20 



ALASKA FISHERIES AND FUR INDUSTRIES IN 1917. 



to issue the permits to those who made appUcation for and were 

 entitled to them. It had been the custom to issue special regulations 

 to prevent overfishing, but on account of the great need and demand 

 for fishery products it seemed advisable this year to waive all special 

 regulations respecting gear and close seasons heretofore imposed, 

 except to prohit)it all operations in Afognak Bay, or Litnik Bay, as it 

 is often called, and Pauls Bay, where the salmon were required for 

 fish-cultural purposes. 



Fifty-six natives availed themselves of the privilege to fish. They 

 grouped themselves into gangs of from four to six men each, and 

 early in June repaired to fishing grounds of their own selection. 

 Fishing gear, consisting chiefly of seines, was furnished in every case 

 except one by the Kadiak Fisheries Co. 



Operations were carried on at six localities each of which, except 

 Little Afognak, showed a larger production of fish than in 1916, 

 There is satisfaction in noting that these streams are slowly recover- 

 ing from the effects of the volcanic eruption in 1912, as evidenced by 

 the increased production in 1917, which though somewhat under the 

 average yield for the seasons preceding that disaster, is encouraging 

 to the extent that from now on each season should show improve- 

 ment over the preceding one until normal conditions are regained. 



Little Afognak retained first place in the production of red salmon, 

 although the catch fell off slightly more than one-third, there having 

 been a decline from 34,898 in 1916 to 22,157 in 1917. Izhut Bay, 

 which was reported as having produced none in 1916, took second 

 place with a yield of 17,638 red salmon. Paramanof led in the pro- 

 duction of humpbacks, 55,924 having been taken as against none in 

 1916; Danger Bay took second place with 22,581 fish of this species, 

 and Seal Bay third with 20,342. In the order of their production of 

 aU species of salmon, Paramanof took first place, while Seal, Izhut, 

 and Danger Bays followed in the order named, leaving Little Afognak 

 in fifth place as against a leading position in 1916. Taking the reser- 

 vation as a whole, a comparison of catches for 1916 and 1917 shows 

 that sockeves increased from 46,311 to 71,527, and humpbacks from 

 5,470 to 107,333, while cohos declined from 21,267 to 3,558. No 

 kings or chums were taken. 



It was reported that the run of sockeyes to Afognak Bay was 

 unusually heavy, exceeding that of any year since the hatchery began 

 operations, in consequence of which a large collection of eggs was 

 made. 



The following table shows, by localities and species, the number of 

 sahnon taken commercially from the waters of the Afognak Reser- 

 vation: 



