20 ALASKA FISHERIES AND FUR INDUSTRIES IN. 1915. 
present supply is somewhat less than it was years ago, but it further 
appears that the natives are concerned not so much with the present 
supply as with the prospects of what the future has in store for them. 
Moreover, at present, caribou, moose, and mountain sheep are plentiful 
in localities and a supply of food secured from these animals may 
be substituted in part. 
In general it may be said that the same conditions are found here 
that obtain in some other regions in Alaska. The natives will not be 
able to compete with modern methods if they continue to adhere to 
their primitive methods of fishing and to their original customs and atti- 
tude of indifference toward continued and persistent effort and indus- 
try. To limit modern fishing operations to an extent that a supply 
of fish may be available in such places as individuals may desire, and 
in such quantities as will enable natives to take their year’s supply 
within such limited periods as natural inclination would dictate, would 
mean a loss of food to the world at large that would not be justified. 
ENGLISH BAY. 
In June, 1915, the Department of Commerce received a communi- 
cation from the Department of the Interior advising of the receipt 
by that department of a communication from natives of English 
Bay, Alaska, stating that the placing of a fish trap by the Seldovia 
Salmon Co. in front of the native village of English Bay had made it 
impossible for them to get fish enough for their support during the win- 
ter, and setting forth their circumstances and needs. Orders were im- 
mediately issued to an agent of the Bureau to determine whether the 
trap in question was legally placed and to ascertain other pertinent 
facts. 
The investigation made accordingly developed that the trap was not 
unlawfully placed. The trap site had been located a number of years 
previously and in the meantime the propriety of operating the trap 
in that place had not been disputed. It was found, however, that the 
natives were daily violating the law by seining and setting gill nets 
within 100 yards outside the mouth of the red-salmon a flow- 
ing into English Bay. 
iCoasidering in a general way the dependence of the natives of 
Alaska upon the fisheries, something should be said in their favor. 
Where modern methods of fishing prevail, the natives are sometimes 
unable to compete successfully for their supply of fish or to adapt 
themselves to the changed conditions. Possibly the establishment 
of a number of fishery reserves for their exclusive use would be the 
best solution of the problem. A general policy of this character 
should not be undertaken except in accordance with well-formulated 
plans equitable to all interests involved and with false sentiment for 
the natives eliminated. 
