing in this region. 



Since this study was carried on as a part of the pink-salmon inves- 

 tigation, time and funds were not available to make a comprehen- 

 sive collection and study of all the trap catch in southeastern Alaska. 



