PACIFIC HERRING 
317 
3. The progression of sizes due to the growth of dominant year classes is reflected 
in the commercial catch. 
4. The similarity or difference between the dominant year classes in two adjacent 
localities gives indications for or against the independence of the two populations. 
5. In southeastern Alaska the abundance of herring remained practically at a 
level from 1922 to 1926, fell sharply in 1927, but recovered slightly in 1928. 
6. In central Alaska, owing to the exploitation of new areas, the rates of change 
of the catch and the number of purse-seine boats were similar from 1918 to 1925, but 
the catch has declined markedly in the past three years. 
7. In Prince William Sound, central Alaska, except for minor fluctuations the 
abundance has declined progressively since 1922. This fall has been especially rapid 
in the larger sizes. 
8. In Cook Inlet, central Alaska, both the catch per fathom of gill net and the 
comparative rates of change of the number of purse-seine boats and the catch show a 
decline in abundance since 1925. 
9. In Shuyak Strait, central Alaska, the catch commenced to decline in 1926 and 
reached the vanishing point by 1928. 
10. The lack of continuity of the fishery in any one locality gives evidence of 
depletion. 
11. There is some evidence of depletion in southeastern Alaska, but the data on 
hand do not offer sufficient proof. 
12. The data indicate severe depletion in Prince William Sound. 
13. Depletion has probably occurred in Cook Inlet and in Shuyak Strait. 
14. Due to the rapid growth in the third and fourth summers, any certain weight 
of herring of 2 or 3 years of age is probably more valuable to the species than an equal 
weight of older fish, indicating that this may be one of the best points in their life 
history at which to apply protection. 
15. It is deemed necessary that additional protection be applied to the herring in 
the Prince William Sound, Cook Inlet, and Shuyak Strait areas. 
BIBLIOGRAPHY 
Alexander, A. B., and H. B. Joyce. 
1912. Preliminary examination of halibut fishing grounds of the Pacific coast, by A. B. 
Alexander, with Introductory notes on the halibut fishery, by H. B. Joyce. In 
Report, United States Commissioner of Fisheries for 1911 (1913). Bureau of Fish- 
eries Document No. 763, 56 pp. Washington. 
Averinzev, S. 
1926. Herring of the White Sea. Wissenschaftliche Meeresuntersuchungen, neue Folge, 
Abteilung Helgoland, XV Band, Heft 3, Abteilung 18, 24 pp., 1 map. Keil und 
Leipzig. 
1928. Die Heringe des Japanischen Meeres. Zoologischer Anzeiger, Band 76, Heft 3/6, 
April 1, 1928. Leipzig. 
Bower, Ward T. 
1919. Alaska fisheries and fur industries in 1918. Appendix VII, Report of the United States 
Commissioner of Fisheries for 191S (1920). Bureau of Fisheries Document No. 872, 
128 pp., 10 pis. Washington. 
1920. Alaska fisheries and fur industries in 1919. Appendix IX, Report of the United States 
Commissioner of Fisheries for 1919 (1921). Bureau of Fisheries Document No. 891, 
160 pp., 5 pis., 1 map. Washington. 
1921. Alaska fishery and fur-seal industries in 1920. Appendix VI, Report of the United States 
Commissioner of Fisheries for 1921 (1922). Bureau of Fisheries Document No. 909, 
154 pp., 3 figs. Washington. 
1922. Alaska fishery and fur-seal industries in 1921. Appendix X, Report of the United States 
Commissioner of Fisheries for 1922 (1923). Bureau of Fisheries Document No. 933, 
85 pp., 21 figs. Washington. 
