8 SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



published at each United States port of entry on the Pacific coast, warning all persons against entering 

 said waters for the purpose of violating the provisions of said section ; and he shall also cause one or 

 more vessels of the United States to diligently cruise said waters and arrest all persons, and seize all 

 vessels found to be, or to have been, engaged in any violation of the laws of the United States therein. 

 Approved, March 2, 1889. 



Additional legislation should provide for an increased production of salmon by fish- 

 cultural methods, thus avoiding the enormous waste of eggs and young fish under 

 their natural conditions and repairing, to some extent, the injury caused by over-fish- 

 ing. The prohibition of obstructions impeding or preventing the ascent of the salmon 

 to their spawning grounds must be strictly enforced, and destructive methods of fishing 

 prevented by Government agents at the fishing localities, or a system of leasing fish- 

 ery privileges under fixed regulations should be inaugurated. 



The great bulk of the salmon taken in Alaska at present are caught by seines, gill- 

 nets, and traps, all of which have been used in a more or less injurious manner. The 

 continual hauling of seines across and near river mouths prevents salmon approach- 

 ing the spawning condition from entering the streams. Gill-nets have been some- 

 times set entirely across the chaunels of rivers, and many traps are reported which 

 act as complete barriers to the ascending fish. The seining operations also entail 

 great unnecessary waste of good material by hauling on the beaches large numbers of 

 trout, salmon, and other food fishes which are not utilized. 



The enormous value of the Alaskan salmon fisheries furnishes a sufficient incentive 

 for prompt action in fostering and preserving the canning industry. In 1889 the 

 number of canneries in operation was thirty-six, representing an investment of nearly 

 $4,000,000, and the products were valued at about $3,000,000. Sixty-six vessels, in- 

 cluding thirteen steamers, were engaged in this trade. The industry furnishes re- 

 munerative employment for several thousand men. 



Alaska is a most promising field for fish-cultural operations. An abundance of 

 gravid salmon can be obtained in the vicinity of good harbors. Ample supplies ot 

 suitable water can be conveyed to hatching establishments by gravitation alone. Im- 

 passable natural obstructions are almost unknown. Streams which are not subject to 

 great fluctuations of level abound. The climate is favorable. Pollutions are absent. 

 Labor and materials are cheap, and communication with ports in the United States 

 is sufficiently easy. Prompt measures for maintaining the supply of salmon will 

 insure a permanent and improving fishery. 



