274 APPENDIX TO CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 
[Inclosure 2 in No. 187.] 
(50th Congress, 2nd Session.—Report No. 2687.) 
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES. 
FEBRUARY 27, 1889.—Ordered to be printed. 
Mr. Stockbridge, from the Committee on Fish and Fisheries, submitted the following 
Report (To accompany Bill S. 3993). 
The Committee on Fish and Fisheries, to whom was referred the Bill (S. 3993) to 
amend section 1963 of the Revised Statutes, and to provide for the better protection 
of the fur seals and salmon fisheries of Alaska, and for other purposes, beg leave to 
offer a substitute therefor, together with the accompanying Report: 
246 Salmon of different species are abundantly distributed to all the waters of 
Alaska from British Colombia to Norton Sound. The greater portion of their 
life is spent in salt water. They enter the rivers mainly for the purpose of repro- 
duction, and it is there that they become the object of pursuit and capture. ‘The 
spawning grounds are on the gravelly beds at the sources of the rivers, 
Any obstructions placed in the rivers which wholly or in considerable measure 
prevent them from reaching their spawning grounds will in a very short period of 
time result in the destruction of valuable fisheries, which under judicious regula- 
tion and restraint are a source of continuing wealth and production to the inhabit- 
ants of the territory. Up to the present time one river only, the Korluk, on the 
Island of Kodiak, has been seriously obstructed by the use of dams or barricades to 
arrest the ascent of salmon. This stream, hardly 20 miles long, yielded during the 
season of 1888 salmon to the value of 1,200,000 dollars. This extraordinary produe- 
tion has been at the cost of permanence, and should the use of dams and barricades 
be continued several years longer, the Korluk will cease to be a salmon river. 
The marvellous profits reaped by the canners on the Korluk River in 1888 has 
stimulated enterprise all along the west coast, and numerous expeditions are being 
now fitted out for the purpose of engaging in the salmon fisheries of Alaska the 
present season. Their objective points are the small streams, which can be readily 
obstructed by dams or other barriers, and it is certain that, in the absence of 
restraining legislation, this means of enhancing profits will be resorted to without 
scruple, and without regard to the fact that such methods generally pursued will 
result in the destruction of the salmon fisheries of the territory. 
(Inclosure 3 in No. 187.] 
An Act to provide for the Protection of the Salmon Fisheries of Alaska, 
(See Inclosure in No. 183.) 
[Inclosure 4 in No. 187.] 
Salmon Iisheries of Alaska. 
Mr. Stockbridge.—I am directed by the Committee on Fisheries, to whom was 
referred the Bill (S. 3993) to amend section 1963 of the Revised Statutes, and to 
provide for the better protection of the fur seals and salmon fisheries of Alaska, and 
for other purposes, to report it with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. It 
is a short Bill, and a very important one to the fisheries of Alaska. It is very 
strongly urged by the Fish Commissioner. I ask for the present consideration of 
the Bill. 
The President, pro tempore.—The Senator from Michigan asks unanimous consent 
that the Bill reported by him may be now considered. It will be read at length for 
information, 
The Bill was read. 
The amendment reported by the Committee on Fisheries was to strike out all 
after the enacting clause, and insert: 
aah 
