314 
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES 
of the fishing is carried on in one tiny, sheltered bay, about 1% miles by 1 mile. Due 
to the restricted area fished and the ease of impounding there is doubt that, after 
reaching certain limits, trebling the number of boats would materially affect the 
catch. During the first two years of the fishery the catch was limited chiefly by the 
lack of sufficient packing facilities. In 1925 these facilities were taxed to the utmost, 
but were probably sufficient for nearly the maximum possible pack, since, owing to 
the ease of impounding, surplus fish could be held for many days and the plants kept 
constantly busy. 
From 1926 on, the facilities have been sufficient for a much larger pack than 
that of 1925. The drop in the number of boats in 1927 was due to the closure of 
the waters of Afognak reserve to all but native fishermen, but it can readily be seen 
O*- 
/923 /924 /92S /926 /927 /923 
Figure 53. — Catch of raw herring and gear used in Shuyak Strait from 1923 to 1928, inclusive. 
Broken line, number of purse-seine boats. Solid line, catch in millions of pounds 
that the number of boats was sufficient for a much greater pack had fish been available. 
From the catch analysis one must conclude that there has been a tremendous decrease 
in abundance. 
CONCLUSIONS 
From the statistical analysis of the catch the following conclusions may be drawn: 
1. In southeastern Alaska the abundance remained practically at a level from 
1922 to 1926, fell sharply in 1927, but recovered slightly in 1928. 
2. In central Alaska as a whole, owing to the exploitation of new areas, the rates 
of change of the catch and the numbers of boats were similar from 1918 to 1925, but 
the catch has declined markedly the past three years. 
3. In Prince William Sound except for minor fluctuations the abundance has 
declined progressively since 1922. This fall in abundance has been especially rapid 
in the larger sizes. 
4. In Cook Inlet the fall in the catch per fathom of gill net indicates a tremendous 
decrease in abundance of at least the larger sizes between 1924 and 1926. 
