26 



ALASKA FISHERIES AND FUR INDUSTRIES IN 1919. 



years immediately following 1912. The present condition is neither 

 particularly encom'aging nor discom-aging. 



The streams on the east side of the island show a general improve- 

 ment in the runs of salmon as compared with several years ago, and 

 it seems probable that they will continue to improve under the in- 

 creased liberation of fry from the hatchery on Litnik Lake. It is 

 of special interest to record in this connection that red salmon 

 appeared in greater numbers in 1919 than ever before in Litnik Bay, 

 and that the collection of red salmon eggs at the hatchery was the 

 largest ever made. In round numbers 78,000,000 eggs were taken, 

 and it was estimated that there remained on hand a supply of un- 

 spawned salmon sufficient to have refilled the hatchery with eggs 

 had opportunity been available. 



The commercial catch of salmon in Afognak waters is shown in 

 the following table : 



Catch of Salmon by Apparatus and Species, Apognak Reservation, 1919. 



The customary patrol of the fishing grounds in the Afognak 

 Reservation was again followed in 1919, William E. Baumann, of 

 Afognak, being employed temporarily to carry on the work, w^hich, 

 as heretofore, included general supervision of all commercial fishing 

 in the reserved waters. 



Litnik Bay was not open to commercial fishing except for silver 

 salmon; this accounts for the fact that but the one species was taken 

 there. All the red salmon were wanted for purposes of propagation, 

 while the run of humpbacks was inconsequential. 



In comparison with the catch of 1918, it appears that cohos 

 increased 102 per cent; humpbacks decreased from 70,791 to 22,998, 

 a decline of 67i per cent; and reds increased from 50,662 to 79,097, 

 an advance of 56 per cent. Chums and kings were taken in negligi})le 

 quantities. The entire catch was sold to the Kadiak Fisheries (^o., 

 at Kodiak. 



Approximately 90 per cent of the catch was made by means of 

 beach seines, the remainder being taken with gill nets. The streams 

 are small and clear, hence gill-net fishing is not practicable off their 

 mouths. Traps are not permitted, and purse seines are not used 

 for the reason that the natives are not prepared to operate them. 



