REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 103 
The counting is made possible by throwing a rack across the stream 
and compelling the fish to pass through a narrow gate where they 
are easily visible to persons immediately above. Agents of the 
Bureau in relays are kept on duty day and night for the entire period 
of the run, and the tally is kept by an automatic counting device 
manipulated by hand. In 1915 the counting began on June 14, 
when 161 fish passed, and continued till August 2, when the run had 
dwindled to 70. The maximum was reached in the seven days from 
July 7 to 13, 26,901 fish being observed on July 7 and 25,554 on July 
12. The total count was 259,341 redfish. 
It was noted that many of the fish bore scars, abrasions, and 
mutilations produced by gill nets from which they had managed to 
escape. The number of netted fish usually ranged from 12 to 26 
per hundred and sometimes from 30 to 42 per hundred, averaging 
about 18 per cent of those specially enumerated. On the other hand, 
in one count of 1,103 fish there were only 2 injured. It is estimated 
that fully 90 per cent of the fish that liberated themselves from the 
gill nets died before spawning as a result of the injuries received. 
‘As on previous occasions, the Bureau was rendered invaluable 
assistance in conducting this interesting work by the Alaska Packers 
Association and the Alaska-Portland Packers Association. 
INSPECTION OF HATCHERIES. 
The five private salmon hatcheries operated in Alaska in 1915 
were inspected from time to time by agents of the Bureau. Cog- 
nizance was taken of the number of eggs received and hatched, the 
number of fry planted, and the hatchery records and methods. 
The output of these plants in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1916, 
was 79,619,500 red-salmon fry. Under the law the operators were 
entitled to a tax rebate of 40 cents for every thousand fry hatched 
and liberated; and affidavits having been made in the manner pre- 
scribed by law, the operators became entitled to receive rebate cer- 
tificates aggregating $31,847.80, which amount is applied to the tax 
of 4 cents per case on canned salmon. 
In June, 1916, a communication was received from the Alaska 
Packers Association announcing that, in view of certain unfavorable 
conditions at the hatchery belonging to that company at Karluk, it 
had been decided to close the plant at the end of the fiscal year 1916 
or as soon as the fry then on hand could be liberated. This is the 
oldest hatchery in Alaska, having been built in 1896. During the 
period of its operation, which was continuous, it has handled over 
627,000,000 red-salmon eggs. 
ALASKA FISHERY LEGISLATION. 
ne necessity for revising the present fishery laws of Alaska has 
been appreciated for some years. The matter took definite shape in 
January, 1916, when Hon. J. W. Alexander, of Missouri, introduced 
in the House of Representatives a bill for the protection, regulation, 
and conservation of the fisheries of Alaska. e bill was referred to 
the Committee on the Merchant Marine and Fisheries, of which he 
was chairman, and numerous hearings thereon were held during the 
latter part of the fiscal year. The bill has the approval of the De- 
partment, was prepared after protracted conferences with repre- 
