INTRODUCTION. 
The Bureau’s work in Alaska was conducted along the usual lines 
in the calendar year 1920. Shortage of funds handicapped the work 
of the fisheries service early in the season before the new appropria- 
tions became available July 1. A force of temporary stream watch- 
men was again made use of during the active fishing season, working 
under the direction of the Bureau’s permanent employees in the 
patrol of the fishing grounds for the enforcement of the laws and 
regulations. Vessels of the subchaser type and one mine sweeper 
were stationed in southeastern Alaska to aid in law enforcement. 
A further study was made of the condition of the salmon fishery 
of the Yukon River, and an expedition was sent into the Bristol 
Bay region which did excellent work in the destruction of preda- 
tory fishes and gathered certain information in regard to the spawn- 
ing beds and runs of red salmon in streams tributary to Bristol 
Bay. Five hearings were held by the Bureau at Cordova and Seattle 
late in the year, ‘and further restrictions imposed on commercial 
fishing for salmon in Alaska. 
Private salmon hatcheries were inspected as usual, and seehele was 
continued by the Bureau at its hatcheries on McDonald Lake and at 
Afognak. Excellent progress was made in the marking of the 
mouths of salmon streams, one vessel in the southeastern district be- 
ing almost exclusively engaged i in the work. Detailed statistics of the 
fishery industry of Alaska were collected and compiled as heretofore. 
In accordance with the recommendation repeatedly made by the 
Secretary of Commerce and the Commissioner of Fisheries, the De- 
partment of Commerce has been relieved of jurisdiction over certain 
minor fur-bearing animals in Alaska. The act of May 31, 1920, 
contained a section placing the land fur- bearing animals of Alaska 
under the control of the Bureau of Biological Survey, of the Depart- 
ment of Agriculture, and transferred to the Department of Com- 
merce jurisdiction over walruses and sea lions. The Department of 
Commerce retains jurisdiction over the fur seals and sea otters, and 
over the blue fox herds of the Pribilof Islands. The Bureau’s files 
and all matters pertaining to the land fur-bearing animals, including 
the leasing of islands for fur-farming, were promptly delivered to the 
Bureau of Biological Survey, which assumed jurisdiction upon the 
approval of the act. This report, therefore, does not contain a section 
dealing with the protection of the so-called minor fur-bearing 
animals of Alaska. Employees of this Bureau in Alaska have co- 
operated with representatives of the Bureau of Biological Survey 
whenever possible 1 in the establishment of their work. 
The Bureau’s activities in connection with the taking of He -seal 
skins and administration of the natives’ affairs on the Pribilof Islands 
were carried on in the usual manner. The total take of sealskins in 
the calendar year 1920 was 26,648, having an estimated value of 
about $1,000,000. The take of blue tox skins on the Pribilofs in the 
winter of 1920-21 was the largest for nearly 30 years, totaling 1,125 
blues and 14 whites, with an estimated value of about $100,000. 
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