14 ALASKA FISHERIES AND FUR INDUSTRIES, 1911. 



The first big catch, that of 1903, repeats itself in 1908, but the 

 largest catch of all, that of 1905, did not show corresponding results 

 in 1910. It may be that factors enter into the calculation that are 

 not accounted for, or it may be that the overfishing began to tell 

 after 1903 and there are to be no more extraordinary runs. The 

 year 1907 was the poorest year in the history of the fishery, and if 

 the five-year period is to show it will be marked by a practical failure 

 of the fishery in 1912. 



AFOGNAK RESERVATION. 



The Afognak Reservation is set aside under presidential proclama- 

 tion and extends to the 3-mile limit in salt water. While several 

 salmon streams are found on the island, only two, and one of these 

 to but shght extent, are used at present to supply the hatchery. 

 While closed by law there has doubtless always been fishing in these 

 streams, at least by the natives, acting, perhaps, under their supposed 

 rights. Inasmuch as it can not be shown that this legal closure has 

 resulted in material benefit to adjacent streams and as no interest 

 could be subserved by the production of fish which no one was allowed 

 to utilize, the department decided to remove the prohibition within 

 certain limits for the benefit of the native inhabitants of the island 

 until such time as the fish were otherwise required. 



PROPOSED RESERVATIONS. 



At the instance of interested persons the closing of the streams 

 tributary to Cook Inlet, Eyak River and Lake, Anan Stream, and 

 Naha Stream will be taken up for consideration. A hearing for this 

 purpose has been set for October 18, 1912, in Seattle. This action is 

 taken under the law of 1906 and if eflectuated by an order closing 

 these waters it will apply only to the streams, lakes, and the salt 

 water within 500 yards of the river mouths. Up to this time pro- 

 tective measures have been addressed almost wholly to the red 

 salmon. With the iacreased recognition of the so-called inferior grades 

 their preservation must also be looked to. While it is true that the 

 pink and chum salmon are widely dispersed, this does not insure 

 their perpetuation. The run in small streams can be effectually 

 wiped out by a few applications of a seine, and their isolation and 

 relative unimportance are temptations to infraction of the law. 



CHIGNIK BAT. 



During the month of June a reconnoissance of lower Chignik Lake 

 was made by the officers and crew of the steamer Albatross. The 

 sketch of the lagoon made by the AWatross party in 1897 was found 

 to be entirely too inaccurate to permit plotting the fish traps, but 



