38 
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES 
Obviously the decline in the relative numbers of older fish as contrasted with 
younger fish has been caused chiefly by a great decrease in the numbers of older 
fish, and only in very small part by an increase in abundance of young fish, supporting 
the previous evidence of considerable overfishing. 
CONCLUSIONS 
(1) The general trend of abundance, as shown by the boats delivering to the 
plants south of Point Ellis (Group I) is slowly declining. 
(2) The general trend of abundance, as shown by the boats delivering to the 
plants north of Point Ellis and south of Wilson Cove (Group II), was higher in 1926 
than in the three succeeding years, of which 1929 was the best. 
(3) The general trend of abundance, as shown by the boats delivering to the 
plants north of Wilson Cove (Group III), has fallen tremendously and steadily 
since 1924. 
(4) The decrease in abundance in the individual areas is proceeding at a much 
faster rate than in the general trend, which is held up by the exploitation of new areas. 
(5) The areas which have been exploited over a long period of time, for which 
data are available, as areas 12 and 21, have been depleted to the point of commercial 
extinction. 
(6) The relative numbers of older fish show a very large decrease from 1925 
to 1929. 
(7) The decrease in relative numbers of older fish has not been caused (except 
perhaps to a very limited extent) by the influx of dominant year classes of younger 
fish. This decrease in relative numbers of older fish therefore supports and con- 
firms the previous conclusions that the decreases in abundance are due to depletion. 
(8) There are few areas remaining which the fishery is not now exploiting so 
that the general trend may be expected to continue to fall, perhaps at an accelerated 
rate, unless some remedial measures are applied. 
RECOMMENDATIONS 
FUNDAMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS 
Certain general principles must be outlined before regulations can be framed to 
halt the course of depletion that is threatening the commercial extinction of the 
herring fisheries of southeastern Alaska. A clear picture must be gained of what 
has occurred. 
An intensive fishery was maintained on the older and better known fishing 
grounds until they no longer produced sufficient raw material. Then the fishery 
sought new grounds, usually at a greater distance from the plant. If the older grounds 
had now been entirely abandoned, the situation might not have become so alarming. 
However, this did not occur. The fishermen continued to seek for herring on the old 
and well-known fishing grounds long after they had ceased to produce a fair return. 
In going to and returning from newer and more productive grounds they traversed 
and fished the older grounds. In periods of stormy weather or seasonal scarcity 
the older grounds, being nearer to the plants and usually more sheltered than the 
newer, were fished intensively. As a result of these conditions, each fishing ground, 
once depleted, remained depleted, without any chance to recover, long after it had 
ceased to be of any real value to the fishery. Thus it appears that regulations cur- 
