282 
BULLETIN OP THE BUREAU OP FISHERIES 
young fish are present, the fishery must be supported by a reserve of the older age 
groups. Depletion of these older age groups by a too intensive fishery has caused the 
variations in the yield which have characterized the fishery during the past few years. 
Unless protection is adequate to insure a sufficient quantity of older age groups at all 
times the fishery can not be maintained without such undersirable fluctuations. 
REGULATIONS 
In 1924, acting under the authority vested in the Secretary of Commerce by the 
White law which was enacted by Congress in that year, the Department of Commerce 
promulgated regulations for the herring fishery. Prior to that time, no restrictions 
had been imposed. The regulations are as follows : 
Under date of June 21, 1924: 
1. Fishing for herring is prohibited during the period from January 1 to June 24, both dates 
inclusive, and from November 1 to December 31, both dates inclusive, of each calendar year, except 
for bait or for local food purposes. 
2. Gill nets used in catching herring shall not be of smaller mesh than 3 inches, stretched measure. 
3. No one shall place, or cause to be placed, across the entrance of any lagoon or bay any net or 
other device which will prevent the free passage at all times of herring in and out of said lagoon or 
bay. 
Under date of October 13, 1924: 
Commercial fishing for herring in the waters of the Prince William Sound area will be permitted 
with gill nets of mesh not smaller than 3 inches, stretched measure, from November 1 to November 
30, 1924, inclusive. 
Under date of October 25, 1924 : 
The regulation of October 13, 1924, permitting commercial fishing for herring in the waters of 
the Prince William Sound area with gill nets of mesh not smaller than 3 inches, stretched measure, 
from November 1 to November 30, 1924, inclusive, is hereby modified to permit the use of gill nets of 
mesh not smaller than 2J4 inches, stretched measure, in the Prince William Sound area from Novem- 
ber 1 to November 30, 1924. 
Under date of November 24, 1924: 
Commercial fishing for herring with purse seines in the waters of the Prince William Sound area 
will be permitted through December 15, 1924. 
Under date of December 2, 1924: 
1. Commercial fishing for herring is prohibited during the period from January 1 to June 24, both 
dates inclusive, and from November 1 to December 31, both dates inclusive, of each calendar year. 
2. The closed seasons herein specified for herring fishing shall not apply to any boat taking not 
to exceed 60 barrels of herring in any calendar week in waters open to fishing. 
3. Commercial fishing for herring is prohibited in all waters closed throughout the year to 
salmon fishing. 
4. Gill nets used in catching herring shall not be of smaller mesh than 2}i inches, stretched 
measure. 
Under date of January 28, 1925: 
Regulation No. 1 is amended to read as follows: Commercial fishing for herring is prohibited 
during the period from January 1 to June 24, both dates inclusive, and from November 16 to Decem- 
ber 31, both dates inclusive, of each calendar year. 
Regulation No. 3 is amended to read as follows: In the period from June 1 to October 1, both 
dates inclusive, commercial fishing for herring is prohibited in all waters closed throughout the year 
to salmon fishing. 
Under date of December 5, 1925: 
3. During the period from June 25 to October 1, both dates inclusive, commercial fishing for 
herring is prohibited in all waters closed throughout the year to salmon fishing. 
