197 



The Forest Service is also enhancing the Tongass ' fishery 

 resources. Over one million acres of land with watershed systems 

 having important commercial, recreational, and subsistence 

 fisheries values have already been set aside as wilderness or 

 unroaded areas. The Forest Service is currently engaged in 

 cooperative efforts with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game 

 (ADF&G) and several non-profit aquaculture associations to enhance 

 the salmon resources. 



The timber industry has donated equipment and manpower 

 for fisheries enhancement projects. In 1989, "the Dog Salmon" fish 

 pass on Prince of Wales Island and the "Marguerite Creek" fish pass 

 on Revilla Island were constructed with assistance from local 

 logging contractors. 



The Forest Service closely monitors water quality and 

 quantity, including the potential positive and negative impacts of 

 road construction and timber harvest on salmon spawning habitat. 



The fishing industry accounts for over 3,000 jobs in 

 Southeast Alaska, and is booming. Since 1980, there has been an 

 annual average harvest of 130 million pounds of fish, with an 

 annual vessel value of $86 million. In the 1950's, the annual 

 salmon catch in Southern Southeastern averaged 9.8 million fish per 

 year (see attached chart). In 1984, the Southeast total was more 

 than 62 million fish. Historical recorded commercial fish catches 

 in southern Southeast Alaska dating back to the early 1900's 

 averaged about 20,000,000 fish per year. By reason of overfishing, 

 the catch had diminished to about 8,000,000 fish per year by 1953 



