REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 19 



MARINE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORIES. 



The marine biological laboratories maintained by the Bureau at 

 Woods Hole, Mass., and Beaufort, X. C., were open as usual for 

 several months during the summer and fall, and their facilities were 

 availed of by the usual number of investigators. The researches 

 carried on covered a considerable range of subjects and embraced 

 investigations of a number of species of economic importance, includ- 

 ing the diamond-back terrapin, fishes, stone crab, quahog or hard 



m, oysters, mussels, and seaweeds. The year witnessed the com- 

 pletion of an elaborate report by the. director of Woods Hole labora- 

 tory on the marine biology of the waters adjacent to the station. 

 embodying the results of investigations carried on for many years. 



ALASKA SALMON SERVICE. 



The report of the agents at the salmon fisheries of Alaska, which 

 was published in April, 1910, includes the data for the fishing season 

 of 1909, practically all of which was embraced in the fiscal year 1910. 



The number of salmon taken during the season was about equal to 

 the catch of 1907. but fully 20 per cent less than the number caught 

 in 1908. In 1909 there were taken 31,092,608 fish of a gross weight 

 of 175,028,594 pounds, as compared with 43,304,979 fish weighing 

 213,378,570 pounds caught in 1908. The decrease was apparent in 

 all species excepting the king salmon, which exhibited an increase 

 of about 55 per cent. The catch of red salmon was 115.120,670 

 pounds, as compared with 121,713,630 pounds in 1908; of humpbacks. 

 37,965,928 pounds, as compared with 60,424,620 pounds: of dog 

 salmon. 9.156,018 pounds, as compared with 18.066,576 pounds; of 

 king salmon, 8,959.511 pounds, as compared with 5.757.216 pounds: 

 and of cohos, 3,526,404 pounds, as compared with 4,116,198 pounds. 



The total pack of canned salmon in 1909 was 2,403,669 cases, valued 

 at $9,439,152. There were 15 canneries in operation, a decrease of 5 

 since 1908, and the total investment in the industry, excluding cash 

 capital, was $8,631,345. In addition to the canned pack, the fishery 

 produced pickled salmon to the value of $208,758, mild-cured salmon 

 valued at $119,300. and some minor products. 



The total yield of the salmon industry was valued at $9,796,210, 

 produced by an investment of $9,007,037 and the labor of 11,439 

 persons. 



Owing to the vigilant enforcement of the laws by the agents of the 

 Bureau during the preceding year, there were comparatively few 

 complaints of violation- during 1909. Several convictions were 

 obtained for fishing during the weekly close season, but those engaged 

 in the fishery showed a general desire to comply with the laws and 

 the regulations of the Department. The pernicious practice of 



