44 THE FISHERIES OF ALASKA IN 1906. 



their spawning beds. Without some such measure as this, it is prob- 

 able that the other canneries, for self-preservation, will place traps 

 in the river, and thus completely obstruct the already impeded pas- 

 sage. The river has stood the drain thus far, but the past season's 

 run points to the necessity for precautions. 



The establishment of a hatchery on the Wood River chain of lakes 

 is a matter of great interest to all the canneries in this region. There 

 are several excellent sites along the shores of the first lake (Aleknagik) , 

 and the cost of a hatchery here would be much less than elsewhere in 

 Alaska. Almost any of the cannery ships could be utilized in trans- 

 porting the necessary building material and supplies from the coast to 

 the Nushagak in the spring, with at most a very small charge for the 

 service. The question of labor would be simple, as there is a small 

 resident white population on the Nushagak throughout the year, 

 while Indians are quite numerous. It is thought that if the Depart- 

 ment were to submit the two propositions at the same time — the 

 closing of Wood River to all fishing and the establishment of a hatch- 

 ery on the chain of lakes — there would be practically no opposition to 

 the prohibition. 



5. That there be available in Alaskan waters a vessel belonging to 

 the Department of Commerce and Labor for the use of the Bureau of 

 Fisheries in the salmon inspection. This is considered necessary for 

 the following reasons : 



Navigation in these waters is difficult, and the changing persomiel 

 of revenue cutters permits no officer any great familiarity with the 

 region. In consequence the cutters enter none of the Bristol Bay 

 rivers except the Nushagak, anchoring usually 5 to 10 miles off the 

 mouths. Canneries as much as 17 miles distant must thus be visited 

 in the small boats of the ship, which encounter numerous dangers in 

 the swift tides, frequent storms, and fogs prevalent in the region. 

 The accommodation of the boat's crew, moreover, is a problem. It 

 is impossible to carry food and shelter for a several days trip, and the 

 necessary four or five oarsmen and officer, in addition to the agent, 

 are a burden to the cannery men. In consequence very little general 

 work can be done. 



With a vessel belonging to the service, and the navigator having 

 once become familiar with the region, the agent could be taken into 

 the rivers for visits of such length as were necessary; he would no 

 longer be compelled to depend upon the canneries for shelter and sub- 

 sistence, and also he would not be directly under their observation 

 while making his investigations, as is now the case. 



