50 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES 



would better have their catches restricted by Government regulation for a 

 time than exterminated in a few years through their own excesses. By the 

 establishment of reserves along sections of the coast we have already accom- 

 plished much. More restriction is necessary and urgent. The conservation 

 must be effected. If Congress can not agree upon a program of helpful legis- 

 lation, the reservations and their regulations will be further extended bv 

 Executive order. There is an obligation to the native Alaskan Indian which 

 conscience demands us to fulfill. Moreover, the salvation of the industry is 

 no blow at vested interests ; it is a step toward protected investment and pro- 

 moted public welfare. AVe have invited cooperation, and in the great majority 

 of cases it has been cordially and intelligently extended. If there is defiance, 

 it is better to destroy the defiant investor than to dffluolish a national re.source, 

 which needs only, guarding against greed to remain a permanent asset of in- 

 calculable value. Moreover, we have ever to guard against the appeal of the 

 demagogue, whose play on popular prejudice for political advantage has no 

 place in the solution of the great proi>lems of national conservation. 



VISIT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES TO ALASKA 



The Commissioner of Fisheries spent practically the entire months 

 of July and August on an inspection trip to various parts of Alaska. 

 He was accompanied by Senator W. L. Jones and Kepresentative 

 L. H. Hadley, both of the State of Washington. During a good 

 part of the time while away from Seattle the party traveled on the 

 Coast Guard cutter Unalga. 



Visits were made to the fisheries of southeastern, central, and 

 western Alaska, including Bristol Bay. From July 15 to 18 the 

 party was at the Pribilof Islands. On the return the week from 

 August 18 to 25 was spent on the bureau's patrol vessel Widgeon^ 

 thus enabling the party to visit numerous fishing centers and streams 

 in southeastern Alaska. 



In view of the serious decline threatening the salmon fishery in 

 various parts of Alaska, it is regarded as extremely fortunate that 

 an inspection of the situation could be made as outlined above. 

 Valuable first-hand information was thus acquired for use in shap- 

 ing future legislation and determining policies in respect to the 

 administration of the fisheries of Alaska. 



FISHERY INDUSTRIES 



As in corresponding reports for previous years, the Territory of 

 Alaska is here considered in the three coastal geographic sections 

 generally recognized, as follows: Southeast Alaska, embracing all 

 that narrow strip of mainland and the numerous adjacent islands 

 from Portland Canal northwestward to and including Yakutat Bay ; 

 central Alaska, the region on the Pacific from Yakutat Bay west- 

 ward, including Prince William Sound. Cook Inlet, and the southern 

 coast of Alaska Peninsula, to Unimak Pass; and western Ala.ska, 

 the north shore of the Alaska Peninsula, including the Aleutian 

 Islands westward from Unimak Pass, Bristol Bay, and the Kus- 

 kokwim and Yukon Kivers. These divisions are solely for statistical 

 purposes and do not coincide with districts made under reservations 

 created during the calendar year, which include areas from both 

 the central and western statistical divisions. 



Detailed reports and statistical tables dealing with the various 

 fishery industries are presented herewith, and there are also given 

 the important features of certain subjects that were the objects of 

 special investigation or inquiry. 



