SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF SWIFTSURE BANK 
819 
the season extending from April to October. Over the 8-year period from 1927-34, 
Puget Sound trollers took 104,692 cohos and 18,285 kings, while the cape fleet took 
2,411,312 cohos and 1,545,178 kings. 
SOCKEYE SALMON 
The Fraser River produces the only sockeye run of consequence in the region. 
From 1873-1934, over 250 million sockeyes have been canned, of which 46 percent 
were taken by Fraser River gill nets, 37 percent by traps, 14 percent by purse seines, 
and 3 percent by miscellaneous gear. An analysis of seasonal occurrence from gill-net 
catches indicates that the heavy, early-season run of superior quality sockeyes has 
suffered the greatest decrease in abundance. Indices of abundance from gill-net and 
trap catches both show a tremendous decline in all cycles. 
The cycle of years ending in 1934 fell about 39 percent in abundance between 
1898 and 1914, reached a very low point in 1918, and has been increasing considerably 
in each cycle after that date. 
The big year cycle, 1933, etc., tremendously abundant in early years, was severely 
reduced by over fishing and the Hell’s Gate slide, but has recuperated slightly in 
recent years. 
The cycle of years containing 1932 was the least abundant in the early years of 
the fishery, and declined still further in 1904. The run of 1932 was the best since 
that of 1912. 
The cycle of years containing 1931 has been the least abundant since 1899, 
although it was second in abundance for several years preceding that date. 
COHO SALMON 
Cohoes are the most widely distributed species of salmon found in the region. 
Approximately 98 percent mature at 3 years of age, and the migration to the spawn- 
ing beds occurs during the fall months, at which period the greater part of the catch 
is made. During the 9 years from 1926-34, approximately 5% million cohoes were 
taken on the high seas, a slightly greater number in Puget Sound waters, and about 
one-half million in the Fraser River. The greater part of the Puget Sound catches 
are taken in the southern part of that district. Seasonal occurrence is generally 
earlier in the northern than in the southern districts. Indices of abundance from 
both trap and purse seine catches show a high level of abundance in early years and 
a present level that is lower than at any previous time in the history of the fishery. 
KING SALMON 
King salmon are caught from early spring to fall, the bulk of the catches being 
made during early summer. During the 8 years from 1927-34, nearly 4 million were 
landed in the region, of which trollers landed approximately 40 percent, traps 39 
percent, gill nets 15 percent, and purse seines and miscellaneous gear 6 percent. 
Indices of abundance from trap catches do not show any definite trends in the north- 
ern areas, but do indicate a decrease in the runs of recent years in the southern part 
of Puget Sound. 
71941—38 9 
