FISHERY INDUSTRIES. 41 



OccasionaUy in certain locations traps are said to cause a consid- 

 erable destruction to certain flounders and other species at present 

 not used. One of the species commonly taken in traps is the dolly 

 varden trout. It is conceded that this species is a nuisance, falling 

 into the same class as the dogfish, and the damage it inflicts upon 

 other fish of greater worth more than compensates for any value the 

 doUy varden have. 



Before a final decision can be rendered as to the relative effective- 

 ness of traps and of movable gear, definite statistics are required as to 

 certain movements of salmon: 



1 . To what extent do they travel at night in their migratory move- 

 ment toward the rivers ? 



2. To what extent do they tend to distribute toward the center of 

 channels ? 



3. What are the movements of the fish upon striking the web and 

 what eft'ect has the recurved hook or "jigger" ? 



4. To what degree is the entrance into streams delayed by various 

 conditions, such as low water? 



5. To what extent do the fish wander after once reaching the 

 mouth of a stream ? 



Whatever may be the ultimate answers to these questions, two im- 

 portant factors remain in favor of the use of stationary gear: First, 

 the trap may be so constructed as to hold the fish living till the can- 

 nery is ready to use them, and, second, it admits of convenient and 

 comparatively inexpensive inspection and regulation. 



The necessity for canning salmon in good condition involves some 

 urgent questions. Much was accomplished toward this end by the 

 enactment of the 48-hour law. Wliile it has not been possible strictly 

 to enforce this law, nor is the law itself entirely applicable or adequate, 

 it has nevertheless served to call attention to an evil and has brought 

 about a degree of correction. The irregularity of the runs of salmon 

 is such that some elastic gear, i. e., a form of apparatus that will hold 

 a short heavy run in a manner to permit its effective utilization with- 

 out loss either in quantity or quality of product, is a necessity; any 

 form of gear which kills the fish in its capture should be supplanted 

 by a form which will hold fish alive. 



The second advantage of the stationary gear is in its stability and 

 consequent amenability to regulation. 



There are in southeast Alaska alone some three hundred localities, 

 where salmon are taken. Many of these are at the head of deep bays 

 or fiords, distantly removed from usual routes of travel, and visited 

 by none but those engaged in the fishery, not infrequently by a single 

 crew with mutual interests among the members. In all discussions 

 regarding the enforcement of restrictive regulations limiting the 

 kinds of gear to be used, the places in which and the times when they 

 may be used, the fact that the fishery, or at least the fishery by 



